20th Century Ghosts-Joe Hill

20th Century Ghosts
Joe Hill
Morrow, Oct 2007, $24.95
ISBN: 9780061147975

This is an interesting horror short story collection with the supernatural and teen male angst playing major roles in all the tales. All were printed in various magazines over the past decade, but never brought together under one collection until now. None of Joe Hill’s entries are weak, while some are excellent. All showcase how talented Mr. Hill is (see HEART SHAPED BOX). Readers will feel for John locked in a basement that's stained with blood (similar to the army physical during the draft days) of other murdered children calling him on a disconnected “Black Phone and empathize with Alec whose “paramour” Imogene is the title character a “20th Century ghost” haunting the Rosebud Theater. However, the best of the lot is "Bobby Conroy Comes Back from the Dead" as he is an unsuccessful comedian who meets his married ex-high school girlfriend on a horror film set. 20th CENTURY GHOSTS is a terrific 21st century horror anthology.

Harriet Klausner