
“… two awesome stories that will make you itchy for more.”
Steve Stred reviewed Dreams of Lake Drukka & Exhumation for Kendall Reviews. Read now.
Author | Critic

“… two awesome stories that will make you itchy for more.”
Steve Stred reviewed Dreams of Lake Drukka & Exhumation for Kendall Reviews. Read now.

“Thorn is a compelling and engaging writer and I look forward to seeing more standard size writing from him in the future (I hope). For horror lovers out there, Thorn is worth taking a chance on.
If you are looking for a quick snack of fright induced shivers, then check out these two short stories by Thorn. But you might want to wait on snacking on real food until after you are done reading.”

My upcoming short story duology, Dreams of Lake Drukka & Exhumation, is now listed on Goodreads! The book will be released on September 27 through Demain Publishing‘s Short Sharp Shocks series. This is my first standalone publication since Darkest Hours, and I can’t wait to share it with the world.
These stories both depict characters who unearth horrific, long-buried family secrets.
It was only in retrospect that I could see the connections between the two pieces. When I revisited them for publication, it struck me that they work well as companion pieces. Both plots depict unfulfilled pacts with supernatural undercurrents, both include journeys to uncover unresolved familial trauma, and both pivot around the revelation of repressed memories. I wanted to explore the relationship between setting and atmosphere in these pieces, and to depict horror within internal and physical ‘sites of trauma.’ The characters are grappling with painful memories / experiences that have held them back, consciously or unconsciously. One story focuses on a character who is the agent of her own revelations, whereas the other story sees someone whose agency is quickly and brutally taken away.

On September 27, Demain Publishing will release an e-book including two new Mike Thorn stories, “Dreams of Lake Drukka” and “Exhumation,” as part of their Short Sharp Shocks series. The e-book is now available for pre-order. Please reach out if you’re interested in a digital copy for review!
The stories are companion pieces: both depict unfulfilled pacts with supernatural undercurrents, both include journeys to uncover unresolved familial trauma, and both pivot around the revelation of repressed memories. I wanted to explore the relationship between setting and atmosphere in these pieces, and to depict horror within internal and physical ‘sites of trauma.’ The characters are grappling with painful memories / experiences that have held them back, consciously or unconsciously. One story focuses on a character who is the agent of her own revelations, whereas the other story sees someone whose agency is quickly and brutally taken away.

Join Niall Howell (author of Only Pretty Damned) and Mike Thorn at New Level Brewing Co. on August 21 from 7-9 pm. New Level is offering a special Damned-theme Clown Alley Porter for this event.

Stephanie of That’s What She Read includes Darkest Hours in her list of horror book recommendations on Kindle Unlimited (also included: books by Claire C. Holland, Christa Carmen, CV Hunt and many others).

Hey Little Thrifter reviews Darkest Hours in her June reading wrap-up. Also included: reviews of books by Adam Neville, Caitlín R. Kiernan, Jack Ketchum and others.

Today on Night Worms, Mike Thorn shares his 100 favorite horror films.

Sadie “Mother Horror” Hartmann reached out and asked if I’d like to share my list of 100 favorite books on Night Worms, and I was happy to do so.