Books Like...

'Gateways to Abomination' by Matthew M. Bartlett is a collection of short stories and vignettes that form a chilling narrative centered around the horrors of the witch cult of western Massachusetts and the mysterious radio station WXXT. The stories are clever, dark, disturbing, and outlandishly bizarre, all set in the New England town of Leeds, where the air is tainted with devilry and fetid secrets. Bartlett weaves together recurring characters and themes of witchcraft and decay, creating a surreal vista of psychedelic horror that is both unsettling and captivating.

The book takes readers on a journey through layers of a party from the Underworld, filled with blasphemous car top murals, children vomiting up slithering tumors, and grotesque imagery that leaves one feeling disturbed and slightly traumatized. Bartlett's narrative voice is described as matter-of-fact, presenting horrors with ambiguity that is more restrained and frightening than a typical gore fest, creating a unique and disturbing local mythology reminiscent of Laird Barron's early works.

'Burn the Negative' by Josh Winning is a horror novel that follows the story of Laura Warren, a journalist tasked with covering the making of a streaming series based on a cursed '90s horror film called The Guesthouse, in which she starred as a child actress. As Laura delves into the production, she is forced to confront her traumatic past and the dark events surrounding the film. The book combines elements of suspense, horror, and mystery, keeping readers engaged with a chilling experience as Laura, along with her sister and a psychic, battles against the curse that has haunted her for years.

The narrative of 'Burn the Negative' unfolds in Los Angeles, where Laura's journey to the set of the new horror series is marked by eerie occurrences and supernatural events. Drawing inspiration from classic horror films, the book weaves a tale of suspense and terror, blurring the lines between reality and fiction. With well-developed characters and a homage to campy horror, the story takes readers on a mind-bending adventure filled with twists, turns, and unexpected revelations.

'Creeping Waves' by Matthew M. Bartlett is a complex and surreal horror novel that weaves together a mythology of the town of Leeds and its strange inhabitants. The book is a mix of horror, terror, comedy, surrealism, and satire, defying easy categorization. The narrative consists of a series of vignettes, character sketches, and prose poetry that build upon each other, creating an avalanche of dread that immerses the reader into the dark and unsettling atmosphere of the story.

The book is filled with grotesque and macabre imagery, evoking hair-raising and terrifying scenes that are both horrifying and exhilarating for the reader. The writing style of Bartlett is praised for its potency, madness, and impeccable word choice, making the events and characters, no matter how depraved, strangely beautiful. The interconnected stories in the book create a self-referential and cubist energy that is both horrific and uproariously funny, showcasing Bartlett's mastery of the weird horror genre.

The October Film Haunt by Michael Wehunt is a gripping horror novel about Jorie Stroud, a former horror movie blogger who has retreated to rural Vermont with her son, Oli. Her quiet life is shattered when a mysterious VHS tape appears in her mailbox, triggering dark memories tied to a horrific incident from her past related to a film she was involved with. As she reconnects with old friends, she faces haunting images and a chilling obsession from the fan community, jeopardizing her safety and sanity.

Wehunt’s writing style is atmospheric and unsettling, filled with vivid descriptions that enhance the sense of dread. The narrative shifts between various points of view and timelines, creating an immersive and disorienting experience. Readers will find themselves deciphering references to horror films and urban legends, adding depth to the chilling storyline. While the plot may unravel at times, it culminates in an unforgettable finale that leaves a lasting impression.

'Flicker' by Theodore Roszak is a dark and compelling tale that delves into the secret origins of cinema and the conspiracy behind them. The story follows film enthusiast Jonathon Gates as he gets drawn into the shadowy world of cult filmmaker Max Castle, leading to an obsession that takes him on a journey involving religious cults, Templar knights, Nazi propaganda, tantric sex, and Orson Welles. The narrative weaves together elements of film history, conspiracy theories, and real-life events, creating a mystery novel with a grand conspiracy theme almost worthy of Philip K. Dick.

As the story unfolds, the book also explores the enthusiasm for film during the sixties in America, the underground film culture, and the quest for the holy grail of cinema - the ability to manipulate audiences purely through cinematic means. Through intricate details and cinematic references, the author presents a thought-provoking and disquieting narrative that challenges readers' perceptions of film and society, ultimately changing the way they view movies forever.

Found Audio by N.J. Campbell is a unique book with a formal opening in the form of an epistle written by an academic, followed by a transcript of an audio recording where a man tells a story about his life involving mysterious events and a mythical city of dreams. The book starts off promising with a tense and mysterious atmosphere, but as the story progresses, it delves into mystical adventures and dreamlike experiences that touch on themes like reality, consciousness, and magical realism.

'The Night Wire' by H.F. Arnold is a collection of eerie and horror stories that captivate readers with its mysterious and terrifying elements. The stories in the book revolve around themes of radio, telecomms, and late-night broadcasting, creating an atmosphere of suspense and unease. The writing style of H.F. Arnold is described as classic and reminiscent of urban legends, with a focus on the supernatural and unexplained phenomena that leave readers on edge. The short story 'The Night Wire' specifically follows two telegraph operators working the night shift, who witness strange and ominous events that hint at an impending doom, drawing parallels to the film 'Pontypool.'

'Found: An Anthology of Found Footage Horror Stories' is a chilling collection of horror tales that explore the concept of found footage in various formats, such as diary entries, police reports, text messages, and message board postings. The book delves into themes of cursed media, parasocial relationships, and the consequences of actions in the social media realm, all while maintaining an eerie and unsettling atmosphere throughout. The stories range from realistic formats like Reddit threads to more traditional horror elements like haunted houses, creating a diverse and unique reading experience for horror enthusiasts.

The anthology is praised for its inventive storytelling methods and the way it captures the essence of the found footage genre by presenting each author's interpretation in a fresh and engaging manner. The writing style is described as compelling, unique, and well-edited, offering a good variety of horror tales that range from uncovering VHS tapes to exploring supernatural elements, all while maintaining a high degree of realism and probability that adds to the overall creepiness of the narratives.

"Scanlines" by Todd Keisling is a dark tale that delves into themes of suicide, depression, and the haunting consequences of watching a disturbing video. The story follows a group of teenage boys who come across a haunting video clip online, leading to a descent into madness as they are haunted by the image of a dead congressman. The writing style is described as beautifully written and sensitive to the topic of depression, with the author incorporating personal insights into the narrative. The plot revolves around the characters' struggle to understand the eerie events unfolding around them, creating a sense of suspense and unease throughout the book.

'The Rules of the Road' by C. B. Jones is a mysterious and troubling story of a nighttime broadcast by an unusual personality that doles out rules that, if not followed, could have dire consequences. The book follows an amateur journalist who encounters this mysterious radio program while driving alone one late night, leading him on a journey to uncover the truth behind the broadcast and its effects on various individuals. Each chapter presents a different story of people's encounters with the Rules of the Road radio broadcast, interwoven with an overarching narrative that keeps readers on edge with unpredictable twists and turns. The author's writing style is described as gripping, vivid, and clever, blending a series of short stories within a surreal tale that captures the essence of suspense and mystery.