Diabolical Plots #85, March 2022
“The House Diminished” by Devan Barlow
“The Assembly of Graves” by Rob E. Boley
Reviewed by William S. Duffy
The 85th issue of Diabolical Plots contains two short stories. Fans of previous stories in Diabolical Plots should find a lot to like, and first-time readers of the zine will find a good introduction to the unique stories that often appear in it.
“The House Diminished” by Devan Barlow
This story follows Clea in her time in a house that is “diminishing,” disappearing from reality piece by piece and taking Clea’s friends and possessions with it. Clea’s memories of her past intermingle with her efforts to control her ever more tenuous present.
The story gives us a strong sense of the main character and her increasing sense of dread. Fans of cosmic horror and stories using cosmic horror-style plot structures should enjoy it.
“The Assembly of Graves” by Rob E. Boley
This story follows Naomi as she attempts to rekindle her relationship with her wife Jeanne through a vacation to a hotel. Naomi and Jeanne reminisce about their relationship, but Naomi’s efforts to reconnect with her wife are interrupted by ever more intrusive and concerning interruptions from other people in the hotel.
This story does a good job of making the reader invested in the outcome of the story and repeatedly using key details to keep them immersed in the tale. The supernatural elements are handled well throughout, both on a plot and thematic level.