Amazon dropped an epic series of horror short stories just in time for spooky season in Creature Feature. Their individually unique stories from six top-notch authors are just what we needed.
Gather round as today’s most diabolically clever authors twist simple moments into otherworldly horrors. An empty baby stroller. A scratching underneath the bed. A farmhouse in the moonlight. With an unnerving sense of the macabre, these stories transform our greatest fears into bone-chilling realities.
The series of six short horror stories are available on Kindle with audio narration or on Audible free with your Amazon Prime membership. While they all are under of the Creature Feature, they carry their own story and can be read in any order.
Creature Feature includes stories The Pram by New York Times bestselling author Joe Hill (NOS4A2, Horns); Ankle Snatcher by New York Times bestselling author Grady Hendrix (The Final Girl Support Group); It Waits in the Woods by Josh Malerman (Bird Box, Malorie); In Bloom by Paul Tremblay (The Cabin at the End of the World); Best of Luck by New York Times bestselling Author Jason Mott (Hell of a Book); and Big Bad by New York Times bestselling author Chandler Baker (Whisper Network, Cutting Teeth).
The Pram: A Nightmarish Tale of Fatherhood Dreams
The Pram is a haunting short story about a husband’s obsession with fatherhood and the unexpected manifestation of his desires. Willy and Marianne’s peaceful life on their farmhouse in Maine is disrupted when Willy becomes fixated on the idea of having a child. When he stumbles upon an old, decrepit baby stroller, Willy is enchanted by the sweet coos of a baby that he knows can’t be real. But as he journeys down a lonesome bridle path in the forest, Willy’s dreams come to life in a twisted and horrific way.
One of the strongest elements of The Pram is the tension that Joe Hill masterfully builds throughout the story. From the very beginning, there is a sense of unease that only grows as the plot progresses. As Willy’s obsession with the child grows stronger, so too does the sense of dread that permeates the pages. Hill’s writing style perfectly captures this tension and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat until the very last sentence.
Ankle Snatcher: Spine-Chilling Story That Will Keep You Up at Night
At the heart of Ankle Snatcher is a story about family and inherited trauma. The main character, Marcus, grows up believing his father killed his mother and blamed it on the boogeyman. Consequently, Marcus carries this belief into his adult life. This obsession of fear and trauma is what makes Ankle Snatcher such a horrifying story. The author, Grady Hendrix, perfectly captures the emotions of the characters and builds up the suspense in every scene.
Another aspect of Ankle Snatcher that makes it so enjoyable to read is its brevity. The story is concise, which means that every word counts. There are no fillers or wasted space. The writing is quick-paced, and it hooks you in right from the first page. The story is so compelling and well-written that it’s hard not to become engrossed in the events that unravel.
If you’re a fan of audiobooks, then you’re in for a treat. The audiobook version of Ankle Snatcher is fantastic. The story is read by Michael Crouch, who does an excellent job of adding to the already fantastic storytelling by Hendrix. Crouch’s narration captures the tone and atmosphere of the story perfectly.
Ankle Snatcher could be our favorite story of the Creature Feature bunch!
It Waits in the Woods: Suspenseful Tale of Urban Legend
In It Waits in the Woods, the story follows Brenda Jennings, who is still reeling from the disappearance of her sister, Heather, three years prior. Heather vanished after an evening spent camping with her friends within the dense Michigan forest. Since then, Brenda has been searching for answers, and her inquisitiveness leads her to research the local urban legends and myths surrounding the area. One particular story, involving a bridge to nowhere and demonic hooves, strikes her as particularly significant. Intent on uncovering the truth, Brenda stakes out alone in the woods, determined to find Heather’s killer and expose the truth behind the myth.
The book’s pacing is well thought out, with an appropriate level of suspense and tension that keeps the readers on tenterhooks throughout the story. The narrative design is such that the story unfolds in a way that is both organic and tantalizing, without revealing too much too soon, allowing the readers to invest in the story and its characters. The writing style of Josh Malerman is engaging and perfect for readers who love a good thriller. His descriptions of the eerie and foreboding atmosphere in the forest are vividly realistic, setting the stage for the horrors that lie ahead.
In Bloom: A Hallucinatory and Riveting Story
From the very first pages of In Bloom, it’s evident that the story takes place in a near-future world that’s been affected by climate change. The setting is Cape Cod, and the toxic algae blooms that Heidi is trying to investigate are a very real phenomenon that’s causing harm to the environment and the people who live there. But as the story progresses, it becomes clear that there’s much more going on beneath the surface.
One of the most effective aspects of In Bloom is its use of dream-like sequences and surreal imagery. As Heidi delves deeper into the mystery, she finds herself increasingly disoriented and unsure of what’s real and what’s not. The way that this tone is conveyed through the prose is eerie and enchanting, leaving the reader feeling almost as if they’re experiencing a dream themselves. This, coupled with the cosmic horror themes in the story, makes for a truly unsettling read.
Best of Luck: An Eerie and Mysterious Thriller
Best of Luck is centered around the life of Will, a destitute, sickly, and grieving man, whose string of bad luck seems never to end. He blames his misfortunes on his best friend Barry, who, on the other hand, is monstrously successful. Will demands that Barry admit to draining all the luck right out of him, like blood. What follows is a climactic standoff at gunpoint, where both characters confront each other with raw confessions and brutal truths.
The story’s pacing is slow and measured, which gives readers ample time to acquaint themselves with Barry and Will and their complex relationship. Mott does an excellent job of developing both characters, making their personalities and motivations clear to the reader. One of the aspects that make Best of Luck an excellent read is the unique premise surrounding luck itself. Mott uses the concept of luck as a central theme to examine the idea of fate and how it influences our lives.
Mott’s writing style is evocative and descriptive, creating an eerie and unsettling atmosphere throughout the story, emphasizing the psychological toll of the characters’ experiences.
Big Bad: A Compelling Story of Survival
Big Bad offers a unique and refreshing take on an age-old story. The book is written from multiple perspectives, including those of Sam, Rachel, and their children. This technique adds depth to the characters and helps readers understand their motives and fears on a closer level. It is clear that Chandler Baker has taken the time to develop these characters, and it pays off in the end.
The Strauss family is faced with many challenges, including the wolves outside and the growing tension between themselves. As the night progresses, we see the characters’ true nature revealed as they fight to stay alive. Big Bad shows that in the face of adversity, sometimes the only thing that matters is protecting the ones you love.
The pacing of the novel is another strength. Baker keeps the story moving at a steady pace, with enough twists and turns to keep readers on the edge of their seats. The short story packs a punch. Every word of the narrative serves a purpose, and there are no wasted scenes.
Creature Feature Short Stories Pack a Punch!
Six short stories from six bestselling authors that can be read in now time with the horror theme is something perfect for the Halloween season. Best of all, all free with your Amazon Prime membership. We cannot recommend Creature Feature more.
This review is a Feature Review during the Capes and Tights Horror Week 2023.
