Publisher's Weekly
There are 26 stories here, most 10 pages or less and most quite goodsimple, unpretentious, quick hits of horror or diversion. Leading off the collection is Stephen King's ''Popsy,'' a predictable but effective tale of the biter bitten told in King's cleanest, most engaging manner. Richard Matheson is represented by two stories, including a dandy little chiller entitled ''Buried Talents,'' and Ray Russell's ''American Gothic'' is a hilarious spoof of folklore and rural life. Also included are tales by Robert Bloch, Ramsey Campbell, James Herbert, Steve Rasnic Tem and Thomas F. Monteleone. Among the best stories by newcomers are G. Wayne Miller's eerie ''Wiping the Slate Clean,'' John Robert Bensink's beautifully crafted, terrifying ''Lake George in High August,'' Katherine Ramsland's well-imagined and -written ''Nothing from Nothing Comes,'' Douglas Winter's experimental ''Splatter'' and Alan Rodgers's affecting ''The Boy Who Came Back from the Dead.''