Scan barcode
A review by kimberlyf
Halloween Carnival Volume 2 by Del James, Brian James Freeman, Holly Newstein, Lee Thomas, Glen Hirshberg
3.0
This short story collection averages out to 3.5 stars for me, rounded down.
Mr. Dark’s Carnival by Glen Hirshberg:
Halloween is Professor David Roemer’s favorite day of the year. The story opens with David discussing the mysterious, legendary Mr. Dark’s Carnival with his students. Nobody has ever been or knows anyone who has ever been… Which begs the question, is it even real? Or just another urban legend?
5⭐️ The atmosphere was killer, as was the plot. The longest story in this collection and my absolute favorite.
The Facts in the Case of My Sister by Lee Thomas:
As a child, David was a believer in magic and used his sister, Joyce, as the subject of his magic tricks. Later in life, Joyce suffers an accident and David calls upon a past trick to get answers.
3⭐️ Touches of real life terror. A cautionary tale.
Mischief Night by Holly Newstein :
In Pennsylvania, the night before Halloween is known as Mischief Night where kids play harmless pranks. That is, until one turns deadly… Willard Cole is an old drunk (though he promised himself as a child that he would never allow that to happen). What does one have to do with the other?
4⭐️ Not so much horror as it is just down right sad.
The Ghost Maker by Del James:
A mob hit man has to watch his back any day of the year but especially on Halloween night.
2⭐️ This started out as an interesting story line but ultimately, did nothing for me. It doesn’t feel like it fit in this collection.
The Pumpkin Boy by Al Sarrantonio:
Jody Wendt is on his own for half an hour every day until his mom gets home. He knows he’s not supposed to leave the house but when the pumpkin boy walks by his window, he can’t help himself… Len Schneider’s past ghosts haunt him. After all, it’s why he moved away from Milwaukee. But his ghosts seem to be following him…
3.5⭐️
This was a true grab bag of stories, some awfully savory where others were just ok. I definitely enjoyed the first collection more than the second. See you for my review of the next installment
Mr. Dark’s Carnival by Glen Hirshberg:
Halloween is Professor David Roemer’s favorite day of the year. The story opens with David discussing the mysterious, legendary Mr. Dark’s Carnival with his students. Nobody has ever been or knows anyone who has ever been… Which begs the question, is it even real? Or just another urban legend?
5⭐️ The atmosphere was killer, as was the plot. The longest story in this collection and my absolute favorite.
The Facts in the Case of My Sister by Lee Thomas:
As a child, David was a believer in magic and used his sister, Joyce, as the subject of his magic tricks. Later in life, Joyce suffers an accident and David calls upon a past trick to get answers.
3⭐️ Touches of real life terror. A cautionary tale.
Mischief Night by Holly Newstein :
In Pennsylvania, the night before Halloween is known as Mischief Night where kids play harmless pranks. That is, until one turns deadly… Willard Cole is an old drunk (though he promised himself as a child that he would never allow that to happen). What does one have to do with the other?
4⭐️ Not so much horror as it is just down right sad.
The Ghost Maker by Del James:
A mob hit man has to watch his back any day of the year but especially on Halloween night.
2⭐️ This started out as an interesting story line but ultimately, did nothing for me. It doesn’t feel like it fit in this collection.
The Pumpkin Boy by Al Sarrantonio:
Jody Wendt is on his own for half an hour every day until his mom gets home. He knows he’s not supposed to leave the house but when the pumpkin boy walks by his window, he can’t help himself… Len Schneider’s past ghosts haunt him. After all, it’s why he moved away from Milwaukee. But his ghosts seem to be following him…
3.5⭐️
This was a true grab bag of stories, some awfully savory where others were just ok. I definitely enjoyed the first collection more than the second. See you for my review of the next installment