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Riding the Nightmare by Lisa Tuttle

 

Title: Riding the Nightmare

Author: Lisa Tuttle

Genre: Horror Short Story Collection

Published: 8/22/23 by Valancourt Books

I received a copy for review through NetGalley. 


This new collection from a Lisa Tuttle collects stories previously published between 1986 and 2017 with a new expanded version of 'The Dragon's Bride'. The stories seem to fit together in that they all explore unconventional types of relationships from the female prospective. The plots themselves are varied. Some worked better for me than others. This is a great release from Valancourt Books from this great author of Nest of Nightmares and Familiar Spirit.

Ride the Nightmare:  Being second to a man in an open marriage isn't easy. For Tess it brings on a prophetic nightmare.The nightmare imagery is great. 4 stars

Bits and Pieces: A woman realizes the men that leave her life leave parts of themselves behind. In the pursuit of creating a perfect man she goes to great lengths to get what she wants.  3 stars

The Mezzotint: A woman finds a picture in her partner's office that reminds her of the messotint in the M. R. James story. 3 stars

After the End: This story tells that last case of C. Auguste Dupin. A very gothic feeling story. 3 stars

The Third Person: A woman asks her best friend to use her apartment once a week to have an affair which leads to unforeseen circumstances. 3 stars

The Wound: Two male teachers become friends over a love of opera that can become more complicated that you would think. 3 stars

The Man in the Ditch: A woman sees a man in the ditch on the drive to see their new home. She keeps having visions of this same man over her time in the house. This one has a great ending. 4 stars

The Last Dare: Two friends pass on the story of their experience in The Tower House, a creepy house in the neighborhood, to their grandchildren. Those grandchildren decide to explore the house as well. 4 stars

A Home in the Sky: A woman who has dreams of owning her own house has a strange experience in a miniature version of house being built in the area. 4 stars

The Hungry Hotel: A woman has a fling with a traveling musician while her fiance is out of town. 4 stars

The Dragon's Bride: A woman has repressed her visit to her aunt's house in England. When she returns after the death of her aunt she begins to remember. 4 stars

Average Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars





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