I really enjoyed reading this, even though I’m not usually a horror lover. Every story is different. Some are scary, others poignant, but every one is entertaining.
I read this anthology gradually throughout the year, returning to it whenever I had the chance. Looking back at the stories, one stands out as my favourite: The Find by Frank Slight. The ending was imaginative, and the story stayed with me for a long time afterwards.
Mary Woldering’s Memorati felt epic. It played out like a film I would watch on television. It was very clever and really captured my imagination.
That’s the wonderful thing about anthologies. Although the stories share a common theme, each one offers something different, which keeps you enthralled.
This anthology is available as a free download from several retailers, making it even more worthwhile to grab a copy.
If you love to be entertained, check it out.
The Ghostly Rites Crew releases a new anthology every year.
I also hope you enjoy my contribution, The Mists of Time. It’s only the second story I’ve ever set here on Anglesey, the beautiful island where I live.
Below, I’ve included a review by Chrissy Moon, who shares her thoughts on each tale. I felt very honoured by what she said about mine.
Blurb
Ghostly Rites Anthology 2025
We are back again with another spine-tingling collection of short stories and haunting poems that will curl your toes and send shivers down your spine. Now presented to you by The Ghostly Rites Crew. Get comfy with our largest collection of mysterious, unearthly and brain-twisting tales, written by authors from all over the world.
Authors for 2025 include:
Azrael Spiryt Henwood, Natan A-H, Michael Harding, Cathy-Lee Chopping, Danny Buenaflor, Isabelle Bayley, Chrissy Moon, Kevin Chapman, Thomas Woldering, Ashon Ruffins, Claire Plaisted, W. H. Jones, Cassandra Jones, Andrew Flynn, Aaron Miles, Karen Mossman, Frank Slight, Mary Woldering and Jeff Couch.
This was a fun collection with a lot of variety! I grouped my short comments about the poems together at the end of this review
The Doll Maker by Aaron Miles
This was a fun collection with a lot of variety! I grouped my short comments about the poems together at the end of this review.
This was quite entertaining. I enjoyed the descriptions of the scenery and main character in the opening scene. It set the tone very nicely. I think that if you’re a fan of Five Nights at Freddy’s (games, movies, or books), you’ll definitely want to read this. What happens to the main character really gets you involved. Overall, this is a great tragic story with a nice horror ending.
The Mists of Time by Karen J. Mossman
I’ve read this author plenty of times before. No matter what genre she’s writing, you can be sure she’ll present you with an engrossing story. “The Mists of Time” is a great example; it’s exciting and has good pacing. I don’t want to give too much of the story away but it will keep you interested until the end. I’m glad this story was towards the front because I think a lot of people would enjoy it. It’s worth a second read through. I loved the last line as it really pulled everything together.
The Find by Frank Slight
I won’t give away any spoiler secrets, but I liked the direction this story went in. I enjoyed being surprised by the author. I think there’s an interesting theme to note here as well, about people who die as they have lived. Fascinating.
The Winters Journey of Death by Claire Plaisted
This story by the lovely Claire Plaisted packs a punch. It was a short, sweet, and delicious tale with an absolutely perfect ending. 🙂
Desecration by MPA Harding
This was my favorite story in the collection, mainly because the author’s writing skill came across as confident and experienced. It was very cinematic, the vocabulary and phrases were lovely, and the narration had a very clear plot direction. It was also poetic; one of my favorite parts was the beautiful yet sad description of the main character. A powerful tale, simple in concept yet the right amount of complexity in execution.
Remembering by Frank Slight
This story reads fast, which is great for people like me who have trouble focusing when reading. There are some really good lines here. It’s *almost* reminiscent of a certain Black Mirror episode and I always enjoy thinking outside the box that way. Thank you, Frank Slight.
Hiraeth for the Holidays by Jeff Couch
This story swept me in slowly but surely. The author very subtly snuck in bits of emotion into the narration and I truly loved that. He has a way of making the most unexpected segues. Some really well constructed sentences, again, subtle but effective. There were a lot of things to enjoy about this story.
Please Let Me In by Cathy Lee Chopping
This story asks you to stop and enjoy some time getting into its world. It held my attention for sure. It’s creepy and does an excellent job in placing you in Cassandra’s shoes, so that you too can be terrorized and feel her fear.
Memorati by Mary Woldering
I liked this story; it brought up an important issue of forcing others to follow your beliefs or else they’re considered a danger to all. Brilliant. I wish there was more of it to read. It’s a profound statement of freedom, control, and pushing your will onto others, in spite of any good intentions. It’s very post-apocalyptic in the tradition of “Uglies.”
Tale of the Bent Cane by Kevin Chapman
Great first sentence. Phenomenal first paragraph. The narration style vaguely reminds me of The Stranger, with staccato-like actions and statements of actions, meanings to be discussed later or secretly. Very particular style pulls you in. If this story were a movie, it’d be an artistic and brilliant one.
The Empress and The Oracle by Thomas Woldering
This story was unique from the start and it honestly “stuck” with me weeks after reading it.
There are a lot of cool elements here (and a funny reference regarding the Nokia). Fascinating and intriguing. I feel there is some commentary here as well: how we need to log off more, how ancient civilizations that we don’t fully understand can still greatly influence us, even the idea that technology has existed in ancient times, something I personally wonder about. Overall, a fine story that touches on the possible impending doom of our entire civilization.
Serial Escape by W.H. Jones
This story was quite interesting from the start, and it was definitely a mind game to me. There was a real feeling of helplessness and acceptance of doom… a good story that I enjoyed.
Terry by Nathan A-H
This story is sad, haunting, and quite poetic. I felt it was emotional and cinematic. It’s not a long story, but I don’t think it needs to be. It says all it needs to in very few words.
The Mirror by Ashon Ruffins
Ashon Ruffins is a skilled writer; this is one of my favorite stories in the collection. I enjoyed the well-structured sentences and how the author was able to explain much in just 1 paragraph. They also have a way of maintaining an easy narrative flow while bringing in unexpected actions in the story, which is enjoyable for me as a reader.
Caerymor by Danny Buenaflor
Since Danny Buenaflor’s mother is my sister, I was fortunate enough to have already read this story. I loved it then, and love it now. Some more thoughts after the second read-through: I like his attention to detail, such as the food being cold and watery (which relates to one of the characters). I love how he mixed the fantasy element with his very particular type of horror. Any story he tells has a personality all its own, and I admire and appreciate that. He always puts so much effort into any story he creates, and I would love a sequel to this.
The Field of Blood by Cassandra Jones
This tale reminded me a little of Jeepers Creepers and a specific episode of Supernatural with the scarecrow and small town. A good classic horror.
Poems
1. “Rest Beloved Soul” (Chopping) – Very lovely and elegant regarding the deceased.
2. “A Tearless, Crying Thorn” (A-H) – Beautiful; lovely imagery.
3. “The Churchyard Hallowe’en Tree” (Flynn) – Really good; beginning reminds me of the interlude of “Thriller.” Enjoyable rhythm. Cleverly written.
4. “Jacksin’s Poem” (Henwood) – All the love and hugs to this poet.
5. “Souls of the Ocean” (Bayley) – I really liked this. Short, sweet, and haunting.
6. “Souls Awawiting” (Plaisted) – I really liked this one as well. I actually want this on a plaque to display in the Fall.
World of Stories 