Dread Softly by Caryn Larrinaga

I like trying out new genre authors, but having had one too many disappointments, I do try to make sure the quality is there, so there are certain tests, not foolproof, but it’s something. Superficially this book passed every one of those tests and then I read it an lo and behold, the context matches. Don’t you just love it when the innards match up with the outwards.
The outwards were the awesome cleverly punny title, excellent cover, the warm introduction by the author, a bonafide genre fan…and then the atmospheric black and white photo for each story and a very nice afterword discussing how each tale came to be.
The innards were the stories themselves. Subtle and spooky original takes on traditional genre concepts, ghost, cannibals, etc. and some new subjects, inspired by the author’s Basque origins and her current Utah location and author’s own anxieties and fears. It’s very much a case of use what you know done right. Neatly twisted at the end, disturbing scary stories told without relying on guts and gore. Just things going Boo in the night. Very nicely done. I’m impressed.
Sometimes it pays to judge the book by the cover. I really enjoyed reading this collection. It was spooky and slim and easily done in one late night sitting, which is really the best time for this sort of thing…if you dare. Recommended for genre fans. Thanks Netgalley.