When Things Get Dark is easily one of the best, and most consistent anthologies I’ve read in years. Each writer has brought their A-Game in Shirley’s name. Comparisons to Jackson’s work are a dime-a-dozen, and often completely unwarranted. But the stories in this collection expertly capture the unease, the discomfort, and the uncanny, unplaceable horrors, we often find in Jackson’s phenomenal work.

For me, there are so many highlights in this collection, and some wonderful surprises. The always-reliable Elizabeth Hand delivers unspeakable terrors at an adult sleepover in For Sale by Owner. Josh Malerman’s story, Special Meal, has the feeling of a vintage Twilight Zone episode, complete with terrifying authority figures and forbidden knowledge. Seanan McGuire spins a beautiful revenge tale, with a folkloric twist.

The most disturbing things within these stories are merely hinted at; the “things that lived in Mr. Richardson’s farm” in Cassandra Khaw’s outstanding Quiet Dead Things; the screams from Gerald’s apartment in Karen Heuler’s Money of the Dead. The mere passing mention of these things is likely to leave more of an imprint than a full-on, visual horror.

But not all the stories are out-and-out horror. The seemingly mundane, but somehow wrong, is addressed incredibly well in M. Rickert’s Funeral Birds. The everyday horror women face when they drive alone is captured so well in Sooner or Later, Your Wife Will Drive Home by Genevieve Valentine.

The most terrifying story in this collection, and one of the scariest stories I’ve ever read, is Tiptoe by Laird Barron. A young man reminisces about family trips to the lake, and his father’s mysterious behavior. I am not exaggerating when I say I nearly didn’t read the last paragraph. Barron built the tension so incredibly well, and I guessed what was coming, but it didn’t make it any less scary. It’s a masterpiece. I imagine Jackson would be thrilled that she inspired such a horrific tale.

I could write a lengthy love letter to almost every story in this anthology. It really is that impressive. If you are looking for an overview of what the current literary horror world looks like, this is a fantastic example. Again, Ellen Datlow shows us why she is the queen of the horror anthology. Long may she reign.

At some point in your young life, you were introduced to the darkness. This awakening may have come in the form of a book or a children’s cartoon. You may have glimpsed it around the edges of your great aunt Eileen’s Christmas story; or, it could have slithered past as you made your way through a dim closet in search of a favorite toy. But no matter how you first perceived the darkness lurking at the edges of life, something about that mysterious beauty captured your imagination. Even now, as you read this, you seek it out in its many forms. Undoubtedly, on your journey to find the dark, you came across a fellow traveler in Shirley Jackson.

Every acolyte of darkness has spent time at the altar of Jackson’s work. A first read of The Lottery is often a baptism for lovers of the splenic. The Haunting of Hill House and We Have Always Lived in the Castle have transubstantiated countless readers from mere fiction fans into the horror devout. And the house at the center of The Sundial can take on biblical meaning under the right reader’s eyes.

The authors collected in the anthology, "When Things Get Dark" (Titan Books), know first-hand the spiritual transcendence that occurs between the pages of Jackson’s work. Edited by the legendary Ellen Datlow, this collection brings together horror authors at the top of their game for a chance to play in the well-mannered suburban nightmare world Jackson conjured so well. Rarely does an anthology nail its central theme as effortlessly as the writers do here. From the tight, precise prose in Seanan McGuire’s “In the Deep Woods” to the claustrophobic perfection of Richard Kadrey’s “A Trip to Paris,” "When Things Get Dark" explodes off the page with the quiet electricity of Jackson’s greatest works.

Carmen Maria Machado’s “A Hundred Miles and a Mile” paints a delicate environmental portrait of a woman who has discovered life’s truths just a bit too late; while Joyce Carol Oates’s short story “Take Me, I am Free” tells a more complete story in a few hundred words than most authors can do in a lifetime. It’s a rare writer who can create memorable, well-rounded characters in short fiction, but John Langan does just that in the riveting and swift “Something Like Living Creatures.”

For those who prefer their horror on the literary side, Datlow has included such fine specimens as Laird Barron’s “Tiptoe,” which is sure to be considered one of the most unsettling literary anecdotes to publish in the genre this decade. And Kelly Link’s “Skinder’s Veil” is a rare treat for those who like their fiction both relatable and weird. This final story is worth the price of admission alone.

“Special Meal” by Josh Malerman is the absolute standout in a collection of pitch-perfect tales. To detail the plot here would be to ruin the sweet pain of the surprise, but readers would do well to slide a bookmark in between the pages to ensure they don’t miss this breathtaking piece of storytelling.

Lifelong horror devotees are well-versed in the works of editor Ellen Datlow, but even the most voracious of readers is sure to be swept away by the sheer magnitude of talent on display in "When Things Get Dark."

Rating: 5 stars
Enjoyment: 10/10

Editor Ellen Datlow, brought some of our current best Horror authors together in this anthology in honour of Shirley Jackson. All the stories in this book are original and exclusive and were specially commissioned to celebrate the genius of Shirley Jackson by penned stories inspired by her trademark raw exposure of human nature, horrifying atmosphere, and overall unsettling stories.

With stories by Josh Malerman, Carmen Maria Machado, Paul Tremblay, Stephen Graham Jones, Cassandra Khaw, Elizabeth Hand (and many more), this is a book to read many times over. Whether you want to sample new talents or listen to bite-size perfection from old faves, this is a must for any horror anthology fans. It keeps you right in the mood for Spooky season!

I love, love horror short stories. They are the perfect dose of chill from the (mostly) first-person perspective and (almost always) hopeless, ambiguous ending. And let me tell you, Datlow knocked her vision right out of the park, every single author DE-LI-VERED! Even though there isn't a single story I didn't like; some were so amazing I can't stop thinking about them. The highlights of the anthology, in my opinion, were: Quiet Dead Things by Cassandra Khaw, Hag by Benjamin Percy, Special Meal by Josh Malerman, and Refinery Road by Stephen Graham Jones.

Disclaimer: I first read it as an ARC. In exchange for an honest review, I am thankful to Titan Books, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of When Things Get Dark.

I love horror, and I love anthologies, so naturally, I was very excited about this, and it also helped that this cover is so eye-catching! I was kinda disappointed though, some great names there and great ideas, but I felt like all these names were trying so hard to write like SJ, which I know is the point of this anthology, but for some reason did not work for me. Almost all these stories are abstract, and it was hard for me to make sense of most of them. There are some good ones too, that made my mind keep whirring long after I read them but it all became repetitive and ungratifying very soon.
I'm thinking this might be just not for me, but I also think that stories should make some sense even if they are supposed to be abstract.

Thanks to Netgalley, authors, and publisher for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

This was an amazing anthology dedicated to one of the most prolific horror writers, Shirley Jackson. All of the stories were unsettling and took everyday life and made it horrendous. Which is exactly what Shirley Jackson is famous for; turning the mundane into the macabre.

A few of my highlights:

Hag by Benjamin Percy was folk horror at its best. Creepy costal town harboring dark secrets. Blood sacrifice, ominous ocean and an an overworked mother. All of these things combine to make a horrific tale.

Pear of Anguish by Gemma Files is all about the pains of adolescence and just trying to find your place in the world. Two outsiders find each other and witchcraft.

Tiptoe by Laird Barron actually made me shiver. The perfect family on the outside. Happy mom, quirky dad, two brothers. But the youngest grows up with extreme anxiety all stemming from the strange games he would play with his dad. The last few pages were so unsettling.

Loved all of these stories. A wonderful tribute!

Disclaimer: I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

When Things Gey Dark contains 18 stories by renowned horror authors inspired by Shirley Jackson's work. That said, the elements incorporated (and to what extent) vary from writer to writer, resulting in a pretty good variety of stories, from traditional haunts and melancholic gothic tales to mysterious allegories and stories bordering on the Weird.

As expected from a collection this size, some stories stuck with me more than others. However, I bookmarked every story that I felt went above and beyond and still ended up with 10 bookmarks. Skinder's Veil (the last story) was a particular favorite of mine, which got just weird enough to feel like a modern fairy tale. Other favorites included Pear of Anguish, Tiptoe, Special Meal, Quiet Dead Things, and For Sale by Owner.

Overall, these were fun reads that took me deep into several nights, and I got to add some new authors to my to-read/follow list. Definitely recommend.

It was okay but I really didn't love it. About half of the storiess I didn't even finish, because I didn't find them particularly interesting

Shirley Jackson, a renowned horror writer, (with the terrifyingly famous book “The Haunting of Hill House” under her belt) is the inspiration for this short story collection. It is edited by Ellen Datlow- who is the queen of horror anthologies.

This anthology contains eighteen stories, by writers trying to emulate Ms. Jackson’s eerie and unsettling way of writing- and I dare say that they have managed to do that quite well.
At least most of them succeed in giving us the creepy and heart thumping experience that we would expect from Shirley Jackson’s stories.

However, as with any anthology, there are some hits and misses. Sadly, a few pieces did miss the mark entirely. But don’t let that spoil it for you, as there is plenty to love about this anthology.

Some of my favorite stories in this collection are:

“For Sale by Owner” by Elizabeth Hand is great story in which three women decide to spend a night in an empty house.

“Take Me, I Am Free” by Joyce Carol Oates is a disturbing story about the troubled relationship between a mother & her young daughter. It’s short but disturbing.

“A Trip to Paris” by Richard Kadrey introduces us to a seemingly nice lady, who is struck with guilt due to her shocking secret.

“Skinder’s Veil” by Kelly Link, is about a man who goes through some peculiar and fantastical experiences while housesitting.

“Hag” by Benjamin Percy takes place on an island, where a reporter becomes involved with a cult, while investigating a crime.

All in all, I was quite pleased with this collection and I would highly recommend this anthology for fans of the horror & thriller genres.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advance reader’s copy for my honest thoughts on the book.

When Things Get Dark is a short story anthology that pays homage to Shirley Jackson. It includes selections by some of the most noted voices in dark fiction with Paul Tremblay and Joyce Carol Oates being among them.

The stories capture the essence of Jackson’s style really well but with a more modern sensibility. They range from psychological terror, to the weird and bizarre to the completely terrifying. And while each author’s voice is distinctly their own, they also perfectly embody the style
and ideas that were so distinctive to Jackson.

While I think fans of Shirley Jackson will love this collection, I think it will also appeal to readers unfamiliar with her work and hopefully cause them to want to read her masterpieces. A great read for the upcoming spooky season.

Thank you to NetGalley and Titan books for this advance copy in exchange for an honest and fair review.

Thank you Netgalley and Titan Books for this incredible arc!

When Things Get Dark is a compilation of stories (18) that were inspired by the Brilliant Shirley Jackson. And, yes, every single story in this book is a perfect fit with Jackson's style. Perhaps more modern, not the literal exact style, but really the ideas. It's in my opinion that Shirley Jackson's work was so frightening because it made me so curious, curious about the characters minds, my own ability to grasp her full meaning and how she left me thinking, always thinking.

There are some great authors involved, Seanan Mcguire and Paul Tremblay to name a few. This book was compiled and edited by Ellen Datlow who always produces remarkable collections of short stories.

I definitely had a few favorites but I loved every piece of this book. I felt an unease at times, some making me face the strange and unnatural, and some that were simply brilliantly terrifying.

I can not recommend this more for fans of Shirley Jackson and really, fans of all horror. This is a perfect read to get you in the mood for Fall weather and a spooky Halloween 👻

Very well-written collection. Not all of it was to my taste, but the book as a whole was still really enjoyable. I think about 60% of the stories hit the mark for me personally.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

A themed anthology can sometimes be a tricky thing, often the curate's egg of the literary world. On one hand you might get stories that act almost as a pastiche of the source theme, either tonally or in prose style or even by utilising aspects of the work that first inspired it. On the other hand you may find instead that you get completely original tales that - on first appearance - seem almost unrelated to the theme, but which absolutely work as stand-alone tales, with subtle tonal cues which tie them to the inspirational source. I'm pleased to say that the contents of When Things Get Dark are wholly from the latter category.

Some horror themes seem rather more straightforward than others - HP Lovecraft and Edgar Allan Poe spring to mind, both genre giants whose work has inspired anthologies edited by Ellen Datlow - but the fiction of Shirley Jackson is a little more difficult to define, so editor extraordinaire Datlow has done a wonderful job of putting together eighteen new stories from some of the best writers working today.

Shirley Jackson, author of We Have Always Lived in the Castle, The Haunting of Hill House, and an array of celebrated short stories such as The Lottery, The Missing Girl, The Possibility of Evil and The Summer People, wrote quiet, subtle prose, sometimes insidiously unsettling, very often incredibly dark. As Datlow says in her very engaging introduction, "Her stories, mostly taking place in mid-twentieth-century America, are filled with hauntings, dysfunctional families and domestic pain; simmering rage, loneliness, suspicion of outsiders; sibling rivalry and women trapped psychologically and/or by the supernatural. They explore the dark undercurrent of suburban life during that time period." Taking into account those points, the new stories in this anthology work beautifully in celebrating the enduring power of Shirley Jackson's fiction.

When Things Get Dark is a wonderful anthology. As with any collection of short stories, personal choice means that readers will find something in the odd story that appeals more to them individually, but the quality across the board is incredibly high. My favourites happened to be the contributions from Kelly Link, Richard Kadrey, Paul Tremblay, M Rickert, Josh Malerman, Elizabeth Hand, and Laird Barron, but it feels churlish to single these out as there genuinely isn't a poor story in the book. I fully expect to see many of these stories appearing in next year's annual Best Ofs and making the shortlists of genre awards, such is the high quality of tales. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this anthology, and it's one that has inspired me to embark on a reread of Shirley Jackson's fiction, so I have no hesitation in recommending it.

Wonderful anthology of excellent authors. Stories range from the supernatural to the everyday odd and everywhere in between. A great homage to Shirley Jackson and edited by the excellent Ellen Datlow. Highly recommended!

I have never read anything by Shirley Jackson, but I trust Ellen Datlow. She has excellent taste in short stories; I have discovered many gems in her anthologies. When Things Get Dark collects eighteen exclusive short stories written by today's leading horror writers. Datlow asked them to write stories inspired by the essence of Jackson's work - the exploration of the dark and evil that hides behind the peaceful exterior and normal life of small towns.

The stories exhibit a remarkable range of both ideas and tone. When Things Get Dark is a balanced collection of realistic and eerie, everyday and supernatural stories. Some stories are about meals and families (and family members turning on each other), others are about encounters with ghosts and the unexplainable. Above all, though,they are entertaining. Of course, there were some I did not like, but no anthology is perfect. That's okay - I found more scary goodness in When Things Get Dark than I'd hoped.

My favorite story, For Sale by Owner by Elizabeth Hand, blends subtle humor, an imaginative take on the haunted house theme, and personal drama. It's about three middle-aged ladies staying in a mysterious and beautiful house. I love Hand's writing style, and with this story she has created believable characters and a delightfully creepy atmosphere.

Other stories I particularly enjoyed include Funeral Birds by M. Rickert - a gripping and unnerving tale of obsession and guilt. Kelly Link 's Skinder's Veil is simply amazing, but the less you know about it, the better. Richard Kadrey 's A Trip to Paris offers a memorable account of a killer preparing for an international trip, probably to Paris. Except there's a strange mold patch on her wall with very familiar silhouettes in it.

I think each story in this collection will appeal to some readers. Only a few did not quite work for me. In the Deep Woods; The Light is Different There by Seanan McGuire has cool concepts, but ends before it really gets going. Quiet Dead Things by Cassandra Kane is confusing, and to be honest, I am not a fan of Kane's writing style in general. Take Me, I Am Free by Joyce Carol Oates bored me, and Paul Tremblay's The Party left me cold.

Datlow's selections offer a variety of voices, themes, and forms, and a balance between fresh and established voices. I recommend When Things Get Dark to readers interested in subtle horror. Ellen Datlow does not put out bad anthologies. That's a fact.

As with most anthologies, there will be some stories that shine and others that are forgettable. When Things Get Dark has a little of both, however, most of the stories are quite fun. The stories are inspired by Shirley Jackson, so there are a lot of gothic elements in each, and more than a few that deal with ghosts.

Hag by Benjamin Percy, Refinery Road by Stephen Graham Jones, and Skinder’s Veil by Kelly Link are my favorite stories, however, Tiptoe is the standout. It is genuinely scary and surprising. I was aware of most of the authors, but there were a few that I had not read anything by. That is the case with Laird Barron’s Tiptoe. That is my favorite thing about anthologies. They can give a reader a taste of an author’s style.

When Things Get Dark is a mostly successful anthology filled with short stories from some of horror’s best writers. It is the perfect choice for anyone who is looking for something spooky to read for Halloween.

"A chilling anthology in tribute to the genius of Shirley Jackson, collecting today’s best horror writers. Featuring Joyce Carol Oates, Josh Malerman, Paul Tremblay, Richard Kadrey, Stephen Graham Jones, Elizabeth Hand and more.

A collection of new and exclusive short stories inspired by, and in tribute to, Shirley Jackson.

Shirley Jackson is a seminal writer of horror and mystery fiction, whose legacy resonates globally today. Chilling, human, poignant and strange, her stories have inspired a generation of writers and readers.

This anthology, edited by legendary horror editor Ellen Datlow, will bring together today’s leading horror writers to offer their own personal tribute to the work of Shirley Jackson.

Featuring Joyce Carol Oates, Josh Malerman, Carmen Maria Machado, Paul Tremblay, Richard Kadrey, Stephen Graham Jones, Elizabeth Hand, Kelly Link, Cassandra Khaw, Karen Heuler, Benjamin Percy, John Langan, Laird Barron, Jeffrey Ford, M. Rickert, Seanan McGuire, Gemma Files, and Genevieve Valentine."

It's about Shirley Jackson, so I'm here for it! Though I find it funny that the stock photo is in use by a lot of books right now, even one my friend designed!

Thank you so much to the publisher for a copy of this book! I really enjoyed this selection of horror stories inspired by Shirley Jackson! There was definitely some very interesting ideas that I would like to see fleshed out into a full length novel! This is a great collection of short stories for anyone who has read and enjoyed Shirley Jackson's novels and highly recommend everyone to go out and buy this book. I'm always unsure of how to rate short story collections from multiple authors, so the rating is solely based on how much I enjoyed the collection as a whole. Most of these authors I did not recognize so this was a great way to introduce myself to new to me authors. I honestly can't recommend this book enough. To end this review I'll state my favorite short stories of the collection:
Funeral Birds by M. Rickert
For Sale by Owner by Elizabeth Hand
Quiet Dead Things by Cassandra Khaw
Hag by Benjamin Percy
A Trip to Paris by Richard Kadrey
Skinder's Veil by Kelly Link

This was exciting at first. I love Shirley Jackson and her writing is so very much her. I was looking forward to see how other author's would keep their distinct voices while dealing with similar twists and tropes that she worked in.

I was disappointed.

All of the authors in this collection are skilled in their own right. When it came to this, I was reading works where people, it seemed, tried to write like Jackson instead of themselves.

At the risk of sounding cruel, a lot of it was derivative.

You can be inspired by, and pay homage to something or someone without mimicry. It isn't always the highest form of flattery.

This was one of those instances. I was hoping for modern twists and flavors.

It isn't like the writing was bad, it was good. But a lot of the stories felt like the authors were trying to be Jackson instead of themselves.

A three star for the few stories I liked.

I received this arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

1⭐

Oh wow was this collection boring. I had such high hopes. It was an anthology in the horror section. I love short horror stories. I didn't find any of the stories remotely scary, and found my mind wandering alot while I was reading. I know this probably just didn't work for me, but I could not reccomend this to my subscribers. I so want to find a collection that works in the horror genre.

I love Shirley Jackson, and I love short stories, but none of the stories in this anthology did much for me. They were not bad stories, but they were not great stories either. Unremarkable for the most part. I'm sure this collection will appeal to many readers, but I was not one of them, unfortunately.

Thank you NetGalley and Titan Books for the opportunity to read an advance reading copy.