Book Review: Inanimate Things Vol. 2 | Edited By Stephen Rhoades

Inanimate Things Vol. 2

Edited By Stephen Rhoades

Burial Books

244 Pages

A collection of short stories with a central theme of embodied evil in objects accentuating sheer terror.

1-Forever House-By Jason Fischer: A decorative Halloween house has a more sinister structure than what lies beyond the four walls.

2-Picture of The Maniac-By John Adam Gosham: A husband is haunted by a photo from movie set Halloween decoration that inspires paralyzing fear

3-Collectors Edition-By Patrick Herald A podcaster quickly learns that there is much more than what meets the eye to one avid collector’s action figure displays.

4-All I have to Send You is This Postcard-By Sandra Henriques-One woman’s attachment to a mysterious postcard is destined to have Dyer consequences.

5-The Wax Boy by Richard Thackson-A man’s sanity is pushed to the brink as he is plagued by the otherworldly presence of a most ominous boy.

6-Good Bones by Colin Adams-Toomey-The ins and outs of one house emulates the deepest darkest recesses of the human experience.

7-Pulling Your Strings by Anne Wilkins-When Shelly buys a puppet named Mr. Adams from a 2nd hand shop, she soon realizes life is hanging on by a thread.

8-Love You Real by Kay Hanifen-When a teddy bear’s owner passes from a mysterious illness the plush toy vies to redefine purpose.

9-Dead Mall by Paul Lonardo-A Team of paranormal investigators mere their untimely fate while filming within an abandoned shopping mall.

10-Bad Candy by Madeline Mora-Summonte-One receptionist’s plight with sweets may very well be a plague to each her senses and sanity.

11-Get Me Booty by Jimmy Pudge-A Leprechaun’s ghastly proclamation unveils should you deny his insatiable pot of gold.

12-The Moaning Fart by Truman Ramsey-One man’s grapple with prostate stimulation of epic borderline supernatural proportions.

13-Comin Home To Roost by Mark Petes-A metallic rooster taunts a widowed father and son while the memory of a wife and mother haunt them.

14-Keep The Light Out By Carter Aldridge-
A spirit runs amok trying to get the attention of a student next door.

15-Silent Servants By Damon Nomad-When Detective Clara Spalding investigates a murder in a small town, she realizes there is much more to the merchant’s shop fronts than what meets the eye.

16-The Desert’s Dead-By Stuart Conover-Sheriff Steve McCoy must battle hellfire and brimstone to avenge his closest friend’s death

17-The Space Beneath The Seat by Michael Lawrence-Kurt’s sportscar Nadine has some special features not every driver could fully appreciate.

18-The Cannabis Scarecrows by Stephen Rhoades-Roger and Margaret a farming couple growing marijuana soon realize there is a simple solution for the teens who try to loot their crops.

19-That High Lonesome Sound-By Cory Brock- Doug’s latest hobby of collecting musical instruments from estate sales may very well have struck a chord within his deepest, darkest self.

Inanimate Things marks the introductory reading journey undertaken from Burial Books. This collection of tales is an epic expose of different authors to whet the appetite of even the most cynical and jaded of readers. From shockers to slashers, spirits, ghouls and everything else in between; Rest assured there is something for everyone within these pages.

It is immensely reassuring to see the short story format is alive and well. Where else can readers explore our genre’s landscape and discover so many new authors completely in the dark from, prior to picking up anthologies such as these. Burial Books provides and an extraordinary forum for authors from every background, level of experience and exposure to highlight their horrifically engaging wares.

Picking a favorite tale could be comparable to one parent picking their favorite child. But if forced at gunpoint, to choose one tale that stands out I would have to choose Pulling Your Strings. Not to embark upon unjust biases, I would say this tale stuck with me most for its equal parts humor, absurdity and overall unnerving factors. Bravo Ms. Wilkins indeed. Honorable mentions go to The Moaning Fart by Truman Ramsay, for its sheer shock value. The Cannabis Scarecrows by Stephen Rhoades also translates like a film within the mind with its imagery. But each tale is every bit as engaging as the last. Take not my word for it and tear on into Inanimate Things yourself.

Each of the tales is brief and packs a wallop at an average of nineteen pages. Just enough to seep within your subconscious and keep you begging for more.

The About The Authors Page boasts a ‘who’s who’ in our current up and coming landscape of fictional horror. We can find additional work from each author and a little more about what makes each tick.

Inanimate Things promises an ongoing series so readers can rejoice in ravenous anticipation for the 3rd installment.

Additional works at Burial Books can be found at www.burialbooks.com