LT ER Review.
Two huge volumes of short stories from many horror writers compiled in tribute to the writer Rick Hautala who died suddenly and too young.
A few strong and memorable stories, many OK ones and more. ( )

Unfortunately, I'm unable to review this book because I've never been able to open the file to read it, and I don't know how to convert the file into a readable format. Sorry. I would if I could!

This book was sent to me by LibraryThings Early Reviewer Program.

I didn't read anything from Rick Hautala but after reading this anthology I want to read his books. He was a loved and influential horror writer. It is aparent from the wide scope of authors in this anthology.

In second volume there is a story by Rick Hautala as well. It's an interesting read and a suitable closure to a better anthology. Clive Barkers story TOM REQUIEM is Barker at his best. Christopher Golden has an interesting story that is very well written. Also Tim Lebonn's story JUST BREATH is another gem in this book.

Get these two volumes and read some great stories.

LibraryThing gave me free e-copies of Mister October Volumes I and II: An Anthology in Memory of Rick Hautala as part of their Early Reviewer program. I had never heard of Rick Hautala (even though he’s published dozens of novels and short stories), but I had heard of several of the authors included in this anthology. So I was looking forward to checking out this collection.

As some of you may know, there’s a sad reason for the books’ creation. Rick Hautala died of a heart attack in March 2013, leaving his wife and children in a bad way financially; money struggles had forced him to let his life insurance slip. So editor Christopher Golden chose to create this anthology as a way to raise money for the family. Chris Paine at Journalstone agreed to publish the books without taking a profit.

The result is a decent collection of horror stories. I found the second volume to be stronger the first, enjoying more of the stories therein. I really liked Jack Ketchum‘s evilly funny “Hotline,” Peter Straub‘s “Little Red’s Tango” (I once aspired to have an apartment full of records like that, just not the demon), and Nancy Collins‘ “Catfish Gal Blues,” along with Jeff Strand‘s “Hologram Skull Cover” and Nate Kenyon‘s “The Dreamcatcher.” They were the strongest in terms of both the horror itself and the writing. Volume I’s shining moments included Yvonne Navarro‘s “Craving,” Joe Lansdale‘s “Tight Little Stitches,” and Jonathan Maberry‘s “Property Condemned: A Story of Pine Deep.” The latter, a seriously creepy haunted house tale, has me wanting to read Maberry’s Pine Deep Trilogy now.

In fact, this anthology introduced me to a lot of authors I want to read more of: for example, Sarah Langan, John Skipp, the editor Christopher Golden, Tim Lebbon, José Nieto, and Duane Swierczynski. Their stories made up for the weaker ones, and there are sadly many of those in this collection. Stories that are weak in the telling, dull, or repulsive in a not-good horror way.

Your mileage may vary, of course. Mister October is definitely worth a read and buying it helps folks who need it. Seems like a good thing all around, even thought the reason for it is a sad one. 3.2/5 ( )

The second part of the anthology being used to assist the Hautala family, Mister October, Volume II - An Anthology in Memory of Rick Hautala, has an impressive lineup of writers, including Clive Barker, Peter Straub, Brian Keene, Tim Lebbon, Christopher Golden (who also happens to be the editor of the anthology), and James A. Moore, just to name a few.

I think my favorite from this collection may have been “War Stories,” by James A. Moore. I haven’t read much by him, and this was my first foray into his Crowley stories. I certainly wouldn’t mind taking a peak at the others.

If you like to venture into the strange, then you’ll be delighted with Lucy A Snyder’s delicious story “Magdala Amygdala,” which should leave you feeling pleased that it’s just a story. And Nancy A. Collins has a fish tale that isn’t your ordinary Little Mermaid story in “Catfish Gal Blues.”

But perhaps one of the most effecting stories in the anthology is “Independence Day” by Sarah Langan. This dystopic future with machines for doctors and a world in which you can’t speak against the government will remind you in some ways of George Orwell’s 1984 and certain aspects of the movie version of Logan’s Run, but has a uniqueness that leaves the reading wanting to know more.

Genre fans will appreciate these stories, along with the cause the proceeds are going towards. ( )