By Paula Limbaugh
Yay, finally more. Lake Adventures: Volume 3. As with all previous books from Crystal Lake Publishing, we find a wide variety of stories, from the subtly spooky to the downright horrific. Editor Monique Snyman has collected the best stories, reimagining urban legends for us. Ben Baldwin has once again created a stunning cover, and you’ll find interior illustrations by Luke Spooner. So, let’s take a look at some of the stories you’ll find here…
Chris Pierce gives us Tragedy Park, If you’ve been following the news, you know that amusement parks can be dangerous! When Finn and his friends decide to sneak off to an enclosed ride, they get more than they bargained for. The Black Vortex waterslide is supposed to be the largest waterslide in the state, so how could they resist trying it? Well, the word vortex should be a hint!
“Be careful what you wish for.” It’s a very true saying, but it’s not always followed. Sumiko Saulson’s story, shell Next time you covet something that belongs to someone else, stop and think. Reginald’s grandfather tried to warn his grandson, but when the old man dies, Reginald is ready to move into his grandfather’s estate. Ah, but at what cost? Soon, he learns that what belongs to others is not always the path to happiness.
I think we have all read stories like this and thought how wonderful it is to be transported into the story. Henny finds a way with the help of a little bird she calls Maybelle. Meire Joyce tells us a magical story that immerses us, in which reality can be twisted to suit our needs.
Haha, we all know that feeling, recalling an old story, remembering it one way, only to find it wasn’t it at all. Mark Allan Gunnells Pygmalion Piglet. Joe recalls a story from his childhood that he’s eager to share with his daughter, so he orders the book. But…wait, that’s not how the story is told, right? Joe sets out to find the original book and prove to his wife that the story has been changed. Hmm…maybe he should keep his distance.
Kate Jonez portraitkind of like a genie in a magic lamp. Although it’s no genie, I’m not so sure the price of the wish is worth it. When Gwen is down on her luck and about to be evicted from her apartment, she sees an ad for a babysitter on Craigslist. Little does she know that this babysitting job requires taking care of more than just children.
The full lineup includes…
Owl Builder – D. Morgan Ballmer
Tragedy Park – Chris Pierce
Shell – Sumiko Saulson
Woe to the waters of violence – Lily Childs
Cruel – Harper Hull
Red Screams, Smiles – Paul Edmonds
Maybelle——Mere Joyce
Rodents in the Red Room – Matt Hayward
The deeper I got, the deeper the fear became. – Natalie Carroll
Pygmalion – Mark Alan Gunnells
Chemical Oasis – Tommy B. Smith
Shhhh – Sergio Pereira
Death’s Fire – Kenneth W. Kane
Portrait – Kate Jones
The Smell of Fear – Steve Jenner
The Bet – Amy Grech
Hands from the Deep – Dave de Burgh
The Monster of Biscayne Bay – Roxanne Dent
Song from the edge of an unfinished road – Jack Bates
So… just like that, you can head into the lake and check it out. In total you’ll find 19 very different stories, so dive in and you’re sure to find your next favorite here!
5/5 
