Led by Beasts

De: Clark Roberts

Narrado por: Thomas Gloom

Led by Beasts is a terrifying collection of short stories and essays paying homage to the most powerful voices in horror from the past 50 years: Stephen King, Bentley Little, Peter Straub, Clive Barker, and Laird Barron.

Featuring the Deadman’s Tome Meatgrinder Contest winning story, “Craftsmanship for Food”, Clark Roberts draws you near the campfire and spins his dark tales.

A boy seeks cosmic revenge on the adults in his life. The darkest of carnivals rolls into the neighborhood. The Devil haunts a man’s entire life in a possession story unlike anything you’ve ever listened to. A Nazi officer is tormented by time’s most cursed seductress. The whole world is truly held in the hands of Gods - and much more.

Take his hand and follow the beast into its lair, from where there is no escape.

©2021 Clark Roberts (P)2021 Clark Roberts

Amazing stories made even better by the narrator!!

Clark Roberts is an awesome horror story author. This audio version came out just in time for the Halloween season and I’ve been loving the way the narrator, Thomas Gloom, has brought the eeriness of these tales alive. These short stories do NOT disappoint! Give it a listen, you won’t be sorry!!

Impressive, unique collection...

Really interesting collection! In fact, I wasn't aware it was a collection at all initially, as I went in blind. Roberts frames the book in what I consider to be a unique way: different sections that focus on the work of a renowned horror author who was a big inspiration to him personally, then tells a few short stories that are "in the vein" of that author. He highlights Stephen King, Clive Barker, Bentley Little, and Laird Barron here, and I have to say, hats off to the stories, especially in this framework. Roberts has a unique talent at getting a firm hold of another author's pastiche while letting his own voice shine through the entire way. You'll "feel" the styles of King, Barker, and company as the stories are laid out, but none are a ripoff in anyway. Some very original tales in this one, and while a couple of them weren't for me, most were highly enjoyable and well-written. I look forward to more of this author, and I think anyone looking for a unique collection of shorts with an interesting - if rather short - wraparound story should check this one out. There is something here for everyone in the horror wheelhouse.

A worthwhile listen

Clark Roberts has created an entertaining and well-written collection with Led by Beasts. This book is a nod to old-school horror, concerned with quality prose and good storytelling, relying on horror as a sense of dread or a monstrous presence or strange things happening in the dark. Roberts employs some bloodshed and gore but seems more focused on character development and description. Thomas Gloom does a fine job narrating these stories, and I enjoyed the listen very much.

Pleasantly eerie, subtly profound

I recommend listening to these stories and enjoying their eerie surface. Then explore the subtle complexities of darkness that are woven within.