Book Review: Rough Beasts and Other Mutations

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Rough Beasts and Other Mutations     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Thomas F. Monteleone
Class/Genre:   Fiction   Horror   [Short Stories]
Five Star, Nov 2003, $25.95, 400 pp.

This nineteen story collection contains strong tales that will excite readers of the horror and speculative fiction genres. The tales are all fun and fans of Thomas F. Monteleone as well any one who appreciates dark short thrillers will enjoy the collection.

Perhaps as fascinating to fans of the writer is observing the evolution of the author from fantasy/science fiction into horror writer, with the why explained in the introduction to this tome. The nine stories from the mid to late 1970s and the two from the 1980s timeframe fit more within the dark science fiction or fantasy genres. The eight contributions from the 1990s correspond more to the horror genre, still dark of course. Regardless of genre match, ROUGHLY BEASTS AND OTHER MUTATIONS is a solid subway ride on the dark side.

Harriet Klausner

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