Lucid Screams by Red Lagoe

Today’s blog post is the first (hopefully of many) short story collection from Red Lagoe, called Lucid Screams.

For all the faults of social media, it does have its positive sides, for me it is when I get introduced to new authors and I get a chance to read their creations.

So, without further ado, here is a few words on each of the stories:

Lucid Screaming:

First story out. Is this going to be a story that eases the reader with some gentle spooks? Nah, full on addiction horror and the terror of a destroyed family. Sets the bar rather high for the rest of the collection!

The Haunting Murder:

Rather short story here, in essence, do not kill crows! Or people, for that matter!

Luna’s Lure:

A nice unsettling tale here, moral here: basically, stay away from beautiful women who is into worshipping the moon.

The Great American Eclipse:

Nice mix of mad science, apocalypse and with a hint of conspiracy, all set under a solar eclipse, nice tension to be found here. (Slight side note; I hate parasites)

Best Seat in the House:

Good little 100-word story, not more to say about it than remember to pay for shows, no sneaking in.

Abandoned Souls:

Tense story of a teen girl abandoned in an old army base, where she meets other kids in the same predicament as her, and something evil is prowling the streets at night.

Malignant Roots:

I do love vegetation-based horror stories, I can’t exactly tell you why, I just do! So, whenever I come across killer plants, well I am happier than a sunflower basking in the rays of the sun!

Helping Hands Retreat:

A battered woman runs away from her abusive husband, to a somewhat worse situation.

Severed Connection:

If you go to a medium, and he gives off some serious creep vibes, RUN!

Odor Mortis:

If you want to know how to make a mortician more unsettling? well, read this and learn how it is done!

Slice:

Kangaroo pizza, that’s a new one. Also, be wary of any place that hires you on the spot.

Intimidating Smile:

Sometimes it is ok to embrace one’s self perceived faults.

The Astronomer’s Mistress:

Never take your spouse for granted because of your hobbies!

Memory Lane:

I can imagine that the loss of a child can be soul-destroying. This is just a heart-breaking tale!

Brush with Fate:

Besides vegetation horror, I am also quite partial to horror stories featuring painters and paintings. Brush with Fate hits the artistic sweet spot for me.

Empty Nest:

Last story in the collection, and it is connected to the first story, it is basically the other side of Lucid Screaming.

All in all, this is a great short story collection, it shows the versatility and talent of Red Lagoe’s writing, she handles trauma in a believable and harrowing way, she also creates unsettling atmosphere with ease as well as disturbing scenarios.

I will not be surprised if we will in find her on various best of lists in the future!

Kudos to Red Lagoe for having connections between the first and the last story, it has come full circle. It is a nice touch to this collection!

So, if you are in the mood for some unsettling and disturbing stories, do yourself a favour and pick up a copy of Lucid Screams.

I give this collection 5/5 “kangaroo” pizzas!