This collection of stories contains some of the bleakest writing I've ever read, there is a reoccurring theme of wastelands which is used in some very inventive ways. From lands on the brink of death to an aging vampire everything is starting to decay and when writing about something mundane Lane manages to create a haunting quality that leaves you with chills. Lane gives nothing away in his tales, you can guess how it is going to end but I can guarantee you'll be wrong there is no way you can match Lane's imagination.

A few favourites in this collection, "This Night Last Woman" an odd title but a wonderfully dark story with lots of twist and turns. "Those Who Remember" is the best of the bunch, the first one in the book and a great introduction of what you've got ahead of you. "Feels Like Underground" has a real Hammer Horror feel to it, a sinister building which almost feels alive with unknown events happening in the background.

This is the first work I've read of Joel Lane and I can tell what an incredible talent he had, it is very difficult to find another writer to compare him too, so all I can say is give this epic collection a go.

Blog review: felcherman.wordpress.com/2020/12/04/scar-city-by-joel-lane/