That is the trouble with short story anthologies, and especially horror ones. The reader picks one up, hoping to discover the next potential Shirley Jackson, and is lucky if there is any substance anywhere. Such is the case with "Haunted Nights," edited by Ellen Daltow and Lisa Morton. Out of sixteen stories, only two--one eighth of the entire text--are of merit. They are "A Small Taste Of The Old Country," by John Mayberry, and "Lost In The Dark," by John Langan..
The Mayberry story is a variation on "The Uninvited Guest," but it has the ability to grip the reader, until it takes him/her to a twist I did not see coming. But it is Langan's "Lost In The Dark" that is the real thing. Perhaps the most lengthy story in the book, the title refers to a cult 'Blair Witch Project' type of film, which gives the story its title. Every aspect of the film is explored, from synopsis, to the back story of Agatha Mayberry, to the filmmaker's present, and its mysterious matters still haunting her. I almost wish this could have been expanded into a novel. Really, it is on a par with "Night Film," by Marisha Pessl.
Let me save you the trouble, dears. Pick this volume up, and read these two stories alone. Skip the rest. None are exceptionally bad, just not exceptionally good, like these two.
The Halloween theme, fascinating though it is, gets a little tired in some of the lesser stories. But the ones by Mayberry and Langan sizzle with pure horrific brilliance.
Two Johns to keep an eye on, dears!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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