Book Review: Dark Screams: Volume Eight feat. Frank Darabont and Other Authors #horror

A book review by Michelle Snow of Dark Screams: Volume Eight, a collection of horror stories by Frank Darabont and other authors.

This eighth entry in the Dark Screams series offers up six short stories of horror that vary from the incredibly creepy to just meh.

Frank Darabont, Bentley Little, Benjamin Percy, Billie Sue Mosiman, Kealan Patrick Burke, and Glen Hirshberg share tales of ancient evils and wicked desires in this collection assembled by renowned horror editors Brian James Freeman and Richard Chizmar.

My favorite of the lot was “Walpuski’s Typewriter” by Frank Darabont, a story about a writer and his typewriter. They say you sacrifice for your craft, but Howard Walpuski probably had no idea what he’d have to do for his IBM Selectric II typewriter.

A second favorite was “Twisted and Gnarled” by Billie Sue Mosiman, a story about a narcassistic and highly intelligent serial killer and his latest victim that alternates telling the tale from each other’s point-of-view.

The only weak story to me was the closer, “India Blue” by Glen Hirshberg, a story of a cricket game with some unusual characters. However, it just took so long to get to the turning point in the story and was so meandering I was almost angry I took the time to finish it.

But it’s rare to like all stories in a collection, and Dark Screams: Volume Eight hits more than it misses for me. I would recommend it to horror fans with the caveat of perhaps passing on the last story.

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Disclaimer: I received a ebook copy of Dark Screams: Volume Eight for review purposes from NetGalley. I was not compensated in any other way. My opinion is honest, and as always, my own.

Disclaimer: This post uses Amazon affiliate links. It doesn’t add anything to your cost, but helps pay for this site to operate, should you choose to purchase something. Thanks!

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About zengrrl

I'm Michelle Snow, the writer and creator of Zengrrl. I write about travel, entertainment, women's issues, health, body positivity, and more, both for this blog and freelance. I have also authored/co-authored four guidebooks on Orlando and Florida. If you aren't already following me, the links are below, as well as on the top right of this page. Thanks!