Shadows and Silence

Rating:
Summary: An excellent anthology!
Review: SHADOWS AND SILENCE (Ash-Tree Press, 2000) represents an anthology of all-original stories that range in tone and content from the traditional "Jamesian" tale one might expect from Ash-Tree to pieces somewhat more avant garde; it includes stories by Ramsey Campbell, Steve Rasnic Tem, Clive E. Ward, Jessica Salmonson, and others. This is the second such anthology released by the small publishing house; the last one, MIDNIGHT NEVER COMES (1997), set the bar rather high, garnering 15 honorable mentions (from a total of 17 stories) in THE YEAR'S BEST FANTASY AND HORROR (edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling). However, if anything, this new anthology may actually be a bit better. There are only a few real clinkers among the 25 stories and, I think, some real gems. Standouts include Steve Duffy's "The Rag-and-Bone Men," Ron Weighell's "The Counsels of Night," and Frances Oliver's "The Man in the Blue Mercedes."

Rating:
Summary: Glad somebody is gathering new stories like these!
Review: SHADOWS AND SILENCE (Ash-Tree Press, 2000) represents an anthology of all-original stories that range in tone and content from the traditional "Jamesian" tale one might expect from Ash-Tree to pieces somewhat more avant garde; it includes stories by Ramsey Campbell, Steve Rasnic Tem, Clive E. Ward, Jessica Salmonson, and others. This is the second such anthology released by the small publishing house; the last one, MIDNIGHT NEVER COMES (1997), set the bar rather high, garnering 15 honorable mentions (from a total of 17 stories) in THE YEAR'S BEST FANTASY AND HORROR (edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling). However, if anything, this new anthology may actually be a bit better. There are only a few real clinkers among the 25 stories and, I think, some real gems. Standouts include Steve Duffy's "The Rag-and-Bone Men," Ron Weighell's "The Counsels of Night," and Frances Oliver's "The Man in the Blue Mercedes."

Rating:
Summary: Glad somebody is gathering new stories like these!
Review: The work Barbara and Christopher Roden have done in collecting these fresh and original stories of the ghostly and macabre is a true labor of love, and it's greatly appreciated. They're the driving force behind the worldwide organization The Ghost Story Society, the magazine All Hallows, and World Fantasy Award-winning and Stoker Award-winning (awarded by the Horror Writers Association) Ash-Tree Press. Shadows and Silence, a sequel to their highly touted Midnight Never Comes anthology, is a top-notch anthology containing original stories from both old pro's and rising stars. Almost all of the stories received Honorable Mentions or were published in Year's Best Fantasy & Horror, St. Martins' prestigious annual anthology. This is a limited edition hardcover whose cash value begins to appreciate as soon as the book is released. A great way to sample the best new stuff in the horror/supernatural/ghostly genre.