Hypnotic and dark, this short story collection is a stunning achievement. The 15 stories gathered here are related in the sense that they have similar vibes, which bestows a cohesive effect on the collection. Nothing seems accidental or coincidental. This is a well-written and carefully put together collection from a very talented writer. If you enjoyed THE BOG WIFE and are a fan of short stories, put this one on your TBR. Fans of creepy and surreal gothic literature will find much to admire here.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-galley; all opinions in my review are 100% my own.

Thank you Catapult, Counterpoint Press, and Soft Skull Press, Kay Chronister and NetGalley for the ARC!

This is a collection of short stories that leans more towards dark fairytale and fantasy rather than horror, though a few of the stories were heavy in psychological horror. The writing is fluid and lyrical with an eerie, ghostly undertone. I enjoyed some of the stories more than others. Almost all of the stories touched upon feminism and the female experience in various settings (modern, rural, fantasy). My favorite ones were "The Warriors, the Mothers, the Drowned", "White Throat Holler", and "The Lights We Carried Home." All were strong in feminist & familial themes. This was more eerie dark fantasy than horror but still atmospheric and unsettling. Deeply introspective with poignant female defiance.

3 stars

This is a reissued book, first out in 2020. Fifteen gothic folk tales, I believe four of them are new, but if you’ve already read the book the first time around, unless you loved it so much your eyeballs fell out I wouldn’t buy the book just for the new stories…they definitely aren’t carbon copies of each other, but there’s a bit of a sameness running through them. That said, all were imaginative and lots of people will enjoy them.

Lush, eerie, and unforgettable. Thin Places is a haunting collection where myth meets melancholy, filled with strange women, strange lands, and prose that lingers like a half-remembered dream.