Searchers After Horror: New Tales of the Weird and Fantastic

Melanie Tem’s opening story “Iced In,” a reminder that supernatural threats are no match for the horrors we inflict upon ourselves, sets the tone for this almost unanimously excellent anthology. Noteworthy even in such strong company, Ramsey Campbell provides the chilling “At Lorn Hall,” a ghost story worthy of M.R. James, and Caitlín R. Kiernan’s “Blind Fish” distills all the best elements of her writing into a heart-stopping few pages. Story folds into story in Michael Aronovitz’s “The Girl Between the Slats,” with no reassurance to be found in the unnerving conclusion. The only dud is Richard Gavin’s “The Patter of Tiny Feet,” a reasonable effort that pales in comparison to Gary Fry’s “The Reeds,” which covers similar ground but with far more terrifying effect. This collection is an essential primer for anyone new to the genre, and a must-read for horror fans. (June)