Wrapped up today on another themed anthology edited by Ellen Datlow, "When Things Get Dark". And the theme for this one? Well, Shirley Jackson of course! These stories in this anthology are inspired by the works of Shirley Jackson. Now these stories aren't pastiches of Jackson's, they're original enough to be their own thing, but the influence is pretty much there to be sure. I've loved reading Jackson's work, from her short stories to her novels. The stories are a mix of mystery, psychological horror and supernatural horror, with settings that look mundane but hide something sinister and, potentially, dangerous. Very reminiscent of "The Haunting Of Hill House", "We Have Always Lived in a Castle" and some of her short stories, particularly "The Lottery". The sometimes the stories can have some humor in it, it is all horror and mystery through and through. And a lot of times they can tread through some weird territory as well, but not in the cosmic horror sense. But these stories are the bomb! There are a few stories that I really liked. There is M. Rickert's "Funeral Birds", "For Sale By Owner" from Elizabeth Hand, Seanan McGuire's "In The Deep Woods; The Light is Different There", "Quiet Dead Things" by Cassandra Khaw, Benjamin Percy's "Hag", Paul Tremblay's "The Party, Gemma Files's "Pear of Anguish", Laird Barron's "Tiptoe" and Kelly Link's "Skinder's Veil". This one was a real treat! Need to keep my on possibly more themed anthologies edited either by Datlow or someone, 'cause sometimes there can be some great gems in them!