Book Review: A Sliver of Darkness

Who says the horror genre needs to be confined to only one time of year? In the newest from C.J. Tudor, horror and thrill are on full display, spread out across 11 exceptionally mysterious and hair-raising stories.

A Sliver of Darkness showcases the horror author's mind at its best, broadening the reader's view of the macabre as they weave through worlds crafted from fantasy and fiction as well as those a bit too familiar for comfort. Each story has such vivid imagery and realistic descriptions that you may find yourself looking over your shoulder before the story is through.

Each story brings something unique to the collection, with a number standing out thanks to their especially creepy plots or the characters that make the story come alive.

In "End of the Liner," a cruise ship becomes a haven for people during a disaster, but the people are never allowed to leave. In "The Block," an eerie, abandoned apartment building draws the intrigue of a group of teenagers, who find there is something more sinister lurking within its walls. In "Runaway Blues," two jazz club enthusiasts befriend a jazz singer, only to find that something more wicked may be taking place between him and his muse.

In "Gloria," a cold-hearted killer from one of Tudor's previous novels The Hiding Place makes a reemergence, befriending a strange girl at a service station. In "Final Course," a group of old friends attend a dinner party, in the middle of a world descended into complete darkness. And in "The Copy Shop," a business makes reproductions of just about anything, but are the copies as good as the originals?

Tudor has been hailed as a master storyteller of horror, and this collection is further proof that it is a well-earned title. Showcasing her talents in the genre, these thrilling tales will leave you wanting more, but maybe while leaving the light on. 

Ballantine Books // 239 pages // Horror, Short Fiction