Lansdale is the well known, prolific author both of mysteries (Hap and Leonard series) and of famous horror stories, which made him the recipient of multiple Bram Stoker awards.

The present collection does not include new stories but assembles a bunch of his best horror tales, making the book a real treat for horror fan. His narrative output is so huge that even a confirmed horror lover like myself has found here a few tales I was not familiar with.

What I’m sure will please any new reader is the variety of themes covered in the stories.

“Hoodoo Man and the Midnight Train” is a spellbinding piece, told in a magnificent way, where the secrets of a peculiar train are gradually revealed.

“God of the Razor” is a veritable nightmare taking place in a deserted house hiding a terrible secret.

“Tight Little Stitches in a Dead Man’s Back” (what a great title!) is an extraordinary, apocalyptic ang gripping story bound to deeply unsettle any reader.

In the powerful “The Hungry Snow,” featuring Landsdale’s famous character Reverend Mercer, a terrible, hungry Wendigo terrifies a bunch of defenseless people succumbing to hunger and fear.

“Night They Missed the Horror Show” is, by his own admission, Lansdale’s favorite among his stories (and I concur). It’s a strong piece told in a no-nonsense way depicting two conflicting events: a black man saved by a couple of white friends from a group of racists. and a couple of racists getting mad with them for apparently killing a dog…

Among the other stories included in this collection, a couple (“By Bizarre Hands” and “On the Far Side of the Cadillac Desert with Dead Folk”) are so widely known that commenting upon them would be absurd.

Secure a copy and enjoy!

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Mario Guslandi was born in Milan, Italy, where he currently lives. He became addicted to horror and supernatural fiction (too) many years ago, after accidentally reading a reprint anthology of stories by MR James, JS Le Fanu, Arthur Machen etc. Most likely the only Italian who regularly reads (and reviews) dark fiction in English, he has contributed over the years to various genre websites such as Horrorworld, Hellnotes, The British Fantasy Society, The Agony Column and many more. See all his recent reviews for us here.