In this long-overdue story collection, which chills rather than terrifies, master of melancholy Silva displays a talent not unlike that of Ray Bradbury's in his prime. Focusing on haunting rather than scaring the reader, Silva employs a thought-provoking if sometimes sentimental style that relies on leisurely pacing and strong character development rather than action and gore. His lead story, the Stoker Award-winning "The Calling," poignantly examines the pain caregivers endure watching a loved one die. Other standouts in this cohesive collection include "Slipping," a chronicle of an ad executive's mental disintegration as he begins to experience missing time in rapid acceleration; "Dwindling," a tribute to unwanted children who disappear as parents will them away and a probing comment on sexual abuse; "Empty Vessels," an enlightening twist on the traditional vampire story; "Alone of His Kind," about the cost of trying to hold on to that which is irretrievably lost; "Dry Whiskey," which presents a new take on "drying out"; "Metatonia" and "Metasis," two touching love stories about two disparate couples clinging to each in the face of despair. Dean Koontz provides a humorous tribute that is in startling contrast to the contents of this book, which moves beyond its genre classification. Eerily evocative cover art by Harry O. Morris is a plus.

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