Review: Rod Serling Would Be Proud
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 09 1, 2012
I love short stories, and knowing a thing or two about Betty Dravis and some of her writing, I was a little shocked at the subject matter and execution of her three contributions to this solid, yet macabre collection of horror shorts.  The first thing that struck me about these short stories is how every word counts.  I really enjoyed her other works, but I especially appreciate her wordsmith capabilities here.  Betty, you're not getting older, you're getting better.I really loved the Dante-esque deliberations of "The Collector," a mafia horror-parable, which she executed in the sparest amount of words.  "V.O.," however, is a unique descent into hell, so deep, yet touching our modern tendencies in a familiar way.  "Heavy Metal" takes a funny, former work and gives it a horrible new twist.  Behind all the sordid scariness, there are some core beliefs she hasn't left behind.Co-author, Barbara Watkins isn't a stranger to horror, and her contributions are no small shakes either.  Her short story "Passageway to Hell," one of the collection's very best, envelopes the surreal and real in a way that blurs the difference between the two with a literary effect akin to David Lynch movies.  "The Jester" reminded me of a candidate for a "Twilight Zone" or "Night Gallery" episode.  Although quite original, it particularly reminded me of "The Nutcracker" segment from the latter show with some terrifying differences.With all six stories an easy read, it should go down just as easily--not unlike a six-pack.