Book Review: Hornets and Others

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Hornets and Others     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Al Sarrantonio
Class/Genre:   Fiction   Horror   [Short Stories]
Cemetery Dance, 2004, $40.00

Al Sarrantonio displays his talent with this strong seventeen collection anthology that runs the full scope of the horror genre. Each tale is well written and for the most part contains fascinating protagonists, not an easy feat to accomplish in the short format. There are two new tales while seven were printed in other works during the 1980s; four in the 1990s; and four in this decade. The title tale is especially exciting as hornets attack residents of Orangefield (locale of two of his novels) on Halloween and so is Mr. Sarrantonio’s version of Carlyle’s clothing theory of man, The Coat that will send shivers down readers’ spines. Whether the contribution is psychological suspense, blood and gore, suspense, ghosts, or something other, HORNETS AND OTHERS is consistently an entertaining winner for horror fans who appreciate a compilation that reflects a wide range of sub-genres.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner