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Before You Sleep: Three Horrors
A trilogy of horror stories from the award-winning writer's first collection of short stories—Some Will Not Sleep—and an introduction to the nightmarish visions and ghastly spectres that have been disturbing the sleep of readers for years.
In this book you'll find two ghost stories and a tale of ancestral demoniac horror:
In the big white house on the hill angels are said to appear...
When the children left the house, their toys remained...
A confused and vengeful presence occupies the home of a first-time buyer...
In this book you'll find two ghost stories and a tale of ancestral demoniac horror:
In the big white house on the hill angels are said to appear...
When the children left the house, their toys remained...
A confused and vengeful presence occupies the home of a first-time buyer...
65 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 23, 2016
About the author
Adam L.G. Nevill
71 books4,737 followersADAM L. G. NEVILL was born in Birmingham, England, in 1969 and grew up in England and New Zealand. He is an author of horror fiction. Of his novels, The Ritual, Last Days, No One Gets Out Alive and The Reddening were all winners of The August Derleth Award for Best Horror Novel. He has also published three collections of short stories, with Some Will Not Sleep winning the British Fantasy Award for Best Collection, 2017.
Imaginarium adapted The Ritual and No One Gets Out Alive into feature films and more of his work is currently in development for the screen.
The author lives in Devon, England.
Imaginarium adapted The Ritual and No One Gets Out Alive into feature films and more of his work is currently in development for the screen.
The author lives in Devon, England.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 352 reviews
October 27, 2021
3.83 "chilly Alloween" stars !!!
This review is a bit late for my Halloween read but better late than never !
This is a sampling of Mr. Nevill's work and is available for free download at his website.
Mr. Nevill is a talented writer and I hope to read more of his writing.
I will rate each story with a brief little comment and call it a night.
1. Where Angels Come In 3.5 stars
A grotesque tale of two little boys that enter a haunted house. Do they live to tell the tale ? I particularly like the dialogue and turn of phrase in this one.
2. Ancestors 4 stars
A creepy story about a Japanese girl, a ghost and hundreds of live toys. Very kewl !
3. Florrie 4 stars
A young man slowly transforms into a demented old woman after moving into a new house. Clever and macabre !!
These stories are definitely worth reading to give a creepy chill during a blustery November. Happy reading !
This review is a bit late for my Halloween read but better late than never !
This is a sampling of Mr. Nevill's work and is available for free download at his website.
Mr. Nevill is a talented writer and I hope to read more of his writing.
I will rate each story with a brief little comment and call it a night.
1. Where Angels Come In 3.5 stars
A grotesque tale of two little boys that enter a haunted house. Do they live to tell the tale ? I particularly like the dialogue and turn of phrase in this one.
2. Ancestors 4 stars
A creepy story about a Japanese girl, a ghost and hundreds of live toys. Very kewl !
3. Florrie 4 stars
A young man slowly transforms into a demented old woman after moving into a new house. Clever and macabre !!
These stories are definitely worth reading to give a creepy chill during a blustery November. Happy reading !
January 9, 2024
Childhood
Two boys’ visit to a haunted house doesn’t go as expected.
A little girl has a ghost as a friend.
A man becomes strangely attached to his new, outdated home.
Three short stories. Three great endings!
Four stars! ✨✨✨✨
Two boys’ visit to a haunted house doesn’t go as expected.
A little girl has a ghost as a friend.
A man becomes strangely attached to his new, outdated home.
Three short stories. Three great endings!
Four stars! ✨✨✨✨
July 21, 2018
It's pretty clear that Adam Nevill enjoys more than a nodding acquaintance with the dark and the horrors held within its borders. We are treated to three short stories in this collection, with a haunted house to frame each tale. All were appropriately scary in different ways. The standout for me was the final offering entitled "Florrie". It centers on a young man who buys an old home, having designs on a complete renovation. Showcased here are the real horrors of the aging process, of becoming invisible. Within the walls and furnishings, memories continue to thrum. Consider the possibility that a house can have feelings, too.
October 16, 2021
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ ½
Genre: Horror + Anthologies
This had three entertaining short stories. As the title suggests these horror stories are best read before you sleep. Or maybe not! 👀
Where Angels Come In:
Three kids dare each other to get inside a haunted house. There is a history of past incidents where children have disappeared after going inside that house. This was a very atmospheric horror story. I liked it.
The Ancestors:
This is the story of a Japanese young girl. The family just moved to this house and at night time the toys come alive. The concept of this short tale was really interesting.
Florrie:
A young man just bought his first house. He builds a connection not just with his new purchase but also with the previous owner of the house.
Overall all three stories were quite entertaining, nightmarish, and extremely atmospheric. So if you are looking for some short frights, these would do for sure.
Genre: Horror + Anthologies
This had three entertaining short stories. As the title suggests these horror stories are best read before you sleep. Or maybe not! 👀
Where Angels Come In:
Three kids dare each other to get inside a haunted house. There is a history of past incidents where children have disappeared after going inside that house. This was a very atmospheric horror story. I liked it.
The Ancestors:
This is the story of a Japanese young girl. The family just moved to this house and at night time the toys come alive. The concept of this short tale was really interesting.
Florrie:
A young man just bought his first house. He builds a connection not just with his new purchase but also with the previous owner of the house.
Overall all three stories were quite entertaining, nightmarish, and extremely atmospheric. So if you are looking for some short frights, these would do for sure.
August 23, 2020
3.5 Stars.
Three fine haunted house ghost stories....FLORRIE the most ghastly....and my favorite!
Great for the more daunted readers of horror. Ghosts, but no blood and gore.
After just completing THE RITUAL, I can attest this trilogy is tame by far, but has the same excellent descriptive and atmospheric flair that keeps you turning the pages!
A kindle freebie from the author. Grab it!
October 31, 2017
Before You Sleep is a little taster of what is to come in Some Will Not Sleep: Selected Horrors.
All three short stories in this collection have a creepy haunted house theme.
Where Angels Come In may freak you out if you have an aversion to dolls.
The Ancestors was my favourite story, as I found it the creepiest. It had a similar eerie feel to the many Japanese horror films I watched and loved about two decades ago.
The main thing I took from Florrie was the reminder that I absolutely love the smell of creosote. It also freaked me out this morning when my best friend messaged me with photos of her newly fitted kitchen. I managed to resist telling her to rip it out and put the old one back in.
I’m not a huge fan of short stories, but overall these were quite enjoyable reads. Currently FREE on Amazon Kindle.
All three short stories in this collection have a creepy haunted house theme.
Where Angels Come In may freak you out if you have an aversion to dolls.
The Ancestors was my favourite story, as I found it the creepiest. It had a similar eerie feel to the many Japanese horror films I watched and loved about two decades ago.
The main thing I took from Florrie was the reminder that I absolutely love the smell of creosote. It also freaked me out this morning when my best friend messaged me with photos of her newly fitted kitchen. I managed to resist telling her to rip it out and put the old one back in.
I’m not a huge fan of short stories, but overall these were quite enjoyable reads. Currently FREE on Amazon Kindle.
April 10, 2018
I really liked those three stories. They are well written, spooky and come without any gore. Hard to say what is the best story in here. I really loved the second and the third one. The third one reminded me a bit on Burnt Offerings by Robert Marcuso. The character becomes obsessed with the new house he lives in and his world is changing fast. Give it a read, you won't regret the reading time!
August 27, 2016
4.5 Stars
Before you Sleep by Adam Nevill is a small collection of short stories, three of them, that are previews for an upcoming collection that he is putting out later this year. Adam Nevill is simply one of today's best horror novelists. He is one of my favorite authors and one that I often recommend to friends as I know that he will be new to them. These are three good ghost stories that show his writing style but due to their length they cannot compare to the dread and suspense created in his full length works.
I will pick up the short story collection even though I really try to stay away from them. I am not really one to read short stories and only occasionally will I pick up a slightly larger novella. I am a huge fan of Nevill and so should you.
Before you Sleep by Adam Nevill is a small collection of short stories, three of them, that are previews for an upcoming collection that he is putting out later this year. Adam Nevill is simply one of today's best horror novelists. He is one of my favorite authors and one that I often recommend to friends as I know that he will be new to them. These are three good ghost stories that show his writing style but due to their length they cannot compare to the dread and suspense created in his full length works.
I will pick up the short story collection even though I really try to stay away from them. I am not really one to read short stories and only occasionally will I pick up a slightly larger novella. I am a huge fan of Nevill and so should you.
October 24, 2020
Well, I can only imagine how creepy Nevill’s actual books are.
Where Angels come in: a great take on the haunted house I made the mistake of reading before going to sleep. Definitely creepy. 4 stars
The Ancestors: interesting concept of Japanese horror but it lacked it in the execution. Could’ve been longer and I dare say creepier. 3 stars
Florrie: not my cup of tea. Creepy again in some parts but overall I kinda didn’t understand it. 1 star
Where Angels come in: a great take on the haunted house I made the mistake of reading before going to sleep. Definitely creepy. 4 stars
The Ancestors: interesting concept of Japanese horror but it lacked it in the execution. Could’ve been longer and I dare say creepier. 3 stars
Florrie: not my cup of tea. Creepy again in some parts but overall I kinda didn’t understand it. 1 star
February 6, 2017
Fantastically creepy short stories released as a teaser for the upcoming collection 'Some will not sleep.'
All three stories are great quality and have an unsettling undercurrent that Adam Neville excels at. He writes childrens' thoughts and speech patterns particularly well.
My personal favourite was the last story in which a young man begins to gradually change after moving into an old house. His nostalgic recollections of the food, television and decor of his youth made me feel very cosy, so I'm off to watch countdown in front of the 3 bar fire with a Fish finger sandwich, because for some reason I don't feel like ever leaving the house...
All three stories are great quality and have an unsettling undercurrent that Adam Neville excels at. He writes childrens' thoughts and speech patterns particularly well.
My personal favourite was the last story in which a young man begins to gradually change after moving into an old house. His nostalgic recollections of the food, television and decor of his youth made me feel very cosy, so I'm off to watch countdown in front of the 3 bar fire with a Fish finger sandwich, because for some reason I don't feel like ever leaving the house...
August 19, 2021
Adam Nevill's work makes my skin crawl. in a 'good' horror creeps me out kind of way. I need to read more of his work, but for now I just need to get some sleep after this one and stop worrying about that shuffling noise under the bed.......
November 6, 2016
'Florrie' was my favourite of the three stories in this mini collection, and I can't quite yet put my finger on why. Maybe it was because of the descriptions of that house, so reminiscent of how I remember my grandparent's house when I was small, playing on the hideously patterned 70s carpet that I could always see faces in, underneath a fog of cigarette smoke (no-one cared about passive smoking and children's lungs in the 80s!). I thought the descriptions of how Frank gradually took on the characteristics of the now deceased Florrie were truly sinister and made me both pity her descent into dementia and fear her wretched malevolence.
Can't wait to get stuck into 'Some Will Not Sleep'!
Can't wait to get stuck into 'Some Will Not Sleep'!
September 20, 2016
Three very good, very creepy stories. I particularly enjoyed the last one.
All the way through you could feel a sort of sinister undercurrent. Actually gives me shivers down my spine just thinking about it.
Well worth checking out!
All the way through you could feel a sort of sinister undercurrent. Actually gives me shivers down my spine just thinking about it.
Well worth checking out!
October 20, 2019
Described as horror and creepy reads, are you kidding me, who reviews these 5 year olds?
2 out of the 3 were alright I guess the last one was boring. I'm glad it was free because I'd demand my money back.
October 20, 2022
I know the last short story trio by this author wasn’t my fave, but this was free and it had better ratings from my friends who have read both trios. And also, I did really enjoy the writing in the last one. So like the last one I’ll say something about each story and then do a conclusion at the end :).
Where angels come in:
This is about a house that is on a hill in this town. Pets and kids are known to go missing there, and only they can hear the sound that comes from within it. But parents remember the sound. When two kids go explore it… they’ll find out what’s really in it.
So yeah I’m not sure if these were supposed to actually be angels or not… but if they were they were the damn creepiest version of angels I’ve ever read. Truly a story up my alley. Sadly, I’m either not smart enough, or the ending was just not good/ didn’t make enough sense. This seems to be a theme with this authors short stories.
The ancestors:
This one was about a little girl and her family who live in a house where she is friends with a creature with long black hair, and the “toys” that other kids left behind and live in the chimney. Honestly idk how else to talk about this one without giving too much away. I do think it was a bit confusing and there was a perfect opportunity for things to be made more clear- yet the author didn’t do it. The ending of this one though, I did really like! Definitely spooky.
Florrie:
This one is about a guy who buys a house with a ghost who doesn’t want to give it up. That’s all there is to really say. In all honesty… I really didn’t like this one at all. I was kinda bored during it even. A whole lot of nothing happens, and then you get a really creepy ending… but for no reason it feels like as the rest of the story wasn’t creepy.
Conclusion: NOW I’m officially going to leave this authors short stories alone and just read his novels. They aren’t bad, they just aren’t long enough to make an impact. The writing and ideas for them though are both like REALLY good and intriguing for the most part though.
Where angels come in:
This is about a house that is on a hill in this town. Pets and kids are known to go missing there, and only they can hear the sound that comes from within it. But parents remember the sound. When two kids go explore it… they’ll find out what’s really in it.
So yeah I’m not sure if these were supposed to actually be angels or not… but if they were they were the damn creepiest version of angels I’ve ever read. Truly a story up my alley. Sadly, I’m either not smart enough, or the ending was just not good/ didn’t make enough sense. This seems to be a theme with this authors short stories.
The ancestors:
This one was about a little girl and her family who live in a house where she is friends with a creature with long black hair, and the “toys” that other kids left behind and live in the chimney. Honestly idk how else to talk about this one without giving too much away. I do think it was a bit confusing and there was a perfect opportunity for things to be made more clear- yet the author didn’t do it. The ending of this one though, I did really like! Definitely spooky.
Florrie:
This one is about a guy who buys a house with a ghost who doesn’t want to give it up. That’s all there is to really say. In all honesty… I really didn’t like this one at all. I was kinda bored during it even. A whole lot of nothing happens, and then you get a really creepy ending… but for no reason it feels like as the rest of the story wasn’t creepy.
Conclusion: NOW I’m officially going to leave this authors short stories alone and just read his novels. They aren’t bad, they just aren’t long enough to make an impact. The writing and ideas for them though are both like REALLY good and intriguing for the most part though.
August 25, 2016
This trio of short stories gives you a taste of Adam's forthcoming short story collection 'Some will not Sleep', and being a subscriber to his newsletter enables you to get this for free digitally.
I really enjoyed these stories which were all quite different to one another and wonderfully unusual.
I can't wait for his next book and to read the rest of his short stories!
I really enjoyed these stories which were all quite different to one another and wonderfully unusual.
I can't wait for his next book and to read the rest of his short stories!
August 10, 2021
Not very memorable overall. But hey, it was free!
July 11, 2023
Haunted houses, urban legends, and ghosts.This is like Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark but for adults!!! Highly recommend for a quick but spooky read.
August 31, 2017
A very good short horror Anthology.
The three stories have interesting ideeas, maybe not so original, but quite effective and entertaining, capable to please any reader.
Like I said from the three stories, one I knew, and the last one had a great atmosphere, and the tension is builded gradually very well, but the ending was a little rush for my liking.
Still it's a good one, and from what I saw in the comments, with quite a lot of success to the other readers.
If you love the suspense and you don't have any problem to be scared, then you really must try these stories from Adam Nevill.
They're quite a treat!
The three stories have interesting ideeas, maybe not so original, but quite effective and entertaining, capable to please any reader.
Like I said from the three stories, one I knew, and the last one had a great atmosphere, and the tension is builded gradually very well, but the ending was a little rush for my liking.
Still it's a good one, and from what I saw in the comments, with quite a lot of success to the other readers.
If you love the suspense and you don't have any problem to be scared, then you really must try these stories from Adam Nevill.
They're quite a treat!
Read
January 10, 2023Κι αφού ολοκλήρωσα το Όφις και Κρίνο του Καζαντζάκη το βράδυ της 30ης Οκτωβρίου είχα ολόκληρη την 31η, ημέρα του Χάλογουιν, κενή για κάτι μικρό και τρομακτικό.
Και ιδού, ο Άνταμ Νέβιλ, του οποίου βιβλίο: The Ritual διάβασα ακριβώς πριν τον Καζαντζάκη, προσφέρει 3 δωρεάν ηλεκτρονικά βιβλία στην ιστοσελίδα του.
Δύο είναι δείγματα των συλλογών του με διηγήματα τρόμου (3 διηγήματα η κάθε μια), και ένα βιβλίο με συμβουλές, συνεντεύξεις και αδημοσίευτα κεφάλαια και διηγήματα.
Το συγκεκριμένο: Before You Sleep: Three Horrors είναι τρία διηγήματα παρμένα από τη συλλογή με 11 διηγήματα: Some Will Not Sleep: Selected Horrors
Και τα τρία άκρως τρομακτικά και ανατριχιαστικά. Μπορώ να πω περισσότερο τρομακτικά κι από το μυθιστόρημά του που ολοκλήρωσα λίγες μέρες προηγουμένως.
Και αυτό ήταν κάτι που με εξέπληξε ευχάριστα.
Παιχνίδια που ζωντανεύουν την νύχτα, ένα στοιχειωμένο σπίτι με θύματα κυρίως παιδιά, και ένας νεαρός τον οποίο το σπίτι που ζει τον μεταμορφώνει σε γριά με άνοια (η προηγούμενη ένοικος.)
Έχω τώρα σκοπό να διαβάσω και το Before You Wake: Three Horrors με πάλι 3 διηγήματα παρμένα από τη συλλογή 9 διηγημάτων Hasty for the Dark.
Και φυσικά πριν συνεχίσω με τα υπόλοιπα μυθιστορήματά, του θα διαβάσω και το βιβλίο με τα αδημοσίευτα και τις συνεντεύξεις: Cries from the Crypt.
Ένα κάθε μήνα όμως.
Δε θέλω να ξεμείνω από Νέβιλ σύντομα, όπως ξέμεινα και από Κράιτον μόλις χθες.
Θα σας μιλήσω όμως περισσότερα για τον Κράιτον στην επόμενη κριτική.
May 31, 2022
These are some great creepy stories
October 27, 2022
A good collection of three well written horror stories.
December 18, 2019
** Edited as review is now live on Kendall Reviews! **
Yup. Steve is admitting that this is his first time reading Nevill. In reality –I tried to read Before You Wake: Three Horrors (the companion ebook to this one) last year, and just didn’t enjoy the first story. Shamefully, I re-read that first story last night and loved it
Anyways –back to this one.
Like I said, I’ve not read Nevill, but that’s going to absolutely be changing. Since the first day that I connected with Gavin aka Mr. Kendall Reviews himself, he’s been harassing me to read Clive Barker and Adam Nevill. Finally, after hundreds of thousands of messages, I’ve committed. I have a number of Nevill’s works, and will be focusing on making my way through the books I have. I have watched ‘The Ritual’ movie, but I’m usually a bigger fan of the books than movies!
As for this short but brutal collection, Before You Sleep features three stories to get you engaged and involved in Nevill’s writing world, and boy do they ever.
We start off with the phenomenal ‘Where Angels Come In.’ This is a folklorish/urban legend story about a mysterious house. It’s the house that everyone dares each other to go in. It’s where those that do go in aren’t the same if they make it out.
This just drips with unnerving tension. I was riveted from start to finish and just ate this up. Outstanding.
The second story is ‘The Ancestors,’ and if you thought story one was going to be the high point of ‘haunted house’ stuff in this collection –you’d be wrong. This one flips the script from ‘Where Angels Come In,’ and we are introduced to a young family who has moved to this house to try and let some real-life stuff settle down. While here, the young girl makes friends with a mysterious figure, ‘Maho’ who lets her sleep in her hair at night. The toys that reside in the house come alive at night and as things unravel and discoveries are made, you understand just how deeply the house is connected to its unconventional residents.
The final story, ‘Florrie,’ is also a take on house haunting, but this one once again goes in a completely different direction. We follow a young male adult who has purchased a house and is excited to renovate it and make it his own. It doesn’t take long until he develops a connection with the house and as well with the former resident. Completely unsettling in the best way possible.
So, final verdict? Consider me a fan. Consider me completely at a loss about why it took me this long. I promise Mr. Nevill to not sit around and push his works aside anymore.
This is my pledge to the great horned one. May he accept my apologies and not spear me through the chest.
Yup. Steve is admitting that this is his first time reading Nevill. In reality –I tried to read Before You Wake: Three Horrors (the companion ebook to this one) last year, and just didn’t enjoy the first story. Shamefully, I re-read that first story last night and loved it
Anyways –back to this one.
Like I said, I’ve not read Nevill, but that’s going to absolutely be changing. Since the first day that I connected with Gavin aka Mr. Kendall Reviews himself, he’s been harassing me to read Clive Barker and Adam Nevill. Finally, after hundreds of thousands of messages, I’ve committed. I have a number of Nevill’s works, and will be focusing on making my way through the books I have. I have watched ‘The Ritual’ movie, but I’m usually a bigger fan of the books than movies!
As for this short but brutal collection, Before You Sleep features three stories to get you engaged and involved in Nevill’s writing world, and boy do they ever.
We start off with the phenomenal ‘Where Angels Come In.’ This is a folklorish/urban legend story about a mysterious house. It’s the house that everyone dares each other to go in. It’s where those that do go in aren’t the same if they make it out.
This just drips with unnerving tension. I was riveted from start to finish and just ate this up. Outstanding.
The second story is ‘The Ancestors,’ and if you thought story one was going to be the high point of ‘haunted house’ stuff in this collection –you’d be wrong. This one flips the script from ‘Where Angels Come In,’ and we are introduced to a young family who has moved to this house to try and let some real-life stuff settle down. While here, the young girl makes friends with a mysterious figure, ‘Maho’ who lets her sleep in her hair at night. The toys that reside in the house come alive at night and as things unravel and discoveries are made, you understand just how deeply the house is connected to its unconventional residents.
The final story, ‘Florrie,’ is also a take on house haunting, but this one once again goes in a completely different direction. We follow a young male adult who has purchased a house and is excited to renovate it and make it his own. It doesn’t take long until he develops a connection with the house and as well with the former resident. Completely unsettling in the best way possible.
So, final verdict? Consider me a fan. Consider me completely at a loss about why it took me this long. I promise Mr. Nevill to not sit around and push his works aside anymore.
This is my pledge to the great horned one. May he accept my apologies and not spear me through the chest.
January 7, 2019
I picked this up during a recent mass-download of free Kindle books. I’m not sure what possessed me, as it would be appropriate to say I’m scared of my own shadow. My partner works away, and I’m alone in the house a lot, screaming at ‘figures’ which are usually just clothes piled on a chair, or ‘spooky noises’ which are usually just neighbours moving around upstairs. What I’m trying to say is, Before You Sleep did not help with my nocturnal fright. In fact, forget nocturnal, I could barely read this during the day, not even in public.
Each of the stories had vague and unsettling conclusions, where the reader is unable to quite understand what happened. This felt frustrating to begin with, but on reflection it was a masterstroke of Nevill’s, adding feelings of displacement and confusion.
Of the three, the first story, Where Angels Come In, was the most fear-inducing for me. With a true gothic feel, Nevill gives us an abandoned house on a hill with macabre stories attached to it. The fun truly began when two schoolboys decided to break in for a laugh. Laugh, I did not. Without giving too much away, Nevill’s skill here is the tension-building, the descriptions of setting and the otherworldly beings belonging to the house. His knack of describing these things and, most horrifyingly, the way they moved, had me reading in a corner to avoid anything coming up behind me. Utterly nightmarish.
Story two, Ancestors, featured two factors which are on my list of horror kryptonite – a spooky ghost child, and toys which come to life. When Nevill described the sound of these toys click-clacking across a wooden floor in the middle of the night, all of my body parts melted down into pulp. Despite my complete terror, this was one I was desperate to find out more about – a definite contender for a longer exploration.
Finally, Flossie leads us to wonder whether a house, with everything the walls have seen and absorbed, can become a being of its own. I don’t want to give too much away on this one, as the premise hit me out of nowhere. Absolutely not a standard ghost story, and all the more grotesque for that reason. My house is a converted home for guide dogs, so I’m very concerned about what’s going to happen to me.
For a freebie, this was excellent. Although I was at my wits end, reading in corners with all the lights on, I was engaged, intrigued, and compelled to finish the stories. To my delight (for now), I discovered Nevill has another collection, Before You Wake, which is also available for free at the moment. I plan to delve into that once I’ve steeled myself again.
Each of the stories had vague and unsettling conclusions, where the reader is unable to quite understand what happened. This felt frustrating to begin with, but on reflection it was a masterstroke of Nevill’s, adding feelings of displacement and confusion.
Of the three, the first story, Where Angels Come In, was the most fear-inducing for me. With a true gothic feel, Nevill gives us an abandoned house on a hill with macabre stories attached to it. The fun truly began when two schoolboys decided to break in for a laugh. Laugh, I did not. Without giving too much away, Nevill’s skill here is the tension-building, the descriptions of setting and the otherworldly beings belonging to the house. His knack of describing these things and, most horrifyingly, the way they moved, had me reading in a corner to avoid anything coming up behind me. Utterly nightmarish.
Story two, Ancestors, featured two factors which are on my list of horror kryptonite – a spooky ghost child, and toys which come to life. When Nevill described the sound of these toys click-clacking across a wooden floor in the middle of the night, all of my body parts melted down into pulp. Despite my complete terror, this was one I was desperate to find out more about – a definite contender for a longer exploration.
Finally, Flossie leads us to wonder whether a house, with everything the walls have seen and absorbed, can become a being of its own. I don’t want to give too much away on this one, as the premise hit me out of nowhere. Absolutely not a standard ghost story, and all the more grotesque for that reason. My house is a converted home for guide dogs, so I’m very concerned about what’s going to happen to me.
For a freebie, this was excellent. Although I was at my wits end, reading in corners with all the lights on, I was engaged, intrigued, and compelled to finish the stories. To my delight (for now), I discovered Nevill has another collection, Before You Wake, which is also available for free at the moment. I plan to delve into that once I’ve steeled myself again.
July 10, 2018
You know that glorious feeling when the first taste of an author makes you want to consume everything they've ever written? I've just had that with Adam Nevill.
These three stories hit all the right notes for me. Each features a house, each with a different flavor of haunting. My favorite was the second story, "The Ancestors," which had elements of Japanese horror. Marvelously creepy. I also found "Florrie" to be very affecting.
Highly recommended. (Currently free on Amazon, too! Yay!)
These three stories hit all the right notes for me. Each features a house, each with a different flavor of haunting. My favorite was the second story, "The Ancestors," which had elements of Japanese horror. Marvelously creepy. I also found "Florrie" to be very affecting.
Highly recommended. (Currently free on Amazon, too! Yay!)
September 10, 2016
an eerie sample of whats to come from Nevill's new collection. Three shorts that manly evolve around young kids and things that go bump in the night.
I've been looking forward to reading more of the authors work since reading "The Ritual"
and this was just a taste....
I've been looking forward to reading more of the authors work since reading "The Ritual"
and this was just a taste....
December 2, 2023
3.5 stories were pretty good but each ended very abruptly.
September 26, 2016
This is my first time reading anything by popular, UK author, Adam L.G. Nevill. After reading all 3 short stories I think this is excellent way to get a taste of his Horror writing. These chilling stories are an excellent trick before the real treat. A precursor to his October 31, release of his book called "Some Will Not Sleep". A first time collection of his short stories that are already receiving good reviews.
These 3 short stories are an easy quick read with the main theme being Houses. We have all read everyone's versions or takes on 'Haunted Houses". I found these 3 to be very dark, atmospheric, with heavy description of the inside of the Homes and what secrets lie behind the “walls”. Which are important to the third story Florrie.
"Where Angels Come In", relies heavily on the old urban legend or folklore. Yet, the author captures that very moment when the Angel you face may be the one of "Death". Showing if one does escape, what is the aftermath. Believe me, it's not as pretty as all the ones that get to see the "Light".
"The Ancestors”, I got the sense when reading, even with certain characters’ names or descriptions that it was influenced by Asian Horror Films, especially their ghost stories. The vision of Samara from the 2002 movie, "the Ring" kept popping up in my head. Once you read about Maho and her toys, you just may get rid of all yours. Then again the toys maybe saviors for some.
"Florrie" is the perfect example of buying a new home and not knowing it's history. Where it's still not law in some states that disclosure be made about a horrific death or tragedy. You never suspect a thing until, you start construction and knock down or open that first wall.
Reviewed by Robin Lee.
These 3 short stories are an easy quick read with the main theme being Houses. We have all read everyone's versions or takes on 'Haunted Houses". I found these 3 to be very dark, atmospheric, with heavy description of the inside of the Homes and what secrets lie behind the “walls”. Which are important to the third story Florrie.
"Where Angels Come In", relies heavily on the old urban legend or folklore. Yet, the author captures that very moment when the Angel you face may be the one of "Death". Showing if one does escape, what is the aftermath. Believe me, it's not as pretty as all the ones that get to see the "Light".
"The Ancestors”, I got the sense when reading, even with certain characters’ names or descriptions that it was influenced by Asian Horror Films, especially their ghost stories. The vision of Samara from the 2002 movie, "the Ring" kept popping up in my head. Once you read about Maho and her toys, you just may get rid of all yours. Then again the toys maybe saviors for some.
"Florrie" is the perfect example of buying a new home and not knowing it's history. Where it's still not law in some states that disclosure be made about a horrific death or tragedy. You never suspect a thing until, you start construction and knock down or open that first wall.
Reviewed by Robin Lee.
May 8, 2024
4 Stars (overall)
Where Angels Come In - Two young boys go into the big white house, on a dare. 4.5 Stars
The Ancestors – A house full of "toys." Did you hear me? T.O.Y.S. ...and one creepy kid. DAMN! *shudders* 5 Stars
Florrie - Frank moved into his new house. Why is there still furniture here; from the previous owner?? Why does it smell like old garlic and an old lady??? Mmm, his joints are starting to hurt and he's watching his "favorite shows." I didn't like the ending, it was just there all of a sudden. 3.5 Stars
Where Angels Come In - Two young boys go into the big white house, on a dare. 4.5 Stars
The Ancestors – A house full of "toys." Did you hear me? T.O.Y.S. ...and one creepy kid. DAMN! *shudders* 5 Stars
Florrie - Frank moved into his new house. Why is there still furniture here; from the previous owner?? Why does it smell like old garlic and an old lady??? Mmm, his joints are starting to hurt and he's watching his "favorite shows." I didn't like the ending, it was just there all of a sudden. 3.5 Stars
April 29, 2024
Frank had woken underneath the eiderdown in his room with his fingers stuffed down his own throat.
I enjoyed these three horror short stories, story one being my absolute favorite. Written in classic Nevill style, despite their length, each story packs it own unique punch. Whether it's otherworldly creatures, little ghost girls or even a house that slowly makes you lose your mind. Nevill will always find a way to spook you.
The excerpt for The Reddening has definitely intrigued me.
I enjoyed these three horror short stories, story one being my absolute favorite. Written in classic Nevill style, despite their length, each story packs it own unique punch. Whether it's otherworldly creatures, little ghost girls or even a house that slowly makes you lose your mind. Nevill will always find a way to spook you.
The excerpt for The Reddening has definitely intrigued me.
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