A good collection of short works. I am an unabashed fan of the author's "Fighting Bucktails" novels. Included here are several shorts that are tied to but require no knowledge of that series. Two best in this collection are the true horror stories, "Ralph Crossmire Hates My Face" and the equally good "The Long Way Home". ( )

Terror Time

Within this book, lay fourteen suspense and horror stories and poems, beginning with a poem that brings to life for the reader, a style of personage so clear, one cannot but believe he is not speaking from personal experience. Or is he?

Though toted as non-fiction, the work within seem to have been dug from the place where hidden are horrific thoughts such as these poems depict. They speak in few words what most cannot voice if pressed to, and leave the reader wondering about what is to come after the poem is over.

The first story, “The Return of Laura Watson “, we learn Laura, an up and coming society woman has come home to help with her mother. Ben, Laura’s brother and mother to Mrs. Fairweather, is caught between not quite knowing how to console his mother regarding Laura and keep his sister happy in the world in which she has been thrust. The ending will leave the reader speechless causing many to re-read it to make sure they got it right.

With stories of suspense and horror, the reader is left time and again stunned, shocked or even sickened . From little old ladies trying to get her son to listen but instead, being ignored; to Norseman, Andy the Hardy finding out what really makes his lady love, Shera tick, this book is one that once it has a hold of you, you will read it from cover and finish wishing for more.

The poems are of a dark free form style, which adds a measure of unsettlement to the book. As most readers expect poetry to rhyme or at least tell in clear detail what it’s message is, William P. Robertson does not cater to putting his poems in a “neat little box” instead he oftentimes seems to leave his poems unfinished perhaps to leave the reader to fill in the blanks and make their own endings.

It is a good book in every sense of the word, and one that sticks with the reader long after the last page is turned. If Mr. Robertson’s intention was to linger within the readers mind long after the book has been finished, he has accomplished that well, and if his intention was to put out there for his readers unspeakable snippets of life that might be more than mere lore, he has once again accomplished his goal.

Read for yourself this entertaining, though at times disturbing, book of horror and suspense. But one word of caution, these stories are said to be fiction but the author has portrayed the characters in these stories so well, they could be living in your town, your neighborhood or two doors down. Who knows, you may have a neighbor just like Lauren living right next door and never know it. Unless of course, it’s too late. ( )

I read this book on Halloween, and it was the perfect read for that day! William Robertson has taken a collection of his poetry and short stories and offers readers a book that is both thought-provoking and scary. A couple of the stories are written using characters from his previously published collections of stories, but they stand on their on as great stories too.

Several of the poems, while written simply, are haunting and will stay with the reader for some time. Robertson has a real talent for taking every day thoughts and events and adding a frightening twist.

I would be hard-pressed to pick a favorite story, I pretty much recommend them all....you won't be disappointed. If you enjoy cowboy/western type stories, there are a couple here you will enjoy. The author has written a series of books in that genre that I look forward to reading. They are added to my growing to be read list! ( )