Gemma Amor

Forget Doctor Who. Forget Eastenders. And forget your favourite sitcom seasonal episode - a Gemma Amor twisted Christmas special is the only tradition worth waiting for at this time of year.

And oh my does this rival last year’s! It’s like some deeply (deeply!) twisted evil Christmas version of Willy Wonkas factory tour meeting Five Nights at Freddie in the depths of wintry Hell, as inventive deaths and horrific creatures take a dysfunctioning family on a sleigh ride to see a Santa beyond show more anyone’s worst nightmare.

Brilliant, sick, revolting, profanity laden, morbidly funny and utterly bonkers. I will never look at a donkey or a Christmas cookie without fear again.

See you for more next year! show less

A short story for Christmas with a nice, heart warming happy ending. As long as you as you stop reading on page 9. If you choose to carry on after that, don’t blame me if you never sleep again!

As one of our foremost horror writers, Gemma is at her most brutal here as she produces a gory, breathtakingly violent story that is well written, pulls no punches on the shock factor and has the audacity to sneak in a moral right at the end. A gripping monster story where you will never look at a show more Christmas tree or a chimney without feeling a chill down your spine, ever again.

There’s even a couple of Easter eggs to her other works as I saw “six rooms” and “cruel works of nature” mentioned in passing.

I probably won’t sleep tonight though. Thanks for that Gemma ;) show less

"Dear Laura" introduces us to a captivating premise – the enigmatic exchange of letters between Laura and a mysterious stranger, alluding to information about her missing friend Bobby. The narrative follows Laura's relentless pursuit of the truth, navigating a labyrinth of peculiar demands and psychological maneuvers. Gemma Amor's storytelling finesse is evident, propelling the narrative forward. Nonetheless, despite its promise, the novella falls short of its potential, leaving a sense of show more unfulfillment.

Laura's character, driven by an insatiable thirst for answers, struggles to establish a connection with readers. Her willingness to engage with a perilous figure and her unyielding determination to decipher cryptic clues raise questions about believability, especially considering the story's span over several years. The inclusion of a character with pedophilic tendencies introduces a discordant note, diverging from conventional psychological profiles and potentially alienating readers in search of authenticity.

While Amor's storytelling successfully stirs curiosity surrounding Bobby's fate, it ultimately falters in delivering a gratifying resolution. The narrative constructs suspense through a series of hints and confrontations, only to culminate in an ending that leaves much to be desired – a substantial flaw given that the resolution of the mystery is a cornerstone of such narratives' success.

The core enigma surrounding Bobby's disappearance and the motives of the antagonist are relegated to the shadows. Numerous pivotal questions remain unanswered, leaving readers entangled in unresolved threads. This absence of closure could prove vexing for those who seek a more thorough and meticulously wrapped-up resolution.

Furthermore, the foundation of the novella leans heavily on readers' suspension of disbelief. Laura's actions often defy logical reasoning, and the antagonist's intricate psychological games might test the limits of plausibility for some. The narrative struggles to rationalize certain character decisions, such as Laura's hesitance to involve law enforcement despite the looming danger.

To sum up, "Dear Laura" introduces a captivating premise enhanced by Gemma Amor's engaging prose. Regrettably, the novella falls short of delivering a wholly gratifying narrative. The behavior of central characters, coupled with an incomplete resolution and the introduction of an improbable antagonist, hinder the novella from reaching its full narrative potential. While the storytelling and writing deserve praise, the overall execution may leave readers craving a more authentic and fulfilling mystery experience. show less

Having established herself as one of our premier horror writers, Gemma Amor has turned her talents to the Victorian Christmas ghost story - a particular favourite of mine. When a couple's carriage breaks down and are a lost in a blizzard, their attempts to seek shelter see them stumble across a lone inn upon the snow covered moors. But as they reach the inviting glow of the old building, a fresh impropriety awaits them - a black mourning ribbon upon the door...

Gemma has created the perfect show more atmospheric tale worthy of any Victorian Christmas ghost story anthology. The antagonistic couple, well written to the setting, are accompanied by an additional character which is the Inn itself - a warm, welcoming place which plays its part in soothing the violent emotions that charge the story. A typically Dickensian tale, this plays out in all the right beats and it is refreshing to see an author write in homage to an era with such natural ease.

If you have exhausted all the original collections you can find, then grab a mince pie, stoke up the fire and let yourself be abosrbed in this haunting new Christmas tale from one of our top British horror talents. show less