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Diabolica Americana Anthology edited by Keith Anthony Baird

 

Title: Diabolica Americana: A Dark States Horror Compendium

Editor: Keith Anthony Baird

Genre: Horror

Published: Oct. 28, 2021

Thank you to the editor for providing a copy to me for review.

Overall

    Diabolica Americana is a charity anthology that is filled to the brim with the talent of so many great authors writing horror today from all across the United States.  Every story is a different look at America in the most sinister of situations. The stories are varied in when they take place and the horrors within. There are stories about voodoo, witchcraft, creatures, and very real human monsters. These pages will keep you entertained to the last page. There is something in this anthology for every horror reader, and I highly recommend picking it up.

Individual Stories

The anthology starts with a great Introduction by Eric LaRocca.

Night and Day and In Between by Jonathan Janz- 5 stars- Creature story taking place in the silent film era in California with all that old Hollywood charm. 

Cat Daddy Sam by Scott J. Moses- 4 stars- A possession story that had characters and setting to perfectly capture that small town southern feel.

Regrets Never Die by Rhonda J. Joseph-5 stars- A woman is literally haunted by the regrets of her past.

Hexenmeister by Sarah Tantliner- 5 stars- Hexes, curses, and all the witchy vibes written to perfection.

Conjure Blood by Anne Gresham- 5 stars- A story of retribution with an amazing environmental angle. 

Dead America by Shane Hawk- 4 stars- Bad dreams with a message. These dreams sent a shiver up my spine.

The Iron Coffin by Laurel Hightower- 5 stars- A deadly disease with a strange origin.

Shelly Nears by Chris Sorensen- 5 stars- A very special prom night for a very deranged boy.

Teen Spirit by Rowan Hill- 5 stars- A high school football team that takes winning way too seriously.

The Median King by Hailey Piper- 4 stars- Big city living isn't easy on the hard streets.

Down the Hill Fell Jack and Jill by Vivian Kasley- 4 stars- A very real feeling pandemic cautionary tale.

Sunnies by Sadie Hartman- 5 stars- A former homicide cop and concerned parents take on a very real monster.

Collection Day by Nicole M. Wolverton- 5 stars- A fantastic supernatural collector story with a great setting.

Drowning in Doubt by Rayne King- 5 stars- A carnival story that turns deadly.

Daughter by Hunter Shea- 5 stars- Heartbreaking story of a father's grief.

Black Teeth by Gabino Iglesias- 5 stars- A grieving husband taking care of his baby and then...whoa!

Return to Voodoo Village by Patrick Barb- 4 stars- Man travels to Voodoo Village to get answers about the past.

Six Sides by Cynthia Pelayo- 4 stars- A young girl finds a mysterious box.

The Kit by John F. D. Taft- 5 stars- A fantastic story about a cursed antique embalming kit.

Mischief by Richard Chizmar-5 stars- This story had a great true crime feel. 

East by Nick Moorefox- 4 stars- A thrilling sea creature feature.

June, 1987. Hitchhiking. Mr. Norris by John Langan- 5 stars- A creepy cautionary tale that leaves me sure I will never hitchhike. 

My average rating for the stories is 4.5 stars out of 5.



 


 


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