The short story is the most unique of all the genres as it can pack a punch like no other narrative. Whether it delivers humor, mystery, or drama, the short story holds something for every reader. When it comes to horror, however, the short story takes on an entirely different look and has the power to captivate readers, lead them down a rapidly spiraling rabbit hole, and leave them breathless by the story’s end. Nowhere is there a better example of this than in Pray Lied Eve: Short Tales of the Untoward, by Lydia Peever.

Author, Lydia Peever, has handed readers a collection of short stories steeped in horror and the macabre. Each of Peever’s shorts features a unique take on the horror genre. The author leads readers down a path filled with shocking discoveries, long-hidden mysteries, and abrupt and unexpected endings.

For the most part, Peever’s stories have endings that hit hard and seem to come out of a dark and foreboding left field. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. Short stories are meant to be savored, and many of Peever’s beg for immediate rereads. This is one collection readers will find themselves coming back to time and time again.

My favorite among Peever’s stories has to be “Grave Marginalia.” I love the fact that it is set in a library and the very books themselves seem to play a sinister role in the strange and unsettling events taking place before the characters’ very eyes. This was one of those stories I stopped and poured over once more before reading the rest of the book.

In addition, Peever breaks down the origins of each of the stories for readers. I enjoy hearing about the thought process behind an author’s work and find it interesting to see how their stories originated. I appreciated this little addition to the conclusion of the book.

Pray Lied Eve: Short Tales of the Untoward is a spellbinding collection for horror fans that enjoy gruesome scenes and vividly frightening imagery. Anyone looking for quick reads that feel like spine-chilling rides on the most horrifying of rollercoaster rides will find the thrill they are seeking in Peever’s work.

Pages: 57 | ASIN : B00BPAFBHG