Dreaded Invocations by Anthony M. Caro
Dreaded Invocations presents transgressive spins on pulp-style short story horror fiction. Read the garish tales of those too terrified to speak about their dark experiences.
What troubles plague a man who seeks chat app-based therapy from the confines of a secret prison cell? Are those menacing calls to a babysitter really coming from inside the house? Does a vast treasure or mysterious fate await a double-crossing diver inside a sunken ship? Will a steampunk experiment’s artificially constructed man meet a friend or foe inside a mysterious cave? What vengeance does a self-exiled silent movie star have in store for former colleagues against whom he holds a grudge?
Discover the dread-inducing answers in this collection of 14 offbeat short horror stories. Fans of 1970s/1980s/1990s-style horror fiction may appreciate the modern spin presented in this book, which draws inspiration from classic comics, pulp magazines, and drive-in cinema.
Hold onto your nightlights, horror fans! “Dreaded Invocations” by Anthony M. Caro is about to take you on a wild ride through the twisted corridors of modern pulp horror.
This collection of 14 short stories sounds like a deliciously dark buffet of terror, serving up a smorgasbord of fears both familiar and fresh. Caro seems to have a knack for taking classic horror tropes and giving them a contemporary spin that’ll make you squirm in your seat.
What really piques my interest is the range of scenarios Caro explores. From the claustrophobic dread of a secret prison cell to the isolating terror of a babysitter alone in a house, each story promises to plumb the depths of human fear in unique ways. The steampunk and silent movie star elements hint at a playful approach to genre-blending that could make for some truly unforgettable tales.
As a fan of pulp fiction and drive-in cinema myself, I’m thrilled to see an author paying homage to these influences while pushing the boundaries of what modern horror can be. It’s like Caro has taken the best elements of vintage horror comics, splatter-punk novels, and B-movie classics, then remixed them for a new generation of fear-seekers.
“Dreaded Invocations” seems tailor-made for readers who like their scares with a side of sardonic wit and a dash of the bizarre. If you’re tired of cookie-cutter horror and crave something that’ll make your skin crawl in new and exciting ways, this indie gem might just be your next favorite nightmare fuel.
