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Mischief Night Massacre: Ten Tales of Halloween
Halloween. For the costumed child skipping along a safe, well-lit street, pillow case chock full of candy, it is a night of magic and mischief, delightful frights met with sugar-toothed grins. But for the would-be revelers in these tales, Halloween is a horrifying ordeal the likes of which many will not survive. And those who do make it to November may wish they hadn’t.
In this collection, Jason Parent gathers ten tales that embody the holiday in ways surely to surprise and delight the most avid horror reader. From traditional settings like amusement parks, Halloween parties, and haunted houses to more obscure locales where you might think terror couldn’t possibly find you, each story will have you breathing a little faster, startling at every bump in the night.
In this collection, Jason Parent gathers ten tales that embody the holiday in ways surely to surprise and delight the most avid horror reader. From traditional settings like amusement parks, Halloween parties, and haunted houses to more obscure locales where you might think terror couldn’t possibly find you, each story will have you breathing a little faster, startling at every bump in the night.
244 pages, Paperback
Published September 24, 2024
About the author
Jason Parent
50 books696 followersIn his head, Jason Parent lives in many places, but in the real world, he calls New England his home. The region offers an abundance of settings for his writing and many wonderful places in which to write them. He currently resides in Southeastern Massachusetts with his cuddly corgi named Calypso.
In a prior life, Jason spent most of his time in front of a judge . . . as a civil litigator. When he finally tired of Latin phrases no one knew how to pronounce and explaining to people that real lawsuits are not started, tried and finalized within the 60-minute timeframe they see on TV (it's harassing the witness; no one throws vicious woodland creatures at them), he traded in his cheap suits for flip flops and designer stubble. The flops got repossessed the next day, and he's back in the legal field . . . sorta. But that's another story.
When he's not working, Jason likes to kayak, catch a movie, travel any place that will let him enter, and play just about any sport (except that ball tied to the pole thing where you basically just whack the ball until it twists into a knot or takes somebody's head off - he misses the appeal). And read and write, of course. He does that too sometimes.
Please visit the author on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJasonP..., on Twitter at https://twitter.com/AuthorJasParent, or at his website, http://authorjasonparent.com/, for information regarding upcoming events or releases, or if you have any questions or comments for him.
In a prior life, Jason spent most of his time in front of a judge . . . as a civil litigator. When he finally tired of Latin phrases no one knew how to pronounce and explaining to people that real lawsuits are not started, tried and finalized within the 60-minute timeframe they see on TV (it's harassing the witness; no one throws vicious woodland creatures at them), he traded in his cheap suits for flip flops and designer stubble. The flops got repossessed the next day, and he's back in the legal field . . . sorta. But that's another story.
When he's not working, Jason likes to kayak, catch a movie, travel any place that will let him enter, and play just about any sport (except that ball tied to the pole thing where you basically just whack the ball until it twists into a knot or takes somebody's head off - he misses the appeal). And read and write, of course. He does that too sometimes.
Please visit the author on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJasonP..., on Twitter at https://twitter.com/AuthorJasParent, or at his website, http://authorjasonparent.com/, for information regarding upcoming events or releases, or if you have any questions or comments for him.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 20, 2024
Mischief Night Massacre brings together ten short stories, many previously published but collected here for reader convenience. As the title and cover would lead you to believe, these stories are all about Halloween and there’s nothing that I love more this time of year than curling up with a good Halloween-themed horror collection. Before I go in to a short description of the stories, I want to start by saying how much I love the cover art. It gives off a vintage Halloween feel with a warm color palette and is seriously sinister.
Ok, let’s dive in.
RUSSIAN DOLLHOUSE:
The old house on Waterford Lane has been abandoned for years. Eager to impress her crush, Kit goes to the house with a group of friends for a harmless Halloween prank but they end up walking in to a house of horrors.
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS:
A war veteran with PTSD is living in Mexico and wanders out amongst the Day of the Dead celebrations to get a drink but things end in a bloody showdown.
EASY PICKINGS:
Two bullies get their comeuppance on Halloween night when they choose the wrong kid to pick on.
KEEPING UP APPEARANCES:
A group of criminals use the anonymity of Halloween and its masks to rob the homes of old, rich people and end up getting a little taste of their own medicine.
A NOT NOT-SO-SCARY HALLOWEEN:
Danielle and her brother Robby are trick-r-treating in the suburbs of Orlando while their cousin regales them with horror stories about the local alligators…
RAIN:
When a rainstorm traps Georgie and his brother inside the house on Halloween night, their dad starts to tell scary stories. It’s up to Georgie to decide if they’re real or not.
BLACK:
Max and Rose’s marriage is falling apart and it’s going to take a lot more than a trip to Frightmare to fix it… or will it?
RIDE LIKE THE DEVIL:
Taye goes to the local carnival with his sister and her boyfriend where there are rumors of a ride that some people didn’t come out of last year…
PULP:
In the longest story of this collection, there’s a bit of a mash-up between Scream and Groundhog Day where Jaime must learn to trust his instincts if he wants to survive the party in the woods.
LAST HALLOWEEN:
When two girls go out trick-r-treating and run in to a couple of boys from school, they decide to get drunk in the woods but something is lurking out there and they may not make it out alive.
In these stories, readers will find haunted houses and the undead, monsters and creepy kids, lots of blood, some Hannibal Lecter vibes and many nods to iconic horror films, and of course lots of tricks and treats. My personal favorites are honestly hard to choose when it comes to such a strong collection but I would put Russian Dollhouse, Easy Pickings, Rain, and Black at the top.
This is a wonderful Halloween collection that is perfect for readers who enjoy the dark and macabre. The imagery is sharp and visceral so readers beware!
Thank you Corpus Press for the digital copy in exchange for an honest review! Available 09/24/2024 ❤️🔥👻🏚️
Ok, let’s dive in.
RUSSIAN DOLLHOUSE:
The old house on Waterford Lane has been abandoned for years. Eager to impress her crush, Kit goes to the house with a group of friends for a harmless Halloween prank but they end up walking in to a house of horrors.
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS:
A war veteran with PTSD is living in Mexico and wanders out amongst the Day of the Dead celebrations to get a drink but things end in a bloody showdown.
EASY PICKINGS:
Two bullies get their comeuppance on Halloween night when they choose the wrong kid to pick on.
KEEPING UP APPEARANCES:
A group of criminals use the anonymity of Halloween and its masks to rob the homes of old, rich people and end up getting a little taste of their own medicine.
A NOT NOT-SO-SCARY HALLOWEEN:
Danielle and her brother Robby are trick-r-treating in the suburbs of Orlando while their cousin regales them with horror stories about the local alligators…
RAIN:
When a rainstorm traps Georgie and his brother inside the house on Halloween night, their dad starts to tell scary stories. It’s up to Georgie to decide if they’re real or not.
BLACK:
Max and Rose’s marriage is falling apart and it’s going to take a lot more than a trip to Frightmare to fix it… or will it?
RIDE LIKE THE DEVIL:
Taye goes to the local carnival with his sister and her boyfriend where there are rumors of a ride that some people didn’t come out of last year…
PULP:
In the longest story of this collection, there’s a bit of a mash-up between Scream and Groundhog Day where Jaime must learn to trust his instincts if he wants to survive the party in the woods.
LAST HALLOWEEN:
When two girls go out trick-r-treating and run in to a couple of boys from school, they decide to get drunk in the woods but something is lurking out there and they may not make it out alive.
In these stories, readers will find haunted houses and the undead, monsters and creepy kids, lots of blood, some Hannibal Lecter vibes and many nods to iconic horror films, and of course lots of tricks and treats. My personal favorites are honestly hard to choose when it comes to such a strong collection but I would put Russian Dollhouse, Easy Pickings, Rain, and Black at the top.
This is a wonderful Halloween collection that is perfect for readers who enjoy the dark and macabre. The imagery is sharp and visceral so readers beware!
Thank you Corpus Press for the digital copy in exchange for an honest review! Available 09/24/2024 ❤️🔥👻🏚️
September 10, 2024
If you're looking for a horrifying anthology featuring Halloween stories, this collection is one you'll definitely want to read.
These tales of terror all take place on Halloween and they feature almost every great scary trope you could ask for. There are murderous creatures, ghosts, supernatural situations, and human monsters.
Featuring the kinds of stories you'd want to tell around a campfire on a stormy fall evening, this anthology will disturb and delight your horror hearts with blood curdling stories of madness, mayhem, and blood.
From Russian Dollhouse which is a fantastic haunted old house story with a slasher - like twist to a story set during the Day Of The Dead celebrations in Mexico featuring an ex soldier with PTSD and a taste for human blood, to a sociopathic bully and his friend who will be taught a very bloody and painful lesson. There's something in here to love for everyone if you're a horror fan.
These stories will give you goosebumps and get your heart racing. I highly recommend it.
I received a copy of this book from the author. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
These tales of terror all take place on Halloween and they feature almost every great scary trope you could ask for. There are murderous creatures, ghosts, supernatural situations, and human monsters.
Featuring the kinds of stories you'd want to tell around a campfire on a stormy fall evening, this anthology will disturb and delight your horror hearts with blood curdling stories of madness, mayhem, and blood.
From Russian Dollhouse which is a fantastic haunted old house story with a slasher - like twist to a story set during the Day Of The Dead celebrations in Mexico featuring an ex soldier with PTSD and a taste for human blood, to a sociopathic bully and his friend who will be taught a very bloody and painful lesson. There's something in here to love for everyone if you're a horror fan.
These stories will give you goosebumps and get your heart racing. I highly recommend it.
I received a copy of this book from the author. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
September 17, 2024
*Huge thanks to Jason Parent for sending me a digital ARC of this one!*
Ah, Halloween.
That wonderful time where spooks, ghosts and goblins get to dance around the neighborhood’s, get candy and pretend to be a regular kid doing regular kid things. And guess what? It’s only six weeks away! Well, at least it is, at the time of writing this!
And that also means two things will be happening in the horror literature world – a lot of exciting releases and many, exciting collections focused on the theme of Halloween. Jason Parent is one such author, but he smartly decided to get the book out in advance of Halloween, which frankly is prudent, as you don’t want to get lost in the deluge of releases.
I’m a huge fan of Jason’s work, whether it be short stories, novella’s or full-length releases, so when I saw this one was launching and he was looking for reviewers, I messaged ASAP.
What I liked: As mentioned, within this collection are ten short stories that deal specifically with Halloween. Parent does a wonderful job of mixing things up between kids, teens and adults and because of this, the stories don’t feel repetitive, nor recycled. I read this on a recent flight, while reading Garrett Boatman’s newest collection, so it was great to bounce back and forth between those two, as they were very differently themed.
Highlight for me were;
‘Easy Pickings’ – massive bully, Trevor, and his forced sidekick, Rascal, are on the prowl on Halloween night, stealing candy from the little kids. They’re having a blast until they run into Jack and his imaginary friend, Jacob. This story was fast-paced and had me on the edge of my seat. I knew something was going to be revealed, but when it was, wow! Parent went totally off the rails with this story.
‘Rain’ – crazy, heavy rain falls on Halloween, disappointing two young brothers who want to go Trick or Treating. To ease their sadness, their dad tells them a scary story, but nothing prepares them for a knock on the door and the ‘costumed’ folks standing on their porch. This felt like an X-Files episode that never aired. Amazing.
‘Black’ – an emotionally weighted story, this one followed a husband who recently had some heart issues, and his wife, while they go to a haunted theme park. He’s been cheating on her, but realizes he’s been an asshole and decides to make things right. Unbeknownst to him, his wife knows and she’s dealing out revenge in secret. The layers within this one were spot on and the anxiety that Jason created as our main character begins to fight for his life was unnerving.
‘Last Halloween’ – what starts as your standard story – two female friends want to Trick or Treat one last time before considering themselves too old – takes a turn when they run into two male friends and they decide to go to the woods and get drunk. Some odd noises begin and not long after, the darkness collects. Again, another highly unnerving story that had me absolutely captivated.
From start to finish, Parent gives us such solid characters to root for, characters we want to see survive, even when we know the story they’re in is unsurvivable.
What I didn’t like: A few stories felt a tad long, but that might be more that I was bouncing around between two different collections. Saying that, I noticed a dip in pacing a few times.
As well, though needed to showcase the deplorability of some of the characters, I did find a few specific words to be a bit off putting and wished a different word had been used.
Why you should buy this: Parent writes like a bat out of hell on the best of days, but when focused solely on the horror that can be conjured around Halloween, this collection rampaged within my Kindle in the best way possible. Every story had me glued to the screen/page and every story had me emotionally invested, which is always a highlight when dealing with a collection.
Another home run by an author that should be on everyone’s ‘must-read’ list!
Ah, Halloween.
That wonderful time where spooks, ghosts and goblins get to dance around the neighborhood’s, get candy and pretend to be a regular kid doing regular kid things. And guess what? It’s only six weeks away! Well, at least it is, at the time of writing this!
And that also means two things will be happening in the horror literature world – a lot of exciting releases and many, exciting collections focused on the theme of Halloween. Jason Parent is one such author, but he smartly decided to get the book out in advance of Halloween, which frankly is prudent, as you don’t want to get lost in the deluge of releases.
I’m a huge fan of Jason’s work, whether it be short stories, novella’s or full-length releases, so when I saw this one was launching and he was looking for reviewers, I messaged ASAP.
What I liked: As mentioned, within this collection are ten short stories that deal specifically with Halloween. Parent does a wonderful job of mixing things up between kids, teens and adults and because of this, the stories don’t feel repetitive, nor recycled. I read this on a recent flight, while reading Garrett Boatman’s newest collection, so it was great to bounce back and forth between those two, as they were very differently themed.
Highlight for me were;
‘Easy Pickings’ – massive bully, Trevor, and his forced sidekick, Rascal, are on the prowl on Halloween night, stealing candy from the little kids. They’re having a blast until they run into Jack and his imaginary friend, Jacob. This story was fast-paced and had me on the edge of my seat. I knew something was going to be revealed, but when it was, wow! Parent went totally off the rails with this story.
‘Rain’ – crazy, heavy rain falls on Halloween, disappointing two young brothers who want to go Trick or Treating. To ease their sadness, their dad tells them a scary story, but nothing prepares them for a knock on the door and the ‘costumed’ folks standing on their porch. This felt like an X-Files episode that never aired. Amazing.
‘Black’ – an emotionally weighted story, this one followed a husband who recently had some heart issues, and his wife, while they go to a haunted theme park. He’s been cheating on her, but realizes he’s been an asshole and decides to make things right. Unbeknownst to him, his wife knows and she’s dealing out revenge in secret. The layers within this one were spot on and the anxiety that Jason created as our main character begins to fight for his life was unnerving.
‘Last Halloween’ – what starts as your standard story – two female friends want to Trick or Treat one last time before considering themselves too old – takes a turn when they run into two male friends and they decide to go to the woods and get drunk. Some odd noises begin and not long after, the darkness collects. Again, another highly unnerving story that had me absolutely captivated.
From start to finish, Parent gives us such solid characters to root for, characters we want to see survive, even when we know the story they’re in is unsurvivable.
What I didn’t like: A few stories felt a tad long, but that might be more that I was bouncing around between two different collections. Saying that, I noticed a dip in pacing a few times.
As well, though needed to showcase the deplorability of some of the characters, I did find a few specific words to be a bit off putting and wished a different word had been used.
Why you should buy this: Parent writes like a bat out of hell on the best of days, but when focused solely on the horror that can be conjured around Halloween, this collection rampaged within my Kindle in the best way possible. Every story had me glued to the screen/page and every story had me emotionally invested, which is always a highlight when dealing with a collection.
Another home run by an author that should be on everyone’s ‘must-read’ list!
September 25, 2024
"Some horrors stay with you forever."
3.8🎃✨
Russian doll - 3✨
Dia de los Muertos - 5✨
Easy Pickings - 5✨
Keeping Up Appearances -5✨
A Not Not-So-Scary Halloween -2✨
Rain - 2.5✨
Black - 5✨
Ride Like The Devil -3.5✨
Pulp -4✨
Last Halloween - 3✨
Spooky-Kookie, creepy tales to get you into the Halloween mood 🎃 reminiscent of Scary stories to tell in the dark meets Are You Afraid Of The Dark? Campfire stories 🔥
3.8🎃✨
Russian doll - 3✨
Dia de los Muertos - 5✨
Easy Pickings - 5✨
Keeping Up Appearances -5✨
A Not Not-So-Scary Halloween -2✨
Rain - 2.5✨
Black - 5✨
Ride Like The Devil -3.5✨
Pulp -4✨
Last Halloween - 3✨
Spooky-Kookie, creepy tales to get you into the Halloween mood 🎃 reminiscent of Scary stories to tell in the dark meets Are You Afraid Of The Dark? Campfire stories 🔥
September 23, 2024
It's no secret that Halloween is my favorite holiday and these stories are a perfect way to kick off spooky season.
In these tales you will step into an abandoned house that suddenly looks like the most expensive haunted attraction you've ever seen, take a haunted hayride with a couple whose marriage is on the rocks, attend a killer Halloween party, watch a bully regret his attempt to steal candy from the wrong kid, go on a carnival ride where rumor has it some people are never seen again, and more.
If I had to pick one favorite it would be Rain, If you ever had your trick or treating canceled by the weather, and you think you're over it now that you are a mature adult, this will bring it all back. Georgie was so looking forward to being the Incredible Hulk, and trick-or-treating with his best friend. The rain has totally ruined his plans. But as his father begins to tell him a scary story about another dark and stormy night in the past, things take a terrifying turn.
This was a fun and freaky read with more treats than tricks that I would recommend to anyone who loves Halloween or those like me who keep Halloween in our hearts all year long.
My thanks to the author for the complimentary copy.
In these tales you will step into an abandoned house that suddenly looks like the most expensive haunted attraction you've ever seen, take a haunted hayride with a couple whose marriage is on the rocks, attend a killer Halloween party, watch a bully regret his attempt to steal candy from the wrong kid, go on a carnival ride where rumor has it some people are never seen again, and more.
If I had to pick one favorite it would be Rain, If you ever had your trick or treating canceled by the weather, and you think you're over it now that you are a mature adult, this will bring it all back. Georgie was so looking forward to being the Incredible Hulk, and trick-or-treating with his best friend. The rain has totally ruined his plans. But as his father begins to tell him a scary story about another dark and stormy night in the past, things take a terrifying turn.
This was a fun and freaky read with more treats than tricks that I would recommend to anyone who loves Halloween or those like me who keep Halloween in our hearts all year long.
My thanks to the author for the complimentary copy.
September 12, 2024
Had to get my glasses and pen out for this one. ( for notes lol)
I Loved it.
I always try to pick one or two stand out stories and this was hard but
Russian Dollhouse is living rent free in my head yall.
If you recall seeing me say something about mannequins nothing me this week , this little short story is what tipped me over the edge of paranoia, gave me the spooky vibes from a horror movie called The curse of Sleeping Beauty, those things concern me greatly lol.
I'm not saying they are real, but I am saying I give them a healthy respect, just incase. ( tie this in with, I just finished anothrt book heavy on the mannequins and I'm loosing it lol)
Add in the fact I also listed to the audiobook by Author Ben Farthing I found a lost hallway in a dying mall, and it's been a long week for my brain, thankfully I only have to worry about maybe my funko getting me.
Second was Easy Pickings, this one wasn't scary but it was so so so satisfying. I hated the MC and loved every single second of it.
I want to keep listing my favorites from this but there are only ten, and I can't tell you about all of them, then what would you get to read?
This is such a good pre Halloween read, and releases September 24th!
I really really reccomend this one for a spooky good read for October
4/5 Stars
Jason Parent
Mischief Night Massacare
Ten Tales of Halloween
I Loved it.
I always try to pick one or two stand out stories and this was hard but
Russian Dollhouse is living rent free in my head yall.
If you recall seeing me say something about mannequins nothing me this week , this little short story is what tipped me over the edge of paranoia, gave me the spooky vibes from a horror movie called The curse of Sleeping Beauty, those things concern me greatly lol.
I'm not saying they are real, but I am saying I give them a healthy respect, just incase. ( tie this in with, I just finished anothrt book heavy on the mannequins and I'm loosing it lol)
Add in the fact I also listed to the audiobook by Author Ben Farthing I found a lost hallway in a dying mall, and it's been a long week for my brain, thankfully I only have to worry about maybe my funko getting me.
Second was Easy Pickings, this one wasn't scary but it was so so so satisfying. I hated the MC and loved every single second of it.
I want to keep listing my favorites from this but there are only ten, and I can't tell you about all of them, then what would you get to read?
This is such a good pre Halloween read, and releases September 24th!
I really really reccomend this one for a spooky good read for October
4/5 Stars
Jason Parent
Mischief Night Massacare
Ten Tales of Halloween
September 27, 2024
Jason Parent's Mischief Night Massacre is more than just a collection of horror stories; it's a carefully curated exploration of the darkest corners of the human psyche. Each tale within this anthology delves into profound themes, such as the fear of the unknown, the consequences of our actions, and the enduring power of evil.
One of the most impressive aspects of Parent's writing is his ability to create a sense of dread and suspense that builds gradually, pulling the reader deeper and deeper into the terrifying world he has crafted. The stories are paced perfectly, with moments of respite interspersed with heart-stopping sequences that leave you gasping for breath.
The characters in Mischief Night Massacre are both relatable and unforgettable. They are ordinary people thrust into extraordinary circumstances, forced to confront their fears and limitations in ways they never imagined. Their struggles and triumphs are both inspiring and heartbreaking, making it impossible not to become emotionally invested in their fates.
In addition to its strong character development and atmospheric storytelling, Mischief Night Massacre also boasts a variety of horror subgenres, from classic haunted house tales to more modern explorations of psychological terror. This diversity ensures that there is something for everyone, whether you prefer jump scares or slow-burn suspense.
Overall, Jason Parent's Mischief Night Massacre is a masterful blend of horror, suspense, and psychological depth. It's a collection that will stay with you long after you've finished the final page, a testament to Parent's skill as a storyteller and his ability to craft truly terrifying tales.
One of the most impressive aspects of Parent's writing is his ability to create a sense of dread and suspense that builds gradually, pulling the reader deeper and deeper into the terrifying world he has crafted. The stories are paced perfectly, with moments of respite interspersed with heart-stopping sequences that leave you gasping for breath.
The characters in Mischief Night Massacre are both relatable and unforgettable. They are ordinary people thrust into extraordinary circumstances, forced to confront their fears and limitations in ways they never imagined. Their struggles and triumphs are both inspiring and heartbreaking, making it impossible not to become emotionally invested in their fates.
In addition to its strong character development and atmospheric storytelling, Mischief Night Massacre also boasts a variety of horror subgenres, from classic haunted house tales to more modern explorations of psychological terror. This diversity ensures that there is something for everyone, whether you prefer jump scares or slow-burn suspense.
Overall, Jason Parent's Mischief Night Massacre is a masterful blend of horror, suspense, and psychological depth. It's a collection that will stay with you long after you've finished the final page, a testament to Parent's skill as a storyteller and his ability to craft truly terrifying tales.
September 11, 2024
Thank you to Jason Parent for providing me with an early copy of his latest work in exchange for an honest review! I thought that now that it’s September, it’s time to get into the Halloween mood. This book seemed perfect for that and it definitely was.
The book was very well paced and did an excellent job of telling entertaining stories in a short amount of pages. I thought that the stories were in-depth and detailed, and that the characters were written in a way that made their actions and thoughts realistic and believable. I think that all the stories were strong, but some stood out to me including Russian Dollhouse, Rain, Black, and Pulp. I also liked that each story felt different and unique despite revolving around Halloween.
This is a strong collection of short stories that are perfect for getting into the Fall and Halloween mood. The book is dark, gory, and also manages to sneak in effective humor. I definitely recommend reading this book when it releases on September 24th.
@Paperbackdanny on Instagram
The book was very well paced and did an excellent job of telling entertaining stories in a short amount of pages. I thought that the stories were in-depth and detailed, and that the characters were written in a way that made their actions and thoughts realistic and believable. I think that all the stories were strong, but some stood out to me including Russian Dollhouse, Rain, Black, and Pulp. I also liked that each story felt different and unique despite revolving around Halloween.
This is a strong collection of short stories that are perfect for getting into the Fall and Halloween mood. The book is dark, gory, and also manages to sneak in effective humor. I definitely recommend reading this book when it releases on September 24th.
@Paperbackdanny on Instagram
September 10, 2024
This was epic!
Mischief Night Massacre was fiendishly difficult to put down. All 10 stories were really well-written, so well-written that I was constantly on edge. The characters are amazingly fleshed out and I loved how eerie the world-building was. There was also plenty of horror pop-culture references which made it so much more fun to read!
My favourite of the collection was Russian Dollhouse, which was the first story. It did a fabulous job of setting the whole tone of the collection, and it really kicked in my flight-or-fight response 😆. Plus it has everything you want in a Halloween story, trick-or-treating, spooky houses, and gore!
Highly recommend checking out Mischief Night Massacre, reading this was a perfect start to spooky season!
A big thank you to the author for the copy!
Mischief Night Massacre was fiendishly difficult to put down. All 10 stories were really well-written, so well-written that I was constantly on edge. The characters are amazingly fleshed out and I loved how eerie the world-building was. There was also plenty of horror pop-culture references which made it so much more fun to read!
My favourite of the collection was Russian Dollhouse, which was the first story. It did a fabulous job of setting the whole tone of the collection, and it really kicked in my flight-or-fight response 😆. Plus it has everything you want in a Halloween story, trick-or-treating, spooky houses, and gore!
Highly recommend checking out Mischief Night Massacre, reading this was a perfect start to spooky season!
A big thank you to the author for the copy!
September 23, 2024
Having just finished a Halloween short story collection, one which I enjoyed immensely, I probably went into "Mischief Night Massacre" with rather too high expectations. Jason Parent's collection is a good read, deeply immersed in the Halloween spirit and celebrating all aspects of that day of the year, but only a few of the ten stories included worked for me in that format: the ideas and the settings are wonderful and attractive, but most of the stories are just too long! Though there's rarely too much of a good thing, in this case the length takes most of the tension and the suspense out of the story. At least it did for me: "Dia De Los Muertos," for example, one of my favorites (about a veteran with PTSD, whose experiences overseas brought him face to face with the supernatural - I love this kind of stories!), could have been a tremendously good horror story were it half the length it is; by the time I finished it, it felt like a joke that took too long to get to the punchline and I'd lost interest in the ending. On the other hand, "Pulp," by far the longest tale in the collection, employs a sort of gimmick to keep the story running after it literally ends several times! So perhaps Parent's style is purposefully structured around long story length: it's neither a misstep nor optional. But it's difficult for an author to sustain an atmosphere of dread (necessary, I suppose, to the ambience of Halloween horror stories) when it's clear that the story has made its point and the reader expects closure. Another instance: the opening story, "Russian Doll House," a terrific haunted house tale with very sinister twists despite the young adult overtones. I couldn't help wondering why, once the young friends go into the house (which has taken lots of pages already), an entire series of new trials was needed to underline the same point again and again; that said, this would not be a "Russian Dollhouse" otherwise.
Almost all the stories have been previously published, though they've been revised for this publication. Two of them stood out for me, in spite of the problems with pacing and length: "Rain" and "Black". The first gave me chills: it's about a dad trying to tell a scary story to his young sons on Halloween night, and getting continuously interrupted by strange events. I thought the dad would have been the key to the story, due to the (ultimately misleading) humorous tone, but nope: this was a proper horror story with no humor at all. I loved it! The other story, "Black," employed a very smart technique to offer a nasty twist in the end: it's told almost entirely from the point of view of a husband who's been cheating on his wife; just before the end, the point of view changes and we get the chance to see things from the wife's perspective. This was a very enjoyable story, one which all readers will appreciate for its entertainment value.
In sum, this is a collection lots of people will probably enjoy; the fact that Parent's style is not for me means little, when the tales are obviously well-crafted and rich in detail and intelligent dialogue.
Almost all the stories have been previously published, though they've been revised for this publication. Two of them stood out for me, in spite of the problems with pacing and length: "Rain" and "Black". The first gave me chills: it's about a dad trying to tell a scary story to his young sons on Halloween night, and getting continuously interrupted by strange events. I thought the dad would have been the key to the story, due to the (ultimately misleading) humorous tone, but nope: this was a proper horror story with no humor at all. I loved it! The other story, "Black," employed a very smart technique to offer a nasty twist in the end: it's told almost entirely from the point of view of a husband who's been cheating on his wife; just before the end, the point of view changes and we get the chance to see things from the wife's perspective. This was a very enjoyable story, one which all readers will appreciate for its entertainment value.
In sum, this is a collection lots of people will probably enjoy; the fact that Parent's style is not for me means little, when the tales are obviously well-crafted and rich in detail and intelligent dialogue.
September 14, 2024
This is my second book by Jason Parent and I always enjoy his writing style. Mischief Night Massacre is a collection of 10 stories. I enjoyed all. My top two were Russian Dollhouse and Last Halloween. This is a great book for Spooky Season.
September 18, 2024
10 Halloween themed short stories from Jason Parent that superbly capture the mood of Halloween. I liked every story in this collection, but there are a few that really stood out for me:
Dia De Los Muertos - a veteran suffering from PTSD is not an easy target for criminals during Day of the Dead celebrations.
Easy Pickings - two bullies try to steal candy from a child who has a very angry imaginary friend.
Rain - don't open your door to trick-or-treaters on a stormy Halloween night.
Pulp - a costumed killer stalks a Halloween party.
Mischief Night Massacre is released on 24th September. Jason Parent kindly sent me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Dia De Los Muertos - a veteran suffering from PTSD is not an easy target for criminals during Day of the Dead celebrations.
Easy Pickings - two bullies try to steal candy from a child who has a very angry imaginary friend.
Rain - don't open your door to trick-or-treaters on a stormy Halloween night.
Pulp - a costumed killer stalks a Halloween party.
Mischief Night Massacre is released on 24th September. Jason Parent kindly sent me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 15, 2024
This collection of stories blew me away! Ten great Halloween frights inside that really delivered the premise of “spooky season.” When it comes to anthologies and collections of short stories you know I can’t leave a single one out, so let’s dive in!
Russian Dollhouse
“To carry on
Your herd must thin
Five to four
But only one can win.
Your chance to leave
Has now departed
The worms must feed
Who’ll be discarded?”
Kit takes her little brother trick r treating and her friends plan to egg the abandoned creepy house in the neighborhood. However, once they get to the house they notice it’s been decorated as if someone lives there and has turned it into a haunted house attraction of sorts. Once inside they quickly realize that this haunted house is very real and their lives are at stake.
The ending holy shit. LOVED this one so much!
Dia De Los Muertos
Russel suffers from PTSD after his time in the military and at war. He’s having a tough time discerning reality from his past. He finds himself in the midst of a Dia De Los Muertos parade in Mexico where things start to get blurry from reality. He only wanted to grab a bite to eat and something to drink but he finds himself lost in an alternate reality of pure chaos and carnage.
Easy Pickings
Trevor repeat 8th grader tall and huge. Takes advantage of his friend Rascal and takes his candy. They’re stealing candy from kids tormenting trick r treaters. Trevor gets Rascal to commit acts of violence towards them to earn his candy back. Trevor gets Rascal to take him to the local weird kids house to terrorize him. Turns out Jack has a friend who is definitely not imaginary and Trevor gets his karma.
Keeping Up Appearances
This was an intense one! A burglary gone wrong where things take a very unexpected turn!!
A Not-So-Scary Halloween
Danielle and her little brother are staying in Florida with their aunt and uncle for Halloween. Florida does Halloween much differently compared to what they’re used to. When they’re out trick r treating their imagination gets the best of them, leading to a dark outcome.
Rain
On Halloween a bad storm comes in and leaves Georgie and his brother inside so they don’t catch cold. Their father tells them a scary story and lets them have some candy while he tells it. However, his story gets interrupted by strange trick r treaters that decide to come back a second time and this is when things start to get really strange…
Black
So satisfying. A cheating husband is in for a rude awakening…
Ride Like the Devil
Are you brave enough to ride The Inferno? This ride is one you’ll never forget…
Pulp
Damn this was one hell of a Halloween party! So many costumes but a killer is lurking inside one of them…
Last Halloween
This was the perfect closing story to this frightful collection of Halloween stories. Two besties go trick r treating and run into some boys from school and they decide to go sneak off drinking instead. Something is lurking in the distance…
Mischief Night Massacre releases on September 24th, 2024. Thank you, Jason, for this ARC! I encourage all my fellow spooky enthusiasts to pick this one up. You won’t be disappointed!
Russian Dollhouse
“To carry on
Your herd must thin
Five to four
But only one can win.
Your chance to leave
Has now departed
The worms must feed
Who’ll be discarded?”
Kit takes her little brother trick r treating and her friends plan to egg the abandoned creepy house in the neighborhood. However, once they get to the house they notice it’s been decorated as if someone lives there and has turned it into a haunted house attraction of sorts. Once inside they quickly realize that this haunted house is very real and their lives are at stake.
The ending holy shit. LOVED this one so much!
Dia De Los Muertos
Russel suffers from PTSD after his time in the military and at war. He’s having a tough time discerning reality from his past. He finds himself in the midst of a Dia De Los Muertos parade in Mexico where things start to get blurry from reality. He only wanted to grab a bite to eat and something to drink but he finds himself lost in an alternate reality of pure chaos and carnage.
Easy Pickings
Trevor repeat 8th grader tall and huge. Takes advantage of his friend Rascal and takes his candy. They’re stealing candy from kids tormenting trick r treaters. Trevor gets Rascal to commit acts of violence towards them to earn his candy back. Trevor gets Rascal to take him to the local weird kids house to terrorize him. Turns out Jack has a friend who is definitely not imaginary and Trevor gets his karma.
Keeping Up Appearances
This was an intense one! A burglary gone wrong where things take a very unexpected turn!!
A Not-So-Scary Halloween
Danielle and her little brother are staying in Florida with their aunt and uncle for Halloween. Florida does Halloween much differently compared to what they’re used to. When they’re out trick r treating their imagination gets the best of them, leading to a dark outcome.
Rain
On Halloween a bad storm comes in and leaves Georgie and his brother inside so they don’t catch cold. Their father tells them a scary story and lets them have some candy while he tells it. However, his story gets interrupted by strange trick r treaters that decide to come back a second time and this is when things start to get really strange…
Black
So satisfying. A cheating husband is in for a rude awakening…
Ride Like the Devil
Are you brave enough to ride The Inferno? This ride is one you’ll never forget…
Pulp
Damn this was one hell of a Halloween party! So many costumes but a killer is lurking inside one of them…
Last Halloween
This was the perfect closing story to this frightful collection of Halloween stories. Two besties go trick r treating and run into some boys from school and they decide to go sneak off drinking instead. Something is lurking in the distance…
Mischief Night Massacre releases on September 24th, 2024. Thank you, Jason, for this ARC! I encourage all my fellow spooky enthusiasts to pick this one up. You won’t be disappointed!
September 10, 2024
Mischief Night Massacre By Jason Parent
Halloween never sounded scarier than these chilling short stories by Jason Parent. From start to finish, this kept me on edge with goosebumps.
Here's a few examples:
Four teenagers dare each other to approach a house that's known to be abandoned. However,on this Halloween night, the house comes to life with dark intentions.
A sadistic bully gets what's coming to him after meeting a small child and his imaginary friend.
An innocent scary Halloween story turns all to real for a family.
Carnival rides are always fun unless it's Halloween.
A big applause for Jason Parent. Each tale became more eerie and intense as I read on. I highly recommend this for a perfect Halloween evening.
Rating 5 stars 🌟
Halloween never sounded scarier than these chilling short stories by Jason Parent. From start to finish, this kept me on edge with goosebumps.
Here's a few examples:
Four teenagers dare each other to approach a house that's known to be abandoned. However,on this Halloween night, the house comes to life with dark intentions.
A sadistic bully gets what's coming to him after meeting a small child and his imaginary friend.
An innocent scary Halloween story turns all to real for a family.
Carnival rides are always fun unless it's Halloween.
A big applause for Jason Parent. Each tale became more eerie and intense as I read on. I highly recommend this for a perfect Halloween evening.
Rating 5 stars 🌟
September 24, 2024
Small Business BookTok ARC Reviews: “Mischief Night Massacre: Ten Tales of Halloween ” by Jason Parent
Note: This ARC was given to me for free by the author and I am reviewing this book voluntarily.
When you find yourself down in the deep, dark places, your screams are meaningless. Now it’s Mischief Night, where chaos reigns and anything is fair game!
Join horror author Jason Parent as he presents 10 shocking horror stories guaranteed to serve up gory tricks and twisty treats this Halloween season!
From the author of “Down in the Deep, Dark Places” , Jason Parent delivers a collection of spine-tingling, page-turning reads reminiscent of the 2006 horror anthology film “Trick 'r Treat”. Parent not only continues to deliver the scares, but one could argue that the horror elements this time around give off a unique, "cautionary tale" vibe. When reading this book, you'll encounter predominantly cruel, despicable protagonists with irredeemable qualities that will make you want to fight them—before you fasten your seatbelt for the sweet, satisfying, supernatural/slasher comeuppance that guarantees gruesome punishment for these heinous characters. You know a series of stories is gripping and well-executed when it elicits a plethora of reactions and a sense of shock from you as the reader. If you're looking for a must-read Halloween book that packs wickedly good scares and relevant social commentary,
then don't miss out on “Mischief Night Massacre: Ten Tales of Halloween”, coming soon to online shelves!
Rating: 4/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Tropes to Expect: Haunted House, Supernatural Entities and Monsters, Vampiric Beings, Slasher Antagonists, Horror Anthology, Halloween Narrative, Dia De Los Muertos Narrative, Slow Burn Horror, and Trick-or-Treat Narrative.
- Trigger Warnings: Body Horror, Explicit Gore/Injuries, Horrific Deaths, Heinous Protagonists, Depictions of Bullying, Homophobia, Ableism, and Racism, Implied Cannibalism and Discussions of Blackface.
Note: This ARC was given to me for free by the author and I am reviewing this book voluntarily.
When you find yourself down in the deep, dark places, your screams are meaningless. Now it’s Mischief Night, where chaos reigns and anything is fair game!
Join horror author Jason Parent as he presents 10 shocking horror stories guaranteed to serve up gory tricks and twisty treats this Halloween season!
From the author of “Down in the Deep, Dark Places” , Jason Parent delivers a collection of spine-tingling, page-turning reads reminiscent of the 2006 horror anthology film “Trick 'r Treat”. Parent not only continues to deliver the scares, but one could argue that the horror elements this time around give off a unique, "cautionary tale" vibe. When reading this book, you'll encounter predominantly cruel, despicable protagonists with irredeemable qualities that will make you want to fight them—before you fasten your seatbelt for the sweet, satisfying, supernatural/slasher comeuppance that guarantees gruesome punishment for these heinous characters. You know a series of stories is gripping and well-executed when it elicits a plethora of reactions and a sense of shock from you as the reader. If you're looking for a must-read Halloween book that packs wickedly good scares and relevant social commentary,
then don't miss out on “Mischief Night Massacre: Ten Tales of Halloween”, coming soon to online shelves!
Rating: 4/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Tropes to Expect: Haunted House, Supernatural Entities and Monsters, Vampiric Beings, Slasher Antagonists, Horror Anthology, Halloween Narrative, Dia De Los Muertos Narrative, Slow Burn Horror, and Trick-or-Treat Narrative.
- Trigger Warnings: Body Horror, Explicit Gore/Injuries, Horrific Deaths, Heinous Protagonists, Depictions of Bullying, Homophobia, Ableism, and Racism, Implied Cannibalism and Discussions of Blackface.
September 28, 2024
Mischief Night Massacre by Jason Parent is a thrilling ride that perfectly captures the spirit of the spooky season! With its pulse-pounding suspense and clever twists, this horror tale keeps you guessing at every turn. Parent's sharp writing and engaging characters create an unforgettable atmosphere that is both chilling and exhilarating. This gripping read is a must for anyone looking to dive into a night of frights and fun!
September 24, 2024
A wonderful collection of tales all about Halloween. Each tale will take you on a different journey through Halloween through their eyes. Sit down and enjoy
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I want to review
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I want to review
September 23, 2024
Taking place on Halloween, these ten unique tales of horror feature ghosts, spooky creatures and human monsters. Gripping, atmospheric and creepy this collection was hard to put down. With well plots and characters, each story packed a punch. My favorites include Rain, Pulp and Easy Pickings. Thanks to @authorjasonparent for an ARC.
September 29, 2024
Mischief Night Massacre is a lively anthology featuring ten short stories, many previously published but now conveniently collected. The book blends horror and dark humor, exploring themes of fear and revenge through a mix of chilling and playful tales.
The pacing makes it easy to dive from one story to the next, with standout pieces that twist familiar themes, like trick-or-treating gone wrong. This collection isn’t just for horror fans; it offers a fun look at our darker impulses. Overall, it’s an entertaining read that keeps you hooked from start to finish.
The pacing makes it easy to dive from one story to the next, with standout pieces that twist familiar themes, like trick-or-treating gone wrong. This collection isn’t just for horror fans; it offers a fun look at our darker impulses. Overall, it’s an entertaining read that keeps you hooked from start to finish.
September 25, 2024
10 tales of horror set on Halloween or Halloween adjacent holidays, an absolutely winning pitch for me.
This is a fantastic horror short story collection that feels aimed at the older YA crowd and which read like Point Horror or RL Stine for a new generation. It feels modern and fresh even whilst utilising classic horror tropes and monsters. A good number of the stories were genuinely scary, gory and incredibly tense. I loved it as a collection and loved dipping in and out of the stories over a few days. From a favourites perspective I especially enjoyed Easy Pickings, Keeping Up Appearances and Rain, and whilst a few were weaker than others there wasn't a dud story in the collection.
My individual story ratings and notes as I read along:
- The Russian Dollhouse- 4*
- Dia De Los Muertos - 4.25* - this one has grown on me the more distance I get from it
- Easy Pickings - 4.5* - a true horror story
- Keeping up appearances - 4.5* - short, sharp, shocking. The stories in this collection keep getting better and more horrific as we go.
- A Not Not-So-Scary Halloween - 4* - Not the scariest or most horrifying but a quick one with a good twist at the end - probably bumping up a .5* because it's set in Orlando and references the theme park - Halloween events which I love (title is partially in reference to Disney).
- Rain - 4.25* - honestly that was so tense! Things that go bump in the night dialled to 11
- Black - 3.5* - still good but didn't quite click as well as some of the others
- Ride like the devil - 3.5*
- Last Halloween - 3.75*
Even though this collection was teenage character focused for the most part I wouldn't let that deter you. These stories have genuine creep and ick factor and will be an ideal spooky season read for all horror fans!
Thank you to NetGalley and Corpus Press for a digital review copy of "Mischief Night Massacre" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.
This is a fantastic horror short story collection that feels aimed at the older YA crowd and which read like Point Horror or RL Stine for a new generation. It feels modern and fresh even whilst utilising classic horror tropes and monsters. A good number of the stories were genuinely scary, gory and incredibly tense. I loved it as a collection and loved dipping in and out of the stories over a few days. From a favourites perspective I especially enjoyed Easy Pickings, Keeping Up Appearances and Rain, and whilst a few were weaker than others there wasn't a dud story in the collection.
My individual story ratings and notes as I read along:
- The Russian Dollhouse- 4*
- Dia De Los Muertos - 4.25* - this one has grown on me the more distance I get from it
- Easy Pickings - 4.5* - a true horror story
- Keeping up appearances - 4.5* - short, sharp, shocking. The stories in this collection keep getting better and more horrific as we go.
- A Not Not-So-Scary Halloween - 4* - Not the scariest or most horrifying but a quick one with a good twist at the end - probably bumping up a .5* because it's set in Orlando and references the theme park - Halloween events which I love (title is partially in reference to Disney).
- Rain - 4.25* - honestly that was so tense! Things that go bump in the night dialled to 11
- Black - 3.5* - still good but didn't quite click as well as some of the others
- Ride like the devil - 3.5*
- Last Halloween - 3.75*
Even though this collection was teenage character focused for the most part I wouldn't let that deter you. These stories have genuine creep and ick factor and will be an ideal spooky season read for all horror fans!
Thank you to NetGalley and Corpus Press for a digital review copy of "Mischief Night Massacre" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.
September 26, 2024
If you're in search of a chilling anthology filled with Halloween stories, this collection is a must-read.
The tales of horror unfold on Halloween night, encompassing nearly every classic frightful element imaginable. Murderous entities, phantoms, eerie supernatural events, and monstrous humans abound.
With narratives perfect for sharing by a campfire on a tempestuous autumn night, this anthology will both unsettle and entertain, offering blood-curdling tales of insanity, chaos, and carnage.
These stories are sure to send shivers down your spine and quicken your pulse. It comes highly recommended.
The tales of horror unfold on Halloween night, encompassing nearly every classic frightful element imaginable. Murderous entities, phantoms, eerie supernatural events, and monstrous humans abound.
With narratives perfect for sharing by a campfire on a tempestuous autumn night, this anthology will both unsettle and entertain, offering blood-curdling tales of insanity, chaos, and carnage.
These stories are sure to send shivers down your spine and quicken your pulse. It comes highly recommended.
September 14, 2024
Thank you Jason for letting me read this early for an honest review.
The tales in this book really are what makes for a great Halloween book. It has all the right spooky, creepy, and uneasy that you want when you read horror and horror that is related to all things during that time of year.
Each story had its own unique twist on Halloween tales and legends, and really felt like stories you would tell in the dark at parties to creep each other out.
If you are looking for that great Halloween read, I suggest picking this one up. You will not be sorry in the slightest.
The tales in this book really are what makes for a great Halloween book. It has all the right spooky, creepy, and uneasy that you want when you read horror and horror that is related to all things during that time of year.
Each story had its own unique twist on Halloween tales and legends, and really felt like stories you would tell in the dark at parties to creep each other out.
If you are looking for that great Halloween read, I suggest picking this one up. You will not be sorry in the slightest.
September 30, 2024
like the book it would go well with Halloween
I received a free copy of this book via Hidden Gem books and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is where I say the author gives enough information.
So, I do not give anything away.
I received a free copy of this book via Hidden Gem books and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is where I say the author gives enough information.
So, I do not give anything away.
September 23, 2024
2.5⭐️ these 10 short Halloween stories are not enough spook for me. I expected something darker and twistier for a horror, but it felt a bit flat. I wanted to be scared, and this just wasn't it
September 28, 2024
Mischief Night Massacre by Jason Parent is such perfect concoction of Halloween tales. I very much enjoyed reading each of the ten stories!
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