Katherine Irving, Shivers

Shivers

Katherine Irving

Amber Quill, 2002, 253 pp.

ISBN: 1592799671

This is an interesting horror suspense anthology focusing on a very creative what if nightmarish extensions into Twilight Zone like scenarios. All of the contributions are well written with several superb entries that turn quite frightening when the key character seems like neighbors and in turn that authentic touch leads readers to accept the horrendous happenings to them as real. In a few cases the key protagonist lacks depth (even in terms of a short story) so that the terror is not as fully felt in spite of an original quite imaginative plot line in every case. My favorite personal tale is "Warm Wet Kisses in E-Flat Minor starring Jack and Jill. Of special mention is "Freeze Frame" that reminded me of a 1960s survey comparing residents of Manhattan's Bellvue Hospital to those living in the nearby neighborhoods with the results being no statistical difference between the groups. Fans will feel the SHIVERS from this very inventive collection.

Harriet Klausner