Macabre Musings - Unveiling Shroud! A New Horror Magazine & Book Publisher Makes Its Appearance

I recently became aware of a brand new Horror Genre magazine, Shroud: The Journal Of Dark Fiction And Art . I was eager to see what this new publication had to offer to Fear Zone readers.

There have been any number of Horror Genre magazines, both print and online, internet-based, that have come and gone, with varying degrees of quality and success. Unlike the era of the "Pulps," there are not now many regular publications catering to the Horror/Dark Fantasy Genres that give both experienced and fledgling Genre authors a vital market for their short fiction, and provide the many readers of quality ... (more…)

Macabre Musings: Book Review - By The Sword by F. Paul Wilson

2008, Gauntlet Press

There are a number of iconic fictional worlds that have become virtually integrated into modern culture, and thanks in part to the advent of computerized special effects and modern cinema, are easily recognized by most people, even those who don't read much fiction, including Tolkein's Middle Earth, Lewis' Narnia, and Rowling's Harry Potter and his "wizarding world." If Beacon Films/Touchstone Pictures ever gets its act together and actually makes the long proposed film of famed best-selling author F. Paul Wilson's novel The Tomb as "REPAIRMAN JACK," I predict that the author's estimable and popular ... (more…)

Eternal Vigilance Book One: From Deep Within The Earth by Gabrielle S. Faust

Immanion Press, 2008


It had been a bad day. I'd recently endured two rather painful surgeries in under three weeks. Now, after enduring a bunch of additional medical tests and having my post-surgery conference with my doctor, I'd been informed that I would need to undergo yet a third (and even possibly a fourth) surgery in a few weeks. By the time I arrived home, exhausted and hurting in the late afternoon it had been a very bad day, indeed.

By Seven O'clock p.m., I finally remembered to collect the day's mail. In my mailbox, amongst the mass of junk mail and bills, I found a package from Gabrielle Faust, who, as it ... (more…)

Macabre Musings: Book Review - Scarecrow Gods by Weston Ochse
2008, Delirium Books

EDITOR'S NOTE: Read Fear Zone's interview with Weston Ochse.

My introduction to the work of author Weston Ochse was through his short fiction. It was both good and "fresh" enough to warrant my taking note of his name and seeking out further written works by the author. This, in turn, led me straight to his longer works, Recalled To Life and Vampire Outlaw Of The Milky Way , both of which were, like author Ochse's short fiction, innovative, energetic, imaginative, and immensely fun to read. Indeed, the only work by Weston Ochse that I seemed unable to obtain (without spending a great deal of money) was his ... (more…)

Fear Zone wishes contributor Norman Rubenstein a speedy recovery following a pair of emergency surgeries he underwent in the last week. Norman has been one of our most prolific reviewers, and now has his own FZ column, Macabre Musings, which recently helped him qualify for membership in the Horror Writers Association.

Okay, in case you haven't figured it out, that's not's not a photo of Norman Rubenstein; it's a photo of Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates in PSYCHO II. But we don't have any photos of Norman Rubenstein, and I'm sure the thought of being coddled by Meg Tilly will cheer our Norman up.

Get well soon, Norman! (more…)

Macabre Musings -- Film/DVD Review: EXPERIMENT (2005)

EXPERIMENT, as with a previous and far more famous film, THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT (1999), stands as proof that a tiny-budgeted film can still be quite good, entertaining, and pack a comparatively huge emotional wallop for an audience.

Dan Turner, making his feature film directorial debut, ably and admirably directs EXPERIMENT, a British film production by Magician Picture, Ltd. The film, which was recorded using the then latest in high definition video technology, reportedly was made for the extremely small budget of approximately Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars. To give you an idea as to just how small such a sum is, when contemplating ... (more…)

Book Review: A Whisper Of Southern Lights by Tim Lebbon

2008, Necessary Evil Press

Back in 2004, Don Koish and his Necessary Evil Press, in conjunction with author Tim Lebbon introduced and premiered the first in a proposed new series of novellas entitled "The Assassin Series." Book One, Dead Man's Hand, with wonderful artwork by talented artist Caniglia and a rousing Introduction by famed author Tom Piccirilli, introduced readers to two intriguing characters and a mesmerizing plotline that had initially been created by author Lebbon in his first novel, Mesmer (1997). The Second Book in the Series, Pieces Of Hate, was released the following year (2005), also containing artwork by Caniglia ... (more…)

EDITOR'S NOTE: Spring into Terror is a cross-website promotion partnering the several websites in horror book reviews; as complete a listing of the participants as is possible at this time follows this review. And now, without further ado, Fear Zone presents this Special Edition of Macabre Musings: Jeff Strand's GLEEFULLY MACABRE TALES!


Delirium Books, 2008

The admixture of Humor and Horror, chills and chuckles, is far from a new idea. However, it is a very powerful and compelling combination. It has long been recognized that something deep within the wiring of the human mind and consciousness not only strongly seeks and desires, but also periodically requires emotional release from strong ... (more…)

2008, Creeping Hemlock Press

So, is there any genre of writing that Tom Piccirilli cannot execute with aplomb? This rhetorical question occurred to me when I was about a quarter of the way through author Piccirilli's latest novel, THE FEVER KILL. I'd tell you all that I think Mr. Piccirilli's writing skills are such that I'm certain that even his grocery list makes better reading than any of my columns, but I'm afraid that this would be unfairly damning the extremely talented and versatile Mr. Piccirilli with faint praise.

For those of you who may still be unfamiliar with this talented writer, Tom Piccirilli has had, in addition to numerous works of short fiction, seventeen novels ... (more…)

2007, Necessary Evil Press (NEP)


For those who might be unfamiliar with the Publisher, Necessary Evil Press, Don Koish and his great staff put out some truly fine books. The bindings, design, layout and fonts are always well conceived and executed, the artwork included is usually first rate, and the books are reasonably priced. DEEPER is no exception to this rule. It has been published in two editions; a hardcover limited edition of five hundred numbered copies signed by author James A, Moore at $45.00, and a deluxe hardcover lettered edition of twenty-six copies at $250.00. The artwork, both cover and interior is by justly famous artist Alan M. Clark, who truly outdoes himself with the ... (more…)