Peel Back and See - Collected Horror by Mike Thorn
Peel Back and See - a title that is reminiscent of the Biblical quote in Revelations, "And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him."
Peeling back each page and devouring the contents of every story, I felt that a world of Hell, death, and mental illness was revealed to me. This collection is dark and often bleak, with nods to H.P. Lovecraft, Clive Barker, and Bret Easton Ellis. Many of these stories would be visually terrifying and perfectly at home in a Masters of Horror or Creepshow episode, especially Havoc, Mr. Mucata's Final Requests, and Vomitus Bacchanalius.
Stories like Deprimer and The Voiding were telling of Mike Thorn's ability to expel insecurities and any sense of imposter syndrome through twisted writing. I liked these ones the best because I felt like they may have been cathartic for Thorn, and they were also cathartic for me as a reader. I loved the idea of being able to remove the little scared and ever-doubting voice in my head that works to keep me down (Deprimer). I loved The Voiding, about an institution claiming to be elite and always able to turn out best-selling authors, and Thorn's take on the price one might pay for such exacting results.
I appreciated the Author's Notes on each story at the end. Every collection should have one of these, as it provides insight into the author's creative process and connections that enhance the reader's experience.
Mike Thorn knows what is scary, disturbing, and emotionally scarring. He brings it all to the table in a way that is uniquely his. I found a few stories in this book to be a bit less memorable than others, but this author is an exceptional and thoughtful writer who should not be missed if you revel in horror.
A big thank you to Mike Thorn for providing Horror Bound with an ARC for review. Be sure to pick up your copy on October 29th, 2021!
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