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houlcroft's review
4.0
While not the strict ‘horror’ anthology it advertised itself as, the stories in this collection are well curated, with a mix of perverse, bizarre, uncomfortable and in one or two cases, kitsch. Each story had its place in the collection, and the advice offered in the introduction to keep “A Defence of Werewolves” for last is very sound indeed.
I’d love to have had the opportunity to read the first two, but better one than none.
The standouts for me were “It Only Comes Out At Night” which was the only one to genuinely put a chill in me, as well as “WET PAIN” and The Psychologist Who Wouldn’t Do Awful Things To Rats” which were both deeply uncomfortable for different reasons, “Sredni Vashtar” which was an unexpected gift and, of course, “The Distributor” by the incredible Richard Matheson.
Overall, a great collection of stories that are horror leaning.
I’d love to have had the opportunity to read the first two, but better one than none.
The standouts for me were “It Only Comes Out At Night” which was the only one to genuinely put a chill in me, as well as “WET PAIN” and The Psychologist Who Wouldn’t Do Awful Things To Rats” which were both deeply uncomfortable for different reasons, “Sredni Vashtar” which was an unexpected gift and, of course, “The Distributor” by the incredible Richard Matheson.
Overall, a great collection of stories that are horror leaning.
drewsof's review
4.0
A terrific conclusion to the Ghost Box trilogy, as it were. I think, after all is said and done, I appreciated year two most overall and year one for the introduction to new authors -- this year's box had strong stories (including some old favorites coming back; sup, Gertrude Atherton?) but nothing really exceptional to my eye. I can't help thinking that this year's stories weren't, on the whole, as spooky as they could've been...
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