The talent of Nat Cassidy speaks for itself in his amazing books, so a collection of short stories by said author is a no-brainer of a read. I Know a Place: Rest Stop and Other Dark Detours is simply one of the best and horrifying collections I have read in recent memory. Plus, it includes one of my a favorite novella’s too boot.
There are locations in this world where the light doesn’t seem to reach. Where, no matter how illuminated the place might be, shadows creep in too strongly to fight back.
A suspiciously empty gas station rest stop in the middle of the night, littered with googley eyes… A doctor’s office, where a bottle of booze and a tear-stained folder wait on the desk… A tech millionaire’s haunted kitchen… A Bible-quoting ventriloquist’s dingy apartment… A yoga retreat in the middle of the desert, silent except for the screaming…
Now, I mentioned off the top that I Know a Place features one of my favorite stories, so it goes without saying that Rest Stop is also my favorite story in this collection. An outstanding addition to the horror genre. An intense atmospheric story with complex themes and heart-stopping scares that kept me on edge. This story will stay with you long after you turn to the next tale, making you think differently about public restrooms in the future.
In addition, I Know a Place goes places you wouldn’t expect with stories that have you scratching your head to those with a little more emotional, tugging at your heart strings. There is a story that should connect with each and every horror fan inside this book. This collection is relentless in all the right places making you think twice about everyday locations and more.
I Know a Place is just the kind of collection we all need while we wait for the next outstanding horror novel from Nat Cassidy. This book lurks in the shadows with stories that will leaving you in awe for many different reasons. While some collections may have one or two stories that fall a bit short, Cassidy hits on every single tale in I Know a Place.
I Know a Place hits bookstores everywhere on May 5, 2026 from Shortwave Publishing. The audiobook, narrated by Shaun Taylor-Corbett, Nat Cassidy & Kelley Rae O’Donnell, is available for preorder at Libro.fm!
