The Scary Reviews

Genre: Horror
Length: 258 Pages
Publisher: Wicked Run Press
Release date: January 7, 2020
Synopsis: Addiction may start like a sweet lullaby sung by a trusted loved one, washing away the pains of the day and wrapping you in the warmness of the womb. But soon enough, this warm state of bliss becomes a cold shiver. The ecstasy and dreams become nightmares, and for the sick and suffering addict, we can’t stop listening to the lullaby. We crave to hear the siren song as it rips us apart.

Each story in Lullabies For Suffering features the insidious nature of addiction. Damaged humans craving for highs and wholeness but finding something more tragic and horrific on the other side. An incredibly talented group of writers sing these songs of suffering. You’re invited to listen. Here are the authors.

                    Kealan Patrick Burke                   Caroline Kepnes
                    Gabino Iglesias                             John FD Taff
                    Mercedes M Yardley                     Mark Matthews

Link to purchase Lullabies for Suffering

Review copy provided in exchange for an honest review

Many of the authors in this collection are favorites of mine and have been for years. When I saw this collection and who was listed, I couldn’t wait to see what their take on addiction would be.

Kealan Patrick Burke was first up in Lullabies for Suffering with Sometimes They See Me. His story took me on a journey I hadn’t expected, nor could imagine. I was shocked when I saw what was really going on. Suffice it to say, it’s a hell of a story with a great set of characters.

Then we got Caroline Kepnes story, Monster, which was horrifying and fantastic at the same time. I loved the multiple perspectives of this twisted story. Characters so deep in their own world of addiction that everyone else is just background noise. This story really affected me as the plot unfolded and everything came into view.

Lizard by Mark Matthews was everything I had expected I would get from this author. That look inside the day to day, even minute by minute life of an addict. Hearing one of the characters says “its’ ok to get high, you deserve it, then you can get clean again.” is beyond understanding and it is heartbreaking. A life cycle a non-addict can’t and won’t understand. I loved the main character Lizzy and my heart broke as I watched her unravel.

John FD Taff, or The King of Pain, gave us a story that was right up his alley. Addiction to pain that starts out with the character being addicted to cutting. An addiction that gave her an escape from reality. Her addiction quickly ramps up to another level that had me at a loss for words. The Melting Point of Meat was pure madness with an ending that was off the charts.

Beyond the Reef from Gabino Iglesias, for me was more horror than a story of addiction. But it was a great story and I dug the hell out of it. It had palpable tension, suspense and a real presence that gave me chills. I loved his characters and the creatures that resulted from addiction. This was my first time reading Gabino Iglesias and I need to check out more from this author.

Mercedes M. Yardley’s story, Love is a Crematorium, was exactly what I hoped for. I’ve been a fan of her writing for many years. Her story of young love and the lullaby that had Kelly in its grasp was heartbreaking. She has an excellent ability to create characters that you will fall in love with, while tearing your heart out as they suffer life’s cruelty. I kept hoping and rooting for Joy to get her self together, but life has sharp edges and leave deep cuts.

I can’t say enough about the quality of writing we get from the authors in Lullabies for Suffering. This is a book you must experience and be prepared to be emotionally affected.