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Erica Robyn Reads

a horror book review blog

Recent Posts

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This Year, a Witch! by Zoey Abbott | Childrens Book Review

Book photo of A Graveside Gallery: Tales of Ghosts and Dark Matters by Eric J. Guignard

A Graveside Gallery: Tales of Ghosts and Dark Matters by Eric J. Guignard | Book Review

Insomnia by Kelly Covic | Book Review

April 30, 2023      Erica Robyn      1 Comment

Insomnia by Kelly Covic is a collection of short stories that cover terror, grief, and so much more.

As this was Kelly’s first step into the darkness (she also writes romance under the name Kelly Moran!), I thought this collection was awesome! I look forward to seeing what she does next.

Let’s dive in!

My Thoughts on Insomnia by Kelly Covic

Don’t make any assumptions with these tales! You may feel that each one is leading you down a specific path, but you will be mistaken… Each tale is so atmospheric while centering on very different settings. We had a few of my favorite types of short stories here as well; tales that give you a shock at the very end!

My favorites from the collection include:

  • The Attic
  • The Music Box
  • A Message

Per usual, here are my thoughts on each story –

Silent Sighs – 

Two women wind up locked in a room together in a vacant mansion. No one heard them yell and there was no cell service.  Forgetting the first rule of being stuck in a spooky place, they split up as one decides to go look for another exit while the other waits at the door… 

I kept waiting for something to jump out around each dark corner that was explored here. The ending was so much more terrifying than the dread of a jump scare! 


The Attic – 

Moving into an old home, this mother is thrilled for a fresh start and looks forward to restoring the house. The teenage daughter isn’t as happy. But that changes when she finds trunks of old clothes in the attic that she immediately gets into. 

This story was so much fun! Once the teen started trying on clothes, it was a blast to see what she would find next. A classic tale of letting your curiosity get the best of you! 


The Park Bench – 

Searching for a quiet moment, this disgruntled woman wanders to a park bench for her break from work. Sitting down next to an old man, she is rendered speechless when the man begins to speak. 

What a beautiful and chilling tale of life and loss. This one will have readers step away with a different outlook just like the woman in the story. There’s also a bit of spookiness to it that pops in at the very end!


The Music Box – 

Still coping with the loss of his wife, this man had moved to an isolated location with his daughter to heal. But one day, the daughter tells him that her imaginary friend mentions that Mommy said hello. At first, he thinks she needs to go see someone to talk to and help her understand. But then odd things begin to occur. 

Starting out as a sad tale, the terror quickly set in and packs quite the punch!


A Closed Door – 

When her roommate’s rent is overdue, this woman struggles to remember the last time she her. Going into her room, she sees scattered notebooks and can’t help but read a few passages. 

What a sad story! My mind immediately jumped to conclusions here… Was there a closet in the room? The ambiguity is equally amazing and frustrating! 


A Message – 

While sitting on a pier, a woman is approached by a man that asks for her help. She agrees right away. 

What a sweet and heartfelt tale, but yet another with a fun additional layer mixed in that you don’t see until the very end! 


Thank You for Coming – 

When a woman decides to face one of her childhood fears late one night, she learns that her fears were justified.

A short and very atmospheric tale!


Letter to Grandma – 

Mourning the loss of their grandmother, these kids write a letter to their grandmother, hoping to see her again.

A perfect short story of grief and loss, but also hope!


Idle Thursday – 

Thinking she is going to have a normal Thursday, things change for this woman in the blink of an eye. Then she’s forced to go through the series of events that come after.

Another grief-filled tale, but from a unique perspective. This one will have you feeling super grateful for all that you have after reading!

My Favorite Passages From Insomnia

Flipping her long brown hair over her shoulder, she crossed her legs and studied the older man’s profile. He sat hunched over a bit, like his load had been too heavy to bear for too long.
— The Park Bench

Rumor had it, as gossip does in small towns, that Alexandra Drake was a witch, and not a good one. Anyone who set foot near that road, the one sheltered and hidden by hundred year old sequoia and pine trees, would never return to tell the adventure. At least, not with all their wits. As a child, she’d get as far as the boundary line, and run back.
— Thank You For Coming

It took a couple of years to make it a home. Kids, and finger-paint, and a baseball-sized hole through the basement window would do that. It wasn’t about rose-scented potpourri or a perfectly manicured front lawn. It was about the chaos inside. It was, indeed, a great home.
— Idle Thursday

My Final Thoughts on Insomnia

What a collection of chilling tales that will definitely linger in your mind like a fog! This is a must-read for fans of lighter horror that enjoy super descriptive writing styles.


Purchase your copy of Insomnia

					Cover art from "Insomnia" by Kelly Covic
Kindle
Amazon

Thanks for reading!

Here are a few more recent posts you might like:

  • Interview with Stephen Kozeniewski
  • This Year, a Witch! by Zoey Abbott | Childrens Book Review
  • A Graveside Gallery: Tales of Ghosts and Dark Matters by Eric J. Guignard | Book Review

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Welcome to Erica Robyn Reads!

Erica Robyn of Erica Robyn Reads
Hello! I’m Erica, a Mainer living in New Hampshire who runs on hot tea, good books, and loud music. Join me as I seek out amazing horror tales and help support the indie horror community!
 

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