*** 3.6 STARS ***

1 Blue World - 3.9
2 Nightcrawlers - 3.6
3 Night Calls the Green Falcon - 3.5
4 Something Passes By - 3.1
5 He'll Come Knocking at Your Door - 2.9
6 Doom City - 2.9
7 Makeup - 2.8
8 The Red House - 2.8
9 Yellachile's Cage - 2.7
10 Yellowjacket Summer - 2.5
11 I Screm Man! - 1.5
12 Chico - 1
13 Pin - 1

I very rarely read short stories. However, I decided to give them a proper try. I chose to start with one of my favourite authors, Robert McCammon, as he has rarely disappointed me. Overall, I was somewhat disappointed with this collection as a whole. Nevertheless, there were a few stories that I quite enjoyed.

The Blue World novella took me by surprise. I really liked this one. I had been thinking that it would be a 'Dying Earth' type of book or a story like those starring Kevin Costner. Instead, I read an enjoyable homage (or so I thought) to one of my absolute favourite films, David Lynch's Blue Velvet. I'm not sure which came first, but I know which is the better. She wore...

Having previously read both Boy's Life and Swan Song, I am well aware that exploring the McCammon back catalogue might potentially lead to disappointment in comparison. However, I still hold onto the hope of uncovering some hidden treasures along the way. Blue World turns out to be just that. It is a compilation of his short stories from the 80s, along with the eponymous novella.

McCammon is a renowned long form fiction writer, yet he clearly has a talent for short stories as well. Most of the ones in this collection are excellent and at times, quite disturbing. In fact, this collection could even be regarded as a great starting point for readers who are interested in this author but are intimidated by the size and scope of his other works. The short stories and novella provide a fairly good showcase of his range. Rest assured, though, that his character work reaches an entirely different level in the larger stories mentioned at the beginning of my review.

I'm not sure which of his books to choose next. However, I will first continue with some of the older ones before embarking on his Matthew Corbett series, which I've heard is outstanding.

This is an outstanding collection of short fiction by Robert McCammon. He has demonstrated that he is a highly skilled writer regardless of the length of his work.

"Nightcrawlers" is an eerie story that was adapted into what is arguably the best episode of the '90s "T.Z." reboot. "Pin" is a short tale with a powerful impact. And the titular story is a thought-provoking short novel that leaves a lasting impression.

My personal favorite is the bittersweet "Night Calls the Green Falcon." However, there are truly no "filler" stories in this book. They are all excellent dark tales that are filled with chills and shivers.

Each story in this collection offers a unique and engaging experience, drawing readers into a world of mystery, horror, and the unknown. McCammon's ability to create vivid characters and atmospheric settings is on full display, making this a must-read for fans of short fiction and the horror genre.

In a word, this collection is truly sensational.

McCammon is an incredibly talented writer, and his short stories are no exception.

This collection is filled to the brim with horrifying, suspenseful, and emotional pieces of stellar fiction from one of the masters in the horror genre.

If you're a fan of the collections of Stephen King, then I wholeheartedly recommend giving these a try.

You won't be disappointed, I guarantee it.

My top five entries are:

1. Something Passed By

2. Blue World

3. Nightcrawlers

4. He'll Come Knocking at Your Door

5. Makeup

Each of these stories has its own unique charm and will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.

McCammon's ability to create vivid characters and build tension is truly remarkable.

Whether you're a die-hard horror fan or just looking for a good read, this collection is definitely worth checking out.

Respect.

This is a thrilling story that revolves around a priest who becomes deeply fascinated by an erotic movie star. What truly stands out in this narrative is the unwavering respect that McCammon shows towards humans, regardless of their chosen paths in life.

McCammon's portrayal of the characters and their interactions is a testament to his understanding and acceptance of the diverse range of individuals in the world.

It is this respect that adds depth and authenticity to the story, making it a truly engaging read.

Rather than spoiling the plot by revealing what happens, I encourage you to pick up this book and experience it for yourself.

Discover the twists and turns, the emotions and the lessons that McCammon has to offer.

You won't be disappointed.

I'm not a big enthusiast of short stories, yet I do peruse them from time to time. Well, let me tell you, I'm truly glad that I picked up this particular collection. I was already acquainted with the author, so his writing style felt familiar and comfortable, enabling me to effortlessly immerse myself in each story.

If you're not familiar with Robert McCammon, this collection serves as an excellent starting point.

The stories within this book manage to营造出 a mood of horror that sent shivers down my spine. There are graphic elements scattered throughout that are not for the faint of heart. However, there were a couple of stories that could be considered a bit cheesy, but they were exactly what they were intended to be, so it's not as if the author was attempting to be serious and ended up coming across as cheesy.

Three of my absolute favorites include: "Blue World," which was actually a novella. It centered around a priest, a prostitute, and a serial killer. Another really outstanding one was "The Night of the Green Falcon," which was about an old movie star who used to appear in the pulp serials in the movies. And then there was "Yellowjacket Summer," which was about a backward country boy who had a special relationship with yellowjackets (yes, it's as creepy as it sounds). There wasn't a single bad story in the bunch.

This is a great book if you're seeking an enjoyable read and a break from your regular literary fare.

I just discovered this author recently. And so far, I have been truly enamored with everything that I have had the pleasure of reading.

Blue World is filled with a plethora of excellent stories. What sets it apart from some other authors I have come across is that all of these short stories have endings that are well thought out. Whether the stories are happy or not so happy, their conclusions are not lacking in intelligence or substance.

Among them, my absolute favorites were "Blue Falcon". It is an outstanding story that delves into the concept of reliving one's younger dreams and making them a reality. I don't wish to provide any spoilers, so I'll refrain from saying too much.

The last story, "Blue World", was another one that I adored. It had me laughing at Father John and also crying along with him. I really liked Debrah and was extremely fond of the ending.

The only reason I didn't award it a full five stars was due to one particular story titled "Pin". I made several attempts to read it, but I simply couldn't get into it. I wonder if perhaps it was one of his earlier works when he might have been trying to emulate another Stephen King. Nevertheless, I'm glad that he has since found his own unique voice. Terry

An anthology by Robert McCammon, who is widely recognized for his southern horror books. I obtained this anthology because I thoroughly enjoyed his werewolf novel, The Wolf's Hour.

The majority of the stories in this anthology are of the horror genre. However, they are not the typical "monsters chasing teens" kind. Instead, they are more like the Twilight Zone type, where the world has gone awry and you find yourself in a rather precarious situation. These are the kinds of stories that you probably shouldn't read right before going to sleep.

One of the stories, "Nightcrawlers", was even adapted for the 1985 Twilight Zone series.

Not all of the stories, though, are horror. "Night Calls the Green Falcon" is about a man who once played a costumed hero in old film serials and is now an elderly man, far past his prime. He decides to don the outfit once again to track down a killer. He does face some ridicule from the people around him, but his sincerity and wholesomeness enable him to win allies and admirers. A nice touch that pays homage to the old serials is that each chapter ends on a cliffhanger, only to be resolved with a twist at the start of the next chapter. For example, one chapter ends with someone pointing a gun at the Green Falcon and pulling the trigger. The next chapter then reveals that it was actually a cigarette lighter gun.

The final story, "Blue World", is also non-horror. It is a very good story and truly deserves to be adapted.

Father John is a young Catholic priest in San Francisco who is naive and sheltered. However, his life takes a turn when he befriends Debbie, a porn actress who views him as a lucky charm (unaware that he is a priest). He struggles to come to terms with his infatuation and crush on her while also resisting the temptations of her body and the world she inhabits. Additionally, he has to deal with a psycho who is preying on porn stars.

This story highlights the hypocrisy within the Catholic Church. The other, older members of his church look down with disdain on the "sinners" in the nearby red-light district, considering them不值得 bothering with. They are more interested in politics and contributions. Father John, on the other hand, is compassionate and non-judgmental. He doesn't simply quote bible verses but supports Debbie as a friend would.

All in all, this is an excellent selection of stories and I highly recommend it.

I find a significant amount of the "Golden Age" horror, which was typically written during the 70s - 90s by authors like King, Straub, McCammon, and others, to be overrated due to the nostalgia factor. As a result, I was tempering my expectations when approaching McCammon's collection.

Surprisingly, I was quite impressed by the originality of Blue World. While the title novella and "Doom City" may have a touch of cheesiness, the overall quality of the stories is remarkably strong. "I Scream Man!" is an outstanding story that will surely stay with me. "Yellowjacket Summer" and "Night Crawlers" are also excellent horror tales.

However, this collection doesn't solely focus on horror. "Something Passed By" is superb weird fiction, and "Yellachile's Cage", set in a prison, is a story I greatly enjoyed. Both "Night Calls the Green Falcon" and "The Red House" are beautifully emotional.

It's not a perfect collection. I did notice that quite a few of the characters are rather stereotypical and predictable, but these are really only minor flaws. Overall, it's a solid horror-leaning collection that I would recommend to anyone.

Robert R. McCammon, in my humble opinion, doesn't receive nearly enough credit.

I have had the pleasure of reading five of his books, and each and every one of them truly deserves far more attention than they have currently received.

Blue World is his remarkable short story collection, and every single story within this book is not only worth reading but also extremely enjoyable.

Yellowjacket Summer actually sent shivers down my spine because I have an intense fear of insects that sting or bite, and there are countless such insects in this story.

"Makeup" was something entirely new and was one of my absolute favorites from this book.

"He'll Come Knocking At Your Door" was yet another creepy Halloween tale that kept me on the edge of my seat.

"Night Calls the Green Falcon" is about an aging actor who desires to catch a murderer by reprising his old role as the Green Falcon.

The last story, which is a novella, is about a priest who struggles to maintain his faith after seeing a hot porn actress and how his views on life rapidly disintegrate as he becomes obsessed with Debrah Rocks.

That novella, which shares the title of the collection, was by far my favorite story in this book, but this is by no means a negative comment about the rest.

This collection is an absolute must-read for fans of horror and short story collections alike.

Isn’t journeying what life is all about? The question of what lies beyond the dark hills, beyond the streaming forests, beyond the locked door?

This is a collection of horror stories by Robert McCammon. They are all designed to make the reader feel uncomfortable. The horrors and surprising tales within this collection are diverse, and some are darker than others.

This was the reading choice for myself and Laura this month, and I wasn't sure what to expect from this collection. Like many, there are some memorable creepy stories as well as some that are just plain weird.

The first story, "Yellowjacket Summer," was a great opener for this collection. It definitely had a creepy factor with its tale of killer wasps and strange people! As we continued reading, there were a few other stories that I liked, such as "Makeup," about a thief who steals a case belonging to a horror star and things go wrong when the makeup is worn, "Nightcrawlers," "Night Calls the Green Falcon," "The Red House," and "Something Passed By."

Overall, I think this was a good selection of stories that once again demonstrate the author's ability to create such horrors with his writing. The range of disturbing imagery varied with each story, but there are a few that I liked more than others.

This is McCammon’s only volume of short stories. It is a collection that offers a diverse range of tales, each with its own unique charm and horror.

Yellowjacket Summer tells the story of a young woman and her two children who run out of gas in a strange town. The hot summer brings out the bees, and they are terrifying.

Makeup is about a small-time thug who ends up with the makeup case of a famous horror actor. The question is, was the actor brilliant, or was the secret in his makeup?

Doom City is a story that reminds one of a Twilight Zone episode. Brad wakes up to find his wife has turned into a desiccated corpse, and he wanders the town alone, almost.

Nightcrawlers features a strange traveler who comes into a truckstop during a storm, bringing the stuff of his nightmares with him. His old buddies from Vietnam are eager to have him join them.

Pin is a strange, first-person narrative of a young man contemplating sticking a needle in his eye. It is the weakest story in the book, but McCammon gets credit for a creative approach.

Yellachile’s Cage is a prison story where a voodoo man keeps a gold finch in his cell. The bird is his familiar, keeping him informed of all that goes on in the prison.

I Scream Man! is an ordinary game of Scrabble between an incredibly average family in an unusual setting. McCammon makes the most of his few words.

He’ll Come Knocking At Your Door shows how seriously the community takes Halloween, with its leading citizen being generous with treats but evil with tricks, reminiscent of Hawthorne’s Young Goodman Brown.

Chico is set in a home with an abusive, alcoholic father and a despondent mother, where a child with a special gift lives and thrives.

Night Calls the Green Falcon is about an over-the-hill star of Saturday serials who is called out of retirement by his conscience to find a serial killer.

The Red House is an excellent allegory on why change should sometimes be feared, as a young boy’s dad is outraged when a bright red house appears in his gray world.

Something Passed By shows Earth in decline after the passage of an interstellar object, with the remaining people passing the time in various ways, like in an old radio show.

Blue World is one of the finest stories, showing McCammon’s mastery of character development as a priest’s faith and vowels are tested when he is attracted to a porn star.