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Nocturnal Pursuits
Glenn Rolfe (Blood and Rain and August’s Eyes) is back with a new collection of deliciously frightening, thought-provoking horror. Whether dealing with werewolves in “The Dead Brother Situation”, a vicious cult in “The Devil’s Kin”, an evil doll in the Splatterpunk Award-nominated “Molly”, or gut-wrenching loss in “Gone Away”, these fifteen dark tales promise to entertain, cause your skin to crawl, and make you feel a little more.
Nocturnal Pursuits takes you on a journey into the heart of an author both obsessed with and afraid of the macabre. Be it a suicide woods, a crazed gas station attendant, or neighborhood enigma throwing a party, you won’t soon forget these encounters.
When the shadows fall upon the day and the living are fast asleep, Glenn Rolfe is wide-awake wrestling with aliens, demons, and the ghosts that take up the dark corners of his mind. You’ve been invited. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Nocturnal Pursuits takes you on a journey into the heart of an author both obsessed with and afraid of the macabre. Be it a suicide woods, a crazed gas station attendant, or neighborhood enigma throwing a party, you won’t soon forget these encounters.
When the shadows fall upon the day and the living are fast asleep, Glenn Rolfe is wide-awake wrestling with aliens, demons, and the ghosts that take up the dark corners of his mind. You’ve been invited. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
- GenresHorrorShort Stories
300 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 30, 2021
About the author
Glenn Rolfe
68 books607 followers"Rolfe is a vital part of this horror generation." - Brian Keene, World Horror Convention Award Grandmaster of Horror, and author of GHOUL and THE RISING
Glenn Rolfe is a multi-Splatetrpunk Award nominated author from the haunted woods of New England. He has studied Creative Writing at Southern New Hampshire University and continues his education in the world of horror by devouring the novels of Stephen King, Richard Laymon, Brian Keene, Jack Ketchum, and many others. He lives with his partner, Sarah, and he has four children, Ruby, Ramona, Axl, and Rivers. He is grateful to be loved despite his weirdness.
He is the When the Night Falls, Until Summer Comes Around, August's Eyes, Blood and Rain, The Window, and more.
Richard Chizmar, New York Times and USA Today Best Selling-Author of Gwendy’s Button Box, says of Rolfe’s Blood and Rain: “A wonderful throwback to the fun and bloody days of paperback horror glory!”
Glenn Rolfe is a multi-Splatetrpunk Award nominated author from the haunted woods of New England. He has studied Creative Writing at Southern New Hampshire University and continues his education in the world of horror by devouring the novels of Stephen King, Richard Laymon, Brian Keene, Jack Ketchum, and many others. He lives with his partner, Sarah, and he has four children, Ruby, Ramona, Axl, and Rivers. He is grateful to be loved despite his weirdness.
He is the When the Night Falls, Until Summer Comes Around, August's Eyes, Blood and Rain, The Window, and more.
Richard Chizmar, New York Times and USA Today Best Selling-Author of Gwendy’s Button Box, says of Rolfe’s Blood and Rain: “A wonderful throwback to the fun and bloody days of paperback horror glory!”
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 11, 2024
Mr. Man has been going around and writing like a fucking pro for years now. This dude rocks.
I have a weird attachment to Glenn, and all the blame can be put on him and his awfully strange books!
I confess that I quit about 5 years ago. Not because of Glenn or anyone. I was just tired.
Nice to know that even though I'm still tired, Glenn has been writing "all his stories,.for the day I returned!"
Hah! So that's a load of poo..curious how many believed this!
It's Glenn Rolfe. The man can tell a damn good story. He's also a pretty damned good friend.
I have a weird attachment to Glenn, and all the blame can be put on him and his awfully strange books!
I confess that I quit about 5 years ago. Not because of Glenn or anyone. I was just tired.
Nice to know that even though I'm still tired, Glenn has been writing "all his stories,.for the day I returned!"
Hah! So that's a load of poo..curious how many believed this!
It's Glenn Rolfe. The man can tell a damn good story. He's also a pretty damned good friend.
April 5, 2024
Got this for review on netgally.
It was a good variation of horror short stories some I liked more and one that I liked less but it was a very solid collection. I don't know which is my favorite but the one with the sick child and about grief hit the hardest even if the whoete no gore. The one with the lake was cool and creepy.
It was a good variation of horror short stories some I liked more and one that I liked less but it was a very solid collection. I don't know which is my favorite but the one with the sick child and about grief hit the hardest even if the whoete no gore. The one with the lake was cool and creepy.
April 14, 2024
If you enjoy short horror stories, then this is the book for you! I found it to be entertaining, enjoyable, horrific, and well done! Glenn Rolfe came on my radar when I read It Came From The Lake and I was excited to get my hands (and eyes) on this short story collection. With short story collections, there will be ones that readers enjoy more than others. In this book, I can say that I enjoyed all of them; there are no stinkers. OUT OF RANGE and MOLLY were my favorites out of this collection.
If you have not read a book (or short story) by Glenn Rolfe before, what are you waiting for???
Well written, entertaining, creepy, and horrific!
Thank you to Encyclopocalypse Publications and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
If you have not read a book (or short story) by Glenn Rolfe before, what are you waiting for???
Well written, entertaining, creepy, and horrific!
Thank you to Encyclopocalypse Publications and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
December 5, 2021
Glenn Rolfe writes in a fast, fun style that never bores in the long form but seems tailor-made for short fiction. In Nocturnal Pursuits, Silver Shamrock collects fifteen short stories with an emphasis on variety, packaging with a punch, a killer cover, and story notes for the reader who wants a little behind-the-scenes info on stories they aren't ready to be over.
Not every story resonated with me, but a few words about some of the ones that did:
"Orson's Gas n Go" serves as a nice introduction to Rolfe's. Nasty characters doing nasty things with the author's style on display. Whenever Rolfe writes a story in this vein, the reader can feel him doing it with a smile on his face.
"The Guide" is a great addition that showcases Rolfe's versatility. Yeah, he's good at throwing the red stuff around, but he's far from a one-trick pony. This one is bound to smack a lot of readers right upside the feels.
"Everett" feeds the need for creepy doll fiction, taking it to a level I'm not sure I've read before. A stand-out for sure.
"Molly" is a Splatterpunk award nominee, and for good reason. It's a vicious story chock full of sex and violence, made all the more fun due to Rolfe's own experience working in a hotel.
Nocturnal Pursuits clocks in just a little over 200 pages; a nice length to showcase flash, short stories, and keep the gears turning. It's the kind of collection that relies on momentum and a random fifty page novelette might have gummed up the works a little. Although I usually do a story-a-day in collections/anthologies, I found it hard to hit the end of one story and not immediately jump into the next.
Not every story resonated with me, but a few words about some of the ones that did:
"Orson's Gas n Go" serves as a nice introduction to Rolfe's. Nasty characters doing nasty things with the author's style on display. Whenever Rolfe writes a story in this vein, the reader can feel him doing it with a smile on his face.
"The Guide" is a great addition that showcases Rolfe's versatility. Yeah, he's good at throwing the red stuff around, but he's far from a one-trick pony. This one is bound to smack a lot of readers right upside the feels.
"Everett" feeds the need for creepy doll fiction, taking it to a level I'm not sure I've read before. A stand-out for sure.
"Molly" is a Splatterpunk award nominee, and for good reason. It's a vicious story chock full of sex and violence, made all the more fun due to Rolfe's own experience working in a hotel.
Nocturnal Pursuits clocks in just a little over 200 pages; a nice length to showcase flash, short stories, and keep the gears turning. It's the kind of collection that relies on momentum and a random fifty page novelette might have gummed up the works a little. Although I usually do a story-a-day in collections/anthologies, I found it hard to hit the end of one story and not immediately jump into the next.
April 2, 2024
This was a very interesting mix of short horror stories, and my first foray into Glenn Rolfe’s writing. There were so many differences in each entry; from splatter to cosmic to supernatural, etc. This kept things fresh and interesting as I read through.
I did find some of the stories a little abrupt in their endings, I would’ve loved to see a bit more development and resolution. “Orson’s Gas N’ Go” bothered me a bit, as I felt it needed to be a bit more grammatically fine tuned- but that’s just my problem.
My favourite by Glenn were “Something in the Water”, “Out of Range”, and “Comfortably Numb”. “Molly” was also super creepy, but I felt the characters were a bit too flat.
Grab this collection if you like a variety of horror sub genres, there’s definitely something for everyone in this book.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Encyclopocalypse Publications for a copy!
I did find some of the stories a little abrupt in their endings, I would’ve loved to see a bit more development and resolution. “Orson’s Gas N’ Go” bothered me a bit, as I felt it needed to be a bit more grammatically fine tuned- but that’s just my problem.
My favourite by Glenn were “Something in the Water”, “Out of Range”, and “Comfortably Numb”. “Molly” was also super creepy, but I felt the characters were a bit too flat.
Grab this collection if you like a variety of horror sub genres, there’s definitely something for everyone in this book.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Encyclopocalypse Publications for a copy!
November 29, 2021
Don't let the title lull you into a false sense of security when the sun rises. The danger is everywhere, on land and in the water. You are just as likely to encounter evil in the dark of night as you are in a daycare or a fishing trip. You may not even be able to identify who the bad guy is or where the source of danger will come from until it's too late. It's a trap. Trust nothing and no-one. My favorites were The Guide, which is one of the more milder stories, less about terror and more about loss. You Can Have It All Back in which a terminally ill woman on hospice care begins to hear a voice. Out Of Range is a great example of not knowing where the danger will come from, and having no way to prepare or protect yourself. Kelvin's World is revenge with a twist.
If you love short horror stories as much as I do, this book is for you. Nocturnal Pursuits is full of murderous surprises.
4 out of 5 stars
I received an advance copy for review.
If you love short horror stories as much as I do, this book is for you. Nocturnal Pursuits is full of murderous surprises.
4 out of 5 stars
I received an advance copy for review.
December 15, 2021
I've been having a great run lately with some quality books, and Glenn Rolfe's latest short story collection NOCTURNAL PURSUITS continues that trend. This one genuinely feels like a greatest hits. It's also kind of hard to single out a favourite. They all have their merits. But if I had to pick one, I'll go with OUT OF RANGE. What a beauty. And that last line was absolute killer.
If you are thinking about checking out some of Glenn's work, this would be a fantastic place to start. This really lets you see what he is capable of.
5 stars easy.
Buy it now
If you are thinking about checking out some of Glenn's work, this would be a fantastic place to start. This really lets you see what he is capable of.
5 stars easy.
Buy it now
December 19, 2021
Review will go to Horror DNA but come on, it's Glenn, OF COURSE I LOVED IT!!!
March 21, 2022
If you don't know Glenn and you love horror, then this is a great starting place. Seems like a mixture of old and new stories but EVERY one is excellent. High quality writing with a variety of horror tales (actually not all horror!)- some will tug at your heart strings, some will want to have you bleaching your brain.
I don't like picking out favorite stories from a collection and nor could i with this one, even if i wanted to, as each one was very enjoyable.
Highly recommend for any horror fan.
I don't like picking out favorite stories from a collection and nor could i with this one, even if i wanted to, as each one was very enjoyable.
Highly recommend for any horror fan.
April 3, 2022
Glenn Rolfe is one of my favorite authors, If for some reason, you care about my opinion, than you already know that. Nocturnal Pursuits is the latest collection from the author, and another excellent release. The stories in here run a wide range of themes and horror sub genres and tropes, there is a little in here for everybody, and quite a bit to love in here for the authors fans. This is the type of collection that really lets you see the authors range, and Rolfe spreads his wings here.
I'm writing this on april 3rd, if you have the ability to get this collection, I would do so ASAP, it is likely about to go out of print in short order as the publisher has closed up shop.
I'm writing this on april 3rd, if you have the ability to get this collection, I would do so ASAP, it is likely about to go out of print in short order as the publisher has closed up shop.
July 19, 2023
A couple were interesting, most were not, and none reached their potential. Rolfe spends a lot of time comparing his characters and settings to other characters and settings, which is frustrating because I don’t really care if someone is like another person. Honestly, his references to other novels and films made me want to be reading/watching those instead … there’s just a lot of telling and not showing, which for the horror genre kind of defeats the purpose? No atmosphere and no tension make for a poor reading experience.
I was hoping that “Molly” would be good since apparently it was nominated for an award? But it was arguably the worst out of the collection. PSA to writers: stop using the word “juices.” It’ll never work. It’s not going to happen.
All-in-all, these stories lacked inspiration and originality. I’m sure Rolfe is a very pleasant person who definitely wouldn’t come to my house and attempt to murder me à la “Kelvin’s World,” but then again … the prospect of that happening still wouldn’t deter me from posting this review.
ALSO ………… I reread this literally ten times, and tell me if I’m wrong??? In the story “In the Basement of the Amazing Alex Cucumber,” he says that Alex’s parents went missing in 1998 and three years later (1998 + 3 = 2001), he received the invitation to the party, right? So why does Nolan say, “You look like a slacker-hipster going to a Fall Out Boy reunion gig” when Fall Out Boy was founded that same year and didn’t have their break until 2009???? I’ve been thinking about that sentence for like three hours now and it doesn’t make sense to me???????
I was hoping that “Molly” would be good since apparently it was nominated for an award? But it was arguably the worst out of the collection. PSA to writers: stop using the word “juices.” It’ll never work. It’s not going to happen.
All-in-all, these stories lacked inspiration and originality. I’m sure Rolfe is a very pleasant person who definitely wouldn’t come to my house and attempt to murder me à la “Kelvin’s World,” but then again … the prospect of that happening still wouldn’t deter me from posting this review.
ALSO ………… I reread this literally ten times, and tell me if I’m wrong??? In the story “In the Basement of the Amazing Alex Cucumber,” he says that Alex’s parents went missing in 1998 and three years later (1998 + 3 = 2001), he received the invitation to the party, right? So why does Nolan say, “You look like a slacker-hipster going to a Fall Out Boy reunion gig” when Fall Out Boy was founded that same year and didn’t have their break until 2009???? I’ve been thinking about that sentence for like three hours now and it doesn’t make sense to me???????
February 6, 2022
When I first sat down to read Nocturnal Pursuits, I didn’t know what to expect. Despite Glenn Rolfe’s prolific career in terror, I hadn’t read any of his previous work, and the artwork on the cover of his newest short fiction collection—an owl haunting an overgrown thicket at night—didn’t give me much of a clue. However, Nocturnal wastes little time in heating up to a high-octane level of unsettling gore with its first entry, and the book maintains that steady pace over the majority of its fifteen tales...
Read the rest of my review on Horror Tree
Read the rest of my review on Horror Tree
May 11, 2024
Collection of short stories about splatterpunks, extreme horror, light horror, drama, suspense and diving into deep thoughts of humanity.
This is my first Glenn Rolfe book that I have read and thanks to Net Galley and Encyclopocalypse Publications for giving me an ARC of this ebook.
All the stories here are fun to read very strong in prose but others were unforgettable and I'm trying to understand it although I can't.
Some of the strongest which I enjoyed was:
-Orson's Gas N' Go
-Everett
-Something in the Water
-Molly
and the story that made me cry and hits my heart "The Guide".
This is my first Glenn Rolfe book that I have read and thanks to Net Galley and Encyclopocalypse Publications for giving me an ARC of this ebook.
All the stories here are fun to read very strong in prose but others were unforgettable and I'm trying to understand it although I can't.
Some of the strongest which I enjoyed was:
-Orson's Gas N' Go
-Everett
-Something in the Water
-Molly
and the story that made me cry and hits my heart "The Guide".
April 1, 2022
“Baby steps, bro. Baby steps. Don’t you remember What About Bob?” “Really? You’re giving me life advice from a Bill Murray movie?” “Yes. That’s exactly what I’m doing.”
An anthology collection from well known horror author, Glenn Rolfe. If this is the first time you have heard the name, you need to make sure you change that immediately if you call yourself a fan of horror and what better way to familiarize yourself with an author than their short stories?
This collection has fifteen stories and I will review my top three favorites which is not as easy feat for this one but necessary to avoid writing an entire novel about how awesome this anthology was.
Something in the Water
This is one of the longer stories in this collection about a vaguely described type of lake monster that is terrorizing teenagers and fisherman that happen upon it’s domain. It’s hinted that it may have come from space and I thought that added an extra spicy bit to the average slimy “creature from the black lagoon” monster.
Everett
You can tell that Rolfe has a thing for dolls that come alive. Everyone loves a good creepy animated doll. This is a bit like those dolls that you can buy online after a still birth or miscarriage. A doll that is supposed to help with the grief. Bret buys one for his wife after the death of his son. Fans of the tv show Servant will love this one.
Out of Range
Aliens have announced to the world that they made everything and are coming back. They turned the internet off and everyone is trying to cope with DVD’s and tape players. Waiting until the end. Alien horror is always a win for me.
https://piratetwinkiereadsblog.wordpr...
An anthology collection from well known horror author, Glenn Rolfe. If this is the first time you have heard the name, you need to make sure you change that immediately if you call yourself a fan of horror and what better way to familiarize yourself with an author than their short stories?
This collection has fifteen stories and I will review my top three favorites which is not as easy feat for this one but necessary to avoid writing an entire novel about how awesome this anthology was.
Something in the Water
This is one of the longer stories in this collection about a vaguely described type of lake monster that is terrorizing teenagers and fisherman that happen upon it’s domain. It’s hinted that it may have come from space and I thought that added an extra spicy bit to the average slimy “creature from the black lagoon” monster.
Everett
You can tell that Rolfe has a thing for dolls that come alive. Everyone loves a good creepy animated doll. This is a bit like those dolls that you can buy online after a still birth or miscarriage. A doll that is supposed to help with the grief. Bret buys one for his wife after the death of his son. Fans of the tv show Servant will love this one.
Out of Range
Aliens have announced to the world that they made everything and are coming back. They turned the internet off and everyone is trying to cope with DVD’s and tape players. Waiting until the end. Alien horror is always a win for me.
https://piratetwinkiereadsblog.wordpr...
April 26, 2024
This was such and enjoyable and fun (in all ways horrific) read.
When I read an anthology of short stories, I like them to be short. These fit the bill perfectly and offered up an array of clever and sassy horror that kept me fully engaged and racing through the pages like an anthology should.
I've not read Glenn Rolfe before but will definitely seek him out for further wordy adventures, as his style is easy to read; he doesn't shy from the gore or the wierd and wonderful - yet always with an intelligence that I adore. There was killer algae in a dying world, there was killer dolls and probably the most enjoyable werewolf short I've ever read.
Thank you for the 15 dark journeys in this book and thank you for the privilage of meeting a new, an instantly liked author that I'll be following henceforth.
ALL THE STARS!
When I read an anthology of short stories, I like them to be short. These fit the bill perfectly and offered up an array of clever and sassy horror that kept me fully engaged and racing through the pages like an anthology should.
I've not read Glenn Rolfe before but will definitely seek him out for further wordy adventures, as his style is easy to read; he doesn't shy from the gore or the wierd and wonderful - yet always with an intelligence that I adore. There was killer algae in a dying world, there was killer dolls and probably the most enjoyable werewolf short I've ever read.
Thank you for the 15 dark journeys in this book and thank you for the privilage of meeting a new, an instantly liked author that I'll be following henceforth.
ALL THE STARS!
June 2, 2024
This was a delightful, disgusting read. Rolfe’s selection of short stories range from viscous, slash-happy splatterpunk to eerie, unsettling explorations of grief. Great for readers with a strong stomach and a love of 80’s horror movies and music. My favorite stories include Something in the Water, Kelvin’s World, and Comfortably Numb.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 31, 2024
A very middle of the road collection of shorts. Nothing really caught my attention too much but at least there was enough variety throughout as to not be repetitive.
January 22, 2022
Glen is without a doubt my favorite horror author. I’ve loved all of his novels and especially his short stories. This collection was phenomenal! Every story was great and I just wanted more!
March 30, 2024
I couldn’t connect with these horror short stories, it felt disappointing. The writing lacked depth in general, much of the dialogue very crude, and it was difficult to feel a sense of cohesion when the stories were all quite different. I wasn’t captivated, I wasn’t on the edge of my seat, I just felt dreary forcing my way through the pages. Some stories didn’t make any sense where sacrifices were just made abruptly without explanation into the reasonings. The endings also just didn’t feel satisfying. The ending of The Amazing Alex Cucumber was a bit confusing. The new cover (as viewed in Netgalley) is gorgeous, and gave gothic or cerebral vibes, yet unfortunately it failed to visually represent the horror stories in this book.
The only stories that were okay, were “Orson’s Gas N’ Go” and “The Guide”. I think my horror preference leans into more cerebral, atmospheric, mysterious and psychologically cutthroat. So it could just be that this writing style doesn’t suit me. I’d read Kealan Patrick Burke’s ‘Kin’ and freakin’ loved it. Perhaps the stories just need to be fleshed out a little, or the order of stories could benefit from blending them together with some linking themes. But very likely suited to other horror readers.
Thank you to Netgalley, Encyclopocalypse Publications and Glenn Rolfe for this advanced readers copy.
This is a re-release from 2022 with a new cover.
The only stories that were okay, were “Orson’s Gas N’ Go” and “The Guide”. I think my horror preference leans into more cerebral, atmospheric, mysterious and psychologically cutthroat. So it could just be that this writing style doesn’t suit me. I’d read Kealan Patrick Burke’s ‘Kin’ and freakin’ loved it. Perhaps the stories just need to be fleshed out a little, or the order of stories could benefit from blending them together with some linking themes. But very likely suited to other horror readers.
Thank you to Netgalley, Encyclopocalypse Publications and Glenn Rolfe for this advanced readers copy.
This is a re-release from 2022 with a new cover.
April 2, 2024
Firstly, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-copy to review.
2.75 stars
Nocturnal Pursuits is a collection of snappy horror shorts that cover a wide variety of horror sub-genres, including the supernatural, aliens, murderous sentient dolls, werewolves, serial killers, a devil worshipping cult, and more. The amount of variety between the stories is enough to keep you hooked and want to move onto the next instalment – in fact, I read most of this pretty much in one sitting! Due to the short nature of each story, there's not much character development or time to get to know the characters but instead, dives right into the gory action. Rolfe absolutely does not shy away from some of the body horror descriptions either, which is excellent for splatterpunk fans.
Some of the stories standout more so than the others and there is one among the horror, Gone Away, that is based on the grief of a parent that is just utterly heartbreaking.
My main gripe is the some of the female characters in the stories were way too overly sexualised in multiple stories, which had me rolling my eyes.
2.75 stars
Nocturnal Pursuits is a collection of snappy horror shorts that cover a wide variety of horror sub-genres, including the supernatural, aliens, murderous sentient dolls, werewolves, serial killers, a devil worshipping cult, and more. The amount of variety between the stories is enough to keep you hooked and want to move onto the next instalment – in fact, I read most of this pretty much in one sitting! Due to the short nature of each story, there's not much character development or time to get to know the characters but instead, dives right into the gory action. Rolfe absolutely does not shy away from some of the body horror descriptions either, which is excellent for splatterpunk fans.
Some of the stories standout more so than the others and there is one among the horror, Gone Away, that is based on the grief of a parent that is just utterly heartbreaking.
My main gripe is the some of the female characters in the stories were way too overly sexualised in multiple stories, which had me rolling my eyes.
April 16, 2024
I received a free ARC from NetGalley, and this review is voluntary
Right out of the gate it's blood-soaked, featuring a deranged small gas station store owner that collides with the local sheriff. The rest of the anthology series is chalk full of fresh ideas and plotlines. Not much in the way of tropes were recognized or used - rather, there was reinforcement of the plot through character development. Each character served a purpose, the reader being made to feel something for them, hoping they survive as we reach the last page.
This is an amazing compilation of stories. I also appreciate the shout out of Ames department store. Little bit of retail history interwoven between the skull-cracking, and dread.
Right out of the gate it's blood-soaked, featuring a deranged small gas station store owner that collides with the local sheriff. The rest of the anthology series is chalk full of fresh ideas and plotlines. Not much in the way of tropes were recognized or used - rather, there was reinforcement of the plot through character development. Each character served a purpose, the reader being made to feel something for them, hoping they survive as we reach the last page.
This is an amazing compilation of stories. I also appreciate the shout out of Ames department store. Little bit of retail history interwoven between the skull-cracking, and dread.
July 8, 2022
I definitely prefer this author's longer fiction. His short stuff doesn't work for me too often.
June 13, 2022
Fantastic stories
Horror anthologies are my favorite form of horror to read. This collection has some absolutely wonderful stories that were actually pretty creepy. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys scary short stories. You won't be disappointed.
Horror anthologies are my favorite form of horror to read. This collection has some absolutely wonderful stories that were actually pretty creepy. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys scary short stories. You won't be disappointed.
September 10, 2022
The thing I have discovered about Glenn Rolfe's style of writing short-form fiction is that it's simple and in-your-face. He doesn't spend much time giving us character backgrounds or waste too many words on atmosphere. There's no flowery prose or slow build-up here. His stories are less creeping-terror and more action-action-action.
I don't say any of that as in insult. It's the way he writes and it works, especially when it comes to short stories. Rolfe doesn't shy away from blood and guts, violence, or sex, and yet his stories never seem to have an over-the-top amount of any of those things.
In this collection, Rolfe gives us unapologetic criminals, Satanic cults, murderous dolls, werewolves, aliens, fledgling ghosts, Ouija board readings gone terribly wrong, vengeance killers, and - surprisingly - one small story of heartbreaking grief tucked in amongst the horror.
These stories are quick reads, fun little slices of horror for when you have one of those coveted slots of free time in your day (or, if you're like me, you'll read the entire book in three hours). Though there's a lot of truly awful stuff happening here, I still feel like these stories are lighter fare, which is sometimes a welcome break from the heavier horror tales out there. This would also be a great book to recommend to people just starting to test the waters of horror fiction.
No matter if you're a horror newbie or a ghosts-and-gore veteran, I think you'll find something to like in this collection.
I don't say any of that as in insult. It's the way he writes and it works, especially when it comes to short stories. Rolfe doesn't shy away from blood and guts, violence, or sex, and yet his stories never seem to have an over-the-top amount of any of those things.
In this collection, Rolfe gives us unapologetic criminals, Satanic cults, murderous dolls, werewolves, aliens, fledgling ghosts, Ouija board readings gone terribly wrong, vengeance killers, and - surprisingly - one small story of heartbreaking grief tucked in amongst the horror.
These stories are quick reads, fun little slices of horror for when you have one of those coveted slots of free time in your day (or, if you're like me, you'll read the entire book in three hours). Though there's a lot of truly awful stuff happening here, I still feel like these stories are lighter fare, which is sometimes a welcome break from the heavier horror tales out there. This would also be a great book to recommend to people just starting to test the waters of horror fiction.
No matter if you're a horror newbie or a ghosts-and-gore veteran, I think you'll find something to like in this collection.
May 2, 2024
Nasty bunch of stories
Wellll...this was a creepy, nasty assortment of 15 short horror stories (14 horror stories and 1 grieving story).
Usually I'll read a single author's collection of short stories and pick out a couple that I liked and the rest are kind of ho hum. Author Glenn Rolfe gives us readers a strong showing of his work here in Nocturnal Pursuits because I enjoyed most of the collection.
There's a dank lake story (I hate swimming in water where I can't see the bottom and this story rolled my stomach). There's a couple of creepy doll stories, a story with a cult, a werewolf story with Deliverance vibes, one with an Ouija board (which I didn't read...just won't), blood, guts, sex and more.
So I recommend this to the more hardcore horror reader. Enjoy being freaked out.
I received this Digital Review Copy from Encyclopocalypse Publications through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review. This is that review.
Wellll...this was a creepy, nasty assortment of 15 short horror stories (14 horror stories and 1 grieving story).
Usually I'll read a single author's collection of short stories and pick out a couple that I liked and the rest are kind of ho hum. Author Glenn Rolfe gives us readers a strong showing of his work here in Nocturnal Pursuits because I enjoyed most of the collection.
There's a dank lake story (I hate swimming in water where I can't see the bottom and this story rolled my stomach). There's a couple of creepy doll stories, a story with a cult, a werewolf story with Deliverance vibes, one with an Ouija board (which I didn't read...just won't), blood, guts, sex and more.
So I recommend this to the more hardcore horror reader. Enjoy being freaked out.
I received this Digital Review Copy from Encyclopocalypse Publications through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review. This is that review.
May 8, 2024
I’ve read quite all of Glenn Rolfe’s novels and tore through each one with evil glee. I always look forward to checking out anything new by him.
I’ve never read any of his short stories so I was very happy to receive a review copy of Nocturnal Pursuits from Netgalley.
After reading it, I am happy to confirm that his shorter fiction is just as good as his longer works. Many short story collections suffer from having a few duds, but this was all killer, no filler.
A solid collection of dark fiction.
Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for providing this ebook.
I’ve never read any of his short stories so I was very happy to receive a review copy of Nocturnal Pursuits from Netgalley.
After reading it, I am happy to confirm that his shorter fiction is just as good as his longer works. Many short story collections suffer from having a few duds, but this was all killer, no filler.
A solid collection of dark fiction.
Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for providing this ebook.
May 15, 2024
I stopped at 24%, I've had my fill of misogynistic and homophobic werewolves and self centered hard case male characters. Unfortunately I'll be stopping here for these reasons and some frustration with the stories being on the less fun side of schlock from the beginning.
Read
February 10, 2023DNF - 28%
April 18, 2024
Before I get into my review of this anthology, let me be honest about my thoughts on the Splatterpunk genre of horror.
I am unfamiliar with both the point of and conventions of the genre beyond that it is excessively gory horror.
I liked the variety here. From aliens to werewolves to more natural horrors, it's a nice mix. I just wished they were used in more productive and innovative ways.
I wish there was more risk though, I feel like there isn't much new usage of horror conventions. It's often only elevated in the amount and detail of violence, which is only novel for a little.
I was not scared. Not even a little. Maybe grossed out one or two times? Curious as to why these stories were written? But never scared.
I think there is too much light in these stories to be called Nocturnal Pursuits.
The highlight for me had to be "Mourning Pictures", the most unique and unconventional story of the bunch. It does a remarkable job at capturing the panic of losing what should be permanent, digitally preserved memories.
I am unfamiliar with both the point of and conventions of the genre beyond that it is excessively gory horror.
I liked the variety here. From aliens to werewolves to more natural horrors, it's a nice mix. I just wished they were used in more productive and innovative ways.
I wish there was more risk though, I feel like there isn't much new usage of horror conventions. It's often only elevated in the amount and detail of violence, which is only novel for a little.
I was not scared. Not even a little. Maybe grossed out one or two times? Curious as to why these stories were written? But never scared.
I think there is too much light in these stories to be called Nocturnal Pursuits.
The highlight for me had to be "Mourning Pictures", the most unique and unconventional story of the bunch. It does a remarkable job at capturing the panic of losing what should be permanent, digitally preserved memories.
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