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The author of Skulls in the Stars is a professor of physics, specializing in optical science, at UNC Charlotte. The blog covers topics in physics and optics, the history of science, classic pulp fantasy and horror fiction, and the surprising intersections between these areas. -
Author Archives: skullsinthestars
Laird Barron’s The Imago Sequence
Wouldn’t be a Blogtober if I didn’t give a shoutout to some of the incredible Laird Barron’s work! So for Blogtober day 23, I look back on Laird’s first short story compilation, The Imago Sequence, an incredible collection of horror … Continue reading
Posted in Horror
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Bertram Mitford’s The Sign of the Spider
Day 22 of Blogtober, I look at a very old horror/adventure novel by Bertram Mitford! This novel is fascinating because the protagonist is definitely an anti-hero, as he becomes a literal slaver. His journey is both a physical and a … Continue reading
Posted in Adventure fiction, Horror
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The Kind Folk, by Ramsey Campbell
Day 21 of Blogtober, and let’s look at another book I’ve had on my shelf forever and was only recently motivated to go back and read! Obviously, I’m a big fan of Ramsey Campbell’s work, and I endeavor to read … Continue reading
Posted in Horror
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Archie Roy’s Devil in the Darkness
For Blogtober day 20, I look back at another Valancourt Books reprint, and another book I wrote an intro for! Devil in the Darkness is a wonderful haunted house story written by an author who was both a professional astronomer … Continue reading
Posted in Horror
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Strange Things and Stranger Places, by Ramsey Campbell
Day 19 of Blogtober, and I look at a favorite book that I’ve never written about before! Folks who have read this blog for a while know that I’m a huge fan of Ramsey Campbell’s work, and have written about … Continue reading
Posted in Horror, Horror Masters
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Never Bet the Devil and Other Warnings, by Orrin Grey
For day 18 of Blogtober, I look again at one of the collections of horror fiction by my twitter friend Orrin Grey! Grey’s work can be categorized as horror, but it is a *fun* sort of horror, As I say … Continue reading
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Caitlin R. Kiernan’s The Drowning Girl
For day 17 of Blogtober, I look back at the haunting and mysterious novel The Drowning Girl, by Caitlin R. Kiernan! The story is told by a woman suffering from severe mental illness, so we as the reader are left … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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A Different Darkness and Other Abominations, by Luigi Musolino
Day 16 of Blogtober! Let’s take a look at a recent excellent collection… Valancourt Books (whom I have written introductions for) has really stepped up their game in recent years. Following the release of their excellent Valancourt Book of World … Continue reading
Posted in Horror
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The Auctioneer, by Joan Samson
For day 15 of Blogtober, here is a novel that grinds the reader down with constant anxiety and dread — and I mean that in a good way! The Auctioneer is a story about the depths to which humans can … Continue reading
Posted in Horror
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Roadside Picnic, by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky
For day 14 of Blogtober, we look at a book that is technically science fiction, but it is also horrific in a number of ways! This science fiction classic describes an area of the planet where aliens made a pit-stop … Continue reading
Posted in Horror, Science fiction
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Skulls in the Stars 