Thomas F. Monteleone Fearful Symmetries

Fearful Symmetries

Thomas F. Monteleone

Cemetery Dance, 2004, $40.00

ISBN: 1587670534

This is a terrific compilation of many of Thomas F. Monteleone's horror-dark fantasy tales published mostly in the 1980's (nine) and 1990's (fifteen) with two from this decade. Each entry includes a newly written "introduction" (more like background information/commentary) that enhances the reading and footnotes, that though insightful and interesting, can prove distracting. The stories run the gamut of horror and dark fantasy; from obsession and revenge suspense to black magic and lethal monsters. Every contribution is gripping, but especially thrilling is those (most of them) in which Mr. Monteleone avoids overindulging his morality gene such as "The Roadside Scalpel" and "Rehearsals". Some eerie scary illustrations by Matt Eames augment this fine anthology, that fans of the author or the horror genre will want to read.