Midnight Knock: A Horror Anthology
Title: Midnight Knock: A Horror Anthology
Release Date: Amazon Kindle Vella – 10/17/22
*(Bittersweet – Author Website – 6/4/21)
Type: Short Story Collection
Genre: Horror
Anthology Synopsis: Midnight Knock is a horror short story collection comprising 8 short stories by author Robert DeSimone Jr. From a cannibal seeking revenge against three brothers in “Bittersweet” to a man being stalked by an otherworldly creature in “It’s 2AM and There’s Something Outside of My Cabin” to a home invasion of a famous singer in “Diego”, numerous terrifying situations are explored in this horror anthology.
The 8 Stories:
Story 1: Diego
Synopsis: A famous singer and his children endure a home invasion and its aftereffects.
Characters:
Giuseppe: A famous singer and the protective father of Diego, Bethany, and Carlo as well as the ex-husband of Jade.
Diego: The seven-year old son of Giuseppe and Jade and half-brother to Bethany and Carlo.
Jade: The ex-wife of Giuseppe and mother of Diego.
Becky: The anxious yet resolute girlfriend to one of the characters.
The Man: An odd man who speaks with Diego, Bethany, and Carlo.
Bethany: Diego and Carlo’s doting older sister.
Carlo: Diego and Bethany’s brother and the middle child.
Story 2: Bittersweet
Subtitles: Cannibal, Buther, & Teeth
Synopsis: A cannibal seeks revenge against three brothers while a butcher takes an odd interest in three dogs.
Characters:
The Cannibal: A man wielding a carving knife who is hunting three brothers.
The Gunsmith: The eldest of the three brothers who lives in a brick house.
The Butcher: A woman who takes an interest in three dogs that don’t belong to her.
The Woodsman: The fat second brother who lives in a wooden house.
The Vagabond: The youngest of the three brothers who is homeless.
The Runt: The youngest of the three dogs. Male.
The Runt’s Siblings: Two large dogs.
Story 3: The Scripture
Synopsis: In the Medieval era, four men from a religious village are hunted by three mysterious robed figures.
Characters:
Drako: The religiously devoted leader of the fleeing villagers who was once a crusader.
Ulric: A reserved, well-built blacksmith and Drako’s best friend.
Tarn: A pessimistic alchemist and Drako’s cousin.
Griffin: A historian.
The Ogre Wraith: A robed figure with a humpback similar to an ogre’s.
The Lithe Wraith: A short feminine robed figure.
The Sprinter Wraith: A robed figure who moved like a dog.
Sarah: Drako’s religious wife.
Story 4: Undead
Synopsis: A man and his wife taking shelter in their home are besieged by the undead. As panic takes hold, the man wonders if he can truly trust his wife.
Characters:
Dexter: A gravedigger who moved to a desolate town due Tayna’s agoraphobia.
Tayna: The dependent, agoraphobic girlfriend of Dexter.
The climber: An undead creature who can climb walls.
The scratcher: An undead creature who is simple-minded.
Story 5: It’s 2AM and There’s Something Outside of My Cabin
Synopsis: After a recent divorce, a man is forced to live in his cabin along with his dog and finds himself being stalked by a strange creature.
Characters:
Javier: A contractor who lost almost everything in a recent divorce.
Rocko: Javier’s pet cattle dog.
The Figure: A figure that is stalking and harassing Javier from outside his cabin.
Story 6: Numbers
Synopsis: A woman begins seeing bright colored numbers on everyone’s forehead.
Story 7: The Door
Synopsis: A dutiful dog discovers an odd entity lurking within her neighborhood.
Characters:
Haysel: A loyal mixed-breed dog who lives a very structured life.
Rico: Haysel’s chihuahua/mini pinscher partner who lives a very relaxed and unstructured existence.
Story 8: Santa Claus is in My House
Synopsis: A boy is excited to find Santa Claus in his home.
Kindle Vella Link: Midnight Knock: A Horror Anthology
Cover Art by Gina Hattress