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    Dark Screams: Volume Two
    Dark Screams: Volume Two
    Dark Screams: Volume Two
    Audiobook4 hours

    Dark Screams: Volume Two

    Written by Shawntelle Madison, Graham Masterton, Richard Christian Matheson and

    Narrated by Joe Barrett

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    "The Deep End" by Robert McCammon: Everyone thinks the drowning death of Neil Calder in the local swimming pool was a tragic accident. Only his father knows better. Now, on the last night of summer, Neil returns in search of revenge.

    "Interval" by Norman Prentiss: Flight 1137 from St. Louis by way of Nashville has gone missing. As anxious friends and family gather around the gate, a ticket clerk finds herself eyewitness to a moment of inhuman evil.

    "If These Walls Could Talk" by Shawntelle Madison: Eleanor has come from New York City to prep an old Victorian house in Maine for America's Mysterious Hotspots. Although she's always thrown herself into her work, this job will take her places she's never dreamed of going.

    "The Night Hider" by Graham Masterton: C. S. Lewis wrote about a portal that led to a world of magic and enchantment. But the wardrobe in Dawn's room holds only death-until she solves its grisly mystery.

    "Whatever" by Richard Christian Matheson:
    A 1970s rock 'n' roll band that never existed takes one hell of a trip.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTantor Media, Inc
    Release dateOct 13, 2015
    ISBN9781494588304
    Dark Screams: Volume Two

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    Reviews for Dark Screams

    4/5

    66 ratings11 reviews

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    • 3/5
      The Deep End - A good story about a monster lurking in a public swimming pool. The monster had some pretty creepy skills and the story had a good flow to it.

      Interval - A little boring. The big reveal wasn't really that surprising or scary.

      If These Walls Could Talk - a haunted house story with a twist of Poe. Well written, and it stayed in my thoughts after I finished it.

      The Night Hider - a truly creepy premise. I liked how it tied into C.S. Lewis' Narnia stories.

      Whatever - confusing and non-linear story telling. This was my least favorite story in this book.

      I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley.
    • 4/5
      Dark Screams: Volume Two is an anthology of horror short stories edited by horror author Brian James Freeman and Richard Chizmar, editor of Cemetery Dance Magazine. Contributing authors:Robert McCammonNorman PrenticeShawntelle MadisonGraham MastersonRichard Christian MathesonI received this as an ARC.So you know, this isn't "Exorcist" or "Jaws" kind of scary. Most of the stories have a Poe-esque nature to them. For me they seem to be more creepy than terrifying. Most of it was enjoyable.I don't want to give away anything from the stories, so I will not synopsize.For me the best stories were the first two, "The Deep End" by McCammon and "Interval" by Prentice. Very different stories but both were compelling reads. The middle two stories:“If These Walls Could Talk” by Madison“The Night Hider” by Mastersonwere solid stories. I would rank the former above the latter. I am sure there are others who will disagree with me on which is superior. Honestly, it doesn't matter. Both stories were worth the time they took to read.If I had to rank all five manuscripts in order of enjoyability, I would probably leave the entire collection as is.And that brings me to the final tale: "Whatever" by Matheson. This story takes up 1/4 to 1/3 of the anthology and is the least enjoyable or accessible. The truth is I had to force myself to continue through it. I wanted to quit, but two things kept me reading: 1. I received an advanced copy in return for an honest opinion and I wouldn't be honest if I didn't read the whole thing; and 2. I kept hoping the editors knew something I didn't, that something of import was going to happen in this story. It never did. If it did, I dozed off and missed it. (I'm sorry, Mr. Matheson). Something struck me when I first started reading "Whatever." The style is more MFA student-ish; experimental-literary than your typical horror manuscript. As such, if I saw this in a copy of Glimmer Train or The New Yorker I might be less critical. As it is, though, I received it in a horror anthology and a tone was set by the four previous authors. So, this was just a big disappointment that left me saying, "whatever."The big questions I always have regarding books are: 1. Is the book worth the money? Yes. I would pay a few dollars to read the first 4 stories.2. Is it worth the time it took to read? Absolutely...the first four tales were worth the effort. The last is just a throw-away for me. Now the third anthology is out... and I am anxious to get to it.
    • 4/5
      This book is another collection of five stories from big names in the horror field. All are authors that I like except for Shawntelle Madison; wait a second, it's not that I don't like her but instead I've never read her before. A quick search on Amazon shows many paranormal romance books to her name which explains it; that is a genre of horror that I don't normally read. The stories this time were of a better quality than from volume one. The only author that disappointed me in this volume was Richard Christian Matheson. Maybe it was the method of his story telling but I wasn't pulled in and engaged with the story. It was also the only one that wasn't a more traditional type of story. One quick comment about the book before I get into the specific stories. I like the size of the collection. At five stories, it is not very long but at the same time each story is a decent enough length to make the book a good size. Not too short where I feel ripped off and not too long where I feel like I've been reading it all month. Now for the stories. Same as last time, here are some comments on each, going from my least to my most favorite."Whatever" by Richard Christian Matheson - As I noted above, this story wasn't told in the same style as the rest of the stories in the collection. Instead it is a series of clippings, notes, reviews and articles about the band Whatever which became popular in the 70s. The snippets are also not in chronological order. This made it a tad difficult to follow: a review of their latest album would cut to notes about the band while they were writing the album which then jumped to a band member getting married years later. Maybe if they were in order, I might have cared for the characters but instead they were just there."If These Walls Could Talk" by Shawntelle Madison - This story disappointed me because of the ending. It was really good and pulled me in but then once the ending was in sight, I started losing interest. Eleanor's job is to prep houses for the TV show America's Mysterious Hotspots. She sinks into her work with a Gothic house that has a history involving the owner's wife mysteriously disappearing. I was satisfied with the story but it left me thinking it was going to be a bit more."The Deep End" by Robert McCammon - This was an excellent start to the book. And similar to DARK SCREAMS: VOLUME 1 which also started with a reprint from a big name author, this story was originally copyrighted in 1987. This story though didn't have an outdated feel to it. It felt like it could be happening right now. It is prime horror that should be enjoyed. While most people accept that Neil Calder accidentally drowned in the neighborhood pool, his father knows better and is out to prove it."Interval" by Norman Prentiss - The creature in this story was almost secondary to the horror of the rest of the story. While important to the entire story, it was the first half that spooked me out. Flight 1137 from St. Louis has gone missing; family and friends will soon find out what happened. As a frequent flier for work, this story resonated with me on several fronts. And with the way corporations are nowadays, it struck me as very realistic. Once the creature appeared, it finally pulled me out of the building dread that kept getting worse and worse."The Night Hider" by Graham Masterton - Masterton barely edged past Prentiss to take my favorite story spot. It was probably because I love seeing dots connected between stories, when continuity of one book is pulled into the continuity of another book. In this case, Masterton connects his story to THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA by C.S. Lewis. While the story itself is traditional horror, the connection to Lewis's world provided me with an extra layer of enjoyment.
    • 4/5
      This series really is hitting its stride. These stories are awesome and compliment each other very well. Be prepared to lose a day over this book.
    • 4/5
      I received an advance reader copy (arc) of this book for the purpose of providing an honest review.My excitement for this anthology series continues as I embark on the dark horror train that is Dark Screams: Volume Two. I was mostly as impressed with the content of this volume as I had been with the previous volume, with one glaring exception detailed below. There also seemed to be more of a theme tying the first four of these tales together … the idea of a dark and sinister force lurking just outside of our senses.This anthology includes these stories:—The Deep End, by Robert McCammon. The lead-off story for this collection set a dark tone of horror. While this story was a reprint, I had never read it and it was an on-the-edge-of-your-seat horror story about a father's revenge against the swimming pool that took his son's life. 4.5 Stars—Interval, by Norman Prentiss. Long and slow build-up to a great twist ending. Very reminiscent of the Final Destination movies. Very entertaining. 4 Stars—If These Walls Could Talk, by Shawntelle Madison. Almost seemed to be a typical haunted house story. Then, it almost seemed like a reality Ghost Hunters story. The completely unexpected twist is very reminiscent of Poe and drew to a close an extremely readable and enjoyable tale. 4 Stars—The Night Hider, by Graham Masterton. Possibly the second best story in the collection with an unexpected connection to C.S. Lewis and Narnia. The ending seemed contrived and unnecessary. 3.5 Stars—Whatever, by Richard Christian Matheson. The title of this story says it all: "Whatever." This disjointed story chronicles the rise and fall of the rock band Whatever through a mishmash of articles, interviews, notes and letters. I found it to be a laborious chore to trudge through and found it to be a wholly disappointing closing to a truly enjoyable anthology. 1 StarOverall, even with the final story dragging the anthology down for me, I found this volume to be as enjoyable as the first. I have high hopes for the remaining volumes in this anthology series.
    • 4/5
      Dark Screams Volume II. I was definitely looking forward to this book coming out. I read the collection in Volume I and enjoyed most of that book. Volume II upped the ante by starting out with McCammon's story the "Deep End". That was followed by the "Interval" written by Prentiss. Both of these stories and the next two, "If the Walls could talk" by Madison and the "Night Hider" by Masterson take you to places within the writers imagination that are dark and unnatural. The ride is enjoyable. The fifth story is titled "Whatever" and I agree with that title, whatever.So once again I enjoyed 4 out of 5 stories in this book. I could elaborate on them but they are short stories so any description would give away the story. Therefore read them for your own enjoyment. Suffice it to say before I get my Swimming trunks out of the closet I will judge that interval while staring at the paintings in the room. I look forward to other collections by the editors Chizmar and Freeman.
    • 5/5
      This review is for the second book in the Dark Screams series published by Cemetery Dance. I received an advanced reading copy and this is my review of the contents, with an effort toward not spoiling the fun for YOU:“The Deep End” by Robert McCammon first appeared in print 28 years ago, but the story is as fresh as if it had just been written. It centers on a father, Glenn, who has lost his son in a drowning accident at a local public pool. After researching other deaths, Glenn becomes convinced his son did not simply drown. The story’s language creates its own atmosphere of dread as we wonder, along with Glenn’s wife, whether he himself has “slipped right off the deep end.” Regardless, he is determined that no one else will lose a loved one to what took his boy. To say more would spoil the surprise awaiting the reader, but fans of Robert McCammon’s early fiction (or ANY of his fiction) will not be disappointed. This story is a great, rediscovered gem.The title of “Interval” by Norman Prentiss refers to that time “when you know something’s bad, but you can’t quite give up.” Michelle works for an airline whose Flight 1137 is late in arriving, but her supervisor won’t give her or those awaiting passengers the reason for the delay. When family members are finally invited into Courtesy Office 2-C, tensions build until a stunning revelation is made. I subscribe to Cemetery Dance magazine, and enjoy short horror fiction. This is one of the best stories I have read in years. I found its premise wholly original and even worthy of my favorite series – The Twilight Zone!“If These Walls Could Talk” is my first encounter with the fiction of Shawntelle Madison. Like “The Price You Pay” from volume one of Dark Screams, it proves that dark (and I mean DARK) fiction is not written only by men. The story begins as Eleanor arrives at the Donahue home with her crew to prepare for an upcoming shoot for America’s Mysterious Hotspots. After viewing a painting of a fox hunt that disturbs her, she is told by Mr. Donahue that “with the right hunter, any prey can be found.” As the group prepares the house for the arrival of the production crew, a unsettling discovery is made concerning the house’s history, followed by an even more shocking link to Eleanor’s past. This story is like your worst nightmare brought to life.“The Night Hider” by Graham Masterton tells of Dawn, who is haunted by a dream(?) of a burned man threatening her in her bedroom and then vanishing. The only place he could have hid is the large wardrobe which was a gift from her Aunt Selina, an antiques dealer. When her boyfriend Jerry arrives, they find the wardrobe empty and locked. When the nightmare(?) repeats a second night, Jerry’s intervention saves Dawn from being attacked, and they both become convinced this is no dream. As they dig to uncover the history of the wardrobe, Masterton spins a tale unlike any I have ever read. To say more would do him (and this story) a disservice. Read it. I know you’ll enjoy it!What can I say about “Whatever” by Richard Christian Matheson? To me, this piece is the low point of the collection, and I am a little surprised it came last. The story details the rise and fall of the rock band Whatever through a series of articles, notes, and letters. I just didn’t get it, I guess., but I didn’t have ANY of the emotional connection I had with the other four stories in the collection. You ask for honest of opinion, and here it is. Whatever.As a collection, this is a strong addition to the Dark Screams series. Fans of these authors, or just dark fiction in general, will love it. And, come on, you can’t say the price isn’t right!!
    • 4/5
      While I didn’t like Dark Screams: Volume Two as much as I did Volume One, it is still an entertaining read for the price. I was excited to see that it contained a Robert McCammon story, “The Deep End,” but it turned out to be one I read when it was originally released back in the late 80s. Yet I enjoy his brand of storytelling, and it was long enough ago that I didn’t remember much of what happened, so all is forgiven.“Interval,” by Norman Prentiss, is a disturbing tale to read if you’re at an airport. It turned out quite differently than I thought it was going to, so there you are. He fooled me and made me uncomfortable. What more can you ask for in a horror short? “If These Walls Could Talk” is my first exposure to Shawntelle Madison, and it made me think twice about all the home fix-it shows my wife watches. While not my favorite in the batch, it did its job of bringing us a disturbing ending.I wasn’t sure I liked “The Night Hider” for the first few pages. Then the mystery deepened, and Graham Masterton built a little mythology of his own around C. S. Lewis and his land of Narnia. This is definitely worth a read if you are interested in Lewis or are a fan of Masterton.Lastly, whatever. I mean, “Whatever.” Richard Christian Matheson takes us back and forth throughout the seventies following the exploits of rock band Whatever and its eclectic members. It’s a very different story, and it’s not what you would think would be in this anthology, but yet it fits. Although as fascinating as I found it to be, I can just as easily imagine some readers, upon finishing, saying, “Whatever.”
    • 4/5
      Disclosure: I received an uncorrected proof of this e-book from NetGallery for an honest review.This second volume of Dark Screams is as impressive as the first. All of the stories are well-written and each has its own take on horror.Robert McCammon's leadoff tale, "The Deep End" is an old fashioned, satisfying horror tale of grief and revenge. The chills mount as the murkiness of pool waters closes in on the hunter and when the climax occurs it is quick and pulse pounding. And like the King story in the first volume there is just enough of sf to remind older readers of Saturday afternoon matinees of 57 to 68 minute chillers. This reprint from Night Visions IV (1987) was well-worth resurrecting.Norman Prentiss is a really fine writer. "Interval" is a tale in which the horror seems to be unfolding in a specific direction and then takes a sharp turn from real, mundane horror into the supernatural. Well done and creepy.With the atmospheric depictions of the Foster farmhouse, I was expecting Shawntelle Madison's "If These Walls Could Talk" to be a haunted house story, even though she deftly dropped little clues that there was something else going on. When Eleanor finally realizes that the oddness is really deadly the tale suddenly moves from hauntings to a human based horror that quite Poesque.Graham Masterton's "The Night Hider" is a story of the dark origins of a children's fantastic masterwork. This tale has revenge at its heart but there is pathos in the revelation. And there is real horror in the final scene."Whatever" by Richard Christian Masterson is a reprint from Douglas Winter's 1997 themed anthology Revelations. This longish story is told piecemeal, using interviews, magazine excerpts, song lyrics, journal entries, and a non-sequential timeline to describe the slow death of a 70s rock group. While some might scratch their heads trying to find the horror element in this tale it essentially is a depiction of the horror that is human in nature. Of all the stories in this volume this is the one I want to reread.The quality of the stories in this volume bodes well for future releases in the series.
    • 3/5
      The good folks at Cemetery Dance were nice enough to send me a review copy of Dark Screams Two for reviewing Dark Screams One. As much as I enjoyed the first volume, I thought number two wasn't anywhere near as good.The first story in the volume is one of the reprints, "The Deep End," by Robert McCammon. Despite being a reprint, I had never read it, and I enjoyed this tale of a fathers quest for revenge against a terror lurking in a public swimming pool.The Second story is "Interval," by Norman Prentiss. This one is a bit slower moving, and revolves around people at an airport waiting for word on a plane that is late. It's a good enough story, especially the big reveal ending.Next is "If These Walls Could Talk," by Shawntelle Madison. This is a creepy story about people getting a rural house ready for a TV crew, but something strange starts happening. I enjoyed this one, too.Then we have "The Night Hider," by Graham Masterton. This was probably my favorite story. It revolves around a wardrobe that's haunted by the ghost a horribly burned man.The final story is another reprint, and it stank so bad that it dragged the rest of the book down. The story in question is "Whatever," by Richard Christian Matheson. I have no idea what this story is even doing in this anthology, as it's not horror by any definition I'm familiar with. There are no ghosts, monsters, aliens, or serial killers. It's just the story of the rise and fall of a mega rock band in the 1970's told through song lyrics, letters, and excerpts of magazine articles. It's long and boring.I think the ebook edition is worth it just for the first four stories, but you might as well skip the last one.
    • 3/5
      While the first Dark Screams volume was a wild mixture of stories without a recognizable common theme, this second collection seems better tuned. It presents stories of dark things lurking in completely unobtrusive places. A swimming pool, walls in a house, or even a wardrobe - suddenly they reveal a hidden evil which bereaves them of their inconspiciousness. The Deep End (Robert McCammon)Very straightforward and uncomplicated. My only criticism would be the unnecessary 'epilogue'. I guess this one is my favorite. 4 stars. Interval (Norman Prentiss)The first part really gave me the creeps because of its realistic subject. Unfortunately, the author added some supernatural element which didn't work out for me, but add confusion to an otherwise great story. 3 stars If These Walls Could Talk (Shawntelle Madison)Nice one with an unexpected twist that caught me by surprise and made me shudder. I loved the detail with the fox eye. 4 stars The Night Hider (Graham Masterton)Great reference to the author C.S. Lewis, though I would have preferred something more fantastic in the line of his work. The ending was not as climactic as expected and Jerry's sacrifice seemed unnecessary. 4 stars Whatever (Richard Matheson)A collection of song lyrics, interview snippets and articles, loosely connected into a story about a rockband. Dragged on and on without getting anywhere. Sorry, this was not my cup of tea. 1 starA nice collection with some great authors, perfect to pass some time.(I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)