FINAL SHADOWS
edited by Charles L. Grant
After a dozen years and volumes, editor Grant has decided to call it quits—so the present compilation of 36 dark fantasy stories will be the last. Featured is the usual pleasant, often rather bland mix of English and American yarns, some by newcomers, others from seasoned professionals such as Michael Bishop (seducer meets his match), Graham Masterton (gambling for longevity), Tanith Lee (mermaids), Bill Pronzini (premonition of murder), Dennis Etchison (memory), and David Morrell (child murders). Elsewhere, with one or two exceptions, the standard is about average, with variations touching upon: victims, vengeance, identities, gypsies, carnivals, famines, rain, seal people, evil rocks, psychic vampires, curses, old gods, trains, haunted houses, dreams, coast guards, doors, photographs, wakes, and occult arts. A solid and readable batch, in general, but unexciting and somewhat monotonous, with the editorial fizz mostly dissipated.