By Paula Limbaugh
Tales from the Lake, Volume 1, edited by Joe Mynhardt, is a beautiful collection of short stories and poetry brought to us by Crystal Lake Publishing. These stories are reminiscent of the old Tales from the Crypt. Remember as a kid sitting in the backyard at night with a flashlight, trying to outwit everyone with the scariest story? These stories are like that, only they’re for us adults.
The three stories included are from the winners of the 2013 Crystal Lake Publishing Horror Fiction Contest. The first place winner is Jennifer Loring. Her story The Art of Destruction Tells the story of how a small community survives by “wreckin'” boats. It’s a profession passed down from father to son, but it does come with a cost.
J. Daniel Stone Alternative Muse 2nd place. Here we see the dark side of the hedonistic lifestyle. 3rd place story las maquinas William Ritchey’s work is my favorite. Someone’s missing, could it be a serial killer or something worse? Not for the faint of heart!
Blaze McRob has two poems; Devil Doll and St. Patrick’s Day Night at the Crown Hotelboth are delightful. Tim Waggoner Love, come back to me tells us that death cannot be deceived, and Graham Masterton tells us a nasty little story called Witch Compass This will test your moral character.
Addict By GN Braun and Games start Charles Day shows the consequences of drug abuse. Joan De La Haye tells a clever ghost story. reunion. Peroro’s Ladder John Palisano’s work is a bit like an acidic Babel.
In Taylor Grant’s play, being a bitch is all about revenge Dead, O’Halloran By John Paul Allen Dont look at me By Elizabeth Massie.
“I’m more afraid of living than dying.” Find out who, what, why Devil’s Night By Tim Curran, Finally, Lady of the Lost Lake Bev Vincent’s work gives us a glimpse of heaven before hell arrives.
All in all, this was a fun read, can’t wait for volume 2!
Order yours here.
score:5/5
