Epeolatry Book Review: Urban Legends: Three New Tales of Terror (Dark Tide Book 20) by Nick Roberts, Dan Franklin, and Leigh Kenny

Urban Legends are a great part of storytelling. Such timeless throwbacks might have you stand in front of a mirror in the dark while repeating, “Blood Mary”, or have you on the lookout for your local Bigfoot (I grew up with Skunk Apes, personally). Most likely, your local legends are much more unique. We had a house in my neighborhood that stood empty for years. Legend was that a murder had taken place and it was still haunted by ghosts of the family. Urban Legends are constantly gaining new life as we still feel it necessary to explain the unexplainable. 

The twentieth book in the Dark Tides anthology series, titled Urban Legends: Three New Tales of Horror, adds to the ever-growing collection of tall tale horror. Featuring three unique stories, this anthology casts a wide net on topics that generate their own timeless stories.

From Leigh Kenny comes “Knock on Wood”, the story of a house with a legendary resident. Just who is Mr. Upside Down and is he really responsible for the death of the Stanley family? Having just moved in, The Abbott family is about to find out. While short, this story is dynamically written and changes character perspective from chapter to chapter. This unique approach allows the reader to see what happens to each character from their respective POV. Even the titular sound is receptive to the reader. I mean, who’s never heard a strange knocking? 

“Nesting” by Dan Franklin follows Karen Amanda Carmichael, a new mother who has wanted a baby more than anything else in her life. After fighting every step of the way for the moment she gets to hold her new baby, something feels wrong. Is this new bundle of joy really her baby? I will hand it to Franklin, the anguish he creates describing Amanda’s battle for a baby is heart-wrenching. Coupling that with the body horror that ensues, I found myself delightfully squeamish during this entire read. 

Lastly, “Poltergeist Password” by Nick Roberts, written in transcript format, tells the final episode of Broadcasts from the Grave, a paranormal investigation podcast. The three hosts attempt to prove or debunk the rumored Poltergeist Password, said to draw forth spirits. What awaits these three friends isn’t any ordinary ghost. Roberts does an amazing job creating the podcast feel. Most listeners of talk podcasts will agree that the inclusion of witty banter and sponsor slots are expected additions to the main talking point. With investigation drop-ins to clarify key moments in the story, it’s easy to imagine a real life paranormal podcast playing out this way. Well, most of it, at least.

Urban Legends: Three New Tales of Terror is a terrifying look at modern tall tales of horror. Fans of short form horror, skin-crawling nightmare induced chills, and supernatural creatures will love this anthology.  

/5

Available from Amazon and Bookshop.