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Reviewed by Katelyn Hensel for Readers' Favorite
Talking Walls and Cigarettes: And Other Dark Tales is a decidedly wicked horror short story collection by Erin Beck and Kelli Beck. For these dark tales, you'd better remember to read with the light on. One thing of note was that the entire book was impeccably well-written, the dialogue was flowing and believable, and each of the short stories had a fascinating, though quickly wrapped-up plot. The stories themselves however, may be enough to give you nightmares for days. But there is something smart about these tales too. It isn't just SAW in book form. They have heart, meaning, and somber intentions that transcend the pages and get deep into your brain to make you think. I don't want to describe all of the stories, but I will quickly tell you about some of my favorites.
1. The Salesman: A thought-provoking and mind-troubling story about a lonely, remorseful bartender and the saint or demon who is helping her deal with the sins of her past, this one was as eerie as it was thrilling. The writing was quick, clean, and had an almost gritty air of a cop drama. I literally had the hair sticking up on the back of my neck.
4. Cough Syrup: When attraction becomes obsession, Phillip's desire for Evelyn has become his whole life. He walks her to work and back and watches her whenever she is at home...all without her knowing. The pure somber and desperate setting of Phillip's neighborhood and predator vs. prey dynamic between many of the characters is what really stood out in this disturbing tale.
Although I've never heard of Erin and Kelli Beck before reading this collection, you can bet I will be on the lookout for any other things they create. With twisted stories and fantasy seeking minds like theirs, they could very well be the female versions of Stephen King and Dean Koontz.
