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Susan May
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Behind Dark Doors (the complete collection) Kindle Edition

by Susan May (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
3.7 out of 5 stars 525 ratings

Eighteen Suspenseful Short Stories with a Twist!


For lovers of Twilight Zone, Darker Things and Black Mirror.


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Very well written, deliciously creepy, and definitely for anyone who likes the short form horror story."

These stories will delight fans of Twilight Zone, Outer Limits, Ray Bradbury and lovers of genius twists. Brought to you by the international best-selling author readers have likened to Stephen King and early Dean Koontz.

Journey into strange worlds and meet the unusual and sometimes terrifying residents in these stories spanning suspense, horror, paranormal, science fiction and supernatural from the dark mind of short story award-winning author Susan May.

This collection combines Behind Dark Doors (one) (two) and (three).

Join a sweet, octogenarian couple celebrating seventy years of marriage, where something darker lies behind the smiles. Meet a desperate Alexander Graham Bell the day of his historic patent filing for the telephone who has made a call to the future. The Intelervate Chip repairs brain-damaged babies, but as the children mature the world soon forgets the lessons of the past. Travel with a family taking a scenic route which delivers them to an overnight stay that will change their lives forever.

When a bully is assigned the class’s weird new kid to baby-sit, she may find that this time she’s picked the wrong victim. A World War II veteran has endured vivid flashbacks for decades, but tonight a seventy-year-old secret will come for him. This talented chef must survive the elimination round of an intense cooking competition where stakes are higher than you can imagine. In a parent-teacher meeting, not going so well, sometimes actions speak louder than words. Why has this mother’s happy-go-lucky son’s behavior changed since joining his father on late-night fishing trips?

While playing hide-and-seek with his cruel siblings a child discovers there are worse things than being found. Relentless tormentors are following this poor man everywhere, and it’s enough to drive anyone insane. Learn the Monster Rules with a young boy who’s certain he’s safe in bed despite the strange, scratching noises that sure do sound like monsters. Why are these two horrifically injured, foreign-sounding women so desperate to reach the other side of the freeway?

Time travel with an historical PhD researcher as she jumps into her ancestors' 1897-timeline and discovers a two-hundred-year-old family secret. How does a considerate husband disappear into the night, in the middle of the city, while fetching the couple’s car, leaving his confused wife stranded? When humanity hits the carbon/oxygen exchange, Desson Tipping Point, all seems doomed, until they arrive, and now a mother faces a heart-breaking decision. An American blogger on the trip of a lifetime into the Australian outback comes prepared for all things creepy-crawly and dangerous, except for one type of Aussie fauna for which nobody had warned him.

And in the short story which inspired the novel Back Again, walk in the shoes of a mother whose son is taken in a tragic accident. Her grief is overwhelming until she finds herself back again reliving that terrible day but with the hope she can now avert the disaster. Except now, she faces one obstacle... fate doesn’t want to be changed.

From International award-winning short story writer and novelist, comes bite-sized tales to keep you reading just one more, as you're captivated by the clever twists and fascinating characters. Enjoy each story’s Imagination Vault, with insights into its inspiration, as revealed by Susan May.

Available in eBook, paperback large print, and brought to life in Audiobook by the incredible performance of Hollis McCarthy, Audible Audiofile Contest Winner.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "So impressed; the short story in ALL its glory!"
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  1. Print length
    578 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    February 20, 2016
  5. File size
    4.9 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for Behind Dark Doors (the complete collection)It totally lived up to the hype! Arlene F. Bruni Amazon Reviewer
"Imaginative & exciting." J. Bell Amazon Reviewer
Bob Amazon Reviewer
"It is impossible to pick a favorite out of these eighteen stories." Diane Lynch Amazon Reviewer
"Blown Away!" Melissa Bezner Amazon Reviewer


Praise for Susan May's stories and books ...

"Compelling off the first page. You can feel the pulse!" Caroline Kepnes, Best Selling author of You

"From the very first chapter you know you're in the hands of a real writer." Sarah Kernochan, Best selling author of Jane Was Here & AcademyAward Winning Screenwriter

"A riveting thriller ...highly recommend to every mystery thriller fan." Suspense Magazine

"Susan May is sure to become one of the great suspense writers of our times! " Lisa Bailey(Good Reads Reviewer)

"I was totally engaged by both the story and the characters. I loved it." Jen Kloester, bestselling Penguin author of The Cinderella Moment

"This is honestly one of the best thrillers I have ever read, I couldn't put it down." Kirsty Ward (UK) Kirstysreviews.wordpress.com
"At times it is more or less impossible to put the book down. I expect nothing less than great offerings from Susan May in the future." Thomas Strömquist (Good Reads Reviewer Sweden)

"The only author I can think of who can still surprise me is Mr.Stephen King himself. Australia just might have their own female King!" Amanda Jane (Good ReadsReviewer Australia)

"I've stayed up most of the night and lost sleep and put housework off just to read this great book because it was that good." Jane Culwell (Good Reads Reviewer USA)

"Wow! Susan May you know how to pack a punch! It was like riding a roller coaster reading it!"Sandy Jones (Good Reads Reviewer New Zealand)

About the Author

Susan May sold more than 100,000 books in 2016 and is an Amazon best-selling author. 
Her books are usually found in the top ten in their categories and she's been ranked in the top ten Amazon USA horror authors since 2015.  Her growing number of fans from all over the world have likened her immersive and page turning style to Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Robert Mathieson, Gillian Flynn and Ray Bradford. 
She was four when she decided she would become a writer and packed a bag to march down the road looking for a school. For forty-six years after she suffered from life-gets-in-the-way-osis. Setting a goal to write just one page a day cured her in 2010. This discipline grew into an addictive habit that has since born multiple best-selling dark thriller novels and dozens of short stories and novellas, many of which are published award-winners in Australia, the U.S.A and the U.K. 
Passionate film lover since childhood, Susan is also a fim critic with the dream job of reviewing films for a local radio station. You'll find her several times a week in a darkened cinema gobbling popcorn and enjoying the latest film. She sees 150 plus films a year on screen at the invitation of all the studios and, no, she never tires of them. 
Susan lives in beautiful Perth, Western Australia with her two teenage sons and husband, while her mind travels to dark places most would fear to visit unless they love the dark side.
Join Susan May's Ultimate Reader Experience and receive a Susan May starter  library of free books plus insider info, contests, prizes, and much more. Visit susanmaywriter.net/free-books

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01C1HMXJU
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Amazon Digital Services
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 20, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4.9 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 578 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.7 out of 5 stars 525 ratings

About the author

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Susan May

Susan May

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Susan May's writing style and story concepts have been likened by her army of fans to Stephen King and early Dean Koontz. She's sold more than 250,000 books.

She was four when the idea of writing stories settled upon her. Yes, she was an odd kid jotting down tales in her lunch breaks instead of playing ball. In her twenties, though, life-gets-in-the-way-osis side-tracked her from her first love. Cured in 2010, she spends her days now creating page-turning stories in the genres she loves to read: horror, science fiction, thriller and suspense, including the occasional psychopath. Well, a lot of psychopaths, actually.

She's also a short story fan and has written dozens of stories and novellas, many published award winners in Australia, U.S.A., and UK.

Most days Susan May is your average soccer mom and wife enjoying life in Perth, Western Australia with her husband and two sons, where the neighbors have no idea some may have slipped into the crevices of her dark imagination. As Susan often remarks, "Life is good, unless you're one of my characters. Then you're in trouble. Big, scary trouble."

Receive a Susan May starter library of free books plus insider info, contests, prizes, and much more. Visit susanmaywriter.net/free-books

Customer reviews

3.7 out of 5 stars
525 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this collection of short stories entertaining and well-written, appreciating the variety of genres and detailed storylines. The writing quality receives positive feedback, with one customer noting its Stephen Kingesque style. Customers have mixed opinions about the interest level of the stories.

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Story varietyEnjoymentWriting qualityArt qualityInterest
27 customers mention "Story variety"23 positive4 negative

Customers enjoy the variety of stories in this collection, appreciating their detailed and psychological nature, with one customer noting they feel as believable as Twilight Zone episodes.

"...In addition to some wonderful short tales of psychological horror, the author finishes every story with a little insight into how the story came..." Read more

"...Not my favorite genre but the stories did hold my attention. I really did like the before and afters of each story...." Read more

"...But I had yet another ending in mind myself. The Stories send shivers as if the sun had dipped behind a mountain at the lake...." Read more

"...but this one brought up two things I love: short stories and Stephen Kingesque stories. My expectations were fairly high and they were met...." Read more

25 customers mention "Enjoyment"25 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable and well-executed, with one mentioning it's an excellent way to spend an evening.

"...All in all, a completely enjoyable collection with several standouts that I would definitely recommend." Read more

"It was ok.the stories were readable but not captivating to me. The majority of them are were mediocre to me." Read more

"...Short stories-such a difficult medium; here it is performed masterfully and is very Stephen Kingesque but I love King...." Read more

"Really enjoyed this book. I've been on a short story kick lately and I read this cover to cover in one go, and I don't do that very often...." Read more

16 customers mention "Writing quality"16 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, describing it as fantastic and well-crafted, with one customer highlighting the author's insights.

"It is a Alfred Hitchcock/Twilight Zone stories. It was well written with plenty of detail...." Read more

"It was ok.the stories were readable but not captivating to me. The majority of them are were mediocre to me." Read more

"...Very well written, deliciously creepy, and definitely for anyone who likes the short form horror story that barrels along dragging you with it..." Read more

"...Also thank you for the copy of Behind the Fire another very good read. Looking forward to picking up more Susan May books first chance I get." Read more

3 customers mention "Art quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the art quality of the book, with one customer noting its Stephen Kingesque style and another describing it as fine art in a short story.

"...a difficult medium; here it is performed masterfully and is very Stephen Kingesque but I love King...." Read more

"...Great character development, which is a fine art in a short story." Read more

"Some very original, very dark stories by one of my new favorites." Read more

6 customers mention "Interest"3 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed reactions to the book's interest, with some finding it engaging and exciting, while others report it was not captivating and not worth their time.

"...It was pleasantly surprised. This book held my interest throughout...." Read more

"...There just wasn't enough interest to get me to the next story. I read more than half of them and I'll put it down and try again another time." Read more

"...Refreshing and totally enjoyable." Read more

"It was ok.the stories were readable but not captivating to me. The majority of them are were mediocre to me." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Melissa Bezner
    5.0 out of 5 stars Blown Away!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    So, I got this book for free or really cheap, (I can't remember which), from BookBub a while ago. Most of the books I get from this service are often somewhat disappointing in one way or another, but beggars can't be choosers. This does not fit that mold. This is a collection of stories from an author that I will definitely be reading more of! Every story deals with inner turmoil of some kind, and they are all executed wonderfully. Susan May has the ability to completely change her voice depending on the context. Even my least favorite stories kept me completely engaged. In addition to some wonderful short tales of psychological horror, the author finishes every story with a little insight into how the story came about. I love this and wish more authors would do it. I often wonder how artists come up with their ideas, and she lets her readers know. Although not all of the stories are equally great, (she does state that some of them were early writings or experiments in genres unknown to her), they all provide enough entertainment to keep a reader happy. All in all, a completely enjoyable collection with several standouts that I would definitely recommend.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Sergeant
    4.0 out of 5 stars Well written
    Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    It is a Alfred Hitchcock/Twilight Zone stories. It was well written with plenty of detail. Not my favorite genre but the stories did hold my attention. I really did like the before and afters of each story. If you are thinking about writing yourself you should get this book because Susan May has lots of helpful stuff that will make you grow as a writer.
    One person found this helpful
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  • wikathie
    3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing
    Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I loved the old Twilight Zone so I thought this would be a good fit. Maybe they were just too short but none of them held my interest and I don't know that I would have bothered finishing had they been longer? There just wasn't enough interest to get me to the next story. I read more than half of them and I'll put it down and try again another time.
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  • Baja Ren
    5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful selection of horrific shorts
    Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I admire a writer like Susan May who can tell a complete story in so few words - a talent I will never have. This collection is full of different stories - no niche here. So hard to have a favorite “one” story. I ready the book mostly in Starbucks and sometimes my gasp or moan was audible enough to affect others. I was very happy to get the chance to read both versions of “Scenic Route” (and I gotta go with the Editor’s Choice). But I had yet another ending in mind myself. The Stories send shivers as if the sun had dipped behind a mountain at the lake. This book is for anyone who has ever taken a family car trip with children, someone bullied in grade school, or lived through fighting a horrific war...or any lover of horror shorts.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • cocogirl0315
    2.0 out of 5 stars I love Sysan May's work but this one left me a ...
    Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I love Sysan May's work but this one left me a little bit disappointed. I had trouble keeping up with the plot. . Other books she writes are awesome... this one not so much.
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  • Bruce G
    4.0 out of 5 stars Stories about sick twisted and deadly people.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Behind the most unlikely and horrible things that can happen when you are not prepared lay the most unlikely and horrible answers. People have never been easier to scare and the most dangerous adversaries are not necessarily the most obvious.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Mrs.J.Anderson
    3.0 out of 5 stars Ok
    Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    It was ok.the stories were readable but not captivating to me. The majority of them are were mediocre to me.
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  • Arlene F. Bruni
    5.0 out of 5 stars It totally lived up to the hype!!!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    My Kindle had been barraging me with book suggestions for ages, I usually ignore them, but this one brought up two things I love: short stories and Stephen Kingesque stories. My expectations were fairly high and they were met. The short story is a lost art form and very powerful when wielded with care. If you like the Twilight Zone you will love this book. There are snippets at the end of stories called The Imagination Vault where the author explains the how and why the story came about. It really brings her into your space and she is amazing, It is nice to have stories where not everything is explained, it allows you to come to a startling conclusion on your own.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • BookEater
    5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Fantastic
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 11, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Never heard of this author before. Stumbled upon this book by pure accident. What a wonderful accident it was as well.
    I've never ever read short stories that have left me thinking about them long after reading. Absolutely astounding the way this author can make you really want to know more than just the short stories. You want to know everything about all the characters and all the places. The stories feel alive almost, as if they have just started to breathe and they demand your attention.

    This book is a MUST read.

    BookEater
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  • Darryl
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant!
    Reviewed in Australia on July 7, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    This collection is a must read whether you're into mystery and suspense or not. Thought provoking twists and turns keep the stories flowing and make it hard to put down for even a moment.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Claragh
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book 😍
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 10, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Loved it ❤️
    One person found this helpful
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