OCTOBER DREAMS

A behemoth about Halloween, with over 50 contributors, and for horror/fantasy fans an absolute necessity, well worth the heavy price. Chizmar and Moorish had the inspired idea to ask leading authors in the field to write a Halloween story and also reveal in a personal companion piece “My Favorite Halloween Memory.” Gathered here are original tales and some outstanding reprints by Dean Koontz, Poppy Z. Brite, Peter Straub, Thomas Ligotti, F. Paul Wilson, Gahan Wilson, Ray Bradbury, William F. Nolan, Kim Newman, Thomas F. Monteleone, Douglas Clegg, Douglas E. Winter, Jack Ketchum, and Richard Laymon, among others. Someone must have drugged and handcuffed Laymon since his body count herein falls horribly to only one skull being hatcheted in half.

Don’t miss Kim Newman’s “Halloween 25,” a nonfiction diary describing 25 of his Halloweens.