A Sliver of Darkness was a great short story collection that definitely freaked me out! I appreciated the author's introductions as well.

I recently finished reading “The Drift” (coming in 2023) and I was ready for more from this author! I love short stories, I love thriller and horror stories, and I love when the author explains how they thought of story ideas. Below are my brief reviews of each story, as they appear in this anthology. Enjoy!

“End of the Liner”
Fantastic story about a future where people live on cruise ships. 4/5

“The Block”
The author originally intended this to be a YA novel, but it became a short story instead. I think that was probably best - but this was a creepy one! 3/5

“Runaway Blues”
A great story, and the author’s homage to Stephen King. Don’t run… 4/5

“The Completion”
A story of a smarmy real estate agent - this started well, but I didn’t care for the ambiguous ending. 3/5

“The Lion at the Gate”
This slightly reminded me of Stephen King’s “Sun Dog” - but I didn’t really care for it. 2.5/5

“Gloria”
I liked this story of a killer and a little girl having a chance meeting. 4/5

“I’m Not Ted”
I liked this one - I just wish it was longer, maybe then I’d understand it! 3/5

“Final Course”
It’s the end of the world, and this was the best story so far! 4.5/5

“The Copy Shop”
Ahh! I wish this one was longer, but it was great. 4.5/5

“Dust”
Ooh this was a creepy one about a woman at a hotel. 3.5/5

“Butterfly Island”
I love when anthologies end on a high note, and this was the best in the book. I’d never thought to be scared of butterflies before this one! 5/5

This was a great anthology. Most were good stories, and I love the several Stephen King references smattered in. I never love every story in an anthology (unless it’s the before-mentioned King) but this came really close. Four stars, and I’m really starting to love this author!

(Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, C.J. Tudor, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.)

I’m a big fan of horror, and a big fan of short stories, so this collection was right up my alley. I haven’t read any of C.J. Tudor’s other books yet, although they’ve been on my list for several years, and after finishing this collection, I think I’ll need to move her other books up on my TBR.
Faves from this collection: The Completion, End of the Liner, The Block, Final Course, I’m Not Ted.

I’ve had The Chalk Man in my TBR for longer that I’d like, but so many books! When I was offered an ARC of the author’s short stories, I knew the time had come to get acquainted. And now I’m kicking myself for waiting this long to read her novels.

One of the things I liked best about this collection was the author’s introduction to each story – personal experiences that sparked the idea, where she was when the idea came to her, etc. I always love hearing origin stories. Each of these captivated me, and I could probably have finished the book in one sitting (it’s a little over 250 pages), but I did have a few favorites.

End of the Liner – What if a pandemic/apocalyptic event/catastrophe made living on land impossible? In this story some passengers have lived their whole lives on a cruise ship that never docks. Once they turn seventy-five they’re “retired”. And by retired I mean tossed overboard.

Runaway Blues – The author says this is probably her “most King-esque short story”. Maybe that’s why I enjoyed it so much. Blues music, dancing, young couples in love, and hat boxes that you may not want to open.

Dust – A woman checks into a hotel to get away from the stresses of being dumped by her boyfriend. But is that where she really is? Sometimes it’s hard to face the consequences of our actions.

If you’re looking for a compelling quick read, A Sliver of Darkness will keep you glued to the pages.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I enjoyed this collection, as would any fan of horror, but the little introduction to each story was kind of lengthy when you consider the length of the story. None of them were really amazing for me, but they were all enjoyable to read but you could definitely tell why they were short stories rather than big fleshed out novels. The first one, the cruise ship story, maybe would make an interesting novel depending on where she went with it though!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Ballantine Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful collection of short stories by CJ Tudor - 4.5 stars rounded up!

CJ Tudor writes the creepiest stories and I've loved all her books. While not typically a fan of short stories, these really worked for me, especially because before each one, she wrote an introduction to the story. Loved that glimpse into how the story came to be. I had quite a few favorites but End of the Liner was probably the top - just a really good dystopian story that worked on so many levels. But there was definitely something for everyone here - from dark humor to really disturbing!

A must read if you are a fan of CJ Tudor and her creepy, dark, wonderful imagination!

It's no secret that I have been a fan of C.J. Tudor ever since The Chalk Man was released. I also have a great love for, and addiction to short horror stories. I had high expectations for A Sliver Of Darkness, and I was not disappointed.
I was hooked from the first story, End of the Liner which incidentally is how I've always pictured a Disney Cruise. (sorry not sorry) Much like reality, this suspenseful little story is all about your own perception of good and bad.
The subsequent stories kept up the pace and maybe even gained momentum. I also enjoyed the author's introduction to each story which told how these tales came to be.
Normally at this point, I would tell you a bit about my favorites in the book but I enjoyed them all. If you are looking for a shivery, chilling, thought-provoking, good time check out this collection.

My thanks to Random House Publishing Group -Ballantine Books

I was provided an ARC of this collection via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this collection. I've read and enjoyed a few of Tudor's novels previously and I love horror/thriller short stories. There are some really great stories in here, while I didn't love all of them there isn't a bad one in the bunch. The Block, Runaway Blues, The Completion, I'm Not Ted, Gloria, and Final Course were favorites in the collection. These are perfect for when you only have a few minutes before bed or in between responsibilities but you still want to get some reading in. I loved that the author gave an introduction to each short. I always wonder what inspires an author to write a twisted tale and Tudor gives us some insight into what inspired her to write each of these.

If you are a fan of horror or thrillers or a fan or Tudor's work in genera I'd highly recommend this collection. Nothing was overly gruesome or graphic in my opinion. Each of the stories was interesting and held my interest. I really enjoyed the collection as a whole and look forward to reading more by the author in the future!

I read this collection of short horror stories around Halloween time and was not disappointed. I've read The Burning Girls and The Other People and loved these so I was so excited to receive this one as an Advanced Reader Copy.
Tudor has such an awesome albeit creepy imagination and also has a way of adding a touch of humor to them Almost all of these stories I could not stop reading and wanted more! They were unique, smart, twisty, and each unfolded with jaw dropping, surprising conclusions! And with 10 stories in one book, I never knew what I was going to be reading next. Definitely recommend!

I read every CJ Tudor novel that comes out and requested this one on NetGalley before I even realized it was a book of short stories. My history with short stories is sketchy, at best. I usually don't love them as the stories that are good are not fully developed and most collections have at least a few stories in them I don't like at all. A Sliver of Darkness is the rare exception to my experience. I really liked every story contained in the book, truly. More than that, I appreciated the author's humorous notes between stories on what was her inspiration for each story. She is clever and her anecdotes made me really enjoy each story even more. Anyone who has liked the author's previous full-length novels will like A Sliver of Darkness. It is also a great book to introduce this author to readers who want to know what she is all about.

The collection is sort of billed as a horror, but I would definitely say it is horror-light. It will satisfy hard-core fans, but skittish readers will not be at all overwhelmed by the content.

{3.5}

My first read by Tudor and while this was “just” a collection of short stories, I definitely can’t wait to dive into her other books!

Each short story had an introduction with details on what lead the author to write that specific story, which I thought was a pretty cool way to look inside Tudor’s brain!

My faves:
* End of the Liner
* The Block (SO creepy, I had to stop reading at night 🫣)
* I’m Not Ted
* Final Course

I didn’t love the rest of the stories as much and some dragged a bit, but this book made me feel like I was watching Black Mirror! Each story was strange and disturbing in its own way, but some you can say were outlandish 😵‍💫

I am not a big fan of short stories but I do enjoy C. J. Tudor books. I really enjoyed some of these stories and others were just alright. I think that’s part of my distaste for short stories since some can be great and others drag on.
End of the Liner - 3/5
The Block - 4/5
Runaway Blues - 4/5
The Completion - 5/5
The Lion at the Gate - 5/5
Gloria -3/5
I’m Not Ted - 2/5
Final Course - 3/5
The Copy Shop - 4/5
Dust - 3/5
Butterfly Island - 4/5

I should have read the synopsis before accepting this arc. I didn't realize it was a short story collection which I'm not usually a fan of. Some of the stories were better than others. I would recommend any of her novels over this one though.

How vanishingly thin is the line between mystery and horror, as C. J. Tudor so expertly proves in this absorbing collection of ten short stories. Written to fill a gap in her publication schedule – after she realized that she hated the novel she was working on at the time – A Sliver Of Darkness is a neat sampler of weird and thrilling fiction, with the supernatural rubbing shoulders with more straightforward crime.

Perhaps the most straightforward story here is Runaway Blues, the tale of a young couple in the 1970s who buck contemporary trends to frequent a jazz club instead:

QUOTE
The Blue Flamingo was the name of the club, if you’re asking. Which you’re not. But that’s kind of how storytelling works, isn’t it? Like a one-sided conversation. I ramble on, you listen. And if I lose your interest, well, you can just turn the page or close the book.

You won’t though. You’ll want to hear this story. And I need to tell it. Because I’ve not told anyone else, not in over fifty years. And that’s a long time to nurse a horror.
END QUOTE

As told by the male half of that couple decades after the events he details happened, the story is a tale of criminal passions that spill over into violence, as a talented jazz man attempts to deal with his broken heart, dragging his young listeners almost reluctantly into his orbit. The twist in the tale is reminiscent of works by Stephen King or, even more closely, by Roald Dahl when writing for adults.

The rest of the collection ventures further from real world crime. Several other stories merely dabble with the supernatural, as in Gloria – named after the memorable debt collector from Ms Tudor’s second novel, The Hiding Place – or in The Lion At The Gate, with its arguably unreliable young narrator. Others plunge whole-heartedly into the terrors lurking behind the normal trappings of civilization, whether it be via an exploration of the abandoned apartment building of The Block or a grudgingly won examination of the idyllic vacation featured in Dust.

Perhaps my favorite stories here were the ones that fully embraced apocalyptic futures, and how our flawed protagonists attempted to solve the mysteries that beset them. Final Course tells the story of a father and child invited to a remote but well-provisioned estate after the world is beset with darkness, with terrifying umbral creatures hunting under the cover of perpetual gloom. Harry, their host, is the father’s old friend from university, and has invited several other of their uni mates to a getaway celebration. But when one of them disappears, our protagonist will have to figure out the secrets of the estate, as well as a way to protect himself and his daughter from the horrors they uncover.

End Of The Liner, the opening story, also features an unwitting sleuth. Leila has lived on an ocean liner for the last fifty years in the wake of climate collapse, and is shocked at the news her closest friend has for her over breakfast one morning, regarding the discovery of a dead body:

QUOTE
“Suicide?” she queried.

“Well, that’s it,” Mirabelle whispered. “Rumor is, no. Murder.”

Leila’s eyes widened. “Murder?”

Mirabelle nodded enthusiastically. “Stabbed.”

Stabbed. No wonder the dining room was buzzing. A murder on board. In fifty years, there had only been one other murder, when a passenger had strangled his wife after an argument. Of course, that was the only one officially documented. There were rumors that there had been more. It wasn’t exactly difficult to dispose of a body on a ship. So, to leave one to be discovered in a swimming pool was strange.
END QUOTE

Each of the ten stories comes with a brief but lively introduction by Ms Tudor, discussing the inspiration behind the tale it leads into. The introductions are a fascinating window into the thought processes of a working author, and greatly enrich the reading experience. If you’re a fan of her work, this book is a can’t miss. If you’re new to her oeuvre, as I was before reading this collection, then this is a terrific gateway to her other novels. I certainly want to read more!

Last week’s release of 𝘈 𝘚𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘋𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 by @cjtudorauthor is more than just a collection of short stories. It’s like a dark love letter from Tudor to her readers. It’s a confession and an acceptance that not everything written is meant to be seen. It’s much like sitting around a camp fire listening to Tudor tell snippets of her life with introductions to each of the 11 tales. I loved each of them for different reasons, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 being my favorite! This is truly unique and not one to miss!

sʏɴᴏᴘsɪs:

1. End of the Liner - A dystopian chiller of a toxic world and a cruise ship that you can never leave.
2. The Block - A locked room horror with nosey teenagers, creatures from another dimension, and an abandoned apartment building.
3. Runaway Blues - A bar, a hypnotic musician, and a shocking conclusion!
4. The Completion - A culty, end-of-days thriller where there’s nothing left except roaches and estate agents.
5. The Lion at the Gate - Graffiti, a sketchy shortcut, and a hungry lion…
6. Gloria - A bad ass character you may have met before, an ode to 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦, and an ending that leaves you guessing!
7. I’m Not Ted - If you had the chance to assume another life, would you? Are YOU Ted?
8. Final Course - (scariest IMO) “The problem with darkness was once you let it in, it lurked in the corners of your mind, filling them with shadows.”
9. The Copy Shop - A story proving that what you want may not always be what you need. Be satisfied with what you have.
10. Dust - A beautiful secluded resort. Until you realize why you’re truly there and what you have in common with the other guests.
11. Butterfly Island - A dystopian ode to 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 on a creepy deserted island that is much more than you bargained for!

Thank you to CJ Tudor, Ballantine Books, and NetGalley for the advanced copy! All thoughts are my own.

Sometimes a quality collection of short stories is just what the doctor ordered. I read a lot, but once in a while, it's nice to sit down to enjoy a cup of coffee and take in just a quick story. In the author's note, Tudor explains that while her editor had been expecting her next full-length masterpiece (and they really are!), stress from COVID and lockdowns really took a toll and she just didn't have it in her to give her fans her best. Instead, she pitched her editor a collective of short stories. And I'm so glad she did!

The stories in A Sliver of Darkness are atmospheric, mysterious, at times spooky and unpredictable. They are Tudor at her best! I thoroughly enjoyed this collection and I hope you do too. Special thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for an advanced egalley in exchange for my honest review. This one is out now!

This anthology of C.J. Tudor's short stories was a complete treat. With stories ranging from apocalyptic to pure horror, I was completely engrossed and couldn't put it down. This author's creative genius completely boggles my mind. I'm not necessarily a fan of short stories because I typically believe that you can't fully invest in them since they're so short. However, in the case of his book that was definitely not the case. Each story included in this book was easy to lose myself in. I highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to read and review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

The short stories format was really interesting. it was hard to get into at first but i ended up really enjoying the way the stories were told.

This collection of short and dark stories in A Sliver of Darkness will whet your appetite for Tudor's works. At the beginning of each story, the author explains where the idea for the story originated. This was a great bonus and insight into the author's mind. Final Course was my favorite out of all the stories.

Thank you @randomhouse @netgalley for my review copy!

📖A collection of thriller/horror short stories.

💭I really enjoyed this collection. I honestly liked every story and there were so many that I wanted to be longer. I think that’s the sign of a good short story collection. When you’re so engrossed in the stories, you don’t want them to end. My favorites were End of the Liner, Final Course, and Butterfly Island. I highly recommend picking this one up!

⚠️There is a bit of violence and gore, but it’s not too heavy. At least in my opinion!

✍️How I rated other books by this author:
The Burning Girls- 4⭐️
The Chalkman- 2⭐️