Robert Bloch's Psychos

WOW....what a pleasant surprise! This little paperback that retailed new for $6.00 and looked liked a throwaway turned out to be a blockbuster of really well-done short stories in the horror genre. All of the stories are new (which is always a treat) and there was not a stinker in the bunch. I love short stories, and I love anthologies, but I am always braced for a couple of stories to not engage me. This book turned out to be a complete pleasure. If there is another copy somewhere, snap it up.

This is a collection of 22 original stories presented by The Horror Writers Association. In the U.S., there are two editions: a paperback and the limited hardcover put out by Cemetery Dance Publications. I suggest picking up the hardcover and I'll explain why later. The big draw to this one is Stephen King's original appearance of AUTOPSY ROOM 4, a story about a guy who is not dead but the Dr.'s performing the autopsy think otherwise. This is one of the better King shorts in a long while and is a fun read. The best story is Gary Braunbeck's SAFE, a story about how a town tries to cope and understand a mass murder. It is told through the eyes of a relative of the murderer who was saved in the melee and how he is dealing with the reprucussions of the event years later. It is an emotionally wrenching piece and is still reverberating in my body still, a few days after reading it. Ed Gorman treats us to a "What If" story. What if a neighborhood watch group actually killed a thief and the thief's accomplices try to enact revenge? It's a great premise and Gorman delivers a stunning story. Clark Perry also tells a story of childhood guilt that still haunts the living. This one was written so well I actually missed an appointment because I was so engrossed in the character's lives. I wish more of Mr. Perry's stuff would see the light of a day. A very talented writer. Other standout stories are put out by Yvonne Navarro, David Niall Wilson, Del Stone Jr. Cindie Geddes and Richard Christian Matheson. There really was not a story I didn't enjoy in here. A very good collection and one not to be skipped. Now for the reason I suggest the hardcover edition. Cemetery Dance Publications has made this book look very unique. And it has nothing to do with the Eric Powell cover, even though it is great and alluring. It has to do with the inside of the book. Obviously, Richard Chizmar took great care in designing the pages, as they are decorated with little illustrations by Jason Van Hollander. At each page corner there are these creepy characters and at the end of each story a little haunted house. The end papers also have some great illustrations by Allen Koszowski that show the face of the late Robert Bloch and some of his and others' characters. A very nice looking edition that you'll appreciate for years to come. Highly recommended and highest recommendation for buying the hardcover edition.

Trust me, I mean that in a good way. Almost every single one of these stories is a knockout, and very disturbing. Things start off with a bang with the Stephen King story "Autopsy Room 4" about a man who gets bitten by a rare breed of poisinous snake on the golf course which has the extremely unfortunate side effect of making him appear that he is completely dead when he is only paralyzed. Guess where he wakes up. The Richard Christian Matheson story is an example of him at his best--the story is simple, short, brutal, and haunting. You'll want to read it over and over, because you can't beleive what happened. Way too realistic. The Ed Gorman story, the title of which I can't remember except that it was a great title, alone is worth the price of the book. Haunting, brilliant, and un-putdownable. If you like horror anthologies, you must pick this one up, it is one of the best. Just be warned, if you're easily shocked or disturbed, get something lighter because it takes a lot to scare me and this book gave me nightmares.

the best story is "Autopsy room four".. " what are you trying to do? stroke him back to life.." just read the book then you'll understand what I'm tlking about..

"Psychos" is a terrific read, full of stories that make you want to turn the light back on seconds after you have turned it off, just so you can look in the closet "one more time"! Always wonderful to read anything new from Stephan King, and Jane Yolen, among others. Just don't forget to check under the bed, before laying down for that long night's rest!