This is an anthology of stories showcased on Paul Kane's Shadow Writer website (http://www.shadow-writer.co.uk/). Every month Paul adds a story from a new(ish) horror writer in an attempt to gain that writer extra exposure.

As might be expected with this there is going to be a range of abilities displayed. However the good news is that the minimum standard displayed is very readable, and the best of the set can certainly compete with most horror short stories published. There are a few absolute gems of short fiction here.

The book gets underway with 'Behind the Painted Face' from John B. Ford (the leading Terror Scribe - http://www.terrortales.org/ - and one of the folk behind Rainfall Books), which gets the collection of to a good start, even if is not up to some of Mr. Ford's better writing. In this tale he explores the often held nightmarish feeling of evil clowns, and by playing on a familiar dread and not having to set too much of the background he can concentrate on applying the scares.

But its the third tale in the book, Mark West's 'To Make You King', which really picks up the pace. This is a lighthearted comedic horror tale featuring a highly techological hi-fi system, one that is so advanced it might almost be sentient. This is a tightly written example of the lighter side of horror, quite surreal and wonderful.

It's followed instantly by the next highlight, Paul Melniczek's 'The Power'. Andy Carpenter travels down to Florida following a request from an old friend. His friend Joe Lander is the type of person who seems to have had everything - looks, money, women - can one man have had that much luck or is there a reason for it all? This is another story displaying Mr. Melniczek's fine prose style and tight plotting.

The third standout moment of the collection is Peggy J. Shumate's 'Living Doll'. In this tale a middle age woman is seemingly offered a chance to regain something of her youth following her husband leaving her for a younger prettier woman. But is the price to pay too much and can the offer be trusted. This is once again (as with John Ford's) a tale that utilises a familiar theme, and in doing so uses the reader's ability to recognise the elements of the tale to concentrate on the thought processes of the lead character, which she does to great effect.

The final tale in the book (David Price's 'The Journeyman') is the fourth standout tale. It does this in more ways than one as well, in that it is a surreal fantasy story involving vindictive Greek Gods and escape from a hell like environment. This is odd, but compelling.

If this book is anything to go by then it's fairly safe to say there should be good times ahead for anyone who reads horror small press.