'From poet C S Hughes a collection of tales of torment and trepidation, some more terrible than others. We begin with Cave Canem, a shaggy dog story, with a twist in the tail worthy of Hitchcock. Next a story about a Phantom that should not be read by pregnant women or the overly sensitive, or perhaps anyone. Then follows a peculiar exploration featuring the musings of two old soldiers, now gravediggers, and the philosophies that pull their strings while they contemplate a Ferris Wheel at a funeral. In quite a different vein follows Natalie, La Luna and I, the monologue of a monster, sex, surgery, murder, strange voices and a fire on a ghost train. Not to be outdone, Darkest Matters is a tale of an insane scientist that sets out to destroy not the world, but himself, becoming almost immortal in the process. In the title piece, Broke Down House, the reader becomes the malevolent spirit, haunting itself. Sad Susan follows some classic tropes of monsters, haunts and madhouses down well trodden but still eerie paths. The Empire Of Broken Eyes sees a con artist photographer in 1930s Sydney get his just deserts, and will perhaps leave the reader reluctant to cross that particular bridge again. The final story is one of everyday madness on a drought stricken outback farm. Then, for atmosphere, a few poetic pieces, including the Poe inspired tale of a graveyard dancer, Lord Bonyfoote, whom we can only pray will remain behind those gates.'
Source: Publisher's blurb.
