Ask For Trask

Banquet of Souls by T.D. Trask is a collection of twelve stories, ranging from creepy to maddening. I first discovered Trask when he co-wrote Deadsville with Dale Elster, and I can honestly say, Trask has only gotten better with his story delivery.

I'M HERE FOR YOU is a gut-check...I thought I knew how it would end. I was wrong.

RUTH is one hell of a domestic disturbance.

BANQUET OF SOULS is one of the darkest and most original stories that I've ever read.

BUS 1309 is an excellent story told in the classic style of horror.

SHE'S STILL BREATHING is a complete mystery, right up to the very last moments.

BLOOD PRESSURE is almost comical.

RYAN NOT RYAN is a great twist on a familiar folklore story.

THE CRUMBS OF MY SOUL is one of those stories where you can't be sure the narrator can be trusted.

THE GLASS IN THE WINDOW has a bit of a Lovecraft influence.

WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED ON AUGUST 14, 2003 is awful...I hope Trask never writes anything like it again...absolutely beneath him.

DEAD RUN is quite a spectacular zombie story...makes up for the previous story.

WHO'S A GOOD BOY? is another great genre story, and a fine way to end the collection.

Aside from the one lousy story, Trask has again set new standards for short stories in the horror genre.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Elster + Trask = Incredible Anthology

Deadsville, a collaboration between T.D. Trask and Dale Elster, is a great collection of suspenseful and horrific short stories. It begins with an undead poem by Trask to set the mood. My impressions of the stories:

THE PIT by ELSTER - regret and revenge
KNACKER MAN by TRASK - the sound of death
WHAT HAPPENED ON BLACK HILL ROAD by ELSTER - the evil version of The Giving Tree
KNEW IT ALL ALONG by TRASK - one of my favorites; premonition of hell
STILL WATER by ELSTER - another favorite; boy makes hard decision
THE OTHER REDEEMER by both - a test of faith
TREE BRANCHES IN THE WATER by TRASK - like a branch in the face
A JOB'S A JOB by TRASK - Hilarious!! Loved it!!
A CRACK IN THE WINDOW by ELSTER - broke my heart
KNOCK KNOCK by TRASK - surprising ending
HEAD SHOT by ELSTER - a great zombie story
THE CHILDREN IN THE MEADOW by TRASK - the most terrifying story in the anthology
DEAD BIRD by ELSTER - an excellent vampire story and a great end to the collection

I think Elster and Trask are great together, and I sincerely hope they write a second volume.

As always,
AstraDaemon