Book: House of Fear: Attack of the Killer Snowmen and Other Stories
Cover: One Scooby Doo rip off to go please.
The story: Well now. That was creepy.
Enter the world of The House of Fear. These are good, old fashioned spooky stories with a modern take. There are various themes that seem innocent (leaves, teeth, fishing, snowmen, trees) but show the sinister side of the mundane. And our host is a man (maybe; maybe not) named Boyle. They are the caretaker of all the horrific goodness. He introduces each story and ends them with a recap and a bit of advice or a comment on the situation.
While I am not a horror fan, I like thriller, and this has a bit of both. The Attack of the Killer Snowmen was a bit obvious in places (snowmen come to life, want to kill people. It is in the title after all) but The Leaving had some surprise elements. James Powell (and at least one other author) create stories that are not for the sensitive reader. But the target ages are 10 up. There is nothing “extreme” but there are thrills, chills and to say “weird stuff” is an understatement.
Jethro Morales is the main illustrator. However, others do make an appearance. You will note the subtle and in one case, no so subtle differences. They are what you would expect from stories like this. Boyle is a cross being Rod Sterling and the Crypt Keeper and Boris Karloff. The snowmen have teeth. The monster in The Leaving leaves more than a mark or two. But there is nothing kids have not seen before. And the tree in The Curse of Cottonwood Ct. will make you look at your own in a new light.
Just don’t look at it (or read these stories) in the dark.
