Rick Hautala, Occasional Demons

Occasional Demons

Rick Hautala

Cemetery Dance, March 2006, $40.00

ISBN 158767095X

This anthology consists of eighteen horror tales with some being straight genre entries, others psychological terror, and finally a few shorts also include science fiction elements. The middle section contains eight "Untcigahunk Stories and Myths of the Little Brothers" that derive from the author's novel LITTLE BROTHERS (published in the 1980's); and finally three collaborations with family and friends and "maybe" a pseudonym.

All twenty-nine entries are well written and fun to read. The opening segment of eighteen and closing of three tales will entertain the audience, as the stories, especially those with a twist, such as a spin on abortion that rounds out the right to life before you are born position in a surprising final demise of women's rights, or the tale that acts more like the plant in Little Shop of Horrors. The eight Untcigahunk Indian entries are the best of a solid anthology with their dark horror fantasy feel to them. As with Rick Hautala's previous compilation BEDBUGS, readers will enjoy this fine collection.