MORE TALES TO KEEP YOU UP AT NIGHT

Eerie episodes abound in this tightly plotted sequel.

Following Tales To Keep You Up at Night (2022), this carefully crafted follow-up introduces Gilbert Campbell, who, after receiving a cryptic message from his brother, Antonio, learns that Ant has been in a terrible accident and is in the intensive care unit. In the message, Ant warns Gilbert, “don’t listen to the tapes”—but a mix of worry and curiosity gets the better of Gilbert, and he listens to the 13 ominously titled tales. As Gilbert settles down with the cassettes, which he finds alongside a vintage yellow Walkman, the line between reality and fiction starts to blur. Spanning a wide spectrum of topics and including a spooky susurrating seashell, a maniacal mannequin, an alarming amusement park, and an insidious ice cream truck, the stories explore both new and classic horror tropes. The early entries feel somewhat underbaked, some concluding with a frustrating abruptness or seemingly not wrapping up at all, but it is imperative for readers to continue. Poblocki weaves an intricate yarn, cleverly mixing the two narrative threads with an adept hand. Reading like a mashup of Goosebumps and The Twilight Zone with a healthy dose of Black Mirror, this series (which begs for both installments to be read together) is a surefire hit for horror aficionados. Expect the shivers to last long after the final page is turned.

Ultimately rewarding and wholly satisfying for close and patient readers.