horror stories | CW Hawes

Tales of Terror – Part 2

Halloween is just 12 days away, as of this writing, and, today, I’m continuing with more of my favorite tales of terror.

In the early 1970s, I was re-introduced to HP Lovecraft, learned of Robert E Howard, August Derleth, and the other writers of The Lovecraft Circle. I met, in person, Donald Wandrei and Carl Jacobi. As a result, I had a revival of my interest in horror.

That interest faded in the 80s when I became enamored with mysteries. However, from that time, there are several stories that stand out. Stories that made a lasting impression.

The Transition of Juan Romero

I have always liked HP Lovecraft’s early story “The Transition of Juan Romero”. The story is well-written, in my opinion, and lacks the melodrama that often mars his later work. The tale builds slowly, making allusions to Aztec myth, until it reaches its deliciously terrifying conclusion. A story that is often overlooked. I think it deserves greater attention. You can read it here.

Pigeons From Hell

Robert E Howard was a master storyteller. A writer who was gifted beyond measure and wrote superb stories no matter the genre. And did so all before the age of 30.

“Pigeons from Hell” is a premier example of Southern Gothic horror. It delivers a genuinely terrifying story that builds on the Southern folklore tradition. The story is without a doubt one of the master’s best. You can read it here.

Solomon Kane

Of all Robert E Howard’s characters, I am most partial to Solomon Kane. The dour Puritan knight errant who battles supernatural evil wherever he finds it, but does so mostly on the mysterious Dark Continent.

I love the Solomon Kane stories. They were an instant hit with me. So much so, I have a small collection of the various additions of the stories.

Tales of high-adventure, filled with action and suspense, and of course terror. Stories very appropriate for Halloween. You can read the stories for free on Project Gutenberg Australia. Just scroll down to the Robert E Howard entry.

1984

No one I am aware of classifies George Orwell’s 1984 as a tale of terror. However, I think it is the scariest book I’ve ever read. It is a slowburn tale of terror, political terror, and if the ending doesn’t scare the bejeezus out of you, nothing will.

I think it an especially appropriate read in our current political and social climate. Halloween will never be the same. Support an independent used bookstore. Or pick it up on Amazon.

Two stories, one novel, and one series character. Plenty of grist for the terror mill.

Comments are always welcome. And until next time, happy reading!

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Tales of Terror – Part 1

Conradin from “Sredni Vashtar”

As of this posting, Halloween is 19 days away. So I thought I’d use this post, and the next two, to talk a bit about some of my favorite tales of terror.

There are quite a number of them, and I certainly won’t be able to cover them all. In fact, I’m only going to talk about a few. I’m going to focus on those that have made the greatest impression. Which means, I’ll mostly be talking about stories I read years ago. Oldies, but goodies.

There are five stories that stand out in my memory from up to the time I was 10 or 11 years old. Stories that have stayed with me all these years, and, I suppose, have exerted a subtle influence on my reading and writing preferences.

The Adventure Of The Engineer’s Thumb

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was a prolific writer across several genres, including horror. Although today, he’s mostly remembered for Sherlock Holmes—whom he grew to loathe.

Within the Sherlock Holmes canon, there are two outstanding tales of Gothic suspense: the well-known The Hound Of The Baskervilles, and the lesser known “The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb”. I read the tale of the “Engineer’s Thumb” long before the “Hound”, and to this day the gruesome story holds a macabre fascination for me.

With the glut of gruesome and grotesque fair on TV and in books, the “Engineer’s Thumb” is quite tame by today’s standards. Nevertheless, Doyle’s skillful use of atmosphere captivated my young mind and I’ve been fascinated with the story ever since. I think it a superb gothic tale. Read it here, and see if you don’t agree.

The Cask of Amontillado

Edgar Allan Poe still reigns as king of terror, 189 years after publication of his first horror story.

For me, “The Cask of Amontillado” stands out as a masterpiece of terror. The story is not long, yet it captivates you from the very first line. I’ve read a lot of Poe, and this story still stands as one of my all-time favorites.

You can read it here. And I encourage you to do so.

The Colour Out of Space

HP Lovecraft is ranked as the crown prince of terror. Second only to Poe. Personally, I have mixed feelings about HPL. When he’s good, he’s among the very best. But when he’s off the mark, he can be downright horrid. He was, IMO, a very uneven writer.

The first story I ever read by Lovecraft was “The Colour Out of Space”, anthologized by Groff Conklin in The Omnibus of Science Fiction. Which is an excellent anthology of early SF, by the way. Out of print, but used copies are available.

IMO, “The Colour Out of Space” is HPL’s best story. It is a tale of slowburn horror that leaves you with goosebumps and a lingering feeling of dread and uneasiness. The story is not melodramatic as many of Lovecraft’s stories are. “Colour” is superbly crafted from beginning to end. It has stayed with me for 60 or more years, and loses nothing upon re-reading. Read it here. It is one of the all time great tales of terror.

Silent Snow, Secret Snow

“Silent Snow, Secret Snow” is Conrad Aiken’s best-known short story. Once you’ve read it, you’ll know why. It is a powerful story with multiple interpretations and meanings.

I was in elementary school when I first read the story. It made an immediate impression, and 60+ years later I still feel the subtle horror of the tale. It is truly one of the all-time great masterpieces of terror. Read it here for free.

Sredni Vashtar

Saki was the pen name of HH Munro. He was a brilliant writer who was killed in the War to End All Wars. A tragic waste of a life that was so much greater than the conflict that took it.

I was in elementary school when I was introduced to Saki’s tales of terror. The one that has stayed with me the 6 decades since reading them, is “Sredni Vashtar”. A profound story in what I call the “evil child” genre.

The story is short, less than 3,000 words, I believe. But don’t let the shortness fool you. Saki gives you everything you need to walk away with a lingering feeling of dis-ease. The ending packs a punch you won’t ever forget. And if you were ever a child and suffered at the hands of the adult world, I think you’ll love the story. It may even become your favorite. As it may well be mine. You can read it here.

There you have them: 5 stories from my childhood that remain vivid in my memory and imagination. Hopefully, you’ll find them as terrifying as I still do.

Comments are always welcome. And until next time, happy reading!

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Indie April Suggestions – Part 4

RH Hale

Today, I’m showcasing my fourth author for Indie April: the incomparable and supremely talented RH Hale.

Twitter has been a good source for finding talented writers of truly amazing books. My reading life has been enhanced many-fold by these wonderfully creative people.

RH Hale is one of the most talented of the literary finds I’ve come across. And I’m so thankful I did.

Her two books

Church Mouse: Memoir of a vampire’s servant
and
Church Mouse (Book 2): The Change

elevate the vampire novel to a new height. Yet these books are more than just vampire novels. For Rona Dean, the human servant, the watch dog for these supremely deadly creatures, tells us her story. And by doing so, we are given an insight into what it’s like to live on the knife-edge of terror day in and day out; and, through this daily exposure to terror and incredible horror, we see Rona, the church mouse, change, grow, and eventually earn the respect of the monsters she serves.

Gothic novel? Or are these books a coming of age story? A tale of macabre terror? Or a philosophical treatise on what it truly means to be human?

Perhaps Church Mouse is all of these, and more.

Ms Hale’s storytelling is superb throughout. We are given atmospheric descriptions of places, and mood evoking pictures of settings. Her characters are alive, real. You can touch them, feel with them, feel for them.

Her command of the novel form is equal to that of the most mature of writers. Her words mesmerize us, evoke deep feelings in us, touch all of our senses — they let us see and experience Rona’s world.

These two novels are simply brilliant. They are gothic masterpieces. They are among the finest horror literature being written today. They rightly belong next to the classics: “Dracula”, “Carmilla”, and “The Vampyre”.

Simply put, Ms Hale is one of the finest indie authors writing today. She is nonpareil.

Church Mouse, Book 1, Amazon US

Church Mouse, Book 2, Amazon US

Church Mouse, Book 1, Amazon UK

Church Mouse, Book 2, Amazon UK

Church Mouse, Book 1, Amazon Canada

Church Mouse, Book 2, Amazon Canada

Church Mouse, Book 1, Amazon Australia

Church Mouse, Book 2, Amazon Australia

Church Mouse, Book 1, Amazon Germany

Church Mouse, Book 2, Amazon Germany

Comments are always welcome. And until next time, happy reading!

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Indie April Reading Suggestions — Part 1

Crispian Thurlborn

Welcome to Indie April!

Every year, I solicit independent authors/publishers (aka “indies”) to recommend books for me to read, and if I like them, to promote.

My caveat is that I don’t want bestsellers. Nor any book ranked in the top 300,000 on Amazon. And they must be self-published. Small press does not count, as that is just downsized traditional publishing.

If you have any suggestions, please put them in the comments.

This month, I’m adding blog posts promoting 13 authors who have impressed me over the years with writing that lingers in my memory. Lingers in a good way, that is.

These writers are not bestsellers. Although they should be, and would be if we lived in a fair world. But, alas, we don’t. Their writing, though, is top-notch and will entertain you. That much I can guarantee.

Crispian Thurlborn

First up is Crispian Thurlborn, who is truly an author par excellence. He is a master craftsman. A meticulous craftsman. He does magic with words.

He writes stories that will chill you and impart a subtle terror that lingers long after the story has ended. He also writes stories filled with whimsy and humor.

All of his published work is top drawer.

Today I’d like to focus on his short novel, A Bump in the Night. It’s a ghost story, of sorts. It’s a philosophical story, of sorts. It’s sad, yet ends well. It’s filled with humor. And the prose would make Dickens envious.

It’s a tale of two ghosts who try to stop their friend, Mr Bump, from fading away. But the best laid plans of mice, men, and ghosts… Well, you know, Mr Murphy and his law even transcend the grave.

A Bump in the Night is not a tale of terror. Yet, in a subtle sort of way, the story confronts us with death, that thing which terrifies us all.

The book is one of my favorites. But then all of Mr Thurlborn’s work can be listed amongst my favorites. He’s that good.

So this Indie April, do yourself and Mr Thurlborn a favor: buy his books, enjoy them, and review them. Both you and he will be very happy.

Here are links to his Amazon pages:

Canada

Australia

Germany

And if you subscribe to his mailing list, you’ll get the chilling story “Wednesday Girl” for free! It is very good.

Watch for Part 2, which comes out Tuesday.

Comments are always welcome! And until next time, happy reading!

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For the Weekend 9

This weekend is Halloween and I thought it appropriate to recommend something horribly spooky for your entertainment.

Crispian Thurlborn

Crispian is one of my favorite authors. If he writes it, I’ll read it. For this weekend, I recommend:

Exit. This is a slow burn chiller. Something like the twilight zone. Mysterious, with a shocking revelation at the end. Get the book at Amazon!

01134. We’ve never been so connected, yet we’ve never been so alone. We crave companionship and when we get it we’re on top of the world. When we lose it… A superb tale of psychological horror. On Amazon!

Cinder. Jill is a college student, and like all college students she needs money. Which means she takes the occasional babysitting job. And the job of watching the Comptons’s kid seems to be like any other. That is until those things desiring to ward of the chill of the coming winter make themselves known. Get it on Amazon!

Richard Schwindt

Richard is another author who writes outstanding fiction. If he writes it, I buy it. For this weekend, I want to draw your attention to:

Herkimer’s Nose. This was the first book I read by Richard and it’s still my favorite. A fabulous cast of characters, with lots of humor, terror, monsters, ghosts, and spies. A delightfully spooky tale, that’s at Amazon!

Tony Price: Confidential. Tony is a social worker and an amateur occult detective. If you like mysteries and monsters, this trilogy is for you. I loved it. Get it at Amazon!

Ottawa Confidential. This story is the Tony Price prequel. And very appropriate for Halloween. It’s about dogs. Well, not really. More like wolves. Well, not really that either. Just read it. You won’t regret it. At Amazon.

A Killing in Samana. Murder mystery meets occult detective. And we discover Richard’s other amateur sleuth, Chris Allard, knows Tony. Together, they solve an eerie murder case. Pick it up at Amazon.

R.H. Hale. Hale’s Church Mouse duo is an incredible work of fiction. The writing is literary, and some of the finest I’ve read. I don’t care for a lot of description, yet Hale’s descriptions mesmerize me. They set the mood and atmosphere, and establish the eerie Gothic quality that makes these books work so well.

Rona, the main character and narrator of the story, is exceedingly well-drawn. She is truly lifelike.

Sergei, the vampire and antagonist, is also very well-drawn. His character is richly complex. We hate him and we love him.

The Church Mouse duo easily makes my top ten list of recommended horror reads. They are novels you truly do want to read before you die.

Get Church Mouse: Memoir of a vampire’s servant at Amazon, along with Church Mouse – Book 2: The Change, also at Amazon.

Lastly, a bit of shameless self-promotion. Aside from my Pierce Mostyn Paranormal Investigations series, I’ve published the following stories:

Do One Thing For Me. George is old and going senile. Beth isn’t what she appears to be, but George isn’t sure she’s even real. And then she makes him an offer he can’t refuse. Or can he? Get it at the Zon.

Ancient History. Two brothers with a history, and not a good history at that. But they’re getting older and maybe it’s time to mend things. Put things right. But the ghosts think otherwise. And as one reviewer wrote: “…the ending was a shocking twist I never saw coming!” On Amazon.

Metamorphosis. I love vampire stories. And this is my contribution, to date. Devon is sick and having a mid-life crisis. His solution? Become a vampire and leave the problems behind. But his minister, who is a vampire, convinces him otherwise. Or does he? At Amazon!

What the Next Day Brings. A tale of the Cthulhu Mythos, set in 1920s Vienna. Everyone of us makes choices. Sometimes out of desperation. And starving to death, that’s what Franz does. However, as we all know, such choices often hand us more than we bargained for. Also at Amazon.

Plenty of good reading for your Halloween weekend. Enjoy!

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Van Dyne’s Vampires

A writer is a little bit like a god. Gods in all religions are creators. They are responsible for the world as we know it, and for the world we cannot see.

Writers create worlds, both seen and unseen, every day, along with myriads of people. Like gods, writers are creators.

The act of creating is, for me, exhilarating. It is the most exciting part of writing. Someday I hope to have enough money so I can hire someone to do all the other aspects of the writing business so I can just write.

The first audience of a writer is himself. If the story doesn’t interest him, it won’t see the light of day. And it might not even see completion. After all, writers basically write about what they know and they write a story they find interesting. That’s what keeps them going. I suppose the same can be said of deities: they do what pleases them.

Yesterday was supposed to be the official launch day of Van Dyne’s Vampires (Pierce Mostyn Paranormal Investigations, Book 4). However, Amazon is having hiccups in their KDP processing. Consequently, Van Dyne isn’t showing up on the Pierce Mostyn series page and the price (as of this writing) is still listed at 99 cents, which is what I offer as a special deal to my reading list folks. However, since the book is still 99 cents — grab a copy before the Zon finally gets its act together and raises the price to $2.99.

The Pierce Mostyn stories have been a joy to write. More and more I’m growing to truly love Mostyn and company. I’m anticipating a long relationship with him and his world.

Van Dyne’s Vampires is a bit of a departure from the previous three stories, where I riffed on a story by HP Lovecraft. Van Dyne is my own creation. Although characters of his ilk abound. Van Dyne is the Moriarity, the Zeck, the Fu Manchu of Pierce Mostyn’s world. The human evil genius. Never mind that Mostyn also has Cthulhu and his buddies to contend with.

Cthulhu and friends, however, don’t care about us. We are to them as ants on a sidewalk are to us. That is the horror of the Mythos: in the vastness of the universe, we don’t matter. We are nothing. Whether human beings and our little world continue to exist doesn’t even register in the minds of entities greater than ourselves.

The true horror of our quest to meet other intelligent life is that they will be superior to us and not care if we live or die. And maybe for them, things would be better off if we were dead. Be careful what you wish for.

However, for some, the fear of the Mythos might be a bit remote. So I created someone we all can relate to: namely, the bully; the person who uses others to satisfy his or her own needs. Valdis Damien van Dyne is that bully on a mega-scale. He is that egotist who thinks nothing of others — other than how they can best serve his needs.

We’ve all been bullied. We’ve all dealt with users. And when that bully or user has power over us, there is fear we feel deep in our gut. It is far more visceral than the fear of being nothing.

And just as we hope someone will come to our rescue, there is Pierce Mostyn and the OUP. A little bit of the cavalry coming over the hill just in the nick of time. And we like that.

You can get Van Dyne’s Vampires at Amazon, or read it for free if you are a KU member. Enjoy!

Comments are always welcome; and, until next time, happy reading!

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