I Hear the Clattering of the Keys is a short story collection that contains seven distinct pieces. In this review, I’ll be sharing my thoughts on the individual stories in the collection, as well as the collection itself. If you don’t want to be spoiled, you might want to skip this one. I promise you won’t hurt my feelings.

With this book releasing soon, I thought now was the perfect time to let you know about it. Keep reading to discover my thoughts on this collection.

Here’s a back-cover summary:

I Hear the Clattering of The Keys (And Other Fever Dreams) is a collection of macabre tales where ordinary lives find themselves shattered by forces that lurk on the fringes of existence.

Meet Alan Madden, who only wants to offer his son advice, even after he is dead; or Susie Granger, who worries for her neighbour Jane, known to everyone else as especially The Witch of Denison Street; or Sabina Kyle, who gets a special birthday present that – for a price – can make her dreams come true.

Jamie Stewart, co-editor of Welcome to the Funhouse, presents seven nightmarish tales that peel back the skin of normality to show that insanity and horror are only a scrap away.

Stewart’s prose is as capable as it is evocative. Although the collection maintains a simple, straightforward style, there is plenty of vivid imagery and description to hold any reader’s interest. It certainly held mine. I read the whole book in one sitting.

The collection opens with a bang. “Dead Air” tells the story of a trucker confronted by the ghostly voice of his father over his CB radio. I haven’t read any other stories featuring truck drivers, so this one was a refreshing change. It was a unique twist on the “ghosts of the past” trope, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The next story, “Insular,” is the one that shook me most. The protagonist, Peter, recalls some mysterious and creepy instances that occurred when he worked in a warehouse environment not unlike Amazon. Peter ends up essentially supervising a man named Julian, whom Peter initially dismisses as average. As time passes, Peter and his colleagues discover Julian’s uncanny speed and his superhuman ability to quickly pick his section of the warehouse. After their coworker Tina has unsettling encounter with Julian, Peter makes a chilling discovery—the reason Julian can pick so fast is that he is borrowing time from his own existence. I won’t share how this one ends, but I’ll say that this one is my favorite.

“Trick or Treat” is a perfect piece for spooky season. It felt like a domestic thriller with a touch of the supernatural. I love thrillers as well as horror stories, so I really liked this one. It also features a witch, of sorts. This tale leans heavily on the themes of grief and loss, and I loved the heart in it.

“The Beach House” got under my skin. I could see it as part of a horror anthology film. It even felt like creepypasta in parts. I mean that in the best way. I especially enjoyed the ending of this one.

“Alfie and the Dead Girls” haunted me. Out of all the stories, I felt it was the most realistic. I had no trouble picturing the unrest in the community. Nor did I blame the father for what he did, as I don’t even have children and I would have done the same thing. I don’t want to say anything else for fear of spoiling this one. I highly recommend it.

“The Woman Under the White Tree” reminded me a little of Black Mass, or maybe Black Mass meets The Exorcist. I’ve always been a sucker for stories with priests. I love the idea of having to exorcise a whole road, rather than a person. Stewart handles this one brilliantly.

The collection wraps up with the titular story, “I Hear the Clattering of the Keys.” Frightening, queer, and dark, it left me with a bad taste in my mouth—but in a good way. It’s the perfect poignant way to finish the collection.

I Hear the Clattering of the Keys releases on November 13, 2021. It gets five enthusiastic stars from me. You’ll be able to purchase the book on Amazon. I also recommend following Jamie Stewart on Twitter and Instagram. While you’re at it, consider following the publisher Blood Rites on Instagram as well. You can check out other books Blood Rites has published on their website. I highly recommend snatching up Welcome to the Funhouse, which I have a story in, too.

What book should I review next?

My own book, an adult vampire novella called Mouth Full of Ashes, was released on October 4. You can order it here! Thanks so much for your support.