Twisted Tales Compiled & Edited by J. Richard Jacobs Double Dragon Publishing ISBN: 1-55404-339-5 Fiction, Anthology Reviewed by Eugen Bacon

Twisted Tails is an anthology as warped as the devil himself. J. Richard Jacobs rounds a motley cast of suspects, including several time Eppie finalist, Peter Prellwitz. Together, they weave a spell of spicy tales alluring as a tepid river that implores you plunge deeper, cajoles you swim further out, again deeper… At that moment, when your trust is bottomless, your valiance unwavering, pitiless waves swallow and spit you whole, lifeless, onto a bed of suppurating weed and murky froth.

The assortment opens with the sharpness of K. L. Nappier’s Veil, the tale of a hideous troll so fetid, so scarred, it leaves more than the terror of death; Steve Lazarowitz picks the race with Dead Wrong, a tech noir filled with much suspense, much tension; J. Richard Jacobs grabs the baton with Things (best said with a Southern drawl), and curves a leg most gruesome in its bend. And though you shudder, can’t help but read on. Marilyn Peake casts aside children’s tales to emerge with Tiger in the Plum Blossoms, an engaging story, oriental in set; D.L. White & Peter Prellwitz join forces in Cassiopeia’s tears to make a sprint double; Jamie A. Hughes transmits the 72914 female; Biff Mitchell hacks into a termite colossal. Pause. Shuffle back to Steve Lazarowitz’s A Matter of Grave Importance, read it with increasing astonishment…

And that is just a sample. With J. Richard Jacobs’ more than a smidgen of pepper, a clove of Terence West, a gloop of Jeremy Davies, a measure of Margaret Whitley’s sweep endings and what else, oh what a treat! Best read how you please, fried to your own arrangement. Whichever way one delves, back to front, front to back, apiece, apiece – the crystal’s sparkle is not lost, the diamond still glitters and a grassy burst of ruby wine endlessly toys on the back of your tongue. Pleasure, pleasure, pleasure, especially when it is filled with dread.

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