Serling (Journeys to the Twilight Zone
, etc.) returns to The Twilight Zone
, the most famous work of her late husband, Rod Serling (1924–1975), with this inspired anthology. Though constrained by the surprise ending format of the original show, Kelley Armstrong's “A Haunted House of Her Own” is pleasantly creepy; Alan Brennert's “Puowaina” is a well-executed period piece; and the murderous protagonist of Tad Williams's “Ants” nicely demonstrates self-destructive hubris. The other entries are less satisfying: William F. Wu offers tepid baby boomer nostalgia in “On the Road,” Carole Nelson Douglas provides telegraphed foreboding in “Truth or Consequences,” and Robert J. Serling's “Ghost Writer” includes a painfully obvious and banal final twist. While largely inoffensive and faithful to the Twilight Zone
format, this anthology is primarily of interest to hardcore fans. (Sept.)
