Book Review: Fearful Symmetries

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Fearful Symmetries     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Thomas F. Monteleone
Class/Genre:   Fiction   Fantasy   Horror   [Short Stories]
Cemetery Dance, 2004, $40.00

This is a terrific compilation of many of Thomas F. Monteleone’s horror-dark fantasy tales published mostly in
the 1980s (nine) and 1990s (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.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner