The Book of Queer Saints edited by Mae Murray

I would like to thank the publishers for an advance copy of this collection in exchange for a fair and honest review

Published - 29/3

Publisher - £12.13 paperback £7.60 Kindle eBook

In this debut horror anthology by editor Mae Murray, queer villains reign supreme. The Book of Queer Saints features 13 short stories and a lineup that includes renowned authors Eric LaRocca, Hailey Piper, and Joe Koch. Joining them are the innovative visions of Briar Ripley Page, Nikki R. Leigh, Joshua R. Pangborn, Eric Raglin, Belle Tolls, Perry Ruhland, James Bennett, LC von Hessen, K.S. Walker, and George Daniel Lea. A fresh blend of transformative body horror, crimson-coated romance, and monstrous eroticism, this anthology is sure to satisfy your every depraved itch. Foreword by Sam Richard of Weirdpunk Books.

Horror has had a reputation for putting its LGBT+ characters as monsters but only with huge amounts of subtext by which often it was very rare that any character would actually admit to being queer.  The danger of othering a character is you also say they only ever are monsters because they are queer. The good news as with the other genres is that this is changing with a new generation of authors and in the great The Book of Queer Saints edited by Mae Murray we have the villains of the stories all very clearly embracing and accepting their sexuality and identity yet still bringing the horror in all it’s delicious evil splendour.

Amongst the stories I enjoyed were: -

We Frolic Within the Leviathan’s Heart by Hailey Piper – a stunning atmospheric opening story where a monster of the sea named Mother Mayoud deposits her ‘crew’ for Frolic Night expecting a tithe to be paid. This tale is told from Quay’s perspective who is one of the crew. Piper creates a sense of ancient magic, people turned into the Mother’s attendants who now walk for a night in a seaside town seeking all sorts of treasure. We get an encounter between Quay and Rachael a woman who has just lost her lover and the skill in the story is that you feel this could end in many different ways. We get loss, acceptance, passion, desire and betrayal all wrapped up in a tale that is ultimately haunting and memorable.

The Neon Holocaust by Eris LaRocca – a serial killer murders all his gay victims and hides their remains within his house. One victim tells us his tale from beyond the grave and very unusually explores why someone who is very likely gay would feel in our society that killing and hating is the only way. The monster may get their comeuppance in this story but does point ou it’s the world such people grew up in and swallowed the views of others that may create monsters too. Sombre and disquieting I really liked this approach and the wider sad gaze it gives the world that made this situation.

Morta by James Bennett – This much more faster paced tale cleverly combines classic cosmic horror themes with teenage body changes and a young teen realising that he has a huge crush on the school’s best footballer. I think what makes this story work so well is Morta’s voice telling their story. They have their parent who has all these plans for him involving the end of the human world; finding out their skin can dissolve human flesh and also acknowledging they are gay. There is a touch of humour and humanity in the story that runs even when we get secret societies, gruesome deaths, mysterious strangers, and Morta fighting for his life. Can anyone blame him for making himself the best Imago he will ever be? Smart, funny and human – Lovecraft would have hated it and that’s even better!

Stage Five Clinger by Nikki R Leigh – Suzie is a thirty-something woman who has realised her sexuality very late and wants to finally find love. Her first relationship initially all about physical attraction is the beautiful Nadine who has a reputation for breaking hearts. This is a story about desire and passion and getting truly lost in someone where the relationship may not be love and may in stead be more trying to satisfy a need in you not to be alone. I really liked how this story built up the relationship dynamics making you understand Susie’s life and decisions but also making you afraid that is this is all about to go badly wrong which it will! Really great storytelling!

Crumbs by Joshua R Pangborn – this tale is about power as a young man tied to a bed suddenly notes his dead lover has come back to life. Its unsettling and as the story develops you wonder exactly who is in control here and where it will eventually end. Initial thoughts on who is the weaker party here may be soon reversed. Fascinating and eerie.

Three For A Funeral by K S Walker – a woman is asked by a friend (and an old crush) to help get revenge on the boyfriend who ran away when he got her pregnant. All she needs to do is perform a little ritual. A tale of what happens when you may begin to abuse the affection a friend has for you and a reminder that magic always has a price to pay. I really like the way this made all the characters with their backstory come alive and yet also builds up the sense that something is going to go very wrong.

Macrame Flames – A tale that ends the world and yet very humorously also talks of re-found love. The Nightmare Queers Biker Gang have served Satan well and yet eventually they realised that the reason their ritual to bring the devil to Earth went wrong was they were just one robbery and arson short of the required 666. Now all middle aged the gang must get back together for one last heist. Our narrator and his one-time lover Thorp get a chance to do things right. Its funny, it mocks how we change a little as we age and ends with panache combining gunfights, arson and a giant demon! What more does anyone want?

The Book of Queer Saints is fundamentally a great horror anthology filled with these and many more notable stories trying to creep out the reader but also ensuring that this time the monster does not hide their true nature they embrace it in its full threated glory. In turns angry, haunting, funny and bittersweet these are stories to make you think as well as admire the storytelling. Well worth tracking down and highly recommended!