"The Watered Soul" 5 stars
A man seeks out the woman who cursed him with immortality and has left him a tortured soul. Dark and immersive, this story pulled me in from the first line.
"Doc Buzzard's Coffin" 5 stars
A policeman is in for a terrifying surprise when he interrupts a spell. The plot is satisfyingly unique, leaving me guessing through most of the story.
"9 Mystery Rose" 5 stars
A man seeks out a way to revive his dead wife in order to ask her a single, selfish question when cosmic justice steps in.
"Hand of Glory" 4 stars
A prosecutor uses supernatural means to gain confessions from the guilty.
A woman gets more than she bargained for when she seeks revenge on her cheating husband in this beautifully sensual and equally dark tale.
"Homegoing" 5 stars
One of the few stories featuring human monsters, this story is both bittersweet and disturbing.
"With the Turn of a Key" 5 stars
A man's fantasy relieves him of his hellish marriage in this story that would have fit well as an episode of The Twilight Zone.
"Path of the War Chief" 5 stars
Well written, this bizarre tale follows the journey of an unlikely tribal chief in search of regional peace.
"Since Hatchet Was a Hammer" 5 stars
This is the most memorable story for me, capturing the repercussions of domestic violence in a way that is both poignant and haunting.
"Rhythm" 4 stars
A man seeks revenge on his cheating wife, playing with forces that would have been best left alone.
"The Choking End" 5 stars
A woman gains more information than she asked for when she seeks out a boo-hag for a means to dig up her mother's enchanted grave.
It's rare to come across a collection that doesn't include at least one mediocre story. Not only are all of these worth reading, but nearly every story is excellent. The language is visual and atmospheric, with the strength of voice that only shines through the most seasoned of writers. I recommend Spook Lights to readers who enjoy subtle, psychological horror, folklore, and cosmic justice.
I received a free copy of this collection in exchange for my honest review.