Great Collection-Eerie Stories That Make You Think

I read each of these novellas separately when they came out; now it's nice to have them all in one place for when I want to read/listen to them again. And I definitely want to read them again.

All the stories in this collection have one thing in common: they put you into the characters' shoes and leave you wondering what you would do in their place. The characters are real people, very well-defined, so you know what they are feeling as the stories progress. You are invested in what happens to them.

The characters go through fear, horror, and disbelief, but they also care about each other very much. Sometimes that love is the driving force behind the story and that's why the stories are so relatable. You don't want bad things to happen to the important people in your life, but that is a possibility in all these stories. That heightens the tension and the feeling that you can't turn the pages fast enough to find out what happens (or have the narrator talk faster).

Very briefly,

1. He Waits - Probably the scariest story written by Luke Smitherd. Don't start it before you go to bed.

2. Keep Your Children Close - A family on vacation faces an unknown evil.

3. The Jesus Loophole - Filled with symbolism, the story asks if you can get around God's rules.

4. Closure - A happy couple goes for a walk in the woods and nothing is ever the same. Or is it?

5. Your Name is in the Book - Can you win against a system that is set up for you to lose?

I originally rated all five of these stories as Five Stars, so I am obviously rating this collection the same way. These stories are original, well-written, and beautifully told as the characters struggle with the situations they find themselves in--and you struggle right along with them.

I highly recommend this book.

6 people found this helpful

Another great one by Smitherd

The author always manages to draw me in. I think the fact that he narrates his own work takes it to another level because he is keenly aware of the tone, inflections, and emotions of the characters since he is the one who creates them.

Getting ready to download more of his works.

2 people found this helpful

I adore Luke Smitherd

Both his books & short stories are thought provoking & unusual. This collection didn't disappoint & I look forward to hearing Weird. Dark. next.

2 people found this helpful

Loved each story, as always

Luke's writings always give you just enough answers to keep you happy with the outcome, and not enough answers to keep you from wondering and wanting more. Those questions lead to more questions... but the beauty of his style is that there are no real answers to those questions. What do YOU think? How do YOU feel after this particular story?

Plus, he reads his own work, so you get to listen to his voice. Not half bad.

2 people found this helpful

OUTSTANDING!!

An awesome collection of shorts... The least of the stories is very good, and the best are simply excellent... Bit of worlds other than this theme... Stories that'll make you think, not to mention check to see if the lights are on;). Superbly wrought tension, and some fantastic, and disturbing, reveals and reversals... Right up there w/ my fave short fiction writers like King and Ellison... I particularly enjoy the subtle, and not so subtle, linkages and interconnectedness of these tales specifically, but also w/ the author's other works... The puzzle becomes even more intriguing... The narration is superior... If you like short fiction, enjoy the occasional heebie jeebies, or appreciate chewing over what you've just read you'll love these offerings... Worth the price/credit...

3 people found this helpful

I loved the stories, but..

the last "sample" was an unnecessary tease. not cool. since this is a short story book, I was expecting the last 13 minute part would be a bonus story. instead, it was just a snippet.

3¾ Stars

Didn't quite make "Great" but it is very good. The last story was my favorite but liked them all to varying degrees. This is my second book by LS but it won't be my last. He has an unusual style with twists other authors don't seem to master. I am always looking for books that can offer more than the mundane hashed out old stories I've already heard 100 times. LM seems to hit the mark in that area, and originality is hard to find.
If you are searching for the "little something different" for you collection I recommend you give his books a try, but probably not for youngsters.

Great collection of stories!

Another fine release from Luke Smitherd. Five rather different stories:
1) Closure: Slightly creepy, with a few twists. Typical Smitherd story (that's a compliment).
2) He waits: Creepy and reminiscent in part of his book "In The Darkness, That’s Where I’ll Know You".
3) The Jesus Loophole: All about remorse and sin. I'm probably not religious enough to really appreciate this story.
4) Your Name is in the Book: Love this one! Part growing-up story, part boy-meets-girl-loses-girl, and part what-the-heck-is-going-on (again typical Smitherd!).
5) Keep your Children Close: The true gem of the collection. This horror story gets under your skin. Tension is built perfectly and to very high levels in this story. This is Lovecraft stuff. Masterful!

Luke Smithered narrates his own book here, as in many of his other releases. To me he has the perfect voice for his stories. Very enjoyable! Keep it up, Mr Smitherd!

Great reads!!!

I am a huge Steven King fan and love his short stories. It is so hard to find intriguing stories like these. Luke did a fabulous job entertaining me. I liked the stories so well, I bought his book, the stone man. cant wait to read it.

Luke never fails

Five entirely different tales, each one guaranteed to keep you going till the end. There is no way to describe these without giving something away. I will say, for someone with religious beliefs, The Jesus Loophole has me questioning myself more than I would like.