As a gently linked and themed collection of horrific short stories (and I use 'horrific' in the best, most applause-heavy sense possible), Padgett's The Secret of Ventriloquism gets progressively creepier and more powerful as it unfolds for a reader. I was hooked almost from the moment I dove into the first story, but when I got to the middle of the book, where I read "20 Simple Steps to Ventriloquism" and "The Infusorium", I became a fan of Padgett's for life.

Collections like this can fall or succeed on an author's deftness and nuance when it comes to walking that tightrope between offering too much repetition in theme/link, or not enough--because seeing that a link was attempted and fell short can be as awkward as one being pressed too heavily upon a reader--but Padgett was nothing short of masterful in allowing these stories all to stand on their own while also building and building to a progressively more powerful and uncanny premise and depiction of the world created here. Some of these stories are ones I'll come back to, both to enjoy and learn from as a writer--"Origami Dreams" certainly being among them--and I'm certain I'll find myself recommending this book over and over again in the future.

If you like your doses of creepy horror to leave you on edge and impressed with an author's deft moves and gorgeous prose, pick up this collection.

Absolutely recommended. ( )

Beautifully conceived short story collection, taking in the uncanny and weird. What stands out most is Padgett’s ability to command a brooding atmosphere. Each story acts as a crooked jigsaw puzzle piece, where the final picture is made up from those lost. There is great craft here, and the author utilises perfect stylistic choices to intensify the unsettling world created. This collection will walk with you in dreams. Can’t fault it. ( )

Edited 3.21.17 to add: This book is FREE today, everyone! Do yourself a favor and check it out, (scroll down to link below)!

The genre of fiction that I identify as weird tales has always appealed to me, though it's hard to describe. There are also...flavors of weird tales, they're not always the same, even though they may belong to the same genre. For instance, Thomas Ligotti may be described as an author of weird fiction. While I love his style, I often find his work too nihilistic for me. Laird Barron could be described as an author of weird fiction as well, though his style generally leans toward cosmic horror. Lastly, Robert Aickman is admired as an author of weird fiction, but I often find his stories to be rather...unsatisfying. Jon Padgett, however, satisfied ALL of my wants and needs as a reader of dark and weird fiction. These stories have a clear beginning and end, (though some continue on, in other stories), and are as utterly satisfying as short fiction can be. In fact, I'd call them brilliant. That's right. BRILLIANT!

Starting with the appealing cover, (what horror fan could resist it?), and ending with Little Evie singing, in the story "Escape to the Mountain," (which makes me shudder just thinking about it.) These amazing stories are beyond impressive, each and every one of them.

After "Origami Dreams" I will never look at folded paper in the same way again. I will never see the word "appendage" again and not think of Solomon Kroth and his endless research in the University Library. I will not pass the abandoned paper mills in nearby towns without thinking of those ugly "paper mill days" and the filth they spewed upon the town of Dunnstown. I will never again pass a swamp without thinking of the room in "Indoor Swamp":

"Perhaps there is a room that contains a worn vintage tea party set with frilly dressed dolls, but one of those doll's heads gradually rotates completely around, going from an expression of knowing, smiling perversion to an open-mouthed, silent O of horror and back again."

I cannot possibly give this book a higher recommendation. As you read it, you may feel dizzy at times, or maybe even a little sick.

"You may begin to imagine you hear something that sounds like static or even the roar of an airliner. you may feel lightheaded like you are going to pass out. Ignore these feelings. They are normal."

They are a trifle. YOU are a trifle.

If you want to fully understand the meanings of these things, you MUST read this book. For me it started with the cover. It was the cover that made me BUY this book, rather than accept the free copy submitted for review to Horror After Dark. That's right, I bought it. You should too. Seriously. Right. Now.

Go here: The Secret of Ventriloquism
(You can add the audio for only $1.99 more!)

Usually this is where I say I was provided a free copy in exchange for honest feedback. However, (see above), I bought this book, and this is my honest opinion. ( )

This is an incredible collection, both dark and imaginative. Also, even though this is a collection of short stories rather than a single novel, it very effectively uses repeated motifs and common set-pieces to posit its very own mythos of lesser and greater ventriloquists. Lesser ventriloquists are those we're familiar with, voice throwers and puppeteers, the greater variety? They can make dummies of the very world around them, pulling peoples strings to tragic and devastating effect. The structure of these stories vary from straight-forward storytelling to the truest form of non-linear dream-logic imaginable. This is profoundly unique and intelligent weird-horror fiction, and I couldn't recommend it more. ( )