Author: Dark Mark

GNoH Review: Slapface (2021)

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A boy deals with the loss of his mother by creating a dangerous relationship with a monster rumored to live in the woods. (IMDB)

If you want gore and intense, scary scenes then this isn’t for you, but if you fancy something a little more psychological, which doesn’t hold your hand through all the plot turns, then I think you will enjoy Slapface. The plot is not overly original and, while you can see most of the twists and turns coming, the set-ups and ending still leave you with some questions about what was real and what might just be supernatural.

See the full review at Ginger Nuts of Horror HERE

GNoH Review: GHOST: 100 Stories to Read with the Lights on

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Chosen by Louise Welsh

Haunted houses, mysterious counts, weeping widows and restless souls, here is the definitive anthology of all that goes bump in the night. Hand-picked by award-winning author Louise Welsh, this beautiful collection of 100 ghost stories will delight, unnerve, and entertain any fiction lover brave enough…

Ghost is a bumper, wonderful collection of spooky stories that would be a fantastic addition to anyone’s shelf/bedside table. Louise Welsh has pulled together an eclectic mix of varied and fantastic work. Reading Ghosts is like sitting around a campfire telling spooky stories, just from the comfort of your favourite armchair or your bed.

Available to buy at AMAZON

Read the full review on Ginger Nuts of Horror HERE

Lily of Atlantis: a collection of stories and spells (2021)

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Written by Philip F. Webb

Life in Atlantis might have seemed pretty normal to some but for ten-year-old Lily, her life is anything but… In Atlantis is a magic portal to ‘The Un-Real World’, a monster world where nasty creatures come from and witches and wizards can travel back and forth. One night, Lily is terrified by a horrible monster in her bedroom and she runs away. She comes across an ancient wizard who begins to teach her magic to help overcome her fears.

In a world of mean and hideous Boogey Men, Lily manages to befriend some kind monsters who encourage her to face the unknown, boost her confidence and become more independent. Using spells and magic stones, Lily of Atlantis encourages children to be proactive in dealing with problems and ultimately, builds confidence to help with schoolwork, social skills and creativity.

Available on Amazon
ISBN-10: 1784659835
ISBN-13: 987-1784659837

Okay, so this isn’t horror and it certainly isn’t ‘dark’ but it does include monsters and creatures, so it definitely deserves a place among Dark Mark’s reviews!

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GNoH Review: Hymns of Abomination: Secret Songs of Leeds

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Edited by Justin A. Burnett

Various Authors

Welcome to Hymns of Abomination: Secret Songs of Leeds, an anthology of fiction compiled to celebrate the work of Matthew M. Bartlett.

This book is packed with weird fiction and horror writers, both established and new, who have been invited to play in Bartlett’s imaginative sandbox. Hymns of Abomination burrows deeper into nightmarish Leeds than is safe. This volume is a must for fans of Bartlett and horror fiction in general.

Hymns is a dirty, grimy collection of disturbing people, situations, murder, sacrifice, depravity, and violence. Some of it is unpleasant, and much of it will leave a lasting impression – the impression that if you were driving down a lonely road one night, lost and confused, when you come to the road sign that points left for Leeds and right to Castle Rock… for God’s sake turn right. TURN RIGHT!

Available to buy on Amazon

Read the full review on Ginger Nuts of Horror HERE

GNoH Review: The Dare (2019)

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A rare family night for Jay takes a brutal twist when he awakens in a basement with three other prisoners. As their vengeful captor runs riot, Jay engages in a twisted battle to solve the puzzle to his past and save his family’s future. IMDB

While The Dare doesn’t offer anything drastically new, it is a great effort and, if you enjoy this type of horror, then it’s worth a watch in my eyes… actually, no, leave my eyes out of this…

See the full review at Ginger Nuts of Horror HERE

Candyman (2021)

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Directed by Nia DaCosta

Written by Jordan Peel, Win Rosenfeld and Nia DaCosta

A sequel to the horror film Candyman (1992) that returns to the now-gentrified Chicago neighborhood where the legend began.

30 years after Tony Todd terrorised us in 1992’s Candyman, Nia Dacosta takes us back to the now gentrified Cabrini Green as artist Anthony (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) and his partner Brianna (Teyonah Parris) move into a swanky new loft apartment that sits in stark contrast to the ghettos of the past. It’s almost as if someone wanted to wipe the slate clean and erase The Green’s past; as if there was something (or someone) they wanted to forget about…

“Candyman…“

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Quick Review: Congratulations! You’ve Accidentally Summoned a World-Ending Monster. WHAT NOW? Duncan P. Bradshaw (2021)

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Available at AMAZON

ISBN-10: 1999751256 ISBN-13: 978-1999751258

Are you frustrated with your mundane existence? Fed up spending day-after-day drinking hot, milky beverages, endlessly pressing ‘refresh’, and chowing down on copious amounts of biscuits and/or cake? Do you yearn for a world (or even a taste) of excitement and wonder? Then you’re in luck! 

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Quick Review: The Burning (1981)

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Directed by: Tony Maylam

Written by: Tony Maylam, Brad Grey and some other bloke

A former summer camp caretaker, horribly burned from a prank gone wrong, lurks around an upstate New York summer camp bent on killing the teenagers responsible for his disfigurement. IMDB

So, confession time – I had never seen The Burning before watching it recently. Yep, I know it is a classic and know about Cropsy (Lou David) but it is one that I just have never gotten around to watching. I thought it was about time, so grabbed a copy in a recent ARROW sale, along with Horror Express and Theatre of Blood which I have also recently reviewed.

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