Hell Hath No Sorrow like a Woman Haunted

Joseph’s debut collection brings together 24 well-crafted horror shorts all starring Black women protagonists navigating paranormal happenings. Sometimes the heroines are the victims of the supernatural, as in the visceral “I Want to Be Free,” about a protagonist hounded by an abusive being that possesses all the men in her life. Other women are just bystanders, like the “250-pound, six-foot, three-inch, Black queer woman with locs” driving across Texas in “Keep on Trucking,” who comes across something strange on the road. In the eeriest and best pieces, however, it’s the heroines themselves that the world must watch out for. “I Will Only Love You Better After Death” follows two enslaved lesbians who find a supernatural way to be with only one another and escape the violence of their realities, while the young woman in “An Old-Fashion Type of Girl” searches for a lover strong enough to handle all she has to offer. Joseph does a good job making each heroine feel distinct and whole, showcasing myriad aspects of the Black female experience. Chilling and powerful, these tales will appeal to any fan of paranormal horror. (Aug.)