I saved this read for October and went in with high hopes Some stories better than others unclear who target market is for the book book seems to be for young adults but the author would need to change the language and other things for that group.

I’m giving this collection of ten Halloween stories 2.5 stars, rounded to three. Who will survive to see November? These were mostly just fair. A number of them seemed like they were for young adults, but for the language.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me this copy to review

I really enjoyed this book. Lots of different types of horror sub genres so something for every horror lover out there. Perfect for spooky season.

I was really excited to read this one and held off until October, but I think I went in with too high of hopes. This is a collection of ten short stories and some were better than others. I found the first story was good and off to a great start but by the second it had me worried. Sure enough there were some that just missed the mark for me. That was due to either not really being scary or spooky, the writing or word choices in some of the stories, or some where I couldn't understand why it had been chosen to be included in this book. I've seen other really high reviews on this one so just bc it wasn't for me doesn't might not be for you so I would recommend checking it out if you do find it a bit interesting to you.

"Mischief Night Massacre: Ten Tales of Halloween" by Jason Parent is a solid collection of short stories that captures the eerie essence of Halloween in an entertaining, though sometimes uneven, package. From haunted houses to sinister amusement parks, each tale offers a different slice of Halloween horror, ensuring there's a little something for every type of horror fan.

The collection starts off strong with "Russian Dollhouse," which I found to be one of the highlights of the anthology. The suspense was palpable, and the supernatural elements combined well with teenage antics to create a genuinely chilling atmosphere. I also appreciated "Easy Pickings" for its gory, revenge-driven plot—it was short, sharp, and highly satisfying.

Parent’s writing excels at building atmosphere and setting the scene, which is evident in stories like "Dia de los Muertos" and "Rain." He weaves psychological horror with vivid, unsettling imagery that effectively brings out the best of the spooky season. Whether it's trick-or-treating in neighborhoods filled with secrets or dark family dynamics taking a twisted turn, Parent does a good job creating relatable scenarios with eerie twists.

While not every story in the collection was a complete hit, most were highly enjoyable, and even the less impactful ones had moments of effective tension and horror. "Pulp," for example, had an interesting setup that merged horror tropes with a Scream-meets-Groundhog Day concept, though it seemed to lose some focus along the way. Similarly, "Last Halloween" had promising elements, but the ending didn't quite land with the impact I was hoping for.

Despite these few shortcomings, the collection does an excellent job of exploring Halloween traditions through different horror lenses, from haunted amusement parks to unexpected twists on classic trick-or-treating. Parent knows how to create moments that make you hold your breath, and his knack for blending gore with psychological thrills gives these tales a fresh yet familiar feel. "Ride Like the Devil" and "Keeping Up Appearances" were both standout pieces, with great tension and effective twists that left a lasting impression.

Overall, "Mischief Night Massacre" is an enjoyable Halloween read, perfect for those looking to curl up with a collection of spooky tales during the autumn season. Though not every story hit the mark for me, the collection offers enough scares, twists, and Halloween nostalgia to keep fans of horror entertained. If you love creepy anthologies and enjoy a mix of psychological and supernatural horror, this book is well worth a read.

I love me a creepy anthology. And, in a world where those types of movies don’t seem to get made any more then thank goodness for books!

This collection of Halloween-themed short stories was my experience of the work of Jason Parent and I doubt very much it’ll be my last. His writing is tight, well-paced as crisp, while his stories don’t hold back on either the guys, the gore or the scares. His storytelling has a natural quality that makes a mockery of the unnatural things that happen in them.

I thought it was worth giving some thoughts on each of the tales collected here…

Russian Dollhouse: creepy and fun, a previously old and condemned house back to life for Halloween and playing sick games where it knows your biggest fears. Who will make it out?

Dia de los Muertos: what starts as a tale of PTSD for a war veteran takes a quite wild and gorey turn that was a lot of fun! Violent, nasty and satisfying.

Easy pickings: blood-soaked comeuppance for a nasty bully on Halloween. Very gory and very fun.

Keeping up Appearances: first half a little laboured but the second half really sings. Nasty and gory, and scary too. Halloween robberies gone wrong!

A Not Not-So-Scary Halloween: very well done, loved the punchline!

Rain: creepy story of a rainy Halloween night. It took a little while to get going, but the payoff was good with a disorientating and scary ending.

Black: a tale of revenge that was a little silly and far-fetched but fun all the same. Nice final line too.

Ride Like The Devil: very short and sharp story of a scary amusement park ride in the company of folk you don’t like. It was fine, not as good as the others.

Pulp: the longest story in the collection. A Halloween night of pranks, murder and pop culture references galore. This felt like it ran away from itself and ended up being a bit clunky and clumsy. Fun idea, but it didn’t quite hit for me.

Last Halloween: a weird little one to end it. Didn’t really do much for me sadly.

Overall, a no-brainer to read at this time of year, and one that I would absolutely recommend to fans of horror anywhere. Get your mischief managed with this fun collection!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Mischief Night Massacre: Ten Tales of Halloween by Jason Parent is a spine-chilling collection that perfectly encapsulates the eerie essence of Halloween. Parent, known for his knack for crafting unsettling narratives, delivers ten stories that are as diverse as they are terrifying, each one a testament to his mastery of the horror genre.

The anthology opens with “Russian Dollhouse,” where an innocent night of trick-or-treating spirals into a nightmare for a girl and her younger brother. This story sets the tone for the collection, blending relatable teenage angst with supernatural horror. Parent’s ability to build suspense is evident from the first page, drawing readers into a world where the line between reality and the macabre is deliciously blurred.

Each tale in Mischief Night Massacre offers a unique twist on Halloween traditions. From haunted amusement parks to sinister Halloween parties, Parent explores a variety of settings that keep the reader guessing. The stories are not just about scares; they delve into the psychological depths of fear, exploring themes of guilt, revenge, and the unknown. Parent’s characters are well-developed, their motivations and fears adding layers of complexity to the chilling plots.

One standout story is “The Last Ride,” set in a decrepit amusement park where a group of friends encounters more than just cheap thrills. The atmosphere is palpable, with Parent’s descriptive prose painting a vivid picture of rusting rides and eerie silence. The tension builds steadily, culminating in a climax that is both shocking and satisfying.

Another notable tale is “Pumpkin Patch,” which subverts the idyllic image of a family outing to a pumpkin farm. Here, Parent’s talent for creating unsettling imagery shines, as the seemingly benign setting transforms into a landscape of horror. The story’s pacing is impeccable, with each twist and turn heightening the sense of dread.

Parent’s writing is accessible and evocative, making Mischief Night Massacre a perfect read for both horror aficionados and those new to the genre. His ability to balance gore with psychological horror ensures that each story leaves a lasting impression. The collection is reminiscent of classic horror anthologies, yet it brings a fresh perspective that feels contemporary and relevant.

Mischief Night Massacre: Ten Tales of Halloween is a must-read for anyone looking to get into the Halloween spirit. Jason Parent’s collection is a masterclass in horror storytelling, offering a blend of traditional scares and innovative twists. Each tale is a journey into the unknown, guaranteed to keep you reading. Whether you’re a seasoned horror fan or just looking for a good scare, this anthology is sure to deliver.

SPOOKY SEASON! I looooove Halloween books so much and I have really been wanting to read anthologies and collections more. This one didn't disappoint. The stories were each intriguing, but I couldn't choose a favourite, even if you held a gun to my head. This was a strong collection

Mischief Night Massacre dives into the depraved mind of the human psyche. It's ranchy, gorey, edgy, and has some nice humorous moments.
I don't fully think this book was for me; I loved the first story and a few others among the 10, but there would be some line or some action from the character that would end up pulling me out of the story and I just couldn't get back into it. However, I enjoyed this authors writing and how personal everything felt, how connected you can get with all the characters while only knowing them for a short amount of time. Everyone felt thought out, at least enough for you to understand them even slightly.
If you like all things dark and twisted this collection might be for you!

It's no secret that Halloween is my favorite holiday and these stories are a perfect way to kick off spooky season.

In these tales you will step into an abandoned house that suddenly looks like the most expensive haunted attraction you've ever seen, take a haunted hayride with a couple whose marriage is on the rocks, attend a killer Halloween party, watch a bully regret his attempt to steal candy from the wrong kid, go on a carnival ride where rumor has it some people are never seen again, and more.

If I had to pick one favorite it would be Rain, If you ever had your trick or treating canceled by the weather, and you think you're over it now that you are a mature adult, this will bring it all back. Georgie was so looking forward to being the Incredible Hulk, and trick-or-treating with his best friend. The rain has totally ruined his plans. But as his father begins to tell him a scary story about another dark and stormy night in the past, things take a terrifying turn.

This was a fun and freaky read with more treats than tricks that I would recommend to anyone who loves Halloween or those like me who keep Halloween in our hearts all year long.

very creepy and spine chilling stories that will truly keep you up at night. This was definitely fun for the spooky season and Halloween !

These stories are utterly spine chilling and the perfect reads for spooky season. Thank you for the ARC, I recommended it anyone who’s asks what would be a good book with short stories.

I absolutely loved these mini stories they were prefect for fall time right before spooky season! I definitely recommend reading these for Halloween time

So many things smeed to be going on all that once. Some stories where your typical spooky urban legend material, others worked with folklore or horror movies. And all in all, it wasn´t bad. But it wasn't good either.
The books is fine, even if not as light as a book seemingly fast-paced usually is. In terms of the feeling once would expect to get from a horror novel, it wasn´t quite there. Despite all of this, I enjoyed the book, even if it isn't the greatest one out there.

I was lucky to receive a physical copy of this ARC and it came just in time. This is the time of year when my heart welcomes everything spooky. Every story hits all the different nerves of fright you have, I promise. Such a talented author.

I enjoyed some of these stories and others were just okay. I feel like most of the villains in this book tended to mainly be humans but more in a way of awful children/teens being awful.

I really enjoyed the story where the two siblings are going trick or treating in Florida.

The longest story, I can't remember it's name, I couldn't finish. The moment that teen girl said to her boyfriend 'lets suck face' I had to peace out.

Mischief Night Massacre by Jason Parent was obtained directly from the publisher and I chose to review it. I had never read Jason Parent before but I will certainly look for more of his works. These ten short stories were spot-on entertaining, long enough to get the point across but short enough the author was not forced to bog down in anything boring. If you like the spooky season that is fast approaching and enjoy short stories before bed, or whenever, give this book a read.

A great time of thrilling, horror stories - in time for Halloween. These stories didn’t scare me but some definitely had the creep factor and nostalgia. Recommend to start dipping your toe into horror.

Mischief Night Massacre by Jason Parent is a thrilling ride that perfectly captures the spirit of the spooky season! With its pulse-pounding suspense and clever twists, this horror tale keeps you guessing at every turn. Parent's sharp writing and engaging characters create an unforgettable atmosphere that is both chilling and exhilarating. This gripping read is a must for anyone looking to dive into a night of frights and fun!

Mischief Night Massacre is a collection of ten spooky short stories, all set on Halloween night. This was my first short story collection in a long time. They aren’t something I usually gravitate towards but curiosity got the better of me with this one.

The imagery within these stories was incredible and I couldn’t fault it. At many points throughout, I was gasping at how brilliant the descriptions were of the gory moments. When haunted/abandoned houses and carnival rides are used as settings, I immediately know that the story is going to be brilliant.

My Rating for Each Story

Russian Dollhouse - 5
Dia De Los Muertos - 3
Easy Pickings - 3
Keeping Up Appearances - 5
A Not Not-So Scary Halloween - 5
Rain - 4
Black - 3
Ride Like The Devil - 5
Pulp - 3
Last Halloween - 4

Jason Parent really knew how to build a sense of terror within each story. There was strong character development, which in a short story can be hard to do well seeing as you don’t have much time to build up before the story has ended. Quite a few of the endings had me in shock, especially A Not Not-So Scary Halloween, I actually had to re-read the ending a few times just to make sure I had read it right.

The stories that really stuck in my mind are Russian Dollhouse, Keeping Up Appearances, A Not Not-So Scary Halloween and Ride Like The Devil. I felt that the pacing of these stories worked really well and the others just lost my interest. While I think some of the stories were perfectly paced, the rest were more of a slow burn vibe. To go from one kind of pacing to another so quickly was something I struggled with. I feel like if all the stories had the same pacing then I may have enjoyed it more. Within some stories, especially Easy Pickings there was some language that I found quite off-putting. While I understand that it was about someone being a bully, I felt that the language could have been more varied (and less offensive) rather than focusing on using one specific slur constantly.

My overall rating of this book is 3.5. I appreciate the spooky vibes that this book emanated, it has definitely put me in the mood to read some more horror books. I will be sure to check out more of Jason Parent's work.

**I received this advanced copy of Mischief Night Massacre by Jason Parent from NetGalley and Corpus Press in exchange for an honest review**