Synopsis
The Old Mayor’s Mansion sits just a few miles outside the town of Cemetery.
When best friends Sean and Devon want to increase views on their ghost investigation channel, they know the mansion is the perfect spot to film.
Armed with a slew of new equipment, the buddies set out to capture the paranormal hotspot that will make them famous—just maybe not in the way they were hoping.
Review
BestGhost is the horror/thriller/mystery debut sampler from C.J. Daley’s upcoming short story collection Tales From Cemetery. Grab your copy of BestGhost HERE.
This might be one of the best stories I’ll read all year. For me, it was magnificently spooky and the ending gave me a visceral reaction I won’t soon forget. Whenever I close my eyes it’s as if I’m still in that room, about to experience one of my more primal fears. Daley wastes no time and delivers a concise and compact story that doesn’t sacrifice in quality or impact. For optimum effect, read this at night with the lights turned off. It’s safe to say that I am excited to read Tales From Cemetery. Reading a book at the right time can be like discovering a hidden treasure. This heart-pounding horror jumped off the page and settled inside my bones.
Just outside the town of Cemetery, two teens who run a paranormal YouTube channel investigate an old mayor’s mansion. It’s rumored to be the most haunted spot for paranormal activity, and it all goes terribly wrong during their two night investigation.
The scariness of a story lies in its ability to tap into deep seated fears and evoke strong emotions. I’ll be the first to admit that I am not a seasoned horror reader. I prefer horror mixed with fantasy or sci-fi. I used to journey into the realm of horror more so in the past. I got my start collecting Goosebumps which then evolved into horror films directed by Dario Argento and various films such as Henry and Clean, Shaven. I’m not sure what changed but around my mid 20’s, I suddenly became quite fearful and anxious when it came to horror.
All this to say that I am a reader who rarely seeks out books that may scare me. I decided to read this because a) it was Daley’s birthday so I picked up the novelette and b) it was short and the plot seemed like something I could tolerate.
The scariness of this story will be subjective and will certainly vary between readers based on individual fears and experiences. For me, it was the perfect balance of scariness. The suspenseful storytelling and chilling atmosphere were perfectly crafted and the tension gradually increased which kept me on edge anticipating what would happen next.
It tapped into my individual fears of isolation, the unknown, and supernatural entities. I loved the believer/skeptic dynamic between Sean and Devon’s characters and the lighthearted moments which balanced out the creepiness. Even something as simple as a pizza delivery was gripping. I really enjoyed the behind the scenes look at their channel BestGhost Hunters and learning how they used the various investigative equipment.
Daley enhanced feelings of dread by crafting around relatable fears which made the story feel more personal and unsettling. I read this at night and damn near had my heart jump from my body. Daley’s storytelling created the perfect storm of mystery. The story felt so complete which is usually very, very difficult to accomplish.
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