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They Move Below
Horror lives in the shadows.
It exists under the earth’s surface in ancient caves. Below the vast sea’s undulating waves. Under dense forest cover. Within a storm’s thick, rolling clouds. And downstairs in our homes, when we hear the knife drawer rattle in the night. Even our minds and bodies harbour the alien under the skin, the childhood nightmares in our subconscious.
Darkness hides things, no matter how much we strain our eyes. And sometimes those things are looking back at us.
In this collection of fifteen scary stories to tell in the dark, Karl Drinkwater sews flesh onto the bones of our worst fears, full of creeping menace that seeps from urban legends and folk horror.
Note: this work is 100% human-created, crafted with love by the author. No generative AI has been used in the writing or editing.
It exists under the earth’s surface in ancient caves. Below the vast sea’s undulating waves. Under dense forest cover. Within a storm’s thick, rolling clouds. And downstairs in our homes, when we hear the knife drawer rattle in the night. Even our minds and bodies harbour the alien under the skin, the childhood nightmares in our subconscious.
Darkness hides things, no matter how much we strain our eyes. And sometimes those things are looking back at us.
In this collection of fifteen scary stories to tell in the dark, Karl Drinkwater sews flesh onto the bones of our worst fears, full of creeping menace that seeps from urban legends and folk horror.
Note: this work is 100% human-created, crafted with love by the author. No generative AI has been used in the writing or editing.
- GenresHorrorShort Stories
307 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 11, 2016
5 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
About the author
Karl Drinkwater
28 books125 followersKarl Drinkwater is an author with a silly name and a thousand-mile stare. He writes dystopian space opera, dark suspense and diverse social fiction. If you want compelling stories and characters worth caring about, then you’re in the right place. Welcome!
Karl lives in Scotland and owns two kilts. He has degrees in librarianship, literature and classics, but also studied astronomy and philosophy. Dolly the cat helps him finish books by sleeping on his lap so he can’t leave the desk. When he isn’t writing he loves music, nature, games and vegan cake.
Go to karldrinkwater.uk to view all his books grouped by genre.
As well as crafting his own fictional worlds, Karl has supported other writers for years with his creative writing workshops, editorial services, articles on writing and publishing, and mentoring of new authors. He’s also judged writing competitions such as the international Bram Stoker Awards, which act as a snapshot of quality contemporary fiction.
DON’T MISS OUT!
Enter your email at karldrinkwater.substack.com to be notified about his new books. Fans mean a lot to him, and replies to the newsletter go straight to his inbox, where every email is read. There is also an option for paid subscribers to support his work: in exchange you receive additional posts and complimentary books.
PRAISE FOR KARL’S WORK
“Drinkwater creates fantastically believable characters.” —On The Shelf Reviews
“Each book remains in my mind for a long time after. Anything he writes is a must-read.” —Pink Quill Books
“Karl Drinkwater has the skill of making it near impossible to stop reading. Expect late nights. Simply outstanding.” —Jera’s Jamboree
“An intelligent and empathetic writer who has a clear understanding of the world around him and the truly horrific experiences life can bring. A literary gem.” —Cooking The Books
“Drinkwater is a dab hand at creating an air of dread.” —Altered Instinct
“A gifted writer. Each book brings its own uniqueness to the table, and a table Drinkwater sets is one I will visit every time." —Scintilla
Karl lives in Scotland and owns two kilts. He has degrees in librarianship, literature and classics, but also studied astronomy and philosophy. Dolly the cat helps him finish books by sleeping on his lap so he can’t leave the desk. When he isn’t writing he loves music, nature, games and vegan cake.
Go to karldrinkwater.uk to view all his books grouped by genre.
As well as crafting his own fictional worlds, Karl has supported other writers for years with his creative writing workshops, editorial services, articles on writing and publishing, and mentoring of new authors. He’s also judged writing competitions such as the international Bram Stoker Awards, which act as a snapshot of quality contemporary fiction.
DON’T MISS OUT!
Enter your email at karldrinkwater.substack.com to be notified about his new books. Fans mean a lot to him, and replies to the newsletter go straight to his inbox, where every email is read. There is also an option for paid subscribers to support his work: in exchange you receive additional posts and complimentary books.
PRAISE FOR KARL’S WORK
“Drinkwater creates fantastically believable characters.” —On The Shelf Reviews
“Each book remains in my mind for a long time after. Anything he writes is a must-read.” —Pink Quill Books
“Karl Drinkwater has the skill of making it near impossible to stop reading. Expect late nights. Simply outstanding.” —Jera’s Jamboree
“An intelligent and empathetic writer who has a clear understanding of the world around him and the truly horrific experiences life can bring. A literary gem.” —Cooking The Books
“Drinkwater is a dab hand at creating an air of dread.” —Altered Instinct
“A gifted writer. Each book brings its own uniqueness to the table, and a table Drinkwater sets is one I will visit every time." —Scintilla
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
December 19, 2017
I received this audiobook in exchange for a honest review.
I liked this! This is a collection of short stories with something that moves below. The stories were good and the narrator did a great job. I would read more stories by this author.
I liked this! This is a collection of short stories with something that moves below. The stories were good and the narrator did a great job. I would read more stories by this author.
January 25, 2019
Horror, like most genres, possesses a plethora of tropes. Utilizing them again in the same old ways is never entertaining, but playing a new riff on old tropes is. Witness: Karl Drinkwater's THEY MOVE BELOW (SUSPENSE HORROR BOOK 2) is a case in point. In fifteen tales, Mr. Drinkwater looks into the Shadows; and discovers the Shadows are looking back at us. Read in the daylight, or read with a friend; but don't read alone.
July 27, 2016
Let me start by saying I've made a big effort to finish this in daylight! There are some seriously creepy stories in this one, I especially liked They move below, just telling stories, claws truth forebear, sinker ( beware fishermen) and creeping jesus which really was creepy! Anyway I love Stephen King's short stories and I loved these too so I hope that persuades you horror fans to try this one
June 28, 2017
As usual with short stories I will review and rate them separately so will keep it short and simple. I'll then give an overall rating of whole book...
TRANSMISSION (PART 1)
This Is just an intro really and part 1 of a 2 part story. Excellent descriptions and a good lead up to part 2. 3/5
IF THAT LOOKING GLASS GETS BROKEN
This starts of innocent enough and becomes quite dark. Would have liked to know a bit more about her son 2/5
THEY MOVE BELOW
A tale of what happens when you mess with things you shouldn't. I think he got what he deserved. 3/5
CREEPING JESUS.
Loved this one. A twisted horror version of night at the museum!! 5/5
JUST TELLING STORIES
Another fab one!! 2 friends telling ghost stories in a hotel room when stories become reality. 5/5
CLAWS TRUTH FOREBEAR
A tense suspense horror about a greedy man who ventures into unknown caves for treasure and gets his come uppance. 5/5
BREAKING THE ICE
Tense suspense thriller that fuels your imagination. 5/5
HOW IT GOT THERE
Bit of an unexpected twist in this one 4/5
WEB
Not sure if this is delusional ramblings of a woman gone crazy or something more sinister 2/5
THE SCISSOR MAN
A mega creepy version of the Boogey man. 5/5
SINKER
Struggled to read because of
"accent" but very suspenseful and a great "revenge" ending 4/5
OVERLOAD
Really enjoyed this. Filled with suspense and shows how scary the net can be. 5/5
REGRESSION
When childhood fears come back to haunt you as an adult. 4/5
SECOND TRANSCRIPT
A continuation from Breaking the Ice that make you wonder how many people were involved 4/5
LIVING IN THE PRESENT
Another one with an unexpected twist. Very creepy Christmas tale. 5/5
BLEEDING SUNSET, DANCING SNOWFLAKES
A build up filled with tension, lots of fun and then a twist leaving it to the readers imagination. Excellent descriptions. 5/5
TRANSMISSION (PART 2)
This one I found a bit confusing and uninteresting, not sure whether it was about aliens or transmission from TV or both 1/5
The story notes at the end are quite interesting so if you read this don't miss them. I worked out an average for all the short stories for the book and it worked out as 3.9 so it gets a 4/5
TRANSMISSION (PART 1)
This Is just an intro really and part 1 of a 2 part story. Excellent descriptions and a good lead up to part 2. 3/5
IF THAT LOOKING GLASS GETS BROKEN
This starts of innocent enough and becomes quite dark. Would have liked to know a bit more about her son 2/5
THEY MOVE BELOW
A tale of what happens when you mess with things you shouldn't. I think he got what he deserved. 3/5
CREEPING JESUS.
Loved this one. A twisted horror version of night at the museum!! 5/5
JUST TELLING STORIES
Another fab one!! 2 friends telling ghost stories in a hotel room when stories become reality. 5/5
CLAWS TRUTH FOREBEAR
A tense suspense horror about a greedy man who ventures into unknown caves for treasure and gets his come uppance. 5/5
BREAKING THE ICE
Tense suspense thriller that fuels your imagination. 5/5
HOW IT GOT THERE
Bit of an unexpected twist in this one 4/5
WEB
Not sure if this is delusional ramblings of a woman gone crazy or something more sinister 2/5
THE SCISSOR MAN
A mega creepy version of the Boogey man. 5/5
SINKER
Struggled to read because of
"accent" but very suspenseful and a great "revenge" ending 4/5
OVERLOAD
Really enjoyed this. Filled with suspense and shows how scary the net can be. 5/5
REGRESSION
When childhood fears come back to haunt you as an adult. 4/5
SECOND TRANSCRIPT
A continuation from Breaking the Ice that make you wonder how many people were involved 4/5
LIVING IN THE PRESENT
Another one with an unexpected twist. Very creepy Christmas tale. 5/5
BLEEDING SUNSET, DANCING SNOWFLAKES
A build up filled with tension, lots of fun and then a twist leaving it to the readers imagination. Excellent descriptions. 5/5
TRANSMISSION (PART 2)
This one I found a bit confusing and uninteresting, not sure whether it was about aliens or transmission from TV or both 1/5
The story notes at the end are quite interesting so if you read this don't miss them. I worked out an average for all the short stories for the book and it worked out as 3.9 so it gets a 4/5
November 3, 2016
16 stories - 16 mini reviews
Also on my blog I have a link to a read your own adventure of the first half of Harvest Festival!! http://lifeofanerdishmum.blogspot.co.uk/
Ok so if anyone is still around (I don't blame anyone who isn't because I'd be over there reading through right now myself) I'll share my review of the 16 stories contained in They Move Below.
The first story is Transmissions Part 1 and it is a kind of introduction to the book with a narrator contemplating darkness, the man is very philosophical and really makes you think, even when you have an idea of what he's actually about to do.
If That Looking Glass Gets Broken, starts off innocuous enough and then then further into the story you get, the more messed up things become. By the end I wasn't 100% sure if I was dealing with a woman with mental issues or something a lot more sinister which made the reading very unsettling.
The title story, They Move Below, is set on a small boat on the ocean containing just two people. I did struggle with the dialect at first but I soon fell into the rhythm of it. This story definitely shows how important it is not to mess with things that you don't understand and that a fear of the deep is a sensible one to have.
I've always thought that museums can be creepy places and I couldn't put into words how creepy they may be at night...Karl Drinkwater however has done just that in Creeping Jesus! As a parent this also terrified me as the thought of school trips gets closer as my Nerdling gets older.
I have already reviewed Harvest Festival on it's own previously and I gave it 5 stars, excellent story!
"Holyyyyyy Crap" - these are the exact notes I write about Just Telling Stories. This story was absolutely terrifying and I think pretty much everyone's worst nightmare (or definitely mine at least). I struggled going to the bathroom in the night after reading this for a good while and probably will again now I've thought about it to review it! It really has stuck with me. There are also some really nice nods to Dean Koontz and other popular horror tales.
In Claws Truth Forebear the main character really learns a hard lesson about not taking things that aren't yours, I don't want to spoil what the feeling you get through this story is, but I will say that I felt it extremely intensely and it was a very difficult read to get through as I felt like I was suffering with the main character. A really excellently written story.
Breaking The Ice was extremely tense and I was never really sure what happened. I think that really adds to the horror of something, when you can only guess and your imagination does the work for you, usually with terrifying results.
I really liked how How It Got There was written and I liked the idea that the threat doesn't always come from where you would expect. Very clever!
Web is another story along a similar vein as If That Looking Glass Gets Broken in that you aren't sure if what is happening is the result of hallucinations from too much Nutmeg or if it is the slow mental breakdown of a woman who has suffered so, so much. Either way a painful read and you really feel for the main character and just want it to be ok for her.
With the story, Scissor Man, Karl Drinkwater has created a classic urban legend that could easily rival the bogey man as the Scissor Man seems even more horrifying to me personally. It also leaves you questioning what really happens right at the end.
I absolutely loved Sinker! This story was so incredibly well thought out and I don't think I've ever read anything like this before. What happens comes so out of the blue and was nothing like what I was expecting with a hunter becoming the hunted story. Though only a short story, I could picture the village clearly as well as the main character and I felt like I was right there with him.
With technology and the access everyone has to information all the time, it is a lot harder to scare the current generation, but in Overload, this technology and access is used as the horror. Overload is written in a very interesting way and reading it as if you were the main character really helps with the immersion.
Regression was really interesting and looks at whether childhood fears can be a reality and what would happen if they came true when you were an adult and had managed to avoid them for a long time.
I really like stories written in interview format and Second Transcript really works well being written this way. I like the way it makes it feel like you are there as it is happening and are listening to the conversation backwards and forwards between the policeman and the witness. This story also adds more information to the How It Got There story and makes you question just how big this thing really is.
In Living In The Present we have another story where the threat does not come from where you expect it and when it does come, it definitely does not come in any kind of form that would even cross your mind. There was definitely very strange Father Christmas imagery used in this story which made it extra creepy.
In Bleeding Sunset, Dancing Snowflakes, the tension builds up slowly and then is released with an unexpected bout of childish glee and playfulness before the horror then kind of hits you in the face. Were vampires the cause of what happens or did the teacher do it all herself? Either way a really well written story.
The final story is Transmission Part 2 and it is the one that goes big before you go home. To me the scary thing about this story is the smallest possibility that it could actually happen. No one knows what's out there in the vastness of space and no one really knows the repercussions of everything that we do here on Earth and how it can affect other things or beings.
Overall an absolutely excellent collection and one I would definitely recommend to lovers of horror. There is also extra bits at the back where Karl Drinkwater talks about the inspiration behind each story and I thought that was incredibly interesting and actually answered some of my ponderings from while I was reading the stories.
Also on my blog I have a link to a read your own adventure of the first half of Harvest Festival!! http://lifeofanerdishmum.blogspot.co.uk/
Ok so if anyone is still around (I don't blame anyone who isn't because I'd be over there reading through right now myself) I'll share my review of the 16 stories contained in They Move Below.
The first story is Transmissions Part 1 and it is a kind of introduction to the book with a narrator contemplating darkness, the man is very philosophical and really makes you think, even when you have an idea of what he's actually about to do.
If That Looking Glass Gets Broken, starts off innocuous enough and then then further into the story you get, the more messed up things become. By the end I wasn't 100% sure if I was dealing with a woman with mental issues or something a lot more sinister which made the reading very unsettling.
The title story, They Move Below, is set on a small boat on the ocean containing just two people. I did struggle with the dialect at first but I soon fell into the rhythm of it. This story definitely shows how important it is not to mess with things that you don't understand and that a fear of the deep is a sensible one to have.
I've always thought that museums can be creepy places and I couldn't put into words how creepy they may be at night...Karl Drinkwater however has done just that in Creeping Jesus! As a parent this also terrified me as the thought of school trips gets closer as my Nerdling gets older.
I have already reviewed Harvest Festival on it's own previously and I gave it 5 stars, excellent story!
"Holyyyyyy Crap" - these are the exact notes I write about Just Telling Stories. This story was absolutely terrifying and I think pretty much everyone's worst nightmare (or definitely mine at least). I struggled going to the bathroom in the night after reading this for a good while and probably will again now I've thought about it to review it! It really has stuck with me. There are also some really nice nods to Dean Koontz and other popular horror tales.
In Claws Truth Forebear the main character really learns a hard lesson about not taking things that aren't yours, I don't want to spoil what the feeling you get through this story is, but I will say that I felt it extremely intensely and it was a very difficult read to get through as I felt like I was suffering with the main character. A really excellently written story.
Breaking The Ice was extremely tense and I was never really sure what happened. I think that really adds to the horror of something, when you can only guess and your imagination does the work for you, usually with terrifying results.
I really liked how How It Got There was written and I liked the idea that the threat doesn't always come from where you would expect. Very clever!
Web is another story along a similar vein as If That Looking Glass Gets Broken in that you aren't sure if what is happening is the result of hallucinations from too much Nutmeg or if it is the slow mental breakdown of a woman who has suffered so, so much. Either way a painful read and you really feel for the main character and just want it to be ok for her.
With the story, Scissor Man, Karl Drinkwater has created a classic urban legend that could easily rival the bogey man as the Scissor Man seems even more horrifying to me personally. It also leaves you questioning what really happens right at the end.
I absolutely loved Sinker! This story was so incredibly well thought out and I don't think I've ever read anything like this before. What happens comes so out of the blue and was nothing like what I was expecting with a hunter becoming the hunted story. Though only a short story, I could picture the village clearly as well as the main character and I felt like I was right there with him.
With technology and the access everyone has to information all the time, it is a lot harder to scare the current generation, but in Overload, this technology and access is used as the horror. Overload is written in a very interesting way and reading it as if you were the main character really helps with the immersion.
Regression was really interesting and looks at whether childhood fears can be a reality and what would happen if they came true when you were an adult and had managed to avoid them for a long time.
I really like stories written in interview format and Second Transcript really works well being written this way. I like the way it makes it feel like you are there as it is happening and are listening to the conversation backwards and forwards between the policeman and the witness. This story also adds more information to the How It Got There story and makes you question just how big this thing really is.
In Living In The Present we have another story where the threat does not come from where you expect it and when it does come, it definitely does not come in any kind of form that would even cross your mind. There was definitely very strange Father Christmas imagery used in this story which made it extra creepy.
In Bleeding Sunset, Dancing Snowflakes, the tension builds up slowly and then is released with an unexpected bout of childish glee and playfulness before the horror then kind of hits you in the face. Were vampires the cause of what happens or did the teacher do it all herself? Either way a really well written story.
The final story is Transmission Part 2 and it is the one that goes big before you go home. To me the scary thing about this story is the smallest possibility that it could actually happen. No one knows what's out there in the vastness of space and no one really knows the repercussions of everything that we do here on Earth and how it can affect other things or beings.
Overall an absolutely excellent collection and one I would definitely recommend to lovers of horror. There is also extra bits at the back where Karl Drinkwater talks about the inspiration behind each story and I thought that was incredibly interesting and actually answered some of my ponderings from while I was reading the stories.
May 6, 2022
Wow the stories in this book is amazing so gripping and a great sense of atmosphere. Move aside Stephen King there is a new King in town. These short stories are so amazing each one could be converted into a film or book by itself and the ends are in no way predictable. It is a real paper turner and a stunning masterpiece. I can not wait to read more by this author
January 29, 2019
*** I received the e-book in exchange for an honest review ***
I love a great anthology regardless of the genre and "They Move Below" was my cup of tea. The stories are well paced and creepy. I thought it was written well enough forme to read with the lights blazing in each room I sat in to read.
A definite recommendation ......
I love a great anthology regardless of the genre and "They Move Below" was my cup of tea. The stories are well paced and creepy. I thought it was written well enough forme to read with the lights blazing in each room I sat in to read.
A definite recommendation ......
July 14, 2016
Well, could a horror collection get any more diverse?
Not just in the content but in the presentation!
A superb collection of chills, thrills, and mind-f*cks!
There are plenty of great stories in this bunch, but my favourites are a story told through two separate police interviews, and the haunted museum. These two for me were incredible. The police interviews were unnervingly realistic, making it all the scarier! The characters were also realistic. In fact, I thought of people I used to know many years ago when I was in school that were very similar to the characters in that particular story.
Of course, all the stories were sensationally horror-ific, but everyone has their faves. I also adore Karl's writing, that seems to adapt to the needs and demands of the given story. A short story collection is often a hit or miss concept for many authors. Some writers just cannot grasp that a story, characters, and purpose have to be delivered in a matter of a few pages. Karl takes this challenge and proves he can master short stories with the best of them! I have read one novel from this author (which was spectacular) but these short stories show just how talented and versatile he is.
As I mentioned before, we have a mixture of presentation, ranging from interviews and other literary techniques which only added to the overall brilliance of the collection. We even have a tale told through an online chat conversation. That was also one of my faves!
So, I suggest, if you like horror, suspense, thriller, mystery, or all of the above, grab a copy now! And at a lengthy 398 pages, Karl has been rather generous. Normally author will only invest so much of their time in short story collections. Page count usually ranges from as low as 50 pages to 100. So Karl is really spoiling us not only with the quantity but quality as well. As an author of four horror collections myself, I know how challenging devising original content for short stories can be. As well as getting an entire story across in a matter of pages. So I have heaps of respect for Karl as both a writer and reader!
Bounce from horror to horror, soak up multiple forms of evil, and have yourself a genuinely memorable reading experience! I read most of these tales on my back porch in the sun and still managed to become on edge and even scared. Well done Mr Drinkwater!
Not just in the content but in the presentation!
A superb collection of chills, thrills, and mind-f*cks!
There are plenty of great stories in this bunch, but my favourites are a story told through two separate police interviews, and the haunted museum. These two for me were incredible. The police interviews were unnervingly realistic, making it all the scarier! The characters were also realistic. In fact, I thought of people I used to know many years ago when I was in school that were very similar to the characters in that particular story.
Of course, all the stories were sensationally horror-ific, but everyone has their faves. I also adore Karl's writing, that seems to adapt to the needs and demands of the given story. A short story collection is often a hit or miss concept for many authors. Some writers just cannot grasp that a story, characters, and purpose have to be delivered in a matter of a few pages. Karl takes this challenge and proves he can master short stories with the best of them! I have read one novel from this author (which was spectacular) but these short stories show just how talented and versatile he is.
As I mentioned before, we have a mixture of presentation, ranging from interviews and other literary techniques which only added to the overall brilliance of the collection. We even have a tale told through an online chat conversation. That was also one of my faves!
So, I suggest, if you like horror, suspense, thriller, mystery, or all of the above, grab a copy now! And at a lengthy 398 pages, Karl has been rather generous. Normally author will only invest so much of their time in short story collections. Page count usually ranges from as low as 50 pages to 100. So Karl is really spoiling us not only with the quantity but quality as well. As an author of four horror collections myself, I know how challenging devising original content for short stories can be. As well as getting an entire story across in a matter of pages. So I have heaps of respect for Karl as both a writer and reader!
Bounce from horror to horror, soak up multiple forms of evil, and have yourself a genuinely memorable reading experience! I read most of these tales on my back porch in the sun and still managed to become on edge and even scared. Well done Mr Drinkwater!
July 26, 2016
I love a short story collection. I’m one of those readers that likes to feel as though they are making progress through a book and a short story collection is perfect for that. All of the stories in this collection are a great length, normally taking somewhere between 15 minutes to 45 minutes to read from start to finish (I am quite a slow reader by the way!).
The stories all are individual in themselves, some with added shock factor whilst others sent chills down my spine. I particularly enjoyed Creeping Jesus, Just Telling Stories, Claws Truth Forebear, Breaking the Ice (and Second Transcript), The Scissor Man, Overload and Regression. Some old school horror, some a little different.
I find great horror stories tend to sometimes be more about the things you don’t know than the things you do. Karl Drinkwater has expertly ended several of the stories with great handfuls of doubt, leaving you guessing and drawing your own conclusions. I thoroughly enjoyed this approach, especially as it makes you think and consider what you have just read before moving onto the next story.
Would I recommend this book? I would, to both established fans of the genre and to first time horror readers too. You don’t know if you enjoy horror novels until you give them a go, do you? Karl has created a collection of very readable stories which give a comprehensive view of the genre. Don’t miss out!
Four out of five stars
Many thanks to Karl Drinkwater for providing me with a copy of They Move Below in exchange for an honest review.
The stories all are individual in themselves, some with added shock factor whilst others sent chills down my spine. I particularly enjoyed Creeping Jesus, Just Telling Stories, Claws Truth Forebear, Breaking the Ice (and Second Transcript), The Scissor Man, Overload and Regression. Some old school horror, some a little different.
I find great horror stories tend to sometimes be more about the things you don’t know than the things you do. Karl Drinkwater has expertly ended several of the stories with great handfuls of doubt, leaving you guessing and drawing your own conclusions. I thoroughly enjoyed this approach, especially as it makes you think and consider what you have just read before moving onto the next story.
Would I recommend this book? I would, to both established fans of the genre and to first time horror readers too. You don’t know if you enjoy horror novels until you give them a go, do you? Karl has created a collection of very readable stories which give a comprehensive view of the genre. Don’t miss out!
Four out of five stars
Many thanks to Karl Drinkwater for providing me with a copy of They Move Below in exchange for an honest review.
June 30, 2016
Karl Drinkwater scares me. And I mean that in the best way possible.
I was first introduced to his work, courtesy of his book 'Turner', and even found myself re-reading that not too long ago. That's saying a lot as I usually don't re-read horror books. 'Turner' didn't lose it's zing upon a re-read and neither does this, his latest work.
Yes, it's true. I ended up re-read a couple of the stories included in this compilation because they are just that well written. I found myself being creeped out the most by, ironically enough, 'Creeping Jesus'. In fact, I still find myself thinking about it almost a week after having read that particular short story. Only a few pages but, for me, it hit something in that un-evolved reptilian level of my brain and hit it hard.
Some of the stories are gory while others are much more cerebral (or, reptilian in my case). Almost all deserve a 2nd reading because they're so nuanced that you miss out on certain points that are picked up on the repeat reading.
Kudos to Karl! He has another winner in this title and no matter how times you read (or re-read!) this book, keep the lights on.
*I received a free copy of this book courtesy of the author. Many, many thanks!*
I was first introduced to his work, courtesy of his book 'Turner', and even found myself re-reading that not too long ago. That's saying a lot as I usually don't re-read horror books. 'Turner' didn't lose it's zing upon a re-read and neither does this, his latest work.
Yes, it's true. I ended up re-read a couple of the stories included in this compilation because they are just that well written. I found myself being creeped out the most by, ironically enough, 'Creeping Jesus'. In fact, I still find myself thinking about it almost a week after having read that particular short story. Only a few pages but, for me, it hit something in that un-evolved reptilian level of my brain and hit it hard.
Some of the stories are gory while others are much more cerebral (or, reptilian in my case). Almost all deserve a 2nd reading because they're so nuanced that you miss out on certain points that are picked up on the repeat reading.
Kudos to Karl! He has another winner in this title and no matter how times you read (or re-read!) this book, keep the lights on.
*I received a free copy of this book courtesy of the author. Many, many thanks!*
July 9, 2016
Sixteen stories in one volume and chills guaranteed. Harvest Festival is one of my favourites (I read it again). I also really liked a story called Creeping Jesus – think Disney’s Night at the Museum with an 18 certificate!
I am not going to run through each tale and single out the high points (plus I am saving a few stories for later so have 4 or 5 still to enjoy). What I can confirm is that They Move Below is a great collection of dark tales. Nobody is guaranteed to come through a story unscathed, and there was enough variety in the scenarios that I was able to read through more than one story in a single sitting and still think each new tale felt fresh.
Mr Drinkwater has a delightfully warped imagination. A couple of the twists and shocks were quite perturbing (in a good way) and by the time I had read a few of the stories I began to speculate what may be coming next. My eye immediately fell to a story called The Scissor Man – in a collection of horror stories that sounded particularly unpleasant!
A collection I absolutely recommend to horror fans. Now if you will excuse me it is late and I need to go and turn on all the lights…
I am not going to run through each tale and single out the high points (plus I am saving a few stories for later so have 4 or 5 still to enjoy). What I can confirm is that They Move Below is a great collection of dark tales. Nobody is guaranteed to come through a story unscathed, and there was enough variety in the scenarios that I was able to read through more than one story in a single sitting and still think each new tale felt fresh.
Mr Drinkwater has a delightfully warped imagination. A couple of the twists and shocks were quite perturbing (in a good way) and by the time I had read a few of the stories I began to speculate what may be coming next. My eye immediately fell to a story called The Scissor Man – in a collection of horror stories that sounded particularly unpleasant!
A collection I absolutely recommend to horror fans. Now if you will excuse me it is late and I need to go and turn on all the lights…
November 26, 2018
I don't usually read anthologies, but I figured I'd be in safe hands with this one, as I thoroughly enjoyed one of Karl Drinkwater's other works, "Lost Solace".
I usually don't read too much horror either, as I find a lot of it derivative, and too reliant on elements like gore, instead of a story with substance. There are no such problems here, while there is a bit of gore, there certainly isn't a reliance on it to entertain, and focuses more on the psychological aspects of horror. These stories are short, but full of atmosphere, creep-factor, and inventive story-telling. Each section has something different to bring to the table, and as such, will keep you on your toes. These are great shorts that you can easily see being told around an eerie campfire.
I appreciate the fact, too, that much of what happens in these stories is left up to your imagination. Not in an unfulfilling, anti-climactic way, but in a way that lets your imagination run a little wild with it.
I definitely recommend this one to all you horror fans!
I usually don't read too much horror either, as I find a lot of it derivative, and too reliant on elements like gore, instead of a story with substance. There are no such problems here, while there is a bit of gore, there certainly isn't a reliance on it to entertain, and focuses more on the psychological aspects of horror. These stories are short, but full of atmosphere, creep-factor, and inventive story-telling. Each section has something different to bring to the table, and as such, will keep you on your toes. These are great shorts that you can easily see being told around an eerie campfire.
I appreciate the fact, too, that much of what happens in these stories is left up to your imagination. Not in an unfulfilling, anti-climactic way, but in a way that lets your imagination run a little wild with it.
I definitely recommend this one to all you horror fans!
November 23, 2017
Talk about shivers and skin crawls... I'm still recovering. All these wonderful short stories, every one of them different and only varying on the scales weighing 'creepies' by the emotion and the level of it. Good sized tales, very reminiscent of Stephen King early days and Skeleton Crew, (and we all know where 'Children of the Corn' went on to become). I especially didn't like the one where he was lodged in the dark crack underground, no... come to think on it... there was a few I especially didn't like. I'd recommend this Book to anyone who can sit alone reading comfortably with this genre. Can't fault the writing (you know how we do that even when we're not trying), it flows nicely, getting the message across with ease.
Thank you to Story Cartel for their free download File for Review.
Thank you to Story Cartel for their free download File for Review.
November 26, 2017
I am blown away by this collection. Every sentence is stunningly crafted in this literary masterpiece. From standard horror schlock to intimate think-pieces and character studies, Drinkwater has been smart and thoughtful with his delivery of tropes. For me the stand-out was the title story They Move Below, a lost-at-sea psychological eco-thriller using the vastness as the ocean to mirror the great unknowns of outer space. A lot of time and care was put into the order of these stories and the authenticity of the dialogue (as evidence in the Acknowledgements, expert advice was sought on highly readable phonetic representation of accents). The opening vignette Transmission (Part 1) is an eerie forecasting of the tone of the tales to come, it sets the scope and atmosphere perfectly, and is so brimming with eloquence I consider it the most poignant of prose-poetry.
October 31, 2019
Darkness, intrigue and your worst nightmares await you in this brilliant collection. I love a short story. And I’m coming round to horror a little more too so this is a perfect combination. No two stories are the same yet all will leave you freaked out. Also the different style of writing each story was very appealing. The author has quite a way of drawing you in and painting very believable characters and plots in only a few pages that actually left me wanting more.Some had cliffhanger type endings and others simply leave you gasping.A great collection of stories that will play on your everyday fears, leave you with goosebumps, make you uncomfortable and possibly checking under the bed, behind the shower curtain and leaving the light on. A perfect introduction to anyone wanting to read horror. My favourites were Just telling stories, Breaking the ice and Overload.
August 3, 2016
I don't usually read horror but the description of this book attracted me to it. It claimed of terrifying things everywhere- any place you looked. I was sceptic at first but after reading through all the short stories in this book, I have changed my mind. There are things lurking in the most innocent of places that are just waiting to grab you as their prey.
My favourite perhaps is Creepy Jesus. A tale that would be make any young person think twice about playing pranks. The story was short but its effects lingered long after.
One of the things that affected me most was that I could not avert my eyes away as I easily do during a horror movie. This collection of stories is definitely recommended for those who love get their skins crawling and tingling.
My favourite perhaps is Creepy Jesus. A tale that would be make any young person think twice about playing pranks. The story was short but its effects lingered long after.
One of the things that affected me most was that I could not avert my eyes away as I easily do during a horror movie. This collection of stories is definitely recommended for those who love get their skins crawling and tingling.
September 17, 2016
This collection of mind-boggling scary stories is one to inspire. The collection is remarkably well written, with imagery that will chill you to your very bones. I felt that a few of the stories could have been a little longer, to ground their ideas, but all in all, a fantastic read.
Some of my personal favourites were Creeping Jesus, The Harvest Festival, Just Telling Stories, and Breaking The Ice. All of the stories contained well thought out plots and built tension gradually, drawing the reader into their dark world. Beautifully written. I would recommend that you give this a try. :)
Some of my personal favourites were Creeping Jesus, The Harvest Festival, Just Telling Stories, and Breaking The Ice. All of the stories contained well thought out plots and built tension gradually, drawing the reader into their dark world. Beautifully written. I would recommend that you give this a try. :)
February 6, 2017
Wow, what an impressive, creative collection of dark tales. The writing moves along well and the dialogue is sharp and interesting. The thing I liked most, however, was how the author made an effort to mix up the presentation of the stories...some are straightforward narratives, a couple are interviews, another one uses social media and a couple other are "transmissions". This is something more writers should make an effort to do.
My favorite stories were They Move Below, Harvest Fest, Breaking the Ice and Overload.
My favorite stories were They Move Below, Harvest Fest, Breaking the Ice and Overload.
February 20, 2021
Wow move aside Stephen King take off your crown 👑 and hand it over to Karl. Each and every story in this book could be made into its own book or even film. It is a real page turner and you can't even work out how it is going to end. Can not wait to read more by this author. Also its local to anyone from Manchester 🇬🇧
November 27, 2017
Great collection of stories and a lot of originality.
Wonderful narration.
I will definitely be looking for my by this author.
Nothing super scary but still a great collection.
I was voluntarily provided this review copy at no charge by the author, publisher and or narrator.
Wonderful narration.
I will definitely be looking for my by this author.
Nothing super scary but still a great collection.
I was voluntarily provided this review copy at no charge by the author, publisher and or narrator.
February 14, 2019
Short, Scary, Snacks...With Bite
This is a book of short stories, each seemingly so short that it's hard to account for how disturbing they are. The title story really got me, but they all left me with dreadful images that will be hard to forget. I loved it!
This is a book of short stories, each seemingly so short that it's hard to account for how disturbing they are. The title story really got me, but they all left me with dreadful images that will be hard to forget. I loved it!
August 13, 2017
Really enjoyed this collection of creepy tales. Liked the variety of stories. Good stuff.
August 19, 2022
A short story collection is always fun because you never know what will come next. A collection of horror shorts is even more enjoyable because it's like sitting down to a tasting menu with a selection of your favourite foods (all different). And as you begin each story in this book, you don't know what form the horror will take or what devious twist will appear at or before the end. Good suspense, good creepiness, a collection best read with the lights very dim so you can enjoy the terror. And author's notes at the end, which are always interesting.
April 18, 2019
Review to follow on Sci-Fi & Scary.
November 4, 2017
I read a lot of horror books and found each of the short stories in They Move Below nice and creepy. Some were more chillers, some were hide under the covers terrifying.
My favorites were Harvest Festival and Regression specifically due to the characterizations of the protagonists and the lovely descriptions of the setting.
Though the plots of each story grows in tension as they reach a climax, my only negative comment is the point of view decisions of some of the stories hurt the pacing. For example: In the short story, Scissor Man, the best parts were from the point of view of the little boy Sammy. The parts which were point of view of the exhausted dad were less tense.
I also enjoyed the author’s notes which discussed his inspirations for each story and a bit more about it.
All in all, this is a great horror collection
My favorites were Harvest Festival and Regression specifically due to the characterizations of the protagonists and the lovely descriptions of the setting.
Though the plots of each story grows in tension as they reach a climax, my only negative comment is the point of view decisions of some of the stories hurt the pacing. For example: In the short story, Scissor Man, the best parts were from the point of view of the little boy Sammy. The parts which were point of view of the exhausted dad were less tense.
I also enjoyed the author’s notes which discussed his inspirations for each story and a bit more about it.
All in all, this is a great horror collection
October 18, 2016
Time taken to read - 2 days
Pages - 398
Publisher - Organic Apocalypse
Blurb from Goodreads
Horror lives in the shadows.
It exists under the earth’s surface in ancient caves; below the vast sea’s undulating waves; under dense forest cover; within a storm’s thick, rolling clouds; downstairs in our homes, when we hear the knife drawer rattle in the night. Even our minds and bodies harbour the alien under the skin, the childhood nightmares in our subconscious.
In this collection of sixteen tales Karl Drinkwater sews flesh onto the bones of our worst fears whilst revisiting some of horror’s classic settings, such as the teen party, the boat in trouble, the thing in the cellar, the haunted museum, the ghost in the machine, and the urban legends that come true. No-one is safe. Darkness hides things, no matter how much we strain our eyes. And sometimes those things are looking back at us.
My Review
I never pick up short stories as a first choice, it is very rare I like them although master King is always the exception. However, I read a Drinkwater novella before, a few years ago, and as he is horror/spooky this collection fits perfectly for my October reads so I thought I would give it a whirl.
Sixteen creepy short stories that will have the hair on the back of your neck standing, holding your breath and listening out for things that go bump in the night. I didn't love all sixteen, one or two I found only ok however the majority of them left me creeped out and back to how I felt back in the days when I first read horror. I love when an author recommends or mentions another author's work within a story, he did this with Koontz and I bought the book as I want to know the rest of the tale.
I would be had pushed to pick a favourite however of the lot I think "Just Telling Stories" two 'friends' in a hotel room freaking each other with scary tales which is something we used to do as kids. And "Claws Truth Forebear" a story that will have you feeling claustrophobic whilst the characters struggle through enclosed spaces and examining the consequences of ones actions. Some of the others are quite dark too but these two stuck out for me.
Drinkwater has the knack of creating a tense and terrifying atmosphere that draws in the readers and creeps them out almost from the get go. Some of the stories are only a handful of pages long whilst others have a bit more meat. I have read this author before and I will read him again, if you like a bit of freak and a good scare this is the book for you, 4/5 for me this time.
Pages - 398
Publisher - Organic Apocalypse
Blurb from Goodreads
Horror lives in the shadows.
It exists under the earth’s surface in ancient caves; below the vast sea’s undulating waves; under dense forest cover; within a storm’s thick, rolling clouds; downstairs in our homes, when we hear the knife drawer rattle in the night. Even our minds and bodies harbour the alien under the skin, the childhood nightmares in our subconscious.
In this collection of sixteen tales Karl Drinkwater sews flesh onto the bones of our worst fears whilst revisiting some of horror’s classic settings, such as the teen party, the boat in trouble, the thing in the cellar, the haunted museum, the ghost in the machine, and the urban legends that come true. No-one is safe. Darkness hides things, no matter how much we strain our eyes. And sometimes those things are looking back at us.
My Review
I never pick up short stories as a first choice, it is very rare I like them although master King is always the exception. However, I read a Drinkwater novella before, a few years ago, and as he is horror/spooky this collection fits perfectly for my October reads so I thought I would give it a whirl.
Sixteen creepy short stories that will have the hair on the back of your neck standing, holding your breath and listening out for things that go bump in the night. I didn't love all sixteen, one or two I found only ok however the majority of them left me creeped out and back to how I felt back in the days when I first read horror. I love when an author recommends or mentions another author's work within a story, he did this with Koontz and I bought the book as I want to know the rest of the tale.
I would be had pushed to pick a favourite however of the lot I think "Just Telling Stories" two 'friends' in a hotel room freaking each other with scary tales which is something we used to do as kids. And "Claws Truth Forebear" a story that will have you feeling claustrophobic whilst the characters struggle through enclosed spaces and examining the consequences of ones actions. Some of the others are quite dark too but these two stuck out for me.
Drinkwater has the knack of creating a tense and terrifying atmosphere that draws in the readers and creeps them out almost from the get go. Some of the stories are only a handful of pages long whilst others have a bit more meat. I have read this author before and I will read him again, if you like a bit of freak and a good scare this is the book for you, 4/5 for me this time.
July 10, 2016
I have a full review and a post from the author too here https://lindasbookbag.com/2016/07/10/...
They Move Below is a magnificent collection of stories. Even though one or two made me feel uncomfortable, the lesson here is that horror really lies in who we are as humans and how we treat one another. The obsessive love of the mother in If That Looking Glass Gets Broken is shocking, but completely believable. So too is the insidious escalation of events in the brilliantly structured Overload.
What impressed me so much about They Move Below, however, is the quality of Karl Drinkwater’s prose. He writes with considerable sophistication and an almost urbane style that is so pleasurable to read. I also enjoyed the variety of the stories, with the different voices and perspectives. There’s such a range of presentational devices that They Move Below has something for every reader, from the police interview format of Breaking the Ice to the almost sexual vampiric Bleeding Sunset, Dancing Snowflakes. The direct speech feels natural and well constructed, especially the the dialect in Sinker and Karl Drinkwater has the ability to present scenes very visually to draw in the reader.
I also thoroughly appreciated the commentary at the end of the collection that explained a little about how each story came into being. They Move Below is a vibrant, interesting and (for me) frequently unsettling collection of stories that deserve considerable success.
They Move Below is a magnificent collection of stories. Even though one or two made me feel uncomfortable, the lesson here is that horror really lies in who we are as humans and how we treat one another. The obsessive love of the mother in If That Looking Glass Gets Broken is shocking, but completely believable. So too is the insidious escalation of events in the brilliantly structured Overload.
What impressed me so much about They Move Below, however, is the quality of Karl Drinkwater’s prose. He writes with considerable sophistication and an almost urbane style that is so pleasurable to read. I also enjoyed the variety of the stories, with the different voices and perspectives. There’s such a range of presentational devices that They Move Below has something for every reader, from the police interview format of Breaking the Ice to the almost sexual vampiric Bleeding Sunset, Dancing Snowflakes. The direct speech feels natural and well constructed, especially the the dialect in Sinker and Karl Drinkwater has the ability to present scenes very visually to draw in the reader.
I also thoroughly appreciated the commentary at the end of the collection that explained a little about how each story came into being. They Move Below is a vibrant, interesting and (for me) frequently unsettling collection of stories that deserve considerable success.
May 31, 2016
I received a free download of this book from Story Cartel, thank you!
Most of the stories in this collection were well done and I enjoyed them. There were a few that were totally predictable, but were so well-written that I found myself getting seriously spooked anyway. I could definitely see some of them being made into Twilight Zone-, or Tales From the Crypt-type short films.
A couple of the stories left me hanging, and I wanted to find out what happened next, because I couldn't quite determine what was going on, but the creep-factor was certainly there. Really, the only one that I didn't care for was the one written in the heavy Scottish accent. Honestly, the story itself was great, it's just for me personally, I spent so much time trying to figure out what was being said that I was more frustrated instead of scared. But again, that's just me. I'm certain that someone who speaks with such an accent would thoroughly enjoy the story.
Overall, I enjoyed the book very much and would recommend it to others. I will continue to read more by this author.
Most of the stories in this collection were well done and I enjoyed them. There were a few that were totally predictable, but were so well-written that I found myself getting seriously spooked anyway. I could definitely see some of them being made into Twilight Zone-, or Tales From the Crypt-type short films.
A couple of the stories left me hanging, and I wanted to find out what happened next, because I couldn't quite determine what was going on, but the creep-factor was certainly there. Really, the only one that I didn't care for was the one written in the heavy Scottish accent. Honestly, the story itself was great, it's just for me personally, I spent so much time trying to figure out what was being said that I was more frustrated instead of scared. But again, that's just me. I'm certain that someone who speaks with such an accent would thoroughly enjoy the story.
Overall, I enjoyed the book very much and would recommend it to others. I will continue to read more by this author.
February 2, 2019
A solid 3.5/5
Short and twisted. The majority of them left me with a feeling of dread. This will be a collection I return to when I need a quick fix of horror. My favorites included “if that looking glass gets broken,” “web,” and “the scissor man.”
On a whole, it reminded me of Stephen King’s short story anthologies, which are among my favorites. (See the notes at the end, which have always been my favorite part of King’s short stories.)
*i received a copy of this book in return for my review
Short and twisted. The majority of them left me with a feeling of dread. This will be a collection I return to when I need a quick fix of horror. My favorites included “if that looking glass gets broken,” “web,” and “the scissor man.”
On a whole, it reminded me of Stephen King’s short story anthologies, which are among my favorites. (See the notes at the end, which have always been my favorite part of King’s short stories.)
*i received a copy of this book in return for my review
February 17, 2019
There are three stories in this anthology that will stay with me for a while. It is a solid collection and I look forward to reading more of Drinkwater’s work. I should note that I did receive this collection free with the understanding that I would leave a review. I read a lot of anthologies. My favorite overall takeaway from this collection is the way the author was able to put us inside the heads of vastly different characters. That aspect really is masterful. A few of the stories didn’t keep my attention very well, but then that caused the ones that did to really pop.
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