Witching Hour Theatre is a horror story with bite. The characters are strong and the plot moves along at a fast pace, keeping you on the edge of your seat. The imagery is strong, in turns moody and cutting. This chapbook is just the right story for those dark nights curled up on the couch.

Wilson is a loner, a horrorphile who never misses Friday night at the starlight cinema, when macabre tales take over the silver screen. He notices Nichole, the beautiful girl who works the concession stand, and flirts with her, but lacks the bravery to ask her out. On this night Wilson finally manages to get up the courage to ask Nichole for a date. To his surprise, she accepts. Thrilled, he enters the darkness of the older viewing room which hosts Witching Hour Theatre.

Wilson settles in for a night of spooky fun. We see a group of people, including a cop, a few trouble makers, an elderly man and a young woman, but the story follows Wilson as he is caught up in the world of cinematic horror.

As the story progresses we see more of the minor characters, through the eyes of Wilson. His thoughts examine the world around him and we learn a bit of movie trivia. Then, one by one, the people in the theatre leave until only Wilson is left.

As if on cue Wilson is attacked by a monstrous creature and tries to flee. He finds himself trapped in the movie house with unknown killers. What happened to the other movie patrons? Did they manage to escape, or were they killed? What of Nichole? Is she dead, as well? Should he abandon her, or fight to save her from the horrible killers?

This story is short, visceral and sharply written. The author uses the movies onscreen to set the mood, then brings in stark imagery to reinforce the very real dangers Wilson must face as he finds his courage, both physical and moral. The themes of personal bravery and loneliness thread throughout this story, giving the main character depth and making us care what happens to him. I could wish a bit more time had been taken to develop the minor characters but Wilson is a strong lead and carries the tale. Very nice, Mr. Shaeffer.

Witching Hour by Craig Shaeffer is available from www.creativeguypublishing.com, or Fictionwise, ISBN=1-894953-23-1.

Susie Hawes is working mother from Wichita Falls, Texas. She loves mythology and folklore and spends her spare time writing. Her work has appeared in Neo-Opsis, Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine, Whispering Spirits, SFReader.com, Surreal, Shadow Box anthology, and Quietus Magazine. Susie writes a bimonthly column entitled “Spook Central” for EpicSFF.com. Her author’s page can be found here. Her book, Evas’ Son, is available from Ore Mountain Publishing House.