She Nailed a Stake Through His Head: Tales of Biblical Terror

This darkly fascinating anthology of nine stories shows humans trembling in the presence of mighty, unknowable powers and their predatory servants. In Gerri Leen's "Whither Thou Goest," Ruth is revealed to be a psychic leech, giving freshly disturbing meaning to her touching vow never to leave her aged mother-in-law. Jesus' exhortation to drink His blood is taken literally by a congregation of vampires in D.K. Thompson's "Last Respects." A modern Daniel finds that his gift of prophecy can serve the greedy gods of a multinational security corporation in Daniel Kayson's "Babylon's Burning," and Stephen M. Wilson's "Swallowed!" puts a Lovecraftian spin on the tale of Jonah and the whale. Brief but potent, these stories are recommended for readers with very strong nerves. (Nov.)