Book Spotlight: Hunger Pangs by Scott J. Moses

Today the spotlight is on Hunger Pangs by Scott J. Moses!

I love short stories so I was excited to check out this brand new collection of horror stories just in time for spooky season. Thank you to the author for a review copy! The book is out now and you can order a copy through the official website.

Here’s the synopsis and my review:

Publication Date: 2 October 2020
Page Count: 209 pages
Genre: Horror
Author: Scott J. Moses

Synopsis:

“Thinking is like life, some insatiable hunger you’ll never quite satisfy.”

1959: A grieving lawman bargains with darkness to reunite his family.

1960: A traveling exorcist takes a case where the traditional means of expelling evil have failed.

1969: A haunted widower picks up a hitchhiking hippie.

1985: Siblings flee their horrid past—and the curse in their blood.

2020: An immortal longs for her life in the sun.

In his debut collection, Scott J. Moses presents thirteen tales of supernatural horror and everyday woe.

Review:

This is a beautifully written collection of dark fiction, I enjoyed every single story! I read short stories regularly and I can attest that it’s not easy to curate a collection where every story leaves a mark but Hunger Pangs absolutely delivers. A common theme of grief and loss simmer underneath the overt, dangerous dealings with ghosts, vampires and otherworldly creatures. This collection is a melancholic, thoughtful exploration of what it means to be alive.

I really liked the succinct writing; each word perfectly placed so that nothing is wasted. The characters come alive on the page. I wanted more of their stories and universe, even though I only spent a little time with them. They deal with deaths, longing, and the what ifs in different ways, sometimes to terrible ends. Lost souls, mourning spouses, lonely siblings – they’re all desperate to fulfill a desire for something else rather than deal with their pain. But while there’s despair, there’s also hope.

It’s hard to pick favourites but my picks are Blues Exorcist, a subversive look at an exorcism; What’s In Your Name, a dark haunting from the eyes of the ghost; and The Scent of Souls; a witchy haunted house tale. I also appreciate that an author’s note is included for all the stories.

Be sure to check out Hunger Pangs if you’re looking for a new short stories collection to add to your list!

Cover photo by Jr Korpa