Michael A. Arnzen

I like to read short stories by authors because I think it tells a lot about their abilities. A person has to have mad skills to pull off successful short stories. I think they showcase an author's talent much more than a novel ever could.

Word choice becomes very important the shorter the story. Mike Arnzen does that very well with these tales. His descriptions, similes and metaphors made me laugh, groan and just go, "ewwww" but they all are so spot on. As I read, I'm thinking, 'that's show more exactly how intestines would probably sound sliding around on a table top'. Very visual stories and the sensory descriptions skin crawlingly (okay, not a word) realistic. I recommend this to those who want an uncomfortable laugh served up with their horror. Gruesome and gory; but brought to you courtesy a quirky sense of humor.

And check out his CD, AudioVile. It has many of the same stories from the book read to you by the author. His delivery just gives a whole new way to take in a story. At first, I was a little thrown off by the experience. It's sort of a Russell Simmons Def Comedy/Poetry Jam mixed with a hint of book on tape narration and a sound track thrown in for good measure. Very quickly though, I got into the spirit of the presentation. Screw Audacity of Hope, this should have won a Spoken Word Grammy! Not your typical book on tape ho hum.

I so wasn't expecting the experience--book or CD--and again, I'm looking at myself thinking, 'oh my God, you're laughing at this?!" ha! Some of the stories really were on the edge of SWEET JEBUS I'M TRAUMATIZED!, but, the fact that he brought out such visceral feelings--good or bad-- means he did his job as a writer.

Best story? Driving the Sick Elephant. Best story on the CD just for overall delivery? Six Short Films about Chauncey the Serial Killer. Very creative package.

If you get the opportunity, read it; listen to it; visit the author's site.

http://www.gorelets.com/ show less

Better than "Best of..." Anthology of a few big name and a lot of little name horror writers that somehow surpasses many of the "Best of..." collections that feature mostly big name writers. Could it be that the lesser known are that much hungrier that they go the extra mile to put out their best stuff?

One of the smartest stories I've ever read! This book takes you deep into the world of tattoos and holds you there--in suspense--througout. I felt that the characters were well defined, and the story rich in depth. Hell, I actually wanted to get a tattoo after reading it! I didn't, but it was tempting. The inside world of that craft is amazing and Mike really brings it to the front.

I am a big fan of his horror shorts and poetry, but I hope Mike graces us with another meaty novel like this show more one (and Play Dead). show less

Ooooooh .... spooky!

Normally I shy away from multi-author fiction collections since the quality and tone tends to vary so markedly. I can't really remember why I decided to give this horror collection a try. Probably because it said Best of, so I figured it wouldn't be awful. And it wasn't awful; it was pretty good. I read through it quickly in two evenings. I can't say that there were any stand-outs for me, but overall, the tone wasn't overly genre. This was more like reading literary show more fiction in the horror realm than pure slash-em-aliens-ghost-psychic pulp. And there were some slash-em stories, and alien stories, and ghost stories, and psychic stories, a good variety of different plots and points-of-view. Nothing too frightening though (although I doubt anything is going to be as frightening as me being eleven, alone in the dark, and reading about Danny getting trapped in the snow tunnel The Shining). Just mild thrills. A good diversion.

The Best of Horror Library: Volumes 1-5 edited by R.J. Cavender went on sale May 6, 2015.

I received a copy free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. show less