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With A Chilling Touch of Authenticity
An Imprint of Evil and Other Hauntings is a collection of ten horror stories centered around cursed objects, hungry gods, and terrible choices. What draws you to the horror genre?
As a kid, I grew up reading EC horror comics and watching TV programs like ‘The Twilight Zone’ and ‘The Night Gallery.’ In my early teen years I started reading classics like Dracula and Frankenstein. I was just drawn in by such stories that slowly create a feeling of unease in the reader. Although supernatural in nature, they echo with a chilling touch of authenticity. And that’s what makes them so frightening.
Many of the stories begin with familiar situations before slowly turning sinister. Why do you think ordinary settings make horror more effective?
It’s the creeping uncertainty about what is real or true in ordinary situations that brings about the more subtle feeling of dread or fear, an unsettling feeling that lingers with the reader well after the story has been read.
Horror can easily become overly graphic or overly abstract, but your stories stay focused and concise. Was restraint an intentional stylistic choice?
Yes. I wanted the stories to build up slowly, with subtle hints along the way that not is all what it seems to be. These are stories that lean on the classic atmosphere of the Victorian-era spinechiller stories. Stories that were meant to be read out-loud by candle light on dark winter nights.
Which story in the collection was the most enjoyable or unsettling for you to write?
Enjoyable – would be ‘The Barn’. It’s my first folk horror story and I actually felt sorry placing the main character in such a desperate situation!
Unsettling – would be ‘Charles Linkwood’. It was difficult to read about the horrors experienced by WWI soldiers while doing my research for the story, and how many returned home as broken lads suffering from ‘shell shock’ (PTSD). I tried to capture some of that horror in my story.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
An Imprint of Evil and Other Hauntings
Stephen Tallevi’s An Imprint of Evil and Other Hauntings is a compact collection of ten horror stories built around cursed objects, old sins, hungry gods, occult bargains, and people who make one terrible choice too many. The book has the feel of classic ghost and weird fiction, with each story rooted in a specific time and place, from Manchester in 1831 to the Florida Keys in 1964, Chicago in 1905, and Muskoka Lakes in 1929. That historical spread gives the collection a pleasing variety, while the tone stays consistent: polished, eerie, and quietly wicked.
I enjoyed how often the horror grows out of desire. Mary’s longing in “Love is Blind,” George’s greed in “Pearly Whites,” Cathers’s ambition in “The Death God,” and the community’s bargain in “The Barn” all lead characters into darkness with their eyes wide open. These aren’t random hauntings so much as moral traps. Tallevi has a knack for letting people talk themselves into the unforgivable, then watching the supernatural world meet them halfway.
The stories also move at a brisk, readable pace. Most begin with a familiar situation, such as a reunion, an expedition, a country visit, a carnival, or a marriage under strain, and then tighten the screws until the final turn lands. “Idol of the Deep” is especially effective as an adventure story that slowly becomes something stranger and more fatal, while “Hands of Fate” adds a detective-story rhythm to the collection. The line “There is no death god in this cave, only death” captures the book’s taste for irony, where the supernatural and human cruelty often blur into one another.
Tallevi’s best moments come when he lets a simple image do the work: a wax doll, a black idol, stained hands, a scarecrow in a storm, a barn door that won’t open. The prose is clear and atmospheric without getting bogged down, and the collection has a campfire-story quality that makes it easy to keep turning pages. Even the brief “Summer Blood” has a playful bite. That story’s mix of menace and dark humor showcases the author’s personality.
An Imprint of Evil and Other Hauntings is an entertaining horror collection with a strong affection for old-school supernatural storytelling. It’s full of cursed inheritances, cruel bargains, and endings that snap shut like a trap. Readers who enjoy concise, atmospheric tales with a macabre sense of justice will find a lot to enjoy here, especially in the way Tallevi turns ordinary human weakness into something ghostly, grotesque, and strangely satisfying.
Pages: 132 | ASIN : B0G5LVNKF6
I Love Dark and Weird Tales
The Inheritance and Other Dark Tales is an anthology of short horror stories that follow the characters into spine-chilling situations. What was the inspiration for this collection of stories?
I would take long evening walks during the first COVID winter (2020). I encountered no one during my walks – no one shoveling snow, no one walking their pets, no vehicles driving by – just silence and falling snow. A very creepy and surreal experience, which got me thinking about dark scenarios (what if I got lost and sought help from one of the homes on the street, only to never be heard from again – the premise for “The Keeper”). Over the weeks I came up with several haunting premises during my evening walks, which became the basis for many of the stories found in “The Inheritance and Other Dark Tales.”
Who is your favorite character to write, and why is that person your favorite?
I enjoyed writing about the father in the story “The Crimson Oak.” Having a daughter of my own, I can strongly associate with his growing feeling of panic for his daughter’s wellbeing as the pieces of a deadly urban legend begin to fall into place.
What intrigues you about the horror and paranormal genres that led you to write this book?
I love dark and weird tales, where the feeling of unease builds up slowly during a story – in the back of your mind you begin to get the feeling that something strange or evil will occur, but you’re not sure what it will be. My love for such stories probably started as a kid, when I’d come home after school and watch episodes of The Twilight Zone or Alfred Hitchcock. My grandparents also took part in Seances, so I grew up listening to “true” ghost stories during family gatherings. Given such a background, it’s probably not too surprising that I enjoy writing stories in the horror and paranormal genres.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
Working on another collection of dark short stories. Targeting a December 2024 release date.
Author Links: GoodReads
The Inheritance and Other Dark Tales
The Inheritance is a chilling narrative that unfolds as we follow Richard as he inherits his late uncle’s grand, six-bedroom home. As he delves into his uncle’s belongings, a bone mask comes into play, and the ensuing twists and turns are nothing short of fascinating.
In The Keeper, a seemingly innocent afternoon drive takes an ominous turn for a group of young scholars when their car grinds to a halt near a foreboding house inhabited by a mysterious Keeper. As their fates intertwine, the story becomes a web of suspense and dread, leaving readers on the edge of their seats.
The Reachers introduce us to an anthropologist delving into the secrets of an ancient Pagan cult known for harvesting human eyes. However, what he unearths goes far beyond his expectations, leading to a nightmarish revelation that blurs the line between the living and the supernatural.
The Inheritance and Other Dark Tales by Stephen Tallevi is a spine-tingling journey into the darkest corners of the human psyche with a collection of macabre stories. This anthology is a literary treasure trove for those who relish haunting tales that leave an indelible mark on your imagination. The storylines are captivating and attention-grabbing, making it impossible for readers to put the book down. Richard’s ill-fated decision to place the bone mask on his face adds an element of chilling suspense that keeps you guessing. Tallevi’s storytelling prowess shines through, with meticulous attention to detail that leaves no question unanswered for the reader. The narrative is well-crafted and thoroughly thought out, offering a deeply satisfying reading experience. The author’s unique writing style leaves readers eagerly anticipating what’s to come in each short story. The darkness permeating these tales is masterfully executed, and the vivid descriptions allow your imagination to run wild as you envision the eerie scenarios unfolding before you.
I highly recommend The Inheritance and Other Dark Tales to anyone searching for a gripping collection of horror stories. Each story possesses distinct qualities, and together, they form a brilliant and unforgettable book. Tallevi’s storytelling is a treasure trove for fans of dark and suspenseful fiction, and this anthology is a shining example of their literary prowess. Don’t miss the chance to be ensnared by these captivating tales, a journey into the depths of the macabre that will leave you craving more.
Pages: 132 | ASIN : B0CBF1MK9J
