+Horror Library+, Volume 9
Dark Moon Books (February, 2026)
Reviewed by Christina Persaud
Eric J. Guignard’s critically acclaimed and long-standing horror anthology series, +Horror Library+, frightfully delights once again in its ninth volume. Released earlier this year by Dark Moon Books, Volume 9 brings readers thirty horrific stories from both new and established writers, told by storytellers residing across the world. Since 2006, +Horror Library+ has showcased stories that excite and stir the imagination – and the latest volume does not disappoint. +Horror Library+ is a fine collection of perfected horror storytelling.
Author, editor, and two-time Bram Stoker Award winner Eric J. Guignard is well-versed in both writing horror and bringing horror writers together through collaborative works. “I’m a proponent of anthologies in general,” Guignard writes. “In an academic sense, anthologies can offer diverse perspectives to readers, introduce new writers, and promote original ideas. They’re a training ground for authors, a source of experimentation; they provide a structured means to explore, expand, and subvert. All within a single book.” And he ought to know. Guignard has edited thirteen collections, including the highly lauded +Horror Library+ series.
What can readers expect from the ninth volume?
The very first story, “Afterimage” by R.E. Rule, is a remarkable little tale about what to do with the things weighing us down. I especially enjoyed this story for its succinct pacing, which left just enough to the imagination while keeping this reader on her toes. “Bagdad, 1259” by Tanvir Ahmed immerses the senses on a journey into the past, taking readers to the Siege of Bagdad, where brutality in the name of power is never forgotten by the dead. Poppy Z. Brite’s “Found You” encapsulates the limitless reach of love and the willingness of those left behind to search for the ones gone too soon, no matter what – or who – they might find. “Third-Floor Windows” by LH Michael starts with a puzzling question: Why would a building have iron bars over its third-story windows but not on the ones below?
From there, readers find themselves face-to-face with daemons, surveillance infiltrating life, summoning vengeance, monstrous mermaids, and much, much more. “The Drowning Kind” by Jennifer Lesh Fleck is a heartfelt look at the complex relationships we have with aging parents, while “Dear Good, Kind Soul” by Delilah S. Dawson steers readers into the emotional strains and yearnings of motherhood. Every story in this collection is enthralling to read, adding depth to a robust collection of horror.
Even included at the end of the book is a treat – A special gallery by guest artist, Michael A. Livolsi, featuring his wildly imaginative “Freaks and Fools” series. From start to finish, Volume 9 is a wonderful addition to the +Horror Library+ anthology. The collection is a treasure for any reader who makes a trip to the +Horror Library+ for the deliciously dark and lovely things found in its shelves.
+Horror Library+, Volume 9 is available everywhere books are sold.
Articlesofhorror.com is grateful to Dark Moon Books and Eric J. Guignard for providing a review copy of +Horror Library+, Volume 9