A Sliver of Darkness: Stories

Tudor (The Burning Girls) provides plenty of subtle chills in this superior collection of 11 stories. The highlight is “End of the Liner,” a powerful postapocalyptic tale that only hints at what has devastated most of humanity. Leila has lived exclusively on a perpetually cruising luxury liner for 50 years, an ostensible life of leisure, full of entertaining diversions from a Disney-like company. But the games, costumed characters, courteous service, and fancy meals are just a facade; people disappear, often jumping overboard out of despair from being trapped onboard, and the need to limit population growth means that those turning 75 are “retired,” a euphemism for being tossed into the ocean. With her own retirement date nearing, Leila must come to terms with her impending death. “The Block” gives serious Stranger Things vibes, as a group of kids investigate a huge block of flats in Nottingham, England, rumored to house some monstrous inhabitants. Tudor avoids clichés and facilitates suspending disbelief by making all her characters credible, no matter how fantastic the situation they find themselves in. Twilight Zone fans will hope for another collection from this gifted writer. Agent: Madeleine Milburn, Madeleine Milburn Literary. (Nov.)