Manson is dead. Why should we care?

Charles Manson died on November 19, 2017, at the age of 83. Manson is often referred to as a serial killer, but this is technically incorrect, since it was never proven he physically participated in the murders committed by his followers. Even so, he was committed to...
Win a $100 Amazon gift card

Win a $100 Amazon gift card

To celebrate the release of my new supernatural suspense book, Temple of Ghosts, the third book in the GhostWriters series, I want to give you a $100 Amazon gift card. Because of the delay in its release, Temple of Ghosts has no reviews. So, here’s the deal: the...
The creepy catacombs of St. Stephen’s

The creepy catacombs of St. Stephen’s

Catherine Cavendish’s latest novel – Wrath of the Ancients – is largely set in Vienna, Austria’s imperial capital and surely one of the most beautiful and enchanting cities in the world. Its streets teem with culture and its proud residents are almost fiercely...

Why do we carve Jack-o’-Lanterns?

Traditionally, Jack-o’-Lanterns were not the plump, cheery fellows we know today. Instead, they were designed to scare the shit out of you, as seen above. Jackie here had an important job. His task was to frighten off uninvited guests. The spooky gourd got his...
The most disturbing book I’ve ever read

The most disturbing book I’ve ever read

As someone who visits the dark side on a regular basis for work, I don’t scare easily. Sure, I have some phobias, but I couldn’t remember the last novel that scared me or unnerved me…until now. When I was in Maui, I stumbled upon the most...
Win a $100 Amazon gift card

IWSG: The best of times, the worst of times

You may have noticed my participation on this blog, in the Insecure Writer’s Support Group, and in returning comments, has been sketchy lately. Admittedly, I’m emerging from one of the more difficult periods of my life. This summer, my eight-year...
The five creepiest children in film

The five creepiest children in film

Ah, children. They’re so sweet, so innocent. Or are they? Many a scary movie has used a child to up the fear factor. Maybe it’s a demon child, or a satanic baby, or just one creepy-ass kid. I’ve learned some very practical things from a lifetime of...
Ten scary movies that are worth the time

Ten scary movies that are worth the time

For a while, scary movies were a dime a dozen. Production companies like Lion’s Gate were pumping them out left and right, and let’s face it–most of them sucked. It is really difficult to produce a truly scary movie. Most movies simply show too much....
Should killers get a second chance?

Should killers get a second chance?

Kirsten Costas was one of those kids who seemed to have everything going for her. A native Californian, Costas was from an affluent family. She was cute, did well in school, and was extremely popular. Costas tended to get what she wanted, whether it was a coveted spot...