DRAGGED INTO DARKNESS is August’s book of the month. It came out in 2003 and was my first collection of short stories. Unlike ASKING FOR TROUBLE, it’s a collection of Twilight Zone-style short stories and not crime stories. It’s not a title, but a philosophy. Here’s what I mean:
The world is a dark place, even in daylight. DRAGGED INTO DARKNESS features tales of horror from the subtle to the extreme. The characters are ordinary people who are ripped from their daily routines into a dark world.
In “The Eye Of The Beholder,” Dr. Gareth Troy empathizes with his tortured patients’ disfigurements a little too much.
For Dave in “Hungry For More,” the eating habits of Americans are nothing like those of the people in England.
In “Acceptable Losses,” Captain John Clelland has struck the worst of bargains for the lives of allied soldiers.
In “Runway Three-seven,” Neal is forced to land his crippled light aircraft on a runway that can’t possibly exist.
Praise for the book:
“Simon Wood is a powerful new voice in the art of dark storytelling. His prose is surreal, unique…and disturbing. The stories in this collection will indeed drag you into darkness—and you’ll love every minute of it! A promising debut from a future master of terror.”
— Brian Keene, Author of THE RISING and NO REST FOR THE WICKED
“Simon Wood’s fiction is ominously deceptive. His quiet, unassuming voice sneaks up behind you, whispers in your ear the promise of a great story. A chill runs up your spine, but you feel safe. Then, just as you start to relax, Wood bludgeons you over the head with dark twists and turns you never expected. Simon Wood is definitely one hot new writer to watch…but you’d better buckle up for this ride!”
— J. Newman, Author of HOLY ROLLERS and THE WICKED
“Short story writing is a craft few master and when you can pack as much as Simon does into each page…you know you’re reading one of the very best.”
— Elaine Flinn, Author of DEALING IN MURDER
“Simon Wood kept me spellbound with each story in his menagerie of macabre; his surrealist prose is entertaining and equally chilling…While you are DRAGGED INTO THE DARKNESS with Simon you will be pleading for more instead of wishing the ride to end. You’ll indulge your darkened fears and befriend the evil that awaits you around the next corner.”
— Eternal Night
Over the coming weeks, I’ll talk about the origins for the stories and my love of creepy stories.
