Jeff Chapman

Jeff Chapman's tales of woe and wonder are aptly named; each short story elicits an immediate emotional response upon its conclusion while allowing ample room for thoughtful, spiritual reflection long after the story is set aside. This varied collection of classic fantasy fiction fits within the wonderfully imaginative genre of fairy tales, fables, tall tales, and legends. Many provide a moral lesson, being cautionary in nature, a few are allegorical, but all provide what readers want - a show more good story well told.

In addition to the two pieces that I published in my magazine ("The Fletcher's Daughter" and "The Master and the Miller's Daughter") my favorite in this anthology were "A Gift from Over the Sea" and "The Hand with the Knife." Like a number of stories here, both of these were tragic, the endings unresolved, and thus reflective of life in a fallen and broken world - even a world replete with magic and mystery. In other words, these are not "just" fairy tales - Chapman offers us stories of truth, wonder, and yes, woe as well. If you enjoy classic myth and wish there were more stories told in the grand tradition of this fantasy genre, then you'll find Chapman's tales a welcome addition.

(Disclosure: I received a complimentary eARC and know the author from online, having published two of his stories at my magazine, ResAliens.) show less

As stories about being attacked by video game monsters go, this one goes pretty well. Very suspenseful and even a nice bit of family characterization. Recommended.

"The Crooked House of Coins" combines that eerie feeling of Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily" with Poe's penchant for the obsessive - all within a ghostly and fearful setting a la Stephen King! Not that this story has it all, but it has one thing done well: a sense of suspense that drives the story to an unearthly finish.

Chapman's purposeful prose is descriptive and evocative, if at times expansive. His writing can be complex, but as a writer myself, I found myself trusting his syntax to lead show more me deeper into the story's premise, which he does admirably. I'm a plot-driven reader and I enjoyed the ghost story within the context of a mysterious treasure hunt. Given the tension between the two characters and a spooky backstory, this story could easily be the seed to a longer novel. Four and a half stars and a recommended read for a lunch break at work! show less

Disclaimer. I published this story at Fear & Trembling Magazine, an online zine of spiritual horror and suspense. That being said, I think it also shows how much I thought of it. Psychological horror, suspenseful storytelling, and powerful underlying theme make this a delightfully scary read. Recommended, of course.