This collection of 15 short stories by Stoker and Lambda award-winning author Thomas (Stained) makes a worthwhile read for horror fans. The common theme among the stories (six reprints, nine originals) is the multitude of repressed adult secrets that become hidden monsters, as noted in David Thomas Lord's foreword. Standouts include "I Know You're There," in which a man's unsuccessful attempt to control his employee's creepy abilities to spy on corporate targets (and his employer) through astral projection lead to extreme tactics. The science-fictional "Tears to Rust" explores the recurring theme of reality and perception through the eyes of an abused husband trapped in an artificially maintained marriage, literally unable to be his own person. "Appetite of the Cyber Tribes" reads like a cross between Lovecraft and Clive Barker, as one man discovers the horrifying extremes by which people aren't what they seem. Thomas's extremely visceral descriptions and ability to tap into universal fears make this best read in small doses, with the lights on.
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"From lyrical to poignant to funny to beautifully grotesque and back again, this smart, gleefully original collection showcases Lee Thomas Herculean talent. What I love most though, is that Thomas gets the purpose of horror: to cast light on the darkness, so that we readers recognize what is good, what is obscene, and what our society has confused between the two." --Sarah Langan, Award-Winning Author of
The Missing and
Audreys Door"Lee Thomas' stories always start as a come-on, with silky smooth prose that draws you into a comfortable world so effortlessly you fail to see the razor-sharp teeth before it's too late. This is horror at its best, guaranteed to leave you with the shivers, whether you wanted them or not." --David Wellington, author of
Monster Island and
23 Hours"Like every master craftsman of horror, Lee Thomas is weirdly inventive, with an arsenal of tricks and techniques up his sleeves and a universe of creatures, ghouls, ghosts, spirits, and body shifters to unleash on his characters, and readers of his new collection of short stories,
In the Closet, Under the Bed will reap the rewards of this explosively talented writer. These stories are monstrous and thrilling and sexy and disturbing. But what makes them truly remarkable and fantastic is their distinctive milieu gay men battling supernatural forces with dizzying results. Lee Thomas is not only defining the genre of 'queer horror' with his new collection, he is setting its gold standard." --Jameson Currier, author of
The Haunted Heart and Other Tales"Like every master craftsman of horror, Lee Thomas is weirdly inventive, with an arsenal of tricks and techniques up his sleeves and a universe of creatures, ghouls, ghosts, spirits, and body shifters to unleash on his characters, and readers of his new collection of short stories,
In the Closet, Under the Bed will reap the rewards of this explosively talented writer. These stories are monstrous and thrilling and sexy and disturbing. But what makes them truly remarkable and fantastic is their distinctive milieu gay men battling supernatural forces with dizzying results. Lee Thomas is not only defining the genre of 'queer horror' with his new collection, he is setting its gold standard." --Jameson Currier, author of
The Haunted Heart and Other Tales"Lee Thomas' stories always start as a come-on, with silky smooth prose that draws you into a comfortable world so effortlessly you fail to see the razor-sharp teeth before it's too late. This is horror at its best, guaranteed to leave you with the shivers, whether you wanted them or not." --David Wellington, author of
Monster Island and
23 Hours
