Chryse Wymer

When I first received this book, I wasn't sure if I was going to like it or not. I was pleasantly surprised when the first story just grabbed me. I finished half the book without even getting out of my chair. The stories were so different and interesting to me, even though I don't usually read any type of "horror" stories. I don't even watch scary movies, but I found these wonderful. A few of them were pretty predictable yet I still found myself reading through them and continuing on to the show more next story. My only regret was waiting so long to read it. I just kept putting it off. These stories are great if you just want a quick read that is suspenseful, interesting and unique. show less

I just finished reading Playing with Fire, it has been one of the best reads that I have had in a very long time. It kept me so
interested that I finished it in two nights, I could not put it down. The books I usually read are histories about the Celts, Druids and Knights Templar, but I wanted to try another genre, I have had a mild interest in paranormal
and supernatural things and this book has really made me want to read more. I really especially enjoyed the offerings of Coral Russell's show more stories, they seemed to continue effortlessly from story
to the other. You never lost the idea of the story, they were written very well and in a way to hold your attention. I would love to read more of Coral Russell and the other authors. show less

PLAYING WITH FIRE: AN ANTHOLOGY OF HORROR, by Coral Russell, is, admittedly not usually my style. I’m not a big horror fan—don’t read King and don’t go to horror films. In essence, I am a chicken. If I can read it (or see it), then I can imagine it, which means I can and will develop some kind of recurring nightmares. I say this as a precursor to explaining why I had to put this book down every now and then in the name of sleep. In Russell’s case, this aversion has NOTHING to do show more with the obvious talent that the writer demonstrates. I’m hard pressed to say that that these stories are “good”, but I’m the same person who says the same thing about Poe—yet I read him because he IS good. I finished PLAYING WITH FIRE for the same reason. It IS good. If a non-horror reader can admit that this anthology is good and worth reading—imagine what a horror fan will say! That leaves me with one last word—BRAVA! show less

Playing with Fire is an anthology of short stories in the horror genre. However, as horror goes, these are pretty mild. There is little gore and the frights are definitely not over the top - sorta Stephen King-lite.

However, this doesn't mean I didn't like them. Many of these stories had a cerebral element to them that I found very compelling especially the last one. I found myself thinking about this one long after I finished the book.

So, if you're a fan of the Saw franchise, you might want show more to give this book a pass. However, if, like me, your favourite horror story is something like King's The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, this might be the perfect book for when you feel the need for a little fright in the night. show less