A review by tasmanian_bibliophile
Damnation Games by Alan Baxter

4.25

 

‘Horror looks into the darkness and doesn’t turn away…’ 

Some weeks ago, this book mysteriously appeared in my mailbox. It then challenged me to slip between the covers and check out nineteen short stories of horror. I resisted for a while, after all, who lets a book dictate when it should be read? But, as I discovered, resistance was futile. The impact of horror cannot be gainsaid, damnation beckoned either way… 

What did I find?  Nineteen terrific stories each trying to get under my skin and into my mind. A combination of crime fiction and horror, each of which captured and held my attention. I tried to read slowly but could not resist reading just one more story (or perhaps three) each night. 

Yes, I have favourites. ‘Ghost Gun’ by John F D Taff is brilliant, while ‘A Bitter Yellow Sea’ by Gene Flynn had me worried. ‘Remnants and Bad Water’ by Kaaron Warren held my attention from beginning to end as did ‘Spool’ by Dan Roberts and ‘Dangerous Specimens’ by Robert Hood. 

And yes, I am going to reread these clever short stories. If you like a combination of horror and crime, then you really cannot go past this unique collection. Just keep the lights on and your wits about you. Damnation: I want more. 

Jennifer Cameron-Smith