"Nine Nasty Words" by John McWhorter
Review by Joshua Isard
A preeminent linguist examines realms of language considered shocking and taboo in order to understand what imbues curse words with such power—and why we love them.
Overlooked 2020: A Post-pandemic Roundup of Overlooked Releases
Column by Ben Tanzer June 29, 2021
Digging back through some of the lost written treasures of 2020.
"Burroughs And Scotland — Dethroning the Ancients: The Commitment of Exile" by Chris Kelso
Review by Gabriel Hart
Kelso presents a fascinating exploration of Burroughs’s rarely mentioned but highly-formative era in Scotland.
"Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke" by Eric LaRocca
Review by Sadie Hartmann
A review of the upcoming horror novella, "Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke", by Eric LaRocca, in the style of one of my favorite resources, NoveList Plus.
"Twisted: Tainted Tales" by Janine Pipe
Review by Andrew Fowlow
When readers buy "Twisted: Tainted Tales" by Janine Pipe, they are getting an admission ticket to a visceral horror show.
Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark
Review by Andrew Fowlow
We are all incredibly fortunate to have such a skilled writer determined to deliver this important message. Dark fiction with historical context we so desperately deserve.
Bookshots: "A House at the Bottom of a Lake" by Josh Malerman
Review by Joshua Chaplinsky January 19, 2021
A review of Malerman's eminently creepy paean to teenage love.
"little threats" by Emily Schultz
Review by Ben Tanzer
A taut psychological thriller with a very relevant message about real world power dynamics.
"Along the Path of Torment" by Chandler Morrison
Review by Sadie Hartmann
A punishing yet rewarding read that is not for everybody. Includes thoughts on reviewing extreme transgressive literature in general.
"Writing in the Dark" by Tim Waggoner
Review by Cina Pelayo
A guide to understanding the horror genre that provides advice and tools for the beginner and refreshing tips for the veteran.
"The Magic of Terry Pratchett" by Marc Burrows
Review by Karina Wilson
Sir Terry Pratchett died in 2015 but his voluminous legacy lives on. This new biography charts his journey from Beaconsfield Public Library to Buckingham Palace, selling 85 million books along the way
"It Came from the Multiplex: 80s Midnight Chillers" Edited by Joshua Viola
Review by Christopher Shultz
Reading 'Multiplex' is a bit like watching 'Creepshow': it’s gory, goofy, and painted in the broadest strokes imaginable.
"The Circus of Stolen Dreams" by Lorelei Savaryn
Review by Jessica Marie Baumgartner
Sometimes an escape becomes the trap.
"The Only Good Indians" by Stephen Graham Jones
Review by Christopher Shultz August 31, 2020
SGJ's latest novel is a graphically violent supernatural slasher narrative bound together with poignant heart and drama.
Review: Dominion: An Anthology of Speculative Fiction from Africa and the African Diaspora
Review by Christopher Shultz August 18, 2020
In a landmark first, this collection features stories exclusively by authors from Africa and the African Diaspora.
Review: "Malorie" By Josh Malerman
Review by Christopher Shultz
Any time there’s a hit book or film (or in this case, both), there always comes the question: when do we get a sequel?
"Final Cuts: New Tales Of Hollywood Horror and Other Spectacles" Edited By Ellen Datlow
Review by Christopher Shultz
Six years ago, an anthology of film-themed horror stories crept into readers hands, and their nightmares were never the same. Now...it’s back.
"A Sick Gray Laugh" by Nicole Cushing
Review by Christopher Shultz
Nicole Cushing's latest work is way more disturbing than anything she's written before.
"Self-Portrait in Black and White: Unlearning Race" by Thomas Chatterton Williams
Review by Joshua Isard
Whether or not one agrees with Williams on his theories about race, his new book is well worth the time of anyone interested in the subject.
"Scream: Chilling Adventures in the Science of Fear" by Margee Kerr
Review by Cina Pelayo
Sociologist Margee Kerr spent years coding responses to the question, What’s your biggest fear?
Chuck Klosterman's "Raised In Captivity" Kills The Short Story
Review by Peter Derk September 12, 2019
A funeral for the traditional short story, presented to you as a Chuck Klosterman book.
"Recursion" by Blake Crouch
Review by Christopher Shultz
Blake Crouch's latest novel is a perfectly balanced thriller that will both entertain you and bend your mind into a pretzel.
"Inspection" by Josh Malerman
Review by Christopher Shultz
Though not without its flaws, "Inspection" upholds Malerman's premiere horror author status.
"A Hawk in the Woods": Witchy Shenanigans and Spooky Folk Songs
Review by Max Booth III
Say hello to the best debut novel you'll read all year.
"I Dream of Mirrors" by Chris Kelso
Review by Gabino Iglesias
Chris Kelso explores humanity's collapse and identity in "I Dream of Mirrors."
