Author: Paula Limbaugh
I was devastated when I read the last anthology that Doug Murano was a part of, and now after reading this latest anthology, I’m completely dazzled, Look! Strange, curious and indefinable wonder. To be honest, just look at this lineup!
Foreword: Josh Malerman
Oddities
1. Lisa Morton: LaRue’s Dime Museum
2. Brian Kirk: Wildflowers, cacti, roses
3. Hal Bodner: The Baker of Mielepoix
4. Clive Barker: Jacqueline Ace: Her Will
5. Stephanie Vitovich: Mothers and Monsters Exhibition
curiosity
1. John Langan: “Mrs. Painter: For Sale”
2. Neil Gaiman: Chivalry
3. Ramsay Campbell: All in the Family
4. Erin Kemper: “Emilia’s Awakening”
5. John FD Taaffe: The Unsavable Goods
6. Patrick Freivald: Earl Pruitt’s Smoker
7. Stephanie M. Wytovich: Being a Telekinesis Tea Party Guest
8. Lucy A. Snyder: Hazelnuts and Gourmet Mummies
Strange things
1. Brian Hodge: The Shining Fruit of Our Tomorrow
2. Kristi DeMeester: The Sober Man
3. Christopher Coker: The Weaver
4. Sarah Read: Crossing Gravel
5. Richard Thomas: Hiraeth
Reading these stories is a bit like walking the boardwalk of a circus that came to town long ago. There are freaks and geeks, the exotic and the mysterious, and the death-defying acts that keep people talking long after the circus wagons have rolled out of town.
In the opening scene we discover the oddities, these are the more bizarre stories within which we can find the extraordinary. Continuing on, we came upon a point of curiosity, where we stopped for some time to learn the strangest stories. We then wandered straight into wonder…wonderful, delightful stories that reach deep into the imagination. Wow, what an incredible trip this was!
I can’t say I found a bad or mediocre story in this fantastic collection. Each story will leave you wanting more. Doug Murano really knows his stuff when it comes to putting together a themed anthology. Add to that the fantastic art by Luke Spooner and all I can say is that this is an award-worthy collection! Don’t delay, get your copy now! Available in both eBook and paperback (also on Kindle Unlimited), you can get it here!
5/5 
