Nightmare Carnival for Adults

Step right up, ladies and gentlemen! Prepare yourself for an unforgettable journey under the big top, where you will encounter the most frightening clowns and the eeriest curiosities. This mesmerizing collection features stories from renowned authors such as Stephen Graham Jones, Laird Barron, Priya Sharma, and many others, all curated by the esteemed Hugo and Bram Stoker Award-winning editor, Ellen Datlow, serving as your guide through this nightmare.

In these fifteen chilling tales, you will experience a carnival filled with terrifying rides, supernatural sideshows, and petrifying performers that will keep you awake deep into the night. One standout story, Stephen Graham Jones's “The Darkest Part,” delves into the lives of three men plagued by their childhood encounter with a clown during a misguided Tunnel of Love ride. This encounter ultimately drives them to madness, proving that some innocent moments can lead to lifelong nightmares.

Another gripping tale, “The Firebrand” by Priya Sharma, explores the haunting obsession of an author consumed by the tragic deaths of three circus performers—a pair of brothers and a mesmerizing fire dancer. His desperate need to write about this calamity serves as a poignant reminder of how tragedy can linger in the shadows of one's mind.

Nathan Ballingrud's “Skullpocket” transports readers to a surreal alternate fantasy world. Here, we meet a revered ghoul from a town near Chesapeake Bay who mourns the loss of his one true love, an extraordinary freak show attraction known as the Orchid Girl. This story showcases the deep emotional connections that can exist even in the most unconventional circumstances.

Under the tent, you'll encounter an assortment of equally captivating tales crafted by authors including Genevieve Valentine, Robert Shearman, N. Lee Wood, Nick Mamatas, A. C. Wise, Terry Dowling, Joel Lane, Glen Hirshberg, Jeffrey Ford, Dennis Danvers, and Livia Llewellyn. The variety of voices in this anthology ensures a rich tapestry of horror elements, weaving together the familiar with the bizarre.

Critics have praised this collection, with Locus noting, “To Datlow’s credit, a number of her selections take the dark carnival theme into provocative new territory. Ballingrud’s tale is a magnificent piece of storytelling. Accompanied by another 14 estimable acts, it makes admission into Nightmare Carnival well worth the price.” Horror DNA adds, “There’s not a bad story in the bunch,” reinforcing the idea that every tale brings its unique flavor of terror and intrigue.

So come one, come all! Dive into the Nightmare Carnival and explore the shadows lurking beneath the laughter and color of the circus. Each story offers a fresh perspective on fear, blending the macabre with the magical, challenging the boundaries of imagination and horror. With Ellen Datlow as your ringmaster, you're bound to find a chilling experience that will linger long after the final page is turned.

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