I am going to end up listening to this one on audio and will be posting my review for that format within the next week or so!! Looking forward to this collection and thank you for the approvals in both styles of media! <3

The Darkest Night is an anthology of short holiday horror stories, edited by award-winning author and anthologist Lindy Ryan. This collection is structured like an Advent calendar, with each story representing a dark and eerie narrative suitable for the winter season. The book features contributions from some of the biggest names in horror, offering a diverse range of chilling tales that explore various aspects of fear and darkness.

The Darkest Night is a highly recommended read for horror enthusiasts looking for a diverse and chilling collection of holiday-themed stories. Its compelling narratives and skillful contributions from renowned horror writers make it a standout anthology in the genre.

I was unable to put this one down. With incredible authors, there is something for everyone. Through these 22 stories, the winter horror element is the only commonality. These vary from holiday horror, beasts, vermin, monsters, the evil of humanity… This was a very solid collection. There wasn’t a single story I didn’t enjoy, which NEVER happens.

Some of my notable favorites:

Mr. Butler - Clay McLeod Chapman
Wintry Blue - Christopher Golden, Tim Lebbon
Nice - Nat Cassidy
Eggnog - Kristi Demeester
Being Nice - Jeff Strand
Ghosted - Mercedes M. Yardley

Honestly though, each story in this collection is great. Winter and horror go so well together. The isolation, the cold, the dark…

I really wanted to love this book as it has stories from some of my favorites, but it was underwhelmed. I found the stories to be somewhat creepy but I would have a hard time describing them as horror which is what I was looking for/expecting.

I love anthologies. It's like a smorgasbord of stories. So many different styles and plots. This one is extra fun because every story in it takes place in winter, a dark and spooky time on its own. The stories included in this anthology are perfect to read on a cold winter's night.

Of course, like a smorgasbord, not everything's going to be to the readers' liking. It's probable that all the book's stories, with varying levels of tones from suspenseful to gory, will not be to your liking. Still, give this anthology a try. Feel free to pick and choose the ones you read. If this tale is too graphic, move on to the next one. If that one is too tame, do the same. Anthologies are about discovering new writers, much in the way one might discover they enjoy French toast but not scrapple at a buffet.

The days will soon be shorter and the nights longer. Pick up The Darkest Night to keep you warm from winter's cold embrace.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-book in exchange for an honest review.

This collection was a mixed bag for me. A few I didn't enjoy at all, most were okay but not memorable, and there were a handful of good ones. But there was only one that I loved, and it stood out above all the rest. Nice, by Nat Cassidy, was fantastic! This story, alone, made reading this collection work it.

The Darkest Night provides an excellent collection of upcoming and established horror writers. While overall a strong collection, there are always a few in an anthology that generally bring down the quality of the work as a whole. However, the Darkest Night does a solid job of navigating this by ensuring that the stories that are most likely to be repellent to readers (looking at you, Eric LaRocca) are also some of the strongest works in the piece. It's perfect for the gray dark nights of the autumn and winter, but I found it a fun way to escape the sweaty humidity of the summer.

Holiday Horror is one of my favorite subgenres. Whether it's Christmas, Easter, Halloween, or Valentine's Day. I will search it out.

I found this one on NetGalley and requested it from the publisher. My wife tries to find me a collection around the holidays. This will be the one I get. I've read it, but there are great stories in this Anthology.

Let's get started:

The Mouthless Body In The Lake by Gwendolyn Kiste

I remember visiting my aunt and uncle's house for Thanksgiving as a kid. My father would stop in front of their house, tell us not to act up, and damn if there wouldn't be repercussions if we did.

The opening of this story reminded me of those moments. I hated going to Thanksgiving dinner at their house. My parents fought all of the time. Seeing their idyllic house, my cousin's parents getting along and not stepping outside to talk if my dad got mad for whatever reason hurt me. It wasn't until I was older I learned my uncle was a great man. My father always told us otherwise.

This story hit home. For a long time, I didn't feel I'd ever leave home. Then I met my wife.

Gwendolyn's writing is excellent in this story, as in all her stories. The Haunting of Velkwood, which came out a few months ago, was also a good story.

This line stood out to me, and it encompasses the story so well, "Your whole life is an hourglass flipped over, and all you can do is watch the sand run out, grain by tiny grain."

Cold As Ice by Tim Waggoner

Tim is one of the best at writing second-person POV. He discusses it at length in his Writing In The Dark books. Tim also writes about what depression feels like better than anyone. This story is that, in short form.

Imagine traveling in the snow. Your life feels empty. You've had a bad dating experience. You look out the window, and something is pacing your car.

You're worried about it but trying to ignore it. The longer you drive, the more you notice the thing pacing you.

This story is like seeing depression and the way out of a life that you no longer want. You're given an out. You take it. I loved this story.

Children Aren't The Only Ones Who Know Where The Presents Are Hidden by Josh Malerman

Josh writes anxiety better than anyone. The feeling of your mind running rampant as you think about your childhood, all the times you've messed up, and how your parents used to be. All of the little things your mind does before you go to bed that's what Josh does so well.

I don't know if this book was the initial idea for Incidents Around The House, but there are bits and pieces throughout the story. I won't talk about that book here; read my review of it instead.

Some people hate the Holidays for whatever reason. The character in this one is different from the others. I can't say without giving it away. I don't like to spoil stories. This one is better going in blind, as all stories should be. Blocked memories come back most disturbingly for the main character. She doesn't understand it all until the end. But it left me thinking a lot.

The Vermin Moon by Hailey Piper

I will not hide my love of Hailey's writing. She's brilliant, and her Worm and His Kings books are some of my favorite stories.

This is not like that. This story is about grief. I thought of my own kind often while reading this story. Letting go of someone who has passed is hard. I think of my brother a lot. He passed in 2016. There's not a day that I don't think about him. Was there something I could have done? No, there wasn't.

We have to let go. We must live our lives for ourselves as long as we are here. Grief and loss are terrible, and getting past them is hard.

The Body Of Leonora James by Stephanie M. Wytovich

Ghost stories are fascinating; this one is now one of my favorites. It doesn't happen how you think it will and dances around a few things. The twist blew me away when it got to the story's culmination. It's a great ghost story. The imagery is spot-on.

Mr. Butler by Clay McLeod Chapman.

This story will haunt me forever. I don't know where Clay pulls this freaky story from, but I am here for it.

This takes us back to our childhood, maybe a place we didn't want to visit. It's a dark and very messed-up story, and by the end, I was freaked out.

Feast Of Gray by Lindy Ryan And Christopher Brooks

A lot of these stories feel like the authors reflecting on their childhoods. It could be where my headspace is, but that's how it feels. This one is like Hailey Pipers. It's about grief, not wanting things to be over, and a fear of judgment in some ways.

I Hope This Finds You Well by Eric LaRocca

This is a different story than I was used to by Eric. Its darkness hides, and you must search for it. By the end, I realized I hadn't read the story I had thought it was turning into. It was wholly different.

The Buried Child by M. Rickert

This one stands out from the others as it's a different story. Is it less a ghost story and more of a confession? This one took a dark turn I wasn't expecting and left me thinking about what I'd read. I went back and reread it. I missed things.

Father's Last Christmas by Lee Murray

I immensely enjoyed this. It was so different from the other stories. I found myself paying attention to the details and following along with everything that happened. This felt like a break from the bleakness of Buried Child. A bit of fun, if you will.

I loved the fantasy setting of this one. By the end, I was enthralled and would love to see something more done with these characters.

The Warmth Of Snow By Cynthia Pelayo

Cynthia is one of my favorite writers. Seeing her get all of the attention or her writing warms the hell out of me.

This one took aspects of Shakespeare and moved them around. It's one where if you've ever had a parent who ran your life. Didn't let you do what you wanted and maybe forced you to be someone you didn't want to be, so this is the story for you.

I forgot how hard it is to write a review for an anthology without spoiling these short stories.

Wintry Blue by Christopher Golden and Tim Lebbon

This felt like a cross between a horror story and an adventure/thriller. Both of these writers do those genres equally well. If you've ever driven in the snow and found yourself on the side of the road, this will bring back some memories. It will also make you want to never go on a date in the mountains with someone you barely know.

Carol Of The Hells by Kelsea Yu

This Anthology has so many stories about trauma around the holidays. It's a deep dive into how we keep these things hidden. At least, it is for me. This one was no different.

Nice by Nat Cassidy

Where to start with this one?

I think the elf says it best: "Kid...What did you do?" This dark, twisted little story was fun. The poor little guy never knew what he unleashed.

Thaw by Rachel Harrison

If you write about a killer snowman, this is how to do it. I won't understand the details, but Rachel nails it with this one. The setting is like a Hallmark movie, but the actions are pure horror.

Candy Cane By Thommy Hutson

The Misery vibes in this one, and the movie A Murder of Crows made me love this story. If you haven't watched A Murder of Crows, I suggest it. It's not Oscar-worthy, but I liked it.

I can't say much else, but a writer in a cabin in the middle of winter is the vibe.

Eggnog by Kristi deMeester

I hate work parties. I did one while working in Las Vegas, but I don't care for them. This story of a bit of revenge is a new favorite. If you didn't know, Kristi sells candles on Etsy. We have a dozen of them. Maybe don't get one that is eggnog?

Threads of Epiphany By Sara Tantlinger

One of my favorite things is the incorporation of fables into horror. Cynthia Pelayo does it well. This story takes a derivative of the Rumplestiltskin story and does other things with it. If I get that relationship wrong, I apologize to Sara. I'm not good at fairy tales and fables; my wife is.

I enjoyed this one.

The Ladies' Society For The Dead by Darcy Coates

I haven't read anything by Darcy, but I will have to dive in after this little story. It takes you to a place you won't expect, and I can't give it away. It will ruin the story if I do.

I am going to stop the review here. The other stories are fantastic; the whole anthology feels like the writers are leaving their trauma on the page.

I was highly anticipating this short story collection. I’ve read from a few of the author’s and was excited to try out some new horror authors. I liked the creepy holiday vibe’s each story had. Some had more of a winter theme, while others were straight Christmas. Some stories were ok to me, some weren’t that scary, but some were!

My favorite stories were:
Nice by Nat Cassidy
Thaw by Rachel Harrison
Threads of Epiphany by Sara Tantlinger

The story Threads of Epiphany was my overall favorite. It was a story about a witch that uses threads and sewing to heal people.. Very cool concept, I will definitely check out more from that author.

If you are looking to add a little creepy into your Holiday season then you might want to pick up this book.

Thank you Crooked Lane Books for an advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Perfect read for winter nights. Although I read this in 90 degree August, it made me that much more excited for fall.

A huge line up of amazing authors, here are my favorites:

Eggnog by Kristi DeMeester

Oh how I related to this. First night out for a nursing mother of a newborn. And of course it’s to her husband’s office holiday party. But she’s a “good, kind mother-woman” Great revenge tale and feminine rage tale.

The Ladies Society For The Dead by Darcy Coates

I loved the gotchic setting. A group of women gather to tell ghost stories at the winter solstice, But not just to tell. They want to free the spirits of these poor women who have been killed. Loved the ending and the atmosphere.

A highly recommended anthology that that encompasses many traditional Yuletide themes and many dark tales of common dread turned sinister in the winter holiday season. Perfect for fans of all horror subgenres to curl up by the fire on a midwinter night.

In The Darkest Night, Ryan collects some of the great horror authors in this anthology in the tradition of midwinter Yuletide ghost tales and darker fiction. This is a fascinating collection of wintry tales that include a vast range from the monstrous, ghost tales, dark fantasy, cosmic and weird horror, folk horror to the dark interpretations of commercialised holiday season.
The authors of this anthology spin some wonderfully dark tales and all perfectly executed with Ryan proving another master author and editor in this anthology.
A selection of my particular favourite stories included:
‘The Mouthless Body in the Lake’ by Gwendolyn Kriste
‘Cold As Ice’ by Tim Waggoner
‘The Vermin Moon’ by Hailey Piper
‘The Body of Leonora James’ by Stephanie M Wytovich
‘Feast of Gray’ by Lindy Ryan & Christopher Brooks
‘I Hope this Finds you Well’ by Eric LaRocca
‘The Buried Child’ by M. Ricket
‘Father’s Last Christmas’ by Lee Murray
‘Wintry Blue’ by Christopher Golden & Tim Lebon
‘Nice’ by Nat Cassidy
‘Threads of Epiphany’ Sara Tantlinger
‘Ghosted’ by Mercedes M. Yardley

** This is my personal opinion and does not reflect any judging decisions **

If you believe that spooky is a year round state of mind, then this short story collection is for you! The stories in this book are all set in the winter time frame, so many of the stories have Christmas elements or include snow and ice. Like all short story collections, there were ones that I loved more than some of the others; however, I overall felt like this was a strong collection of horror stories that covered a wide range of themes and horror sub-genres.

I recommend adding this to your spooky season (or beyond) TBR list!

Thank you @crookedlanebooks for allowing me to read this book ahead of publication in exchange for my honest review.

(This same review was shared on the Barnes & Noble website)

This is a really fun winter horror collection that I think everyone will enjoy reading around Christmas time if they want a break from sweet books. I especially liked the Darcy Coates story, but that’s no surprise since I’m a big fan of Darcy Coates’ horror books.

3.5*

It feels a little strange, reading and reviewing a winter horror collection over a warm August Bank Holiday weekend, but fortunately there was enough of an icy, chilly atmosphere created in the 22 included shorts here. There's some big names in these pages—the likes of Josh Malerman, Clay McLeod Chapman, Eric LaRocca, Nat Cassidy, and Darcy Coates—and no doubt these will have caught the eye of many interested in the book. There are, however, a few stories by lesser-known or new-to-me authors that I feel made contributions that deserve singling out for praise.

First, and one of my favourite stories here, is Candy Cane by Thommy Hutson. A horror author hears a knock at the door from a man with a broken-down car who wants to warm up—but quickly discovers the man knows who he is... and wonders if there is an ulterior motive to his arrival. A fun, twisty story that makes full use of its short length. Perhaps even better, certainly more action-packed, is a collaboration between Christopher Golden and Tim Lebbon. A creature feature with a twist, Wintry Blue brings elements of folk horror and the supernatural to an isolated road by a woods and had me on the edge of the seat throughout.

Kelsea Yu contributes Carols Of The Hells, in which a woman is given a second chance to potentially fix a moment of Christmas familial trauma in her past, a standout story from an author I'll be looking out for in the future. Finally, the story I found perhaps the most emotionally effective was Kristi deMeester's Eggnog. Following a new mother who is struggling with feelings of inadequacy as she attends her husband's work Christmas party. Her first outing since the birth, her insecurities begin to resurface when she meets his attractive, flirty co-worker. It's always a treat to read such a fleshed-out, human-feeling character in a short story, and this one broke my heart for her a little. A real highlight.

Unfortunately, for every treat like Rachel Harrison's Thaw, there is at least one other story that brings the collection down a little. I won't mention names, as I'm sure opinions will vary greatly, but there are a few disappointments here, both from authors I already liked and some I didn't know before. This is of course always a risk with anthologies, but in a year that has already seen some absolutely fantastic short story collections released, there are just a few too many subpar ones here for me.

Still, there are a lot of very worthwhile reads here, and if you're in the market for some chills over the coming winter months, you could do a lot worse than The Darkest Night.

I wanted to love this but unfortunately it was just okay. Some of the stories were great but others didn’t do it for me at all. I think the stories by the more well known authors were not nearly as great as their standalone books, which was disappointing

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Short story collections are very hit-or-miss for me, and this was a bit of a miss. Most of the stories are just okay, none of them particularly stuck with me or stood out to me. I've seen mixed reviews, though, so I'd say it's worth giving it a try. In terms of whether or not I'd buy this, the answer is no. I would recommend checking it out through the library.

These 22 wintery horror stories are a great way to wave goodbye to the heat of summer and kick off the start of spooky season.

I enjoyed the thrills, chills and a bit of dark humor.

A girl seeks out the help of a witch to heal her brother's failing heart.

A teenager on the cusp of adulthood learns that his final childhood gift from Santa will be a lump of coal. Is there time to get on the nice list before Christmas Eve is over? His attempts are gruesome and hilarious.

A very good boy learns from an elf that working conditions are unbearable at the North Pole. It would be so much easier at Santa's workshop if the naughty list was longer. Of course any good child would want to help make that happen, with bloody and horrific results.

An exhausted new mother is made to feel like a frumpy house frau by the office flirt at her husband's work party. Revenge is not a dish served cold, but a festive glass of Christmas cheer.

A woman who blames herself for a Christmas tragedy gets a chance for a do-over.

A romantic weekend in a cozy cabin complete with festive decorations and a snowman in the yard doesn't go quite as planned as a woman starts to notice some traits of toxic masculinity... and hey is that snowman coming closer?

A good Samaritan stops his car on an icy mountain road to help an injured woman, and puts himself and his daughter at risk.

An empty box mysteriously appears on the porch and there is no way to be rid of it until it gets what it wants.

The Darkest Night is 322 pages of delightfully deadly fun.

Anthologies don't often catch my attention but when I saw the names included, I HAD to read it. Rachel Harrison is easily one of my favorite authors so I was especially excited she was included. This book is perfect for all horror fans. There is a story for everyone inside. All the stories are set in the dark cold of winter. I would recommend curling up with this book in the winter.

Would highly recommend for anyone who likes their creepy stories in bite-sized servings. I feel like horror in particular is a genre that succeeds in short-story format. Some of these will stick in your mind for a long time!

Such a fun book!! Stories from so many authors that I love reading. Not a book that you read straight through, I liked to pick and read different stories on different days from it.