Four deliciously dark horror short stories by Isaac Thorne.
Jake, a young boy, is terrified of the ghost who wakes him up every night. When his parents do nothing to help him, he decides to take matters into his own hands.
I loved the idea of this story. What drives young children to commit violent acts? I wish an age range was given for Jake, because at times he seemed barely four, and at other times his verbal and physical skills raised his age to seven or older.
I love ghosts, and the spectre in this tale is well described. I liked how it linked into other aspects of the story.
I enjoyed this competently written story, with an intriguing premise, but I wish there had been more to it. Perhaps more disparity of reality to Jake’s understanding of the situation given his age; or more drive for Jake to do what he did; or another way Jake could have gathered information from his parents than them telling him what he needed to know.
However, it is worth noting that this story is billed as a horror comedy, and I’m probably taking it too seriously.
I award Bedside Manner…
Bedside Manner is available for 99c ebook on Amazon.
William Dennison is having the worst day of his life, and he’s decided to post all about it online.
This is a clever story, which I greatly enjoyed. Written in a series of status posts and replies, it reads like a real online interaction. In fact, I watched a very similar online crisis enfold once, although thankfully it had a better outcome than this story.
I particularly liked the character of Jason Berry, who is all too believable but also adds some much needed comic relief.
I award Dislike…
Dislike is available for 99c ebook on Amazon.
Mike Bragg, mechanic, is driving home when his texting and driving causes him to lose sight of the road and he knocks down a rabbit.
While Mike is pleased he’s only killed a bunny, the bunnies have other ideas about losing one of their own.
This read a little like a Bugs Bunny cartoon. The rabbits aren’t as funny as Bugs, and Mike isn’t as likable as Elmer Fudd, but I could see a kinship.
This story is well written, and I enjoyed Mike’s creative curses, but it failed to tickle my funny bone. The humor was a little too slapstick for my liking, and the horror wasn’t inventive enough to make up for it.
I award Hoppers…
Hoppers is available for 99c ebook on Amazon.
Nick is part of Watchtower, a multi platform media company that reports on celebrities and ordinary folk doing mildly terrible things, such as littering.
With everyone behaving to avoid falling foul of Nick, what is Watchtower going to do?
I love this idea, and I wish the author had pushed the satire into more outlandish territory. However, seen as this was written in 2015, there is a certain prescience on behalf of Thorne, as Watchtower seems tame compared to the reality we live with.
An entertaining story with a great premise that could have been developed into a much sharper comment on trends and society.
I award The Murder of Crows…
The Murder of Crows is available for 99c ebook on Amazon.
Click here to read my review of Issac Thorne’s short story, Diggum.
Iseult Murphy 
Hoppers sounds like a fantastic premise. Even though it was only a two-star read for you, I think I’ll give it a go (and try to ignore what’s supposed to be funny but apparently isn’t).
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It’s a great premise and, judging by its reviews, I was in the minority! Hope you enjoy it. 🙂
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