The Mammoth Book of Best New Horror 13

I'm not sure if this was for me as good as the last two Best New Horror volumes I read, but I liked it very much anyway. There were a few stories that were not quite my type, but were still good; and then there were those that left a strong impression. Again, the anthology contained a range of horror -- from the supernatural to the kind that plagues us everyday.

Perhaps my favorite is Poppy Z. Brite's "O Death, Where Is Thy Spatula?" I loved the candid tone and the morbid humor, as well as all the scrumptious descriptions of food! I also enjoyed Kelly Link's "Most of My Friends Are Two-Thirds Water" for its urban wit. Elizabeth Hand's "Cleopatra Brimstone" is darkly sensual, while Conrad Williams' "City in Aspic" is a haunting tale set show more in Venice. The brutal horror off Gala Blau's "Outfangthief" left me disturbed, and I found Glen Hirshberg's "Struwwelpeter" chilling on many levels. Thomas Ligotti's "Our Temporary Supervisor" is a tale of corporate horror that inspires a fear that's very real for me.

The collection begins and ends with selections from Chico Kidd -- "Mark of the Beast" and "Cats and Architecture," respectively. Both feature Captain Da Silva, who has captured my fancy. I've never heard of Kidd before this, but now I'm quite interested in reading more of her works, particularly those with Captain Da Silva.

So overall, The Mammoth Book of Best New Horror 13 was quite a satisfying read, with the gems making up for those that didn't quite strike my fancy. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more from the series! show less