Nightmare #42, March 2016

“Bringing Out the Demons” by John Skipp

Reviewed by Kevin P Hallett

There are two first publication stories in this issue.

“Bringing Out the Demons” by John Skipp

We all fight against our own internal demons; in this horror story, those demons are manifested physically. Maxwell sets off with two friends to do an intervention on another friend who has let his personal demons control his life. In this reality, what would such an intervention look like?

I found it an interesting and easy tale to read, but it was not one that will leave a lasting impression on me.

“The Modern Ladies’ Letter-Writer” by Sandra McDonald

I will have to place this as a fantasy/horror story, though both elements are only marginally present and more implied than seen. It gives glimpses of a tale about a young woman who wants to pursue amorous relations with the young studs around her, but a mysterious entity has warned her that her life won’t turn out well if she does. I say glimpses because the author has buried these portions of the story within a longish treatise on proper etiquette for ladies’ letters.

I did not find this approach interesting or appealing. To be frank, if I didn’t have to finish reading this story to write the review I would have skipped it