Loves these books just the right amount of Spooky to keep you going absolutely the best spooky page turner I've read

i adore short horror stories, they're always so fun to flip through, hoping to read everything by this author someday

Reminded me precisely of the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark books, we all read as kids, just a bit more friendly. I absolutely adored it! I need a physical copy!!!

Twisted Tales to Tell in the Night
by Stephanie Rose & William Sterling

If you’re looking for something to creep under your skin this spooky season, this anthology is it. 🕯️ Each tale in Twisted Tales to Tell in the Night brings its own brand of terror—some eerie, some chilling, and some that will stick with you long after the last page.

I love a good anthology because it lets you dip into different flavors of horror, and this collection really delivers. From unsettling urban legends to nightmare-fuel folklore, there’s something here for every horror lover. The stories are sharp, fast-paced, and perfect for reading with the lights low and a candle flickering. 🕷️

This isn’t just jump scares and gore—it’s clever, atmospheric storytelling that captures the best of Halloween night. Dark alleyways, whispered legends, and the feeling that you’re not quite alone… it’s all here.

⭐ Rating: 4.5/5
Perfect for fans of short, spine-tingling reads to savor throughout October.

#BookReview #TwistedTalesToTellInTheNight #HalloweenReads #HorrorAnthology #SpookySeason #CreepyReads #Bookstagram

With soooky season approaching this book is definitely one to be on everyone’s TBR to really get you in the mood for autumn and Halloween. Some really good short stories in this collection

Perfect for those who are looking for a spooky story to get into the ber months. Some are definitely not for children, so watch out.

Unfortunately this book just wasn’t for me.
I went into this short story collection quite blind just knowing it was a Halloween horror short story collection.

My overall thoughts on this collection are that it feels unfinished and unsatisfactory for the most part. Most stories within I rated between and 2-3 stars with a few outliers at 4 and 5.
Some stories were deliciously creepy and my goodness “Best Friends Forever” nearly made me put the book down I was so creeped out! It was eerie yet illusive enough to feel intriguing but satisfied in such a short space of time.
Unfortunately I feel like this is what in particular was missing from other elements of the collection. A few stories such as “The Panthera Project” just seems so random and the events wholly too convenient to allow you to disappear into the story.

I feel like with maybe more editing and sore structure to this collection to make it more cohesive, this collection could be a perfectly creepy seasonal read.
Unfortunately at this time it just was not a fit for me.

Many thank you to all the incredible authors for taking the time to create this collection and for allowing access to review.

Spooky and scary, this is a perfect collection of stories to read during spooky season or around Halloween!

I absolutely loved this collection of stories for adults that grew up with Scary Stories to tell in the Dark and Goosebumps and want stories that give that feel while being full blooded horror at the same time. I will definitely be revisiting a number of these stories every spooky season and can’t wait for the next Twisted Tales!

Twisted tales to tell in the night consists of 18 short horror stories. They do feel like they lean more towards being YA. The stories are really interesting and easy to read, while keeping you engaged in a spooky vibe.

Ah…there’s nothing quite like nostalgic Halloween like Scary Stories to tell in the Dark. And this anthologies harkens back to the beloved series in 90’s childhood.

All the stories hit on notes of creepy Halloween nights, mysterious haunts, and childhood nightmares. There’s parallel world, best friends that will never leave, isolated houses with strange older people in them, and much more. And the cover art is on point; it’s quite a tribute to Stephen Gammell, and captures his level of terror that’s hard to beat.

If you love horror short stories, or just have a soft spot for the original Scary Stories, this one is for you.

Book Review: Twisted Tales to Tell in the Night: A Halloween Horror Anthology 🎃👻🕷️
Spooky season’s ultimate hit: bite-sized terror, nostalgia bombs, and enough twists to make your pumpkin head spin.

⚠️ Disclaimer
Books are subjective. I said what I said. You can disagree, but arguing with me won’t change my opinion — or make me care. Read on, or don’t.

🏃💨 The Quick and Dirty
Twisted Tales to Tell in the Night doesn’t just whisper creepy bedtime stories—it slams the door on your face, flicks off the lights, and waits for you to piss your pants in the dark.

This anthology is exactly what every Halloween lover dreams about when they’re neck-deep in candy corn and contemplating whether that weird noise outside is just a raccoon or something far worse. 18 short stories, each a little bite of horror bliss, ranging from eerie and nostalgic to downright grotesque, wrapped in a creepy package that screams “it’s spooky season, bitch!”

It’s like if Goosebumps and Are You Afraid of the Dark? had a lovechild with Trick ‘r Treat and then raised it on a steady diet of horror classics and black coffee. A collection that perfectly captures the vibe of the holiday where the dead walk, the candy is suspiciously sketchy, and your nightmares get a sugar high.

The stories range from unsettling whispers in a dark room to punch-you-in-the-face twist endings. They’re quick, punchy, and deadly effective — like Halloween snacks you want to binge but that might give you the shits later.

🕵️‍♀️ The Non-Spoilery Situation Report
What you get here is a parade of twisted tales from a stacked lineup of horror auteurs and fresh voices: Stephanie Rose curates this madness like a demonic ringmaster, while J.A. Barrio, Clay McLeod Chapman (hello, Booger Sugar—that title still haunts me), Morgan Briceno, and a cadre of others unleash their dark imaginings.

Stories like The Panthera Project and Mrs. Kings Candy drag you into scientific nightmares and sinister sweets. Last Requests and You’re Never Too Old for Halloween serve a cocktail of dread and nostalgia, like your grandma’s apple pie laced with poison.

Each story is like a little haunted house—different rooms, different horrors, all tied together with the common thread of Halloween’s gleefully macabre spirit.

🤔💭 The Review
Okay, here’s where I get uncomfortably real.

This anthology is not just a collection of stories. It’s a damn love letter to everyone who’s ever stayed up too late on Halloween night, clutching a flashlight and hoping the monster under the bed is just your imagination. It’s a throwback to the spooky shows and books that shaped us—Goosebumps, Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark—with a modern twist that keeps you guessing right to the last page.

Now, before the trolls come out swinging, let’s address the grotesque elephant in the haunted room: the bullshit claim in other reviews I’ve seen for example: “Holy adolescently inspired AI-slop Batman.”

Oh, you mean the book with 18 uniquely twisted voices, layered scares, emotional texture, and literary finesse? Yeah, sure, that definitely smells like some soulless bot churning out bland paragraphs, right? No. Just no.

This accusation is offensive on SO MANY levels I don’t even know where to start. It’s like showing up to a pumpkin carving contest, slapping down a beautifully detailed jack-o'-lantern, and saying, “Nah, a Roomba did that.”

There is zero evidence, zip, nada, to support the “AI did this” nonsense. I could almost respect the haters if their complaints were about pacing, character, or style. But claiming AI wrote this anthology? That’s not criticism; it’s lazy trolling with a side of jealousy.

Look, I’m all for pointing out when something feels generic or soulless. But this? These stories breathe, they scream, they haunt. The anthology bursts with personality—something no algorithm can fake yet.

Next time I see a review calling a book AI, I’m going to accuse them of being a chatbot programmed to troll the internet and watch their circuits fry. Because if you’re gonna throw stones, make sure you don’t live in a glass house of ignorance.

Now that we’ve tossed those losers into the fiery pit, let’s talk about why Twisted Tales actually works.

First, the nostalgia factor is STRONG here. This isn’t just a quick cash grab cashing in on October vibes—it’s a loving homage to the stories and shows that raised us, but with fresh blood injected. If you grew up with The X-Files whispering conspiracies into your ear or got caught sneaking another chapter of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark under your covers, this anthology hits that sweet spot.

Every story manages to stand alone with its own flavor—some eerie, some gruesome, some so weirdly funny I almost spat out my cider. The vibe is consistent: creepy, clever, and unapologetically Halloween.

There’s a genuine respect here for the spooky season’s ability to be fun and frightening all at once. The tales don’t just jump at you with gore and shocks—they simmer, they tease, and then they sucker punch you right when you think you’re safe.

Like Booger Sugar by Clay McLeod Chapman, which sounds like a gross joke but packs a hell of a punch—creepy, weird, and absolutely unforgettable. Or Mrs. Kings Candy which takes candy to a sinister new level that’ll make you think twice before grabbing that next chocolate bar.

Some stories hit harder than others—because hey, anthologies are like trick-or-treat bags. You don’t always love every candy, but the variety keeps you coming back. Some left me wanting full novels, which is a good problem to have. You know the ones—the tales that end with a twist so sharp it’s like a vampire bite you didn’t see coming.

The pacing is perfect for those who want to binge a few stories between pumpkin carving, horror movie marathons, or avoiding the neighbors handing out toothpaste and soap (seriously, what’s with that?).

Reading this felt like flipping through a spooky comic book with sharp, witty writing and just enough bite to keep you on edge. The prose is sharp and lean, with enough dark humor to make you grin in spite of yourself.

The characters, though brief, are memorable. These authors don’t waste time fluffing up extras—they give you just enough to care or fear for their fate. The villains are wicked, the victims relatable, and the monsters? Deliciously grotesque.

And there’s a twisted charm in how each author pays tribute to Halloween not just as a day, but as a full-on lifestyle—the obsessive love of costumes, candy, creepy legends, and the delicious terror that comes with all of it.

Also, shoutout to the editing and pacing, because this is no jumbled mess of random spooks. It’s tight. Every story gets just enough room to breathe and terrify, and then politely gets out of the way so the next nightmare can step into the spotlight.

In conclusion: Twisted Tales to Tell in the Night is a goddamn winner. It’s a collection that understands what Halloween really means: a chance to be scared, to laugh at the absurdity of fear, and to revel in the deliciously dark traditions that bind us all.

So, to those keyboard trolls tossing around their “AI did this” nonsense—Go bob for apples and don’t bother coming up for air. This book is real, it’s raw, and it’s exactly what spooky season ordered.

🔥 Final Verdict: Binge or Burn?
Binge this like your pumpkin spice latte depends on it.

If you crave that perfect blend of nostalgia, scares, and biting wit to kick off spooky season, Twisted Tales to Tell in the Night is your new must-have.

It’s quick, creepy, and packs enough Halloween magic to light your jack-o’-lantern for weeks.

Pick it up when it drops on September 16th and get ready to lose sleep—in the best way possible.

🎯 Let’s Shoot the Shit
What’s your favorite childhood spooky show or book? Did any of these stories give you those same nostalgic chills? Hit me up with your best scary memories, twisted tales, or fan theories about which candy is secretly the worst.

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Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Twisted Tales to Tell in the Dark is a Halloween-themed horror anthology that focuses on the horrors that come with the season. None of the stories are truly horrifying. Some are too short to make an impact, while others are good but end suddenly without a proper conclusion. The whole collection feels more like a nostalgia trip, and the general target audience is more for teens than adults. I'd give special mention to only two stories: "All Hallow's Eve" and "Morgana's Macabre Halloween Special."

Overall, it's still a nice read to spend an evening with, in anticipation of scarier seasons and reads

Definitely not what I expected. As most anthologies go for me, some were hits and some were misses but none stood out to be a new favorite story of mine. I gravitated towards this collection because the cover reminded me of the Scary Stories books I was obsessed with as a kid. This is for sure the grow-up version of that I still had a good time reading these stories.

I absolutely LOVED Twisted Tales to Tell in the Night! This was the perfect anthology to kick off spooky season! It definitely hit the mark with it's spine-tingling tales and hair-raising stories that totally captured that nostalgic feeling of being a kid and reading Scary Stories to tell in the dark, just a little more grown up! I really enjoyed all of the stories, from the creepy Best Friends Forever in which not even death can stop trick or treating to the fantastically spooky slumber party where Sweet Tooth is summoned and runs amuck.
This is perfect for the generation who grew up with Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, as well as the new generation looking for a scare. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in a fright. The stories were so varied, making for a great mix of spooky and funny and the stories weren't too adult that a younger reader could still enjoy them.
I honestly can't pick just one favorite story from this anthology; I truly did devour each one like a pillowcase full of trick or treat candy. However, both Morgana Macabre's Halloween Special by Wendy Dalrymple was exceptionally well done. The story really captured the late-night horror movie commentary vibe of Elvira's Movie Macabre, and Morgana's character was the spitting image of the mistress of the dark herself - super spunky and hilarious. I loved the idea of a low budget horror movie villain trying to take revenge on his critic, but what I did not expect was the blood-soaked twist ending!
Another favorite was We Don't go in the Howard's House by William Sterling. This was another twist ending that have me goosebumps! You could feel the fear emanating from the pages and it'll definitely make kids think twice about lying to their parents. The perfect scary cautionary tale for young trick or treaters.
The editors Stephanie Rose and William Sterling did a phenomenal job of selecting a terrific mix of stories that is sure to please any Alvin Schwartz fan. I truly hope there will be more Twisted Tales books in the future! I'm officially hooked and ready for Halloween!

Twisted Tales to Tell in the Night ... How excited I was to see this land on my bookshelf, giddy about the impending trip down memory lane. Instead of flashbacks to childhood readings (and re-readings and so on, ad nauseum) of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, I spent a lot of time either confused or annoyed. The homage never happened. The stories are nothing like Schwartz classics, no urban myth retellings, no shiver up the spine. Just a lot of characters doing frequently unexplained things for unexplained reasons.

The cover is great. Follow the old adage, and don't judge the book by it.

I went in expecting something similar to Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. The cover, font, and general vibes I think were intentional. While I did genuinely enjoy some of the installments (Booger Sugar was a treat), I found myself distracted by grammatical and structural errors in others. Another round of editing would go a long way to making this more palatable. That being said, it's an easy read and spooky enough to make a serviceable fall/Halloween TBR addition. Just make sure to temper your nostalgic expectations.

Twisted Tales to Tell in the Night by Stephanie Rose & William Sterling was obtained directly from the publisher and I chose to review it. These stories seemed to be written for YA but then would throw in things that are not suitable for that age level. As far as the stories, like all anthologies some were good, some not so much, but over all they all fell into the not so much category, with some being written like you joined in the middle of a story and some had been left off and others not being scary at all.

So like most people who read this I went into it thinking it was a new release of the classic tales I read as a kid because let’s face it, the cover looks identical as does the font. Anywho, I thought this was pretty creepy. Some of the stories were legitimately scary so good job. Also the vibes and nostalgia I felt in some of the stories were immaculate for the upcoming spooky season!! My last comment is that I saw another review saying something about AI and I truly hope that’s not the case here. I would not rate it as highly if that’s so. That all being said I dug this book and think everyone should check it out and listen to the playlist during. Vibes are chefs kiss for the way it used to feel to go trick or treating when you were a kid. Thanks to NetGalley, the publishers, and author for the chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley & Death by TBR Books for the advanced galley! I DNF'ed at 33% - I feel like I was kind of bamboozled into this because the cover art reminded me of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark and the summary mentions the stories are like it. Needless to say, they did not meet that expectation. The stories were more weird than scary.