In order for a horror novel to work, the author must strike a balance between realistic and fantastic elements. Bryan Smith skews heavily toward the latter in his new release, SOULTAKER, which has moments of great imagination but too often emphasizes shock over substance.

Anyone who's read Jonathan Maberry's Pine Deep Trilogy, which culminated with last year's BAD MOON RISING, knows that the martial artist-turned-Bram Stoker Award-winning author likes his kill counts in the stratosphere.

That tally rises in his new book, PATIENT ZERO, a blood orgy of Islamic jihadists, biological warfare, corporate conspiracies, James Bond-esque gadgetry, super secret military operatives, terrorist zombies (seriously), and one bad-ass detective named Joe Ledger.

As noted by the title, HALLOWEEN AND OTHER SEASONS (published by Cemetery Dance Publications), Al Sarrantonio’s latest short story collection centers on seasonal works, some directly, some indirectly, but all enormously enjoyable. What I found most interesting about the collection is its themes of isolationism and abandonment, particularly in regard to children.