Daniel M. reviewed on + 8 more book reviews
I've always had a passion for well-written horror stories, though they can be difficult to find as many authors (as in the horror films) make them more about blood and gore rather than a psychological horror. There's also a fine line between the adrenaline rush from being scared and the adrenaline rush from being sexually aroused, so combining the two makes for a twisted kind of sense.
Hot Blood is the first anthology in a series and features some well-recognized author names mixed with some that are new (to me, at least).
As with most anthologies, the quality of the stories varies a lot. I'm pleased that none of them stood out as real duds, but only two were noteworthy.
"Punishments," by Ray Garton adds a touch of religion to his sexually charged horror story, with a young boy discovering that the prudish church organist isn't quite the prude she seems to be, but her sexual desires aren't the only secret she hides.
My favorite story is "Aunt Edith" by Gary Brandner. When a young girl brings her new boyfriend home to meet her Aunt Edith, the aunt sends the girl down the street on an errand so that Edith can test the man's true intentions and his purity. What happens will send a shiver down your spine, but just as I did, you'll probably chuckle a bit, too.
However, the story begins with a brief prologue which is completely unnecessary and gives the ending away.
Overall, this was a nice diversion (I really enjoy reading short stories) from the many novels I've been reading.
This volume contains the following:
Introduction - Jeff Gelb and Lonn Friend
"Changeling" - Graham Masterton
"The Likeness of Julie" - Richard Matheson
"The Thang" - Robert R. McCammon
"Ménage à Trois" - F. Paul Wilson
"Mr. Right" - Richard Christian Matheson
"Blood Night" - Chet Williamson
"Chocolate" - Mick Garris
"Again" - Ramsey Campbell
"Bug House" - Lisa Tuttle
"Vengeance Is." - Theodore Sturgeon
"The Unkindest Cult" - J. N. Williamson
"Reunion" - Michael Garrett
"Footsteps" - Harlan Ellison
"Pretty Is..." - Mike Newton
"Aunt Edith" - Gary Brandner
"Daughter of the Golden West" - Dennis Etchison
"Meat Market" - John Skipp and Craig Spector
"The Voice" - Rex Miller
"The Model" - Robert Bloch
Carnal House" - Steve Rasnic Tem
"They're Coming for You" - Les Daniels
"Suzie Sucks" - Jeff Gelb
"Punishments" - Ray Garton
"Red Light" - David J. Schow
Author Biographies
Looking for a good book? Hot Blood is a nice assortment of dark, occasionally erotic, short stories. While nothing is outstanding, nothing is horrible, either.
Hot Blood is the first anthology in a series and features some well-recognized author names mixed with some that are new (to me, at least).
As with most anthologies, the quality of the stories varies a lot. I'm pleased that none of them stood out as real duds, but only two were noteworthy.
"Punishments," by Ray Garton adds a touch of religion to his sexually charged horror story, with a young boy discovering that the prudish church organist isn't quite the prude she seems to be, but her sexual desires aren't the only secret she hides.
My favorite story is "Aunt Edith" by Gary Brandner. When a young girl brings her new boyfriend home to meet her Aunt Edith, the aunt sends the girl down the street on an errand so that Edith can test the man's true intentions and his purity. What happens will send a shiver down your spine, but just as I did, you'll probably chuckle a bit, too.
However, the story begins with a brief prologue which is completely unnecessary and gives the ending away.
Overall, this was a nice diversion (I really enjoy reading short stories) from the many novels I've been reading.
This volume contains the following:
Introduction - Jeff Gelb and Lonn Friend
"Changeling" - Graham Masterton
"The Likeness of Julie" - Richard Matheson
"The Thang" - Robert R. McCammon
"Ménage à Trois" - F. Paul Wilson
"Mr. Right" - Richard Christian Matheson
"Blood Night" - Chet Williamson
"Chocolate" - Mick Garris
"Again" - Ramsey Campbell
"Bug House" - Lisa Tuttle
"Vengeance Is." - Theodore Sturgeon
"The Unkindest Cult" - J. N. Williamson
"Reunion" - Michael Garrett
"Footsteps" - Harlan Ellison
"Pretty Is..." - Mike Newton
"Aunt Edith" - Gary Brandner
"Daughter of the Golden West" - Dennis Etchison
"Meat Market" - John Skipp and Craig Spector
"The Voice" - Rex Miller
"The Model" - Robert Bloch
Carnal House" - Steve Rasnic Tem
"They're Coming for You" - Les Daniels
"Suzie Sucks" - Jeff Gelb
"Punishments" - Ray Garton
"Red Light" - David J. Schow
Author Biographies
Looking for a good book? Hot Blood is a nice assortment of dark, occasionally erotic, short stories. While nothing is outstanding, nothing is horrible, either.
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