Book Review | What One Wouldn’t Do: An Anthology on the Lengths One Might Go To

What One Wouldn’t Do is an incredible collection of 29 horror stories and poems on the theme of grief. It asks how far would a person go when they’re driven by heartbreak?

The anthology is edited by Scott J. Moses who wrote Hunger Pangs, a fantastic collection of grief horror stories. The introduction is written by Laurel Hightower, whose novella Crossroads also explores the dark side of grief. This anthology dives into the darkness of human depravity, the despair of a parent’s agony, the sacrifice of a loved one, the revenge of a hurt victim. The stories are wonderfully diverse and creative, comprising of everything from supernatural tales to fantasy to creature features. Many of these authors are new to me and it was a pleasure to be introduced to their work for the first time.

I sometimes forget who I was, who I lost, and why I do it.

Ella Minnow (Nick Younker)

Sacrifice is a common theme in this collection. In the beautifully drawn With Animals (J.A.W McCarthy), a man revives his best friend after her death with devastating consequences. Baby Girl (J.V. Gachs) portrays a pregnant woman who makes an offering for her unborn baby. Cry Me A River (Stephanie Ellis) is a dystopian nightmare where a mother will do anything to save her child. The heartbreaking Take Control (Emma E. Murray) shows a sister’s difficult decision in the face of danger. Holding (Simone le Roux) looks at the extent of a woman’s action in order to have the perfect home. The Wishing Well (Daniel Barnett) features a mysterious well that can grant wishes but with a price.

Other stories examine the darkness that arises from grief, whether through vengeance or obsession. The Witch of Flora Pass (Scott J. Moses) presents a man’s harrowing testimony where he denies killing his wife. The Last Word (Laurel Hightower) is about a man who seeks a medium to connect with his deceased father. The disturbing Ella Minnow (Nick Younker) sees a father embarking on a quest to catch sex traffickers after his daughter went missing. In Silver Dollar Eyes (Eric Raglin), the owner of a haunted house attraction uses a real ghost, until she rebels. The historical horror Mos Teutonicus (Bryson Richard) shows a soldier’s obsession that leads him down a dark path. Traditional Women (Donna Lynch) is a poem on embracing the role of vengeful women.

I’ve read plenty of anthologies this year and this ranks as one of the best. If you are looking for fantastic short stories and new authors to discover, don’t miss What One Wouldn’t Do!

CW: child death, sexual assault, domestic abuse, physical violence

I received a copy from the publisher for review purposes. 

About the editor: Scott J. Moses

Photo by Annie Spratt