ILL AT EASE by Bacon, West and WIlliams

Here we have a short story anthology containing three dark tales by British horror writers of varying publishing experience, from Mark West, who has been around a while, to Neil Williams, the relative newcomer.

But it is Stephen Bacon who kicks it off with “Waiting For Josh,” about a journalist who visits a childhood friend in his hometown upon the dying friend’s last request. What he discovers when he arrives are dusty memories and an unsolved mystery tied to their shared past to which he seeks and eventually finds the disturbing answers. This suspense tale certainly has an impressive pall over it; Bacon displays expertise at setting an eerie or bleak scene. My only quibble is that the story seemed too short, wanting more room to breathe; despite the effective atmosphere, the plot moves along too quickly for the telling. Nevertheless, I remain impressed and want to see more by him, perhaps even a full-length thriller. I’d definitely be up for that.

Next up is the enticingly titled “Come See My House In The Pretty Town” by Mark West. Here is another tale where the protagonist pays a call on an old friend, only this time it’s in a town he’s never before had the pleasure of visiting. There is immediate tension in the form of an uncomfortable secret between the story’s lead and his old friend’s spouse. And as if that isn’t enough emotional strain, the author piles on even more trouble: the town’s local fair winds up being an event much darker than it at first seems. By the end of this trip into the twisted, West has skillfully steered us to a place of ultimate horror, resulting in a blood-chilling climax that may feel familiar to horror fans but is effective regardless. This genuinely creepy tale holds you firmly in its grip the whole way through.

Neil Williams’ “Closer Than You Think” pulls the plug on what I thought was going to be a trio of tales about how you can’t go back--or else! But here there is no visit to an old acquaintance. Instead, we are offered an entirely different type of tale and one that, despite its differences from the previous stories, makes for an effective finale. With just as much craftsmanship as his antho mates, Williams weaves a tale of dread centered around an abandoned car seat that the main character finds while dumping off an old mattress. The car seat is in excellent condition and it just so happens that our protagonist has a young daughter, so he brings it home. Unfortunately, by tale’s end, this seemingly innocent object has become the focal point for both terror and heart-breaking tragedy.

Suffice it to say, ILL AT EASE lives up to its title. And at $2.50 for the e-book, you should not hesitate to buy.

--MAX WEDGE