Marie O'Regan

december

We kick things off this month with the cover reveal for a forthcoming anthology edited by Marie and Paul, The Secret Romantic’s Book of Magic, from Titan Books.

As featured on Reactor Mag (above), the hardback book is out next summer and features authors such as Olivie Blake, Kamilah Cole, Kelly Andrew and Hannah Nicole Maehrer.

You can find out more and read an extract from Tasha Suri’s contribution ‘The King’s Witch’ by clicking here.

And you can pre-order the book here, here, here, or here.

Photo Credit Fiona Cummins

Back to their most current, and festive, release now, and Death Comes at Christmas had not one, but two signings last month. The first was at Forbidden Planet in London (above) and you can see photos from this below, including Samantha Hayes who popped in early to sign, the books on sale, the group photo (L-R Tina Baker, Fiona Cummins, Helen Fields, Paul, Marie, Tom Mead and Russ Thomas), crowds, signed copies and general hilarity involving Russ (Death) coming after Tina (Christmas)!

Photo credit: Samantha Hayes

Photo credit: Fiona Cummins

Photo credit: Tom Mead

Photo credit: Tina Baker

The second signing was at Waterstones Sheffield, with Marie, Paul, Tom and Russ, as part of the store’s ‘Christmas Evenings’ (below).

The book also received a #1 Most Gifted banner in Crime, Thriller and Mystery Anthologies on Amazon (below).

More reviews have been rolling in as well, including this one from Exploring All Genres: ‘I loved the idea of having so many Christmas-centric stories with a touch of death. This is the perfect thing to read when you want those spooky vibes in October but are also craving some Christmas as well. The varying lengths of each story was another feature I loved. Some were a few pages long, whereas others sprawled and felt more like a novella…One of my favorite things about this book is the mix of stories found within. As expected, they all hold a similar theme, however, beyond that each story has its own unique voice and genre. Some were more classic, while others touched on true crime, general fiction, and so much more. There is something for everyone in this book and I feel that most readers will enjoy the vast majority, if not all of them. I will have to add these authors to my TBR to check out their other books because I enjoyed so many of their stories in this one.’

Read the full review here.

While The Witchy Storyteller said: ‘The book begins with an introduction by the editors. It helped adjust my expectations as I thought this would be a single murder mystery. While the stories do have “death” in some form, the approach is varied and left to the author’s perspective. The settings are also varied – historical, contemporary, countryside, city, India, UK, Ireland, etc. Some stories are stronger than others, which is to be expected in an anthology… Death Comes at Christmas combines cozy mystery, suspense, thriller, and slow-burn narratives to create a collection of stories where a death occurs during Christmas. The rating averaged 3.69, a decent number for an anthology with this many stories. The author bios are provided at the end.’

To read the full thing with scores for each story, click here.

Plus there were more 4 and 5* Netgalley reviews last month, all gathered below:

‘WOW!!! What a great book!! This one had me hooked from page 1! This was a first for me from these editors and it will not be my last! This one was a win for me! I loved all of the short stories!’(Laura G)

‘I’m not sure why Christmas and crime fiction are such an inevitable pairing, but there is something about the crime short story format in particular that works well. The majority of collections available, such as the British Library Crime Collections, are made up mostly or entirely of Golden Age-era authors, so it was refreshing to read Death Comes At Christmas, which features a range of contemporary crime and thriller authors. Complete with a beautiful cover design, this would make the perfect stocking filler for the bookworm in your life.’ (Janet B)

Death Comes at Christmas is a lovely collection of Christmas themed crime fiction, edited by Marie O’Regan and Paul Kane. Released 22nd Oct 2024 by Titan Books, it’s 368 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. It’s worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. Something about the peace/love/joy holiday vibe has inspired crime fiction writers to serve up murder and mayhem for over a hundred years, and this collection of largely previously unpublished short form fiction showcases 18 top shelf writers doing it up in style. It’s a strong collection with stories running the gamut from 3-5 stars, weighted toward the upper end. As always, it’s a lot of fun to read the editors’ introductory notes. The stories themselves are included without author’s/editors’ notes, but the publisher has included short author bios in the back of the book. Many of the included authors will be familiar to readers (Tom Mead, Claire McGowan, Samantha Hayes, Angela Clarke, Liz Mistry, Fiona Cummins, and several others), whilst some will likely provide a nice introduction for new readers to follow. They’re all adept and quite readable. There’s not a clunker in the lot (which is a bit surprising).Four stars. Highly recommended and worthwhile. It would make a good choice for public library acquisition, home reading, and gift giving.’ (Annie B)

‘This was a lot of fun!! I enjoyed reading the short stories from various authors.’ (Reviewer 1079398)

‘There is a lot of fun packed into this collection of Holiday themed short stories. I love that you can read them quickly and also be entertained with each story and the characters in them. It was a nice change of pace to read something that got right into the heart of the story so quickly. I definitely enjoyed this collection and recommend other readers add this to your reading list.’ (Kelly M)

‘This book I couldn’t set down and binge read in a few hours. A mixture of Christmas crime stories from different authors that are surely enough to intrigue and sadden you all at once. I would read another one like this in a heartbeat!’ (Athea W)

‘Oh, I thoroughly enjoyed these stories. I wished I’d read throughout December but I couldn’t wait as there are many of my favourite authors in this book. It’s honestly brilliant! Loved it!’ (Dawn B)

‘If you like short stories, reading crime and Christmas – this is the book for you.
I thoroughly enjoyed dipping in and out of this collection of short festive stories from a myriad of great crime authors. It’s a perfect gift for friends and family who like to read books of a darker nature and it’s perfect over the holiday season when it can be challenging to sit down with a novel because of everything else going on. With this book, if time is limited, you can treat yourself to one story. If you do find some uninterrupted reading space, you can keep going to find out what festive theme will be explored in the next story… My absolute favourite was “Icarus” by Belinda Bauer. As a writer as well as a reader, this felt like a masterclass in achieving something very moving, Christmas and crime themed in very few words. It was marvellous story. Death comes at Christmas is out now, so you can purchase it in time for the holidays as a gift for others or for yourself.’ (Angela W)

‘I enjoyed this collection of stories. Every single one was different. While some stories stood out to me. “Marley’s Ghost” by Sarah Hilary had an excellent ending. “Christmas Lights” was a heart-wrenching tale of grief and loss. “The Red Angel” warns of becoming lost in the unknown. “Secret Santa” is about a man with a crush on his coworker. That story had a plot twist that I was not expecting. I found “The Wrong Party” to be one of the funnier stories I’ve read in the collection. One cold night in “Frostbite”, Ellen encounters a man from her past. “The Naughty List” was a satisfying end for a man receiving strange messages about his past wrongdoings. Of all the stories, “Christmas Yet to Come” was my favorite. It showcases characters from the classic Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Marley may be deceased, but his legacy of ruthlessness lives on in his descendants. But he has met his match. Overall, it was a wonderful collection of stories perfect for those who love Christmas and mysteries.’ (Lanae B)

Death Comes at Christmas, edited by Marie O’Regan and Paul Kane, is an enchanting yet chilling anthology that blends festive cheer with classic crime. This 18-story collection gathers work by celebrated crime authors, including Tom Mead, Vaseem Khan and Belinda Bauer, all delivering holiday-themed mysteries that run the gamut from locked-room puzzles to domestic dramas. Set in snow-covered landscapes and cosy country houses, these tales of murder, secrets and betrayal reveal that the Christmas season isn’t all joy and goodwill. With each author demonstrating a distinct style, readers are treated to a variety of whodunits, some highlighting psychological tension and others evoking classic crime tropes. What sets this collection apart is its mix of tones and subgenres, making it an ideal read for both seasoned crime fans and those seeking a festive twist on suspense. The juxtaposition of Christmas spirit with dark motives intensifies the atmosphere, creating a unique and engaging experience that’s perfect for cosy winter nights. Whether it’s the charm of a winter wonderland or the unexpected twists in each story, Death Comes at Christmas keeps readers on edge, promising added intrigue with every new story.’ (Erin B)

‘This collection is the perfect blend of cosy festive cheer and crime. Each story is unique and stands out on its own. While the theme may be the holidays and crime the way each author brings this to life is completely different. Each story stood up on its own and I have to say I enjoyed every one. I personally liked “Christmas Yet to Come” the most, but each one was enjoyable and distinctive. O’Regan and Kane have curated the perfect collection for crime fans that will be a must read on cold winter nights.’ (Siobhain M)

Get your copy in time for Christmas here!

Foreign language editions of a couple of other Marie & Paul anthologies now, including the French version of their bestselling Cursed (above and below), published by 404 Editions, which they received last month.

Similarly, below is the gorgeous Polish edition of In These Hallowed Halls from Storylight…

You can still pick up the UK releases here and here.

Turning now to Absinthe Books, and PS reported last month that signed editions of Conrad Williams’ Remnant have arrived at their unit. You can order this here.

Photo credit: Fiona M Sketching Witch X

Plus a couple of reviews of previous releases have appeared in Parsec #12, beginning with George Mann’s Spiderglass. H.E. George had this to say: ‘The author does an excellent job of creating a vivid environment, complete with credible society, using a minimum of words. This is the second novella set in the world of Durstan and his familiarity with the setting is conveyed via osmosis to the reader, helping to reassure us that we’re in good hands… an exciting adventure laced with intrigue and yes, romance, in a well-grounded world, told by an author who knows his trade.’

And Andy Hedgecock reviewed The Rider, The Bride, The Rich Man’s Wife, saying: ‘If Premee Mohamed’s novella were a river, it would be one with rapids, vertiginous waterfalls and stretches where the levee seems certain to break. It’s clear from the first few pages that the reader is in for the literary equivalent of a whitewater rafting experience… Somehow, Mohamed holds this tale-of-unexpected-turns together: as the narrator’s apprehension of reality shifts, so do the expectations of the reader. We lurch from post-apocalyptic western to dark fairy tale to tale of scientific deception to philosophical nightmare… bravura demonstration of the power of storytelling.’

You can order these here and here, plus check out the other releases from Absinthe Books here.

November

Not only did Death Comes at Christmas, Marie and Paul’s new hardback anthology from Titan Books, launch last month (reaching #76 in all books on Amazon within a day – below), a signing took place at Forbidden Planet in London on November 2nd (photos from this next month!).

The book also received more 4 and 5* reviews on NetGalley which you can read below:

‘Thinking about buying a Christmas themed mystery book for someone you know…or yourself? Look no further. This is a fun anthology with a holiday flair. Inside are 18 stories by many authors whose books I have enjoyed. Just a few of these writers are Belinda Bauer, David Bell, JT Ellison, Clare McGowan, and Tom Mead. Sometimes a short story is just the right thing. For anyone who enjoys a quick read, dip in anywhere in this title. There are some gems.’ (Joyce L)

‘From some of the masters of the genre come 18 festive tales, each with a particularly satisfying bite. Stories from CL Taylor, Helen Fields and Sam Carrington, people whose books crime lovers will have devoured, will prove enlightening and entertaining… if a bit spooky. Expect locked room mysteries and unusual behaviour, rivalries coming to the boil and dodgy deeds floating to the surface, each one is like a present in itself. Something to dip into, and continue to dip into, as each is full of the layers that its author are well known for.’ (Aine T)

‘This is a perfect, feel-good, cosy up with the fire and Christmas tree lit behind you kind of book. Perfect Christmas read, simple and easy! This is a first for me, I enjoyed and would read more of the authors’ work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop.’ (The Secret Book Review)

‘Murder? Christmas? Sign me up. I loved these short reads and loved reading all of them. Very fun and different!’ (Rose Q)

‘This is a fun anthology and would make a great Christmas gift for someone who loves mystery and thriller books. There’s something for everyone with this book. A few of my favorites were “Christmas Lights” by David Bell; “Secret Santa” by Liz Mistry; “What She Left Me” by Tina Baker and “Postmarked Murder” by Susi Holliday.’ (Jada A)

‘Murder Mysteries: make it Christmas! This book is a wonderful collection of holiday mysteries, perfect to have on your shelf when you are craving a fun, festive read. I enjoyed each of the 18 stories and absolutely love the cover!’ (Brooke W)

‘The impressive lineup of authors includes Belinda Bauer, CL Taylor, Helen Fields, Tina Baker among many more. Like a perfect Christmas hamper, something for everyone with quality, quantity and variety across 384 pages. I like a multi-author collection and this is a good one with some of the authors dabbling in different styles and adding more humour for Christmas. Claire McGowan’s “The Wrong Party” about a nightmare of an office Christmas party is a particular favourite.’ (Dan B)

‘I keep a little stock of festive books to get me into the mood on the run up to Christmas, but I’m also a big fan of books that have a twist in the tale that keep you guessing, so this was the perfect book for me. I’m not usually a big fan of short stories, but I can honestly say I loved every one of these. They were written by many of my favourite authors, in particular CL Taylor, and they were just the right length to build up the story and keep you guessing. I’d definitely recommend reading this at any time of the year.’ (Librarian 552665)

‘Death Comes at Christmas, edited by Marie O’Regan and Paul Kane, is a festive collection of eighteen seasonal crime stories by bestselling and award-winning authors. From locked-room mysteries set on Christmas Eve to suspenseful whodunits and family rivalries at the dinner table, each tale is filled with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. This anthology pays tribute to classic crime stories, blending the cozy warmth of the holidays with chilling mysteries lurking in the shadows of freshly fallen snow. This book was a lot of fun! Anthologies can sometimes feel uneven, but I found myself really enjoying the variety of stories in Death Comes at Christmas. The mix of different writing styles kept things interesting, and each mystery brought its own unique flavor to the collection. Perfect for curling up with a warm drink during the holidays, this is a must-read for fans of crime fiction with a festive twist.’ (Jessa Layne B)

‘Acclaimed authors deliver a collection of original British-style Christmas mysteries, featuring locked-room puzzles, shocking twists, and festive suspense. Get ready for a chilling holiday treat! This eclectic mix will appeal to a wide variety of tastes. Each tale is well-crafted and compelling enough to keep you reading until the end.’ (Andrea Wenger)

‘I read the name of the artists featured in this anthology of Christmas mystery and knew that I had to read it as Tom Mead and Vaseem Khan, plus others, are amongst my favourite writers. It could have been a series of minor and standard stories but it wasn’t: it starts with a bang and the level is always very high and entertaining. Some are surprising, some are entertaining, all of them are well written and well plotted. And I was happy to catch up with Joseph Specter and Persis from Malabar House. Be prepared for a treat and read it. Highly recommended.’ (Librarian 431790)

‘A collection of Christmas stories that are not what we expect – but that’s what makes them wonderful!’ (Elaine C)

‘This was a fun mix of holiday themed murder mysteries. I was not familiar with most of the authors so it was also a great opportunity to sample their work. Some leaned a bit more toward the cozy mystery side while several had dark twists. The stories also provided quite a few laughs along the way. I do not like horror or anything that leans too much into thriller/suspense or really dark, and these stories walked right up to that line but didn’t cross it for me. (I even used this as bedtime reading)! I enjoyed this collection and finished it in a few days.’ (Reviewer 1015462)

‘I loved the idea of having so many Christmas-centric stories with a touch of death. This is the perfect thing to read when you want those spooky vibes in October but also craving some Christmas as well. The varying lengths of each story was another feature I loved. Some were a few pages long, whereas others sprawled and felt more like a novella. From the first story, which I thoroughly enjoyed, I knew this would be an entertaining and sometimes creepy collection of stories. While there were too many stories in this collection to properly give my thoughts on each one, I will say I loved almost every one of them… I will take a moment to highlight a couple of my favorites. The first story, “How to Commit Murder in a Bookshop”, had an intriguing beginning, and while quite short in length, this story stuck with me well after finishing the book. This is the perfect read for all booklovers and anyone who works in the publishing industry. Eleanor was a fantastic character who was extremely observant of the other characters in the bookstore. The murder was well planned out and took me and Eleanor by surprise, which was fantastic.

“The Red Angel” was a perfect mix of Christmas and true crime. While it didn’t grab my attention immediately, after a couple of pages I was fully invested in the story and with the steady pacing and constant upping of the ante I was absolutely gobbling this one up. In “The Wrong Party”, I wasn’t too sure what to expect. It took me some time to get into this one but every time I thought I should put the book down for a bit, I immediately decided against that and kept reading. There’s no good way for me to say what I enjoyed about this one without spoiling it. I truly wish I could take the time to talk about each story, but I feel it’s best for people to read this short story collection to find out for themselves. One of my favorite things about this book is the mix of stories found within. As expected, they all hold a similar theme, however, beyond that each story has its own unique voice and genre. Some were more classic, while others touched on true crime, general fiction, and so much more. There is something for everyone in this book and I feel that most readers will enjoy the vast majority, if not all of them. I will have to add these authors to my TBR to check out their other books because I enjoyed so many of their stories in this one.’ (Sarah Q)

‘This intriguing set of short stories, all with varying Christmas themes, will intrigue, sadden and prompt you to look into other works by the various authors. Some are incredibly sad; some are great fun; all are well written and interesting short stories. I recommend this anthology as it certainly introduced me to several authors whose works were of interest to me.’ (Ruth M)

‘18 festive stories of murder and mystery in the grand tradition of Christmas crime fiction, from the masters of the genre… I’m here for all of this!’ (Elizabeth L)

‘I was excited to read some murderish Christmas short stories and this book delivered on that! The short stories varied in length, some as short as 10 plus pages and others as long as 30-ish pages. Each was unique and not repeated which keeps the reader interested. I believe readers will enjoy this book for the holiday season! Happy release day!’ (Erin B)

‘These were all very fun stories that I couldn’t put down. Perfect for the holidays if you want something other than romcom.’ (Heather P)

‘A great selection of Holiday themed mysteries. These are perfect for the madness and rush of the holidays when you just want to sit down and have a little read and feel like you’ve accomplished something. Each one is perfect on its own and I can’t wait to read more from these authors in the future.’ (Cindi A)

‘Wow, with a lineup of authors like this, who wouldn’t want a little Christmas magic from them? Seriously, this book is exactly what you need! Each author brings their own unique twist, and their brilliant minds make this such an entertaining read. Some stories are short, but they’re packed with the perfect mix of everything you’re craving. Once you start, it’s hard to stop – you’ll just keep flipping from one story to the next. Totally addictive! Big thanks to NetGalley and Titan Books for letting me dive into this early copy!’ (Reviewer 1337643)

While over on Insta, @brewtifulfiction added: ‘If you are looking for a book that gets you through spooky season and right up to Christmas, look no further than #DeathComesAtChristmas a brilliant collection of short stories from some of my favourite crime authors.’

Paul and Marie also did a piece about the anthology for the mighty Crime Time, which you can read here.

And an extract from JT Ellison’s tale ‘O Murder Night’ appeared on Nerd Daily (above) which you can read here.

You can order your own copy of this festive treat here.

The Turkish version of Marie and Paul's anthology Twice Cursed has had a bit of a makeover. Its new look is above, and we think you’ll agree it’s even more stunning than before! It’s coming out soon through Athica Books, but in the meantime you can still get the original English version here and here.

 

OCTOBER

Runalong the Shelves has just reviewed some of the latest Absinthe Books, commissioned and edited by Marie, including Grackle by AC Wise here, The Rider, The Ride, The Rich Man’s Wife by Premee Mohamed here, Grey by Ian Rogers here, and Remnant by Conrad Williams here.Quite the glowing recommendations!

 You can see the page for all the Absinthe Books and pick up your copies here.

Turning to anthologies now, and more contributors have been getting their copies of Beyond & Within Folk Horror, including Benjamin Spada, B. Zelkovich, Kathryn Healy and Christina Sng (below).

 

The book also rose to the ranks of #3 in ‘Most Gifted’ on Amazon, plus went on sale at Fox Lane (below).

Get your copy here, here or at Fox Lane here.

As previewed by Gizmodo here, the paperback version of Paul and Marie’s Dark Academia anthology, In These Hallowed Halls, came out last month from Titan (above).

If you missed out on this the first time, you can get yours here.

Marie and Paul were sent the first look images of the Turkish version of their anthology Twice Cursed last month as well. It’s coming out soon through Athica Books, but in the meantime you can still get the original English version  here and here.

Out this month, in the run up to the Festive Season, is the hardback of Death Comes at Christmas from Titan Books. The book is now up on NetGalley, and the first reviews are in…

A 4* from Sara D, who said: ‘I usually find it difficult to rate a short story collections because some may be 5 star reads while others feel mediocre at best. But I found myself flying through these stories and really having a fun time with each one. We had a lot of twisty endings that were great and most were quite eerie. This collection is for those that love a little Halloween vibe to go along with their Christmas cheer.’

Another 4* from Heather S: ‘This is a short story collection that was overall pretty good… This book is best read with a glass of warm mulled cider and a cozy blanket!’

Yet another 4* review from Elaine L: ‘I’m wary of short story collections because usually I only end up liking a few stories, or just one or two but Death Comes at Christmas was a surprise. In a good way… This was a festive and fun compilation featuring murder and mayhem during the Christmas season. Because don’t some people feel murder-y when you have to spend time with your annoying family during the holidays?’

Plus the first 5* from Wilfrieda S: ‘Death Comes at Christmas is a fantastic collection of 18 crime fiction stories set at Christmas time. I enjoyed all of them, some more than others. The mysteries were great, with some that have more creep factor than others. If you’re a fan of short stories and mysteries, this Christmas Crime Collection is for you! I will say my favorite was by J.T. Ellison. Highly recommend!’

september

The latest trio of novellas from Absinthe Books, commissioned and edited by Marie, launched at WorldCon in Glasgow last month: Grey by Ian Rogers, Remnant by Conrad Williams and All the Devils Are Here by Paul Finch (above). They were also spotlighted in the PS Newsletter going out on the Friday of the convention (below). Ian and Conrad were around on the Saturday to sign copies of their books, as well…

Here are more details about the novellas themselves:

Grey: The Guf stands empty. The last human soul in all of existence has been stolen by the Devil and his children, the Seven Deadly Sins, and humanity’s end is in sight. With no other choice, God enlists Heaven’s hatchet man – an entity called Grey that is neither angel nor demon – to retrieve the soul and save the world.

Remnant: Snæfellsjökull has revealed a secret; an artefact buried in the ice that no one can explain. When Claire is invited along to the excavation in her capacity as a glacial archaeologist, she leaps at the chance. With a recent break-up still very fresh in her mind, she needs a new start and hopes this is it. As the excavation progresses, Claire realises that this assignment is very different from what she imagined, and secrets are everywhere; not all of them buried. As the ghosts of her past become enmeshed in her very dangerous present, who knows what will happen, and what further mysteries will be revealed? An outstanding Arctic tale of the supernatural, Remnant certainly ramps up the chills.

All the Devils Are Here: Cynical London cop, Dora “Mac” McDougal, of the Metropolitan Police’s elite Organised Crime Command, has a strike-rate that is second-to-none, mainly because of her cavalier approach to rules and regulations. However, when Mac discovers the whereabouts of a cop-killer whom she has a personal beef with, she literally throws caution to the wind.This animal in human form took out the only guy she ever cared about. And only one response is possible to that.

However, when Mac’s off-the-books revenge mission takes her north, she finds herself in a woe-begotten town, itself in the grip of supernatural evil. And uncovers a devilish plot to unleash torturous death on an epic scale. Throughout her twenty-year war against the nation’s deadliest criminals, Mac could never have dreamed how many lower levels of darkness there still are, all just waiting to unleash their malevolent forces. Sunday Times bestseller, Paul Finch, cranks up the terror to max in this all-new horror story of mass murder and urban diabolism.

But that’s not the only Absinthe news this month, Tracy Fahey’s They Shut Me Up has been shortlisted for a British Fantasy Award!

This, in addition to the fact that Marie and Paul’s The Other Side of Never has been shortlisted too in the anthology category (above). You can check out what else has been nominated here.

You can see the page for all the Absinthe Books here.

And you can order your copy of The Other Side of Never here.

Sticking with anthologies, Marie received all her contributor copies of another anthology she did with Paul, out last month, Beyond & Within: Folk Horror from Flame Tree (above and below).

The book also started to get some great reviews, the first being from Benjamin Kurt Unsworth over at Ginger Nuts of Horror, who said: ‘In Flame Tree Press’ latest anthology in their “Beyond & Within” series, aiming to showcase a variety of writers, voices, and backgrounds, Paul Kane and Marie O’Regan bring together the various tributaries of folk horror to create a hardy repository of stories. Although it’s perhaps the broadest in scope of the “Beyond & Within” series, it doesn’t play second fiddle because of that; if anything, the range of imaginations it conglomerates forms a staunch bastion of stories, and Kane and O’Regan’s introduction is worth a perusal just to get a feel of how considered the whole thing is. Complete with beautiful cover, the anthology isn’t afraid to transplant you from the cosier realms of reality to its darker, untamed regions, and from the first moment you’ll wonder the kind of Pandora’s box you have opened… Exuding ambience and chilling creature feature rather than splatter and blood-curdling shocks, Kane and O’Regan collect a fine cabal of authors and know where to shine their spotlight – which makes it ironic maybe that this anthology’s greatest asset is how it undoubtedly leaves you wanting to turn the light back on and forgo sleep until daylight has returned.’

For the full detailed review, click here.

Meanwhile, Sam Tyler at SFBook Reviews had this to say: ‘There is an art to the short story, and I can say from experience that Flame Tree Press have gotten it down. They have produced many excellent short story collections, and their new venture is the Beyond & Within series. In many ways these books are the same as their larger collections, handpicked, curated tales on a given subject. In this case Folk Horror is edited by Paul Kane and Marie O’Regan. However, the format is smaller, more succinct and I would argue easier to digest. As easy as Folk Horror can be to digest.

As a subgenre Folk Horror is a tricky one to pin down, what makes a book Folk? A place separate from the norm. Tales of ancient evils or modern cults and their weird ways, but also stories of the Fae or evils that lurk in the woods. Kane and O'Regan have created a mix of stories that are fast-paced, so if you are not a fan of one, it will not be long before the next…What makes this collection interesting is that the authors have approached Folk Horror in different ways…the hit rate for quality stories is there.’

You can read the full thing here.

And get your copy here or here.

Marie received final contributor copies of the hardback anthology she put together with Paul for this coming festive season too, Death Comes at Christmas from Titan Books. The book looks stunning, as you can see above and below…

august

The hardback anthology Marie edited with Paul for Flame Tree Press, Beyond & Within Folk Horror, is out at the end of the month. Marie received the book ahead of this and it looks absolutely stunning, with sprayed edges and internal illustrations (above and below).

It was also making its way out to reviewers, as well as hitting number 13 on Amazon’s ‘Hot New Releases’ for anthologies (below).

You can preorder your copy here or here.

An earlier one from Marie and Paul, the original Cursed, has been listed as one of The Independent’s ‘13 Best Horror Books That Will Send a Chill Up Your Spine’ (above).

They said: ‘Who doesn’t love a story with a good curse? Whether it’s a “plague on both your houses” à la Shakespeare or an ancient malediction rearing its ugly head, curses are the bread and butter of horror. This thrilling anthology of short stories, edited by Marie O’Regan and Paul Kane, explores them in all (gory) shapes and sizes. Both authors have done a great job curating stories from an eclectic mix of modern writers, including Neil Gaiman, Christina Henry, and Charlie Jane Anders. Our reviewer found “Skin” by James Brogden, in which a man pays the ultimate price for judging someone with a skin condition, particularly disturbing (in the best horror book way).’

You can read the full list here.

This coincides with the first look at the French edition of the book, from 404 Editions (above).

Turning to a more recent anthology now, and @whatwanderingwindyreads gave a glowing review of Marie and Paul’s #1 bestseller The Other Side of Never last month (above).

They said: ‘If you love dark and twisted retellings of your childhood favourites, The Other Side of Never should definitely be on your tbr. Warning – there are NOT many happy thoughts to be found in this collection. Filled with 18 expertly edited short stories, there’s a little dystopian sci-fi, a lot of gritty fantasy and loads of horror. On top of some great twists on Peter and Wendy, we also get cool spin offs of The Lost Boys, Captain Hook, Tinkerbell and even the lagoon mermaids. Peter Pan holds a special place in my reader’s heart as being the first book I recall as a nightly bedtime story so it’s probably not surprising that this anthology gets 5 shiny stars from me.

My favourites were: ‘A School for Peters’, which is very Black Mirror-esque; ‘Chasing Shadows’ that reminded me of classic Goosebumps stories; ‘The Lost Boys Monologues’; and ‘On Til Morning’. Peter Pan lovers... Who’s your favourite original character/s? The Lost Boys and Nana the dog are mine.’

You can pick up your copy of the book here.

The Turkish edition of Marie and Paul’s Dark Academia anthology, In These Hallowed Halls, has also been released (above). You can get that here.

Plus you’ll find YouTube review videos of the Polish edition below:

Meanwhile, the UK book is still getting attention over on Instagram, like these photo-posts from @bookish_fluff and @galedrinksink below…

You can pick up the hardback here.

However, the paperback is coming in September! Marie received her contributor copies of this recently (above and below) and they look just as beautiful as the hardback!

The pre-order link for this is here.

Marie also received ARCs of hers and Paul’s crime anthology Death Comes at Christmas (above and below).

Plus, some of the authors have been receiving their actual finished hardbacks – photos below from Clarie McGowan, Susi Holliday and Helen Fields!

It’s out in October so don’t wait for the festive period to creep up on you, pre-order today here.

Finally this month, a couple of glowing reviews for AC Wise and George Mann’s Absinthe Books, from Fantasy Book Nerd. Here’s what they had to say about Grackle:

‘They called her Grackle because she was the saint of lost things, and all the birds would do her bidding. And they called her Grackle because of the boys she drowned.

Author of Wendy Darling & Hooked turns her hand back to the realms of the strange and unknown in this tale of grief and loss… This is the first time reading the works of A.C. Wise and I must say that they bowled me over with this story. The prose is absolutely gorgeous drawing you into the story little by little. As the story moves on you soon realise that the story metamorphoses into something that you don’t expect, and what you think is the story initially, turns out to be something else entirely.’

And now Spiderglass:

‘Wychwood author, George Mann returns to the world of Durstan in this second novella of his Tales of Durstan series… Throughout Spiderglass, Mann takes you on a journey through the rich and vibrant city of Velin, through the streets of the city in the day, the change it undergoes at night, and the past that lies beneath its surface, all with our intrepid Aliza as the main counterpoint that our eyes follow.

There’s plenty of intrigue and adventure, with a little romance thrown in to make the elements of the story a rip-roaring read that will entertain.’

You can read the full version of both of these here.

And you can order both of these and check out the rest of the Absinthe Books line,which Marie is Managing Editor for – including the imminent release information for August's titles – here.

june/july

As revealed in the PS newsletter (above) last month, the new Spring titles for Absinthe are an exciting trio of novellas.

First up is George Mann (below), with Spiderglass: ‘Aliza Satine is a scrapper, finding artefacts and curios from earlier ages of Velin where she can, intent on uncovering more about its history. What the Reliquistors tell the people of Velin’s past only goes so far, and Aliza is nothing if not curious. One day she is given a gift, a small glass bottle.  A type of curio she thought long-extinct, if it had ever really existed at all. Knowing the danger if she’s found to have such an object in her possession, Aliza resolves to find out more about it before she has to give it up – and discovers so much more than she ever thought possible.’

Then comes AC Wise with Grackle (above): ‘Andi’s on a road trip to a famously haunted town, Drakesburg. It was supposed to be partly a research trip for her thesis, partly one last sister’s trip to a cabin in the woods to spend time together and tell ghost stories; just like they used to do with their mother when she was alive. But an argument after their grandmother’s funeral put a stop to that. Instead, Andi’s taking a fellow student she barely knows, Emmanuelle, along for the drive – hardly the fun trip she envisioned. Emmanuelle starts to tell a ghost story as they travel through the night – towards a stranger destination than either of them expected to find – and before long Andi finds herself in a tale inside a story, and who knows how to get out?’

Last but never least, we have Premee Mohamed with The Rider, The Ride, The Rich Man’s Wife: ‘Lucas is dismayed when his brother Kit is chosen to take part in the Hunt: a chase that takes place every seven years and acts as a sacrifice to the Rider and his Wife, ensuring a plentiful harvest, at least that year. Determined to save his brother, all he has left, Lucas hatches a plan to save Kit and accompany him in his struggle to survive—setting the scene for a race through a post-apocalyptic landscape filled with more danger than either boy could ever imagine. The Rider, The Ride, The Rich Man’s Wife is a thrilling, post-apocalyptic chase, marrying Fairy Tale, Western and Adventure. Hang on tight!’

You can pre-order all of these and check out the rest of the Absinthe Books line, for which Marie is Managing Editor, here.

Yet more mentions for Marie and Paul’s hardback anthology In These Hallowed Halls last month, like a shoutout from @read.with.tearna and this from @millasbokterapai (both above): ‘At the beginning of December I went to London and picked up this book at Piccadilly Waterstones. Mainly because of the stunning cover and the fascinating genre. The book consists of 12 stories, all in true dark academia-vibes. It’s published by Titan and I really want to read more from them. It’s written by 12 different authors, so I wasn’t fond of every story, but for the most part I found the book to be creepy and intriguing. I highly recommend this to all dark academia-lovers out there or anyone who is curious about books with a gothic edge to them. I got to read some new authors and I’ve already put some new books on my tbr after reading this. My 3 favourite stories from this anthology: “1000 Ships” by Kate Weinberg; “X House” by J.T. Ellison; “The Professor of Ontography” by Helen Grant. We often read big books, but I do like to switch it up with some smaller stories once in a while, such as this anthology. I’ve spent about two months enjoying and slow-pacing myself through this book. Hope you all have a wonderful Saturday wherever you are. I’m going to start my day by starting a new book with a cup of coffee out on my porch.’

@ashhleyreads (above) had this to say: ‘I haven’t read much in this genre so l was really excited to delve into it with this anthology! 12 short stories, 12 authors. Roughly 30 or less pages each. Finished in less than 24 hours! My favourite was “The Hare and the Hound” by Kelly Andrew! Have you read this? What other dark academia books/authors should I check out? Also hi, I changed my name to this from devouringbookishly because I wanted something simpler lol.’

Meanwhile the book was still being enjoyed over in Poland, as evidenced by this from @wydawnictwostorylight (above). ‘You outdo yourselves in creating collages with aesthetics for the anthology In These Hallowed Halls! We can’t get enough of it! And you have inspired us!’

Then from @thou.sandlives (above): ‘This is the first time I’ve ever written an anthology review. I thought it would be easier because I read the stories so fast I didn’t even feel the passage of time. From the first page, I found myself in a completely different place – behind the walls of the academy, where every secret has its price. If I had to describe the climate of these twelve stories in three words, it would definitely be: mystery, darkness, and anxiety. In addition, there are forbidden romances, built on the basis of fear and uncertainty. There is a pursuit of vengeance and justice, spiritual seances, and also an obsessive desire for truth. There are murders, blood on hands and secrets that you take with you to the grave. Did I enjoy some of the stories more or some less? Yeah. Was there a story I didn’t like at all? Nope. Although I know the work of only two authors, whose stories are in this anthology, it’s among the list of other unknown authors, I discovered my new favourites. Special accolades, in my opinion, go to such titles as “The Professor of Ontography”, “Pythia”, “The Hare and the Hound”, “Four Funerals”, and “Phobos”.’

This is what @booksbybookaholic (above) said: ‘In These Hallowed Halls is a collection of stories that attracted me mainly by the theme. You have to admit that 12 stories, 12 authors and 12 ideas for unique stories embedded in the dark academia aesthetics sound like a recipe for success. And in my opinion, that’s what it turned out to be. Behind an absolutely beautiful cover with gilding lies stories among which everyone will find something for themselves. A diverse group of authors presented here really unique stories revolving around the dark academia theme. Everyone has something fresh inside them. So here you will find stories on the verge of horror, where people are not as they seem, mysterious disappearances, ghosts of the past, magic and exceptionally developed technology that influences characters. It is known that in the collections, telling is not equal to a story, however, to my surprise, this one maintained a fairly steady level of my commitment and I found something attractive in each of the stories, even in the ones that many reviewers did not necessarily like.

The beginning of “1000 ships” looks promising. Because we have a drawn out story of a romance between a professor and a student with an unclear twist. This text attracted me additionally to the author’s work, because it is a prequel to an already published book. It only gets better from then on, and they deserved attention in my opinion at least. “The Hare and the Hound” – in which form the author managed to draw up a mass of content and interesting motives and elements of Nordic mythology or “The Unknowable Pleasures” which left me with a feeling of satisfaction or “X House”, which left me with goosebumps on the whole body. “Sabbatical” is in turn a great example of the ironic humour I enjoy. And these are just some of the stories that deserve appreciation. It was wonderful to move into the walls of atmospheric buildings, join secret societies or feel a hint of magic on your own skin. The reading gave me a lot of satisfaction and I highly recommend it to all fans of the dark academia theme, dark atmospheres and beautiful covers that will proudly decorate the libraries.’

Next we have @zaczytana.karo (above), who said: ‘Gothic buildings, university environments, cemeteries, cults, massive libraries, knowledge and extreme emotions, from passion to obsession... this is the essence of dark academia... I love this kind of atmosphere in books, so as soon as I heard about a collection of stories maintained in such a style, I automatically said – I’ll take it! In These Hallowed Halls is a collection of 12 mini-stories that use themes associated with dark academia. Some of my favourites are: “The Professor of Ontography” (all about a professor who no one has seen on campus, and the subject he teaches is a huge (abhorrent!) secret; “Pythia” or a troubling vision of artificial intelligence/fortune teller, which has problems of a psychological nature, in a certain Delphic academy... “X House” or a variation on mean girls, who are an integral part of any elite scientific institution...’

Finally, @pani_literowa offered: ‘Any dark academia fans here? I introduce you to In These Hallowed Halls, an anthology in which you will find 12 stories, full of darkness and mystery. I’m not a fan of short stories. I definitely prefer the longer forms, more expanded. That’s why I looked at this anthology as a whole. And I have to admit that all of the story writers have captured the very essence of dark academia’s aesthetic. Here we will find secrets, a sense of fear and uncertainty. Some stories are darker, and others will be perfect for those who are just starting to reach for dark academia literature. In the anthology we will find a huge cross-section of authors – from those more famous like M.L. Rio or Olivie Blake, as well as those less known. Thanks to this, I added some authors’ work to my TBR, because I enjoyed their stories so much. Each of the stories is different, touches on different topics. Every one of these gave me a different feeling too. I was intrigued by some, but others gave me goosebumps. My favourites: “Weekend at Bertie’s”; “The Unknowable Pleasures”; “Phobos”.’

You can order In These Hallowed Halls here.

 

may

It’s all about the reviews this month, and first up Pollyanna Jones had this to say about the bestselling anthology Cursed: ‘First published on 3rd March, 2020, by Titan Press, Cursed is an anthology of eighteen short stories and two poems based around themes of classic folklore and fairy tales. Familiar themes from tales of old are thrust into contemporary worlds or alternative settings, bringing unique twists or new monsters to the reader. The sensation of reading these stories was uncomfortably familiar, and something that I had not felt since I was a child. I found myself experiencing the same discomfort and dread that I once had as a young reader discovering the story of Bluebeard by Charles Perrault in the collection of children’s tales known as Tales of Mother Goose…

There was a sense of magic and supernatural to these tales, a blend of myths and terrors of old placed in contemporary settings, or a new world entirely. The stories in Cursed do just that, shifting the reality of the reader to experience the tale being told in settings familiar and new. As each story unfolds, you are lulled into a sense of familiarity by such myths and fairy tales before being plunged into despair, horror, and eye-popping twists. Each tale in Cursed put me in that place where I was reading that fairy tale, and acknowledging that all was not well. There may not be a happy ending. Was a wish going to make everything better, or bring fresh unimaginable misery to the story’s hero? Who is the true monster, the ugly Beast or Prince Charming? Is a hex really operating as a curse or the gift of a lesson? Is a blessing something that one would live to regret for the rest of their lives? The anthology is full of twists, tales asking questions that break up the formulae of the familiar. There is no safe trail of breadcrumbs here…

As an anthology, Cursed makes for an enjoyable book for those who like to read in one long sitting, or are only able to have some quiet time in short bouts. Some stories certainly were stronger than others, however this is likely down to personal tastes. The variety of writing styles in this anthology covers all bases from modern contemporary to prose. The variety of themes covered kept me interested, and part of the fun was trying to guess which story or myth each author had chosen when writing their tale. All are sensitively crafted, paying heed to the lore and theme that they chose to explore.

I found it very difficult to put the book down, and had to read each story from start to finish to reach the conclusion of each tale before closing the tome. Many of the stories lingered on my mind, kept me thinking. Which is always good, unless you are prone to nightmares! In summary, Cursed is a feast; an accursed banquet of dark tales to thrill and delight.’

You can read the full, detailed review here.

 

You can grab your copy of the original Cursed here.

And also its sequel Twice Cursed here.

Last month Marie and Paul’s hardback anthology In These Hallowed Halls was published in Poland and the reaction has been incredible. This from some of the Instagram posts:

‘I really like the stylistics of the Dark Academia books, even though I haven’t read many of them. The topic works very well in TV series and here I have more experience as a viewer. I don’t particularly like story collections or anthologies either, I just always preferred longer literary forms. Until today, because with In These Hallowed Halls I was captivated, and from story to story I wanted to read further, which l did, despite pending work waiting on my desk. Each of these twelve tales has an undeniable atmosphere. A little dark, a little gothic, very tangible and charming. Of the universities presented here, all hide secrets, are unique, and sometimes during reading you get a thought that is so scary that you wouldn’t want to be in the skin of the heroes. The ideas of authors, and authors that I mostly didn’t know I admit, are very original. In my opinion they do not disappoint, they even stimulate emotions that are quite strong. They sure aren’t leaving me indifferent. This beautifully published book can be a great encouragement to read more novels of this genre, and that’s how it will be for me. It’s really worth it to feel like you’re on a university campus thanks to such a reading, once again among your student brothers, and to experience the thrill In These Hallowed Halls offers. I recommend it!!!’

(@jackspear217 above)

‘In These Hallowed Halls is a Dark Academia anthology in which you will find a collection of stories by famous authors. Marie O’Regan and Paul Kane were responsible for the selection of texts and editorial care. I liked the introduction itself. The editors explain what Dark Academia actually is and what we can expect after this dive. I think if you’ve never read this subgenre of literature, this anthology would be a great start. And if you’ve already fallen in this dive, you can also find many interesting things in this collection. Almost all of these stories had something to intrigue me… Definitely I was most impressed by Kelly Andrew’s tale titled “The Hare and the Hound”. I loved this unclear chase after the white bunny. Reminds me of my beloved Alice in Wonderland. I was so intrigued by the author that I googled her name and it turns out I even had her book in the special edition. I’ll have to read it quickly… The stories are very diverse and I think everyone can find ones that will delight them, if you like dark climates, academic scenery, secret societies and everything else that can be found in this book.’

(@narysowajka, above)

‘Reading this book, I was absolutely not disappointed when it came to the coverage of these topics (okay, maybe I lacked a bit of trust for the narrators). As with anthologies, some stories turned out to be better, for example, “1000 Ships”, “Pythia” or “Phobos” – it’s a story full of suspense, pushing one’s own limits and dealing with one’s own conscience… The variety contained in the anthology, and at the same time the topics connecting them, satisfied my craving for the Dark Academia subgenre, and left me wanting more. It’s hard to evaluate a dozen stories as one whole, but it was certainly a reading that aroused various thoughts, horror, and curiosity. I highly recommend this!!’

(@nelkagbooks, above)

‘In These Hallowed Halls consists of twelve stories on the Dark Academia theme, written by M.L. Rio, Olivie Blake and other talented authors. Although each story retains a similar aesthetic, each of them transports the reader to a completely different, unique world, full of its own secrets. Whether you’re a seasoned fan of the literary genre or just starting your journey into dark environments, the tales contained in this anthology will provide you with a fascinating journey through private schools and campuses that hide extraordinary stories.’

(@sylwiaczyta, above)

‘This dark academia-style anthology may prove to be a real treat for fans of short stories and a bit of a dark, slightly gothic vibe. Secrets, intrigues and architecture create their own unique atmosphere in each of these stories. Sometimes these stories can make you feel self-reflection, sometimes you will also feel goosebumps. I won’t hide it, I didn’t like some stories, but it’s normal when there are so many different ones and authors gathered in one place. My absolute favorites are: “The Hare and the Hound”; “X House”; “The Ravages”. Overall, I’m really positive about this collection. It was definitely an interesting and different experience that transported me to a different world. If this whole description makes you think that this book might be made for you, go ahead and order!’

(@magicinvelaris, above)

‘Yesterday In These Hallowed Halls had its launch, which I had the opportunity to read in advance, but because of a nice discount I’m posting it today. When it comes to anthologies, I have a totally mixed relationship with them, mainly because I prefer longer forms. But for the sake of the Dark Academia theme, I was tempted and I am not disappointed. Each of the stories has its own unique vibe. The cover is quite dark and definitely pleasing to the eye. Some authors are quite well-known and liked. Language accessible… So, as you can see, I like to break from time to time and reach for anthology, although I still have mixed feelings because it’s hard for me to get into it, but once I do... Below I leave my three favorite stories from this particular collection: 1) “Phobos”; 2) “The Hare and the Hound”; 3) “The Professor of Ontography”. If you have read it and are able to recommend me something with a similar atmosphere, I will be grateful, and in the meantime I recommend you take a look, it was a really pleasant read.’

(@pelna.kulturka, above)

‘Personally, I love being in a gothic university shrouded in darkness, mysteries, murders, gated communities, revenge and complex heroes – and this book will do it for you! The collection contains names more and less known, and although we have this common “element” which is the focus on this style, the stories are diverse and “hooked” from different sides, with other emotional aspects and diverse characters. Although I rarely read books in the form of a collection of short stories, here I did not feel this was a distraction and despite the diversity, there is no inconsistency here, which I liked a lot. I don’t want to spoil too much – it’s also hard to spoil when you have so many separate threads and secrets – so I’ll leave you with those feelings.’

(@reading.honeybun, above)

You can order In These Hallowed Halls here.

 

APRIL

Photo credit Dr. Laura Varnam

We start off this month with anthology news, and congratulations are in order. Firstly, to Juliet Marillier, whose story ‘The Reeds Remember’ from Marie and Paul’s book The Other Side of Never, released by Titan Books last year, has been shortlisted for the Aurealis Award in the ‘Best Fantasy Short Story’ category!

The #1 bestselling anthology was also reviewed by Ksenia Shcherbino at the BSFA who said, ‘A good story is always like an onion – it opens new layers of meaning each time you approach it. Even more so, if the book in question is Peter Pan – less than a book and more a mythology, a way of seeing the world, an identity. The protean nature of the original has its impact on its literary progeny: The Other Side of Never is a collection of short stories engaging with Peter Pan, spin-offs and palimpsests, sidequels and crossovers, re-tellings and re-imaginings…Barrie’s own text is highly intertextual as it has multiple genre versions (novel, play, story that refers to other stories). Moreover, many people nowadays know Peter Pan through the lens of interpretative media (animated Disney film or live action movies, Spielberg’s Hook (1991) with a star cast of Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman, and Maggie Smith or even this year’s Peter Pan & Wendy which I haven’t seen yet). In a similar way, The Other Side of Never brings together different ways of reading Peter Pan, you just have to find yours!’

You can read the full thing here.

But that’s not all, Angela Slatter’s tale ‘The Tissot Family Circus’, which first appeared in Twice Cursed, has been picked up for inclusion in The Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror V, edited by Paula Guran.

At the same time, Marie was sent a photo of that anthology spotted in a bookstore in Barcelona (below, thank you to DK Sellers).

You can grab your copy of The Other Side of Never here.

And Twice Cursed here.

Also from last year, Marie and Paul’s hardback anthology In These Hallowed Halls – again from Titan Books – was included in the list of ‘25 Best Dark Academia Books’ by the prestigious Town & Country magazine (above). You can find the article here.

The book received a couple more shoutouts on Istagram last month as well, the first from @blackcoffeegreycharacters (above) who said: ‘Four and a half stars seems a pretty solid average to reflect this one – since it’s an anthology of unconnected stories, there were some I liked more than others. Personal favorites included “1000 Ships,” “The Hare and the Hound,” “The Ravages,” and “Phobos.” This collection does a wonderful job of pulling together the pieces that make #darkacademia what it is and I had a grand old time with it – it’s also a very digestible book given that you can read just 20-page stories at a time.’

And @kat.with.a.book (above) had this to say: ‘If you love a good #darkacademia story, then this collection is full of them. Flowed well and kept you turning pages. Definitely give this one a go.’

An earlier anthology now, and the Shirley Jackson Award-nominated Wonderland was included as a ‘Staff Pick’ by Smokey over at ShelfLife Books.

You can order In These Hallowed Halls here.

And your copy of Wonderland here

Editor Trevor Kennedy reviewed the anthology Marie and Paul edited, Hellbound Hearts, in the recent Phantasmagoria Hellraiser Special (both above). Here’s what he had to say, ‘Since the release of the original film in 1987, the mythology of the Hellraiser universe has shot its blood-stained hooks, chains and more into several other forms of popular culture and media, including video games, comic books, jigsaws, Funko Pop! dolls and, as you would naturally expect, prose. In fact, Clive Barker himself discusses the whole concept of “mythos” in his Foreword (Doug Bradley also provides an afterword) to this spin-off anthology edited by Paul Kane and Marie O’ Regan. With regards to the Cenobites of this imagined world, surely the most fascinating aspect of them would have to be their backstories – indeed their personal mythos – something that we as viewers began to taste properly with the first three sequel films. Added to this, to set the (mis)adventures of these sadomasochists from Hell to historical – or even future (1996’s Bloodline) – backdrops is so utterly enthralling and adds so much weight, context, timelessness and presence to the monastic demons in question. This is handled expertly in some of the tales selected for Hellbound Hearts, namely Sarah Pinborough’s dark fairy story “The Confessor’s Tale”, set, it appears, in the old Russian Empire still under Tsarist rule, while Simon Clark’s sublime “Our Lord of Quarters” sees the unholy action take place in Constantinople in the early fifteenth century.

Of the other highlights in this very strong anthology, which also consists of short pieces by Neil Gaiman and Richard Christian Matheson, there are many, including Peter Atkins’ excellent opener, “Prisoners of the Inferno”, concerning a lost and apparently cursed old film, “Hellbound Hollywood” by Mick Garris, about a washed-up movie director who winds up in a house in London fans of the Hellraiser series will know very well, and Sarah Langan’s brilliantly bleak apocalyptic parable “The Dark Materials Project”. Also worthy of note are Tim Lebbon’s “Every Wrong Turn”, “Orfeo the Damned” by Nancy Holder, “Mother’s Ruin” by Mark Morris, Nancy Kilpatrick’s “The Promise” and “Tis a Pity He’s Ashore” by Chaz Brenchley, along with appropriately dark offerings by Cenobite actors Nicholas Vince and Barbie Wilde, “Demon’s Design” and “Sister Cilice”, respectively.

Truth is, there are no bad stories included here – certainly not from a technical point of view – although each individual reader will obviously have their own personal favourites, and, as you would expect from an anthology based around Clive Barker’s The Hellbound Heart and its screen incarnations, there’s some brutal, twisted stuff on display, but if you’re a fan of the series you wouldn’t really have it any other way, of course...’

Pick up a copy of that anthology here.

And you’ll find more details about Phantasmagoria magazine and this special on its website here.

Absinthe Books novella Despatches, by Lee Murray (below), has received a glowing review over on Uncomfortably Dark, in Christina's Critiques: "I’m not good with historic novels or stories, typically. But every once in a blue moon, one sucks me right in and I hold on for dear life until the end. DESPATCHES is one of those very lucky few."

To read the full review, click here.

Circling back to the Aurealis Awards, and the Absinthe Books novella Marie commissioned and edited, The Leaves Forget by Alan Baxter (above), has also been shortlisted – in not only the ‘Best Horror Novella’ category, but ‘Best Fantasy Novella’ as well! A huge congratulations to Alan and all the other nominees – full list here. While we wait for the results, you can get that book and any other Absinthe Books titles here, or buy the lot in the PS Spring sale here.

march

The full Table of Contents for Beyond and Within: Folk Horror, Marie and Paul’s anthology for Flame Tree releasing over the summer, has been released. They are:

‘The White Road’ by Neil Gaiman; ‘The Well’ by John Connolly; ‘Rabbitheart’ by Jen Williams; ‘The Original Occupant’ by Adam L.G. Nevill; ‘Summer Bonus’ by Lee Murray; ‘The Druid Stone’ by Katie Young; ‘Blessed Mary’ by Stephen Volk; ‘The Great White’ by Benjamin Spada; ‘The Marsh-Widow’s Bargain’ by H.R. Laurence; ‘Good Boy’ by Alison Littlewood; ‘The Finest Creation of an Artful God’ by B. Zelkovich; ‘The Third Curse’ by Helen Grant; ‘The Lights Under Rachel’ by Kathryn Healy; ‘Pilgrimage of the Hummingbird’ by V. Castro; ‘The Grim’ by Cavan Scott; ‘Pontianak: An Origin Story’ by Christina Sng; ‘Ghost Land of Giants’ by Linda D. Addison.

You can see more about the book and read an exclusive extract from the introduction here.

A new review of Marie and Paul’s anthology for Titan In These Hallowed Halls has appeared from @thebalancedbookshelf over on Instagram (above). Here’s what they had to say: ‘As a lover of Dark Academia I was so excited when this was published last fall. I’m happy that some of my favorite Dark Academia authors were featured and that is definitely reflected in my rating. While some, of course, are always better than others I liked the mix of concepts and storytelling ability. Overall, I gave this collection of stories 4 stars but my individual story rating is: “1000 ships” – 4 Stars; “Pythia” – 4.5 stars; “Sabbatical” – 3 stars; “The Hare and the Hound” – 5 stars; “X House” – 3.5 stars; “The Ravages” – 3 stars; “Four Funerals” – 4 Stars; “The Unknowable Pleasures” – 5 Stars; “Weekend at Bertie’s” – 4 stars; “The Professor of Ontography” – 4.5 stars; “Phobos” – 5 stars; “Playing” – 3 stars.’

To buy the hardback click here.

The brand-new trio of Absinthe Books novellas coming next were revealed last month in a PS Newsletter dedicated to the imprint (above). The new novellas are: Spiderglass: A Tale of Durstan by George Mann, Grackle by AC Wise and The Rider, The Ride, The Rich Man’s Wife by Premee Mohamed. Find out more about the award-winning line here.

Lastly, following on from last month’s news, Lee Murray has made it to the Bram Stoker Awards® Superior shortlist for ‘Achievement in Long Fiction’ with her Absinthe Books release Despatches, edited by Marie. Good luck to Lee and you can buy your copy here.

february

As promised, more Death Comes at Christmas news – with the release of this gorgeous ad featuring the equally gorgeous cover for Paul and Marie’s anthology. Coming in October from Titan Books, it features contributions from the likes of CL Taylor, Vaseem Khan, Alexandra Benedict, Angela Clarke, David Bell, Helen Fields, Tina Baker and others. Paul’s been hard at work on this throughout January and will continue working on it in the coming month.  

In the meantime you can pre-order the hardback here or here.

 

More shoutouts and reviews for Marie and Paul’s In These Hallowed Halls have appeared, including @skelebooks on Instagram (above) who said: ‘I just finished reading In These Hallowed Halls, a collection of academia themed tales. It was a Christmas gift from my fiancé and I loved it. I find short story collections difficult to review, especially when the stories are by different authors and written in different styles, but overall this was a great collection. I have also read Vampires Never Get Old by the same publisher. I think I might end up picking up more of their themed short story collections.’

Credit: @valenarrigunaga

On Netgalley, Nicole L wrote in her 4* review: ‘I always love collections of short stories, there’s just something so fun about jumping into different tales all within one publication! The authors of this one truly peaked my interest, Olivie Blake was my main reason for picking this up as well as my love of dark academia. I think this definitely bridges into themes of horror, lgbtq+, mystery, thriller and so much more! I think there’s definitely something for everyone and this would be the perfect start to someone’s dark academia reading journey. My favourite stories were: “Pythia” by Olivie Blake (I don’t think I was surprised by this as Olivie’s writing wows me every time); “1000 Ships” by Kate Weinberg – what a way to make me feel a strong NEED to pick up The Truants to see more of this character; “The Ravages” by Layne Fargo – tapping into that horror/revenge element that I LOVE… That’s just the top three, there were only a select few I didn’t really enjoy which is amazing out of a book containing so many new authors for myself. I will definitely be looking into many of these authors now.’

Then Sophie L said: ‘This was a wonderful dark academia anthology, with some fantastic authors on board! A great starting point for anyone who's new to Dark Academia and wants to get a feel of what it entails and the kind of vibe to expect. I particularly enjoyed 1000 ships – felt familiar, a little like My Dark Vanessa.’  And Allison V added: ‘I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed some of these stories as much as I did! The Layne Fargo story blew me away. I really liked Susie Yang’s as well. There were a few others that were excellent.’ Both were 4* reviews…

Credit: @MyBookFix

In her 4* review, Erin M said: ‘A brilliant collection of perfectly gothic short stories that not only introduced me to some new authors but also made for great reading throughout the week. A great starting point into the world of dark academia. “The Ravages” and “Pythia” were particular favourites of mine from this collection. I highly recommend picking this up!’

While Livia C’s 5* review said: ‘In These Hallowed Halls: A Dark Academia Anthology is everything I could have hoped for from a short story collection and more. I was absolutely drawn by names like Olivie Blake and Tori Bovalino, who I love with all my heart and this anthology let me discover more and more magnificent new authors and I’m gonna be forever grateful. I love Dark Academia and everything surrounding it and this anthology is absolutely perfect. In these 12 short stories the reader will be able to follow these complex and magnificent, often morally gray, characters in their adventures and stories. From revealing sinister truths about missing professors, deadly rituals, seances for revenge, obsessions, lies, secrets and death… I loved every single story. Deliciously sinister and creepy, intense and beguiling. 10/10’

Credit: @tralovesbooks

One final 4* Netgalley review, with Patridge P offering: ‘This is an absolutely wonderful collection. I am a huge dark academia fan, so it is no surprise that I loved reading this. I read one short story a week because I didn’t want to fly through the book. There are a range of authors here that I have read, and some that I had not had the pleasure of reading yet. That is what I love about collections – they introduce you to new authors but with a short burst so you can get a taste of what they are writing. Sometimes with short stories, I struggle to connect to the story and characters but this was not the case here. Every story was written with such great care and love that I was able to really get into the writing.’

To pick the anthology up, simply click here.

Czech copies of Marie and Paul’s earlier anthology, Cursed, arrived last month courtesy of Titan Books and publisher Vydala EuroMedia Group and were also sent out to authors. A stunning publication, you can see photos above and below.

 

There’s also a Cursed audio sample up on YouTube (below) which you can listen to by clicking here.

Finally, the news that Lee Murray has made the Preliminary Ballot for the Bram Stoker Awards with her Absinthe Books release Despatches, edited by Marie. You can order your copy here.

january

A very Happy New Year to you! The Festive Season may well be over, but we kick off 2024’s news with the announcement of a related mass market hardback anthology coming out from Marie and Paul: Death Comes at Christmas (above), published by Titan Books, releasing in October, and featuring the likes of CL Taylor, Vaseem Khan, Alexandra Benedict, Angela Clarke, David Bell, Helen Fields, Tina Baker and other stars of the genre. Look out for more about this as the year goes on.

But before that, we have the anthology Beyond & Within: Folk Horror from Flame Tree, coming out over the summer and featuring the likes of Neil Gaiman, John Connolly, Jen Williams, Adam LG Nevill and Alison Littlewood. The cover for this hardback has now been released (above) and it’s available to pre-order here and here.

More shoutouts on Instagram for Marie and Paul’s Dark Academia anthology In These Hallowed Halls appeared in December like these from @one.cosy.girl, @jessicamap and @aimlessmel (all above).

And @up.too.late.reading (above) did a little write-up, saying: ‘Dark Academia is defined by a darkness that overshadows the students, creating a solemn tone and aesthetic. It is often a murder, over-powered professors or a difficult student life. Not long after joining Bookstagram I discovered dark academia was a thing and that I loved it! Give me a dark school or college setting and I’m there! So I was delighted to receive this gorgeous anthology for my birthday. In these Hallowed Halls is a collection of short stories by writers known for their dark academia. I am not really a fan of short stories but I was intrigued by this as there are authors included that I haven’t read before. I picked this as my last read of 2023 as thought it would be a good one to end the year on. My stand out favourite stories were from David Bell, Layne Fargo and JT Ellison…Whether you are a lover of dark academia or are intrigued and want to see what it all entails this is a good book to try.’

Plus @bubblegum_or_books are doing an interactive readalong, the dates of which you can find above. So head on over there if you want to take part!

There were also more glowing reviews, starting with Geek Girl Authority (above), who had this to say: ‘Overall, In These Hallowed Halls is an excellent addition to any dark academia collection. Every story is worth a read, and a handful are exceptional standouts. The imagery describing the schools in every story is beautifully done. Each writer has a unique way of transporting the reader to these various Universities. The descriptions of the campuses almost made me miss walking the halls of my alma mater (almost). I certainly miss perusing the dead, silent stacks of the always-empty library… The more disturbing stories are the ones that clung to me the most. The macabre tone resounds in every entry and carries the reader from one dark atmosphere to another. After reading these twisted tales, my dreams were dark, disturbing and, of course, took place in a library. This anthology is satisfying for fans of dark academia, horror or mystery genres. Make sure you have a warm blanket when you read because some of these stories will chill you to the bone.’

You can read the full thing here.

Credit: @PrisandherBooks

It appeared in SFF World’s Yearly Review where Mark Yon reiterated what he’d said previously: ‘This one is an anthology of all-new stories that deals with the current trend known as “dark academia”. I said that “In These Hallowed Halls delivers an eclectic range of stories from many of the newest and brightest genre writers. It is a book ideal for settling down with on a colder Autumnal night, or indeed dipping into as you start that new educational journey. (Cup of tea optional!) If you are a fan already, I think you’ll love it, or if you’re looking for somewhere to start, to try the subgenre, I can think of nowhere better at the moment.”’

To read the list click here.

And it also made @zubscovered’s list of the best Dark Academia of 2023 (above).

To pick the book up, just click here.

New reviews have cropped up of Marie’s other anthologies. Firstly, AU Review gave their opinion on Twice Cursed: ‘Twice Cursed is the second anthology from editors Marie O’Regan and Paul Kane on the theme of the curse. Authors such as Neil Gaiman, Angela Slatter, Laura Purcell, and A. C. Wise have each contributed short stories of dark and urban fantasy and fairy tale to explore the concept of a curse: of being cursed, of cursing another, of exacting a curse, of breaking a curse. The authors take the concept in numerous creative directions, and each story captures a different aspect of the idea. Snow White must come to terms with living a half-life after she is awoken from the dead, her beauty and her mother’s wickedness haunting her in a cursed mimicry of being alive. A support group for people living with a variety of curses is penetrated by an immortal with an unlikely story. And an archaeological dig slowly gets out of hand as petty academics seek vengeance against a woman succeeding, and she is succumbed by a witch’s buried curses. These stories are dark but imaginative, gory but redemptive. What drives someone to cast a curse? How does one live a life while cursed? And if you have the opportunity, would you pass your curse on to others to save yourself? These questions and others are explored by the authors in this collection, which is an excellent follow-up to the first collection. I’d recommend this anthology to lovers of dark fantasy and fairy tales, and short stories that take a concept to many different conclusions. Some stories are not for the faint of heart… but then neither is a curse!’

You can read the full thing here.

Over on Goodreads, David Niall Wilson of Crossroad Press gave Phantoms 4*, saying: ‘Phantoms and Ghosts have fascinated us for centuries. Everyone, it seems, has a story to tell, something they have been involved in, something they have felt, or seen. This anthology covers a wide spectrum of such stories, many of them memorable. It's a solid anthology with some recognizable names and titles. The first that stuck with me was an old friend, “20th Century Ghost” by Joe Hill. The sense of nostalgia, love of films, and the melancholy presentation are unforgettable. Very much enjoyed revisiting this. “CAMEO” by Laura Purcell, is a slow burn... a story of caste and family, long rejection and the hope of redemption... and tragedy. This is a wonderful example of a traditional ghost story. “The Adjoining Room” by A. K. Benedict was an intriguing twist on a traditional horror theme. Again, that feel of melancholy and desire. Very traditional ghost story, and I find that this type of tale is the strength of the anthology. It will stick with me. “The Restoration” by George Mann is a sort of homage to Dorian Grey and very intriguing... again, not a new concept for a ghost story, but a new twist on an older one, familiar... and yet... memorable. “One New Follower” by Mark A. Latham has the feel of an indie horror movie. It scrolls like that kind of plot, images that flicker through your mind, vivid descriptions... strange places... probably the least traditional phantom story in the anthology. This is an overall strong collection with work by a lot of familiar names, and a theme that remains constant without becoming predictable. Highly recommended.’

And you can buy the books here, here, here, and here.

Finally, the Absinthe book They Shut Me Up by Tracy Fahey was reviewed by Georgina Bruce last month for Interzone. She said: ‘The world would be a better place if we understood that the menopause is to a woman what a full moon is to a werewolf. It torments and transforms her until she breaks free from the cages she’s built around herself and rampages into the night-time forest of her years. (And it also gives her a lot more unwanted hair to deal with.) Fahey’s stunning novella goes a long way towards producing, if not that precise understanding, at least a better understanding of this revolutionary time in a woman’s life…Fahey’s engagement with the feminist project of retelling women’s history feels significantly new and important. This is not diving into history and projecting our modern identity concerns onto past figures. This feels more like an excavation; as the title suggests, it’s an opening up of what’s been buried, a telling of what’s been silenced. And it’s notable that Fahey consistently puts the reader’s experience first, serving the story before any ideology or philosophy.

Another of the joys of this novella is the precise, contemporary language. Fahey writes beautiful, economical sentences that pull you through the story without ever drawing unnecessary attention to themselves. Her writing is transparent, catchy and full of humour.’

Read the full thing here.

 

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