If you hate AI you might like this week's episode. @justinkey.bsky.social joins me to discuss his new medical techno-dystopia THE HOSPITAL AT THE END OF THE WORLD. We cover the horrors of med school, what Justin has learned about character from his work in psychiatry, and the evils of screens!

We don't talk enough about the genital horror in Lars Von Trier's ANTICHRIST!

I finally, FINALLY(!) saw Life of Chuck. It made me long for a time when more movies were like that. Honey-toned and running at the right pace, with characters that matter and an earnest attempt to make you feel. @mikeflanaganfilm.com delivered. Chiwetel Ejiofor & Matt Lillard broke my heart.

If you hate AI you'll love this week's episode.

Thrilled to start the week with some good news! Many congrats to Good Boy by @talkscaredpod.bsky.social making the prelim ballot for the Stoker Awards 🖤🦇

Latest Patreon Bonus - in which I manage to spend 35 minutes enthusiastically reviewing a 95 minute movie.

In 20 minutes we'll be recording the deep dive into The Talisman episode and Nat and I will find out what Chris thought of Wolf. Worlds tremble on this.

Lulu earning her keep as usual.

Time for an update on the 2026 Dark Tower readalong schedule... The plan (approx) is: January 27th – The Talisman March 17th – Black House May – Wind Through the Keyhole August – Wolves of the Calla October – Hearts in Atlantis December – ??? Hope you join us for the journey.

The new episode is all about about defending against the braindead! @courtneysummers.bsky.social joins me to chat about the definitive reissue of her 2012 novel THIS IS NOT A TEST. We cover optimism and despair, suicidal protagonists, teen dialogue and, of course, zombies!! All podcast places

Got @johnlangan.bsky.social's new collection after @talkscaredpod.bsky.social's Best of 2025 ep and 😳 Ever get that feeling something’s about to grab your foot when you get out of bed? Terrified even while telling yourself it’s irrational? Yeah. I checked under the bed after reading the title story.

Talking Scared 2026 begins!! Kristi DeMeester talks us through the curses, spells and hypocritical prayers in her new witchy novel: DARK SISTERS. We discuss purity culture, noughties cruelty, and her childhood in the fundamentalist church. Wherever you get podcasts.

Also, fans of @talkscaredpod.bsky.social can join the Talking Scared TBR and read along with books featured on the podcast. app.thestorygraph.com/reading_chal...

Just read the first wonderful sentence of the year. “In the end, we all wear our brutality like beautiful cloth in the name of love.” (Dark Sisters, by Kristi DeMeester)

Another year over, another epic set of books that got us through the suck. If you have any patience for your be more list, here’s my top-10 horror books of 2025. Enjoy. Tell me your thoughts. All podcast platforms.

For a small book set in the north of England, GOOD BOY has made a good few lists this year. This one makes me happier than most, cos @awalrusdarkly.bsky.social knows his horror onions.

We made it to Hambry, and here our hearts lie broken. The Dark Tower Deep Dive reaches WIZARD & GLASS. And though we hear a whole different side to @chrispanatier - be warned, middle-aged nostalgia for adolescent love inevitably comes with dick jokes. Enjoy with our thanks. Merry Christmas all.

We had a ridiculously good time recording the Wizard & Glass Deep Dive. Last time I was this excited to release an episode, it was King himself.

I have 200 pages of Wizard & Glass to finish for tomorrow’s deep dive. To paraphrase the Beastie Boys… NO SLEEP TILL EYEBOLT CANYON

Following my episode with Andy and Barbara Muschietti, Patrons can now listen to my in-depth review of WELCOME TO DERRY. Subscribe - enjoy - support the show (and float!)

The epic beauty of Wizard & Glass. It makes me tingle.

Tomorrow!

@talkscaredpod.bsky.social’s 2025 wrap-up chat with @emilyhughes.bsky.social , @annarosereads.bsky.social & @georgesreads.bsky.social provides good insight into the year's best & most provocative horror books AND films! It’s great fun!Subscribe to the Talking Scared Patreon for ad-free eps.

So glad I read GOOD BOY by @talkscaredpod.bsky.social before the end of the year. What a beautiful, haunted little tale. Great, great read. www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

As a years long fan of the pod I absolutely levitated when I heard my debut THE RED SACRAMENT shouted out by @emilyhughes.bsky.social on @talkscaredpod.bsky.social. Being very mentally normal about it, I promise

I'm back at The Lineup with my biggest list yet: the Best Horror Books of 2025! So many fantastic horror books this year! 🖤☠️😱 the-line-up.com/best-horror-...

It’s that time of year again! For this year's State of the Horror Nation, I’m joined by @emilyhughes.bsky.social, @annarosereads.bsky.social and @georgesreads.bsky.social for a deep appraisal of 2025 in horror writing (and some film) SO MANY BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS! All podcast places - enjoy.

Guardiana of the Galaxy 3. I will never forgive James Gunn. Ever.

This is so cool. Sadly I can't see it myself cos my wifi hub thinks The Lineup is an adult site and blocks it. Imagine the phone call to the provider: Me – "no really... turn the block off... it's cos my book made this list..." Provider – "Yes. Of course it is sir..."

Tickled to see Good Boy by @talkscaredpod.bsky.social included in The Lineup's list of Best Horror Books of 2025! 🎉 🐕

I've followed Neil's podcast for years and really like him as a person, so I was nervous to read Good Boy, worried I wouldn't enjoy it. But boy was I wrong! I was sobbing by the end. I am proud of you @talkscaredpod.bsky.social, what an incredible debut. #booksky 💙📚📖

We are so back this week! Talking Scared returns on Tuesday with the STATE OF THE HORROR NATION review. The panel is @emilyhughes.bsky.social, george_reads and @annarosereads.bsky.social - covering all their highlights of 2025 horror. At nearly 3 hours, it should get you closer to Christmas.

You'd think Pantone would be better than this at reading a room...

My writing companion is on time and ready to work.

Yes, I just interviewed Andy & Barbara Muschietti all about WELCOME TO DERRY. It will air after the season finale in December. I’ve seen the whole season now and trust me… it doesn’t let us down!

To the vaults with @jeffvandermeer.bsky.social - who gave me his time and expertise in Weird fiction back in 2021. We talked about his work as a whole, but specifically his eco-crisis pre-apocalyptic novel HUMMINGBIRD SALAMANDER. And we caught real murder live on audio!! All podcast platforms.

The latest Hushed Tones is out for Patreon listeners. My honest review of the books I read in September - includes my long, impassioned intro the work of Joe Abercrombie, and my thoughts on a novel that has polarised my discord community. Subscribe – enjoy – support

Awesome bookmail @talkscaredpod.bsky.social Can't wait to read.

It's horrible and wet outside, so i'm staying in with old friends.

Top 5 Film Genres: Finish The Puzzle And Die! Never Mind "What Is It?" Just Eat It Henge-porn These Ghosts Are NOT A Trauma-Metaphor If You Go To That Cabin The Trees Will Try To Fuck You!

If you want to hear a Gothicist's geeky-ass response to @realgdt.bsky.social's FRANKENSTEIN, I uploaded a 30-minute immediate-response to Patreon. Subscribe / enjoy / support the show.

I’ve got 200 pages of @joeabercrombie.com’s WISDOM OF CROWDS to go. And then I leave The Circle of the World for the last time. Gutted! What a saga.

Back to 2021 for this conversation with Courtney Summers. We talk cults, dark charisma and radicalised youth in her boundary-pushing YA novel, THE PROJECT. It's only gotten more pertinent in the years since we recorded it. All podcast platforms.

10k into the next book and it's messy but moving along. There are no good boys in sight. Only very bad people.

My staff picks are up on the website!! The northern weird Project by @wildhuntbooks.bsky.social includes books by @talkscaredpod.bsky.social and @jodierobins.bsky.social was my favorite thing in publishing this year, and @rachelharrison.bsky.social Play Nice is in my top five of the year!

Have you listened to the latest episode with @joe-hill.bsky.social? We talk all thing KING SORROW, including dragons, tulpas, tech-bores, links to King and the almighty influence of Tabitha! All podcast platforms

I finished Good Boy by Neil McRobert @talkscaredpod.bsky.social Sunday at 4:30 am. Here is the book sitting on my lap while I sobbed. This is a surprisingly heartwarming and equally creepy tale about companionship, love, and overcoming evil at great personal expense. I loved it. 🖤📚⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ #horrorbooks

Hey! I finally got to speak to @joe-hill.bsky.social. We talked dragons, deadly deals, decades of friendship, and the role of a damn good spouse in a creative life. It was a blast. KING SORROW is a masterpiece. Listen wherever you get podcasts.

My #BookReview this week is one of my favourite things I've read all year, the *excellent* debut novella from @talkscaredpod.bsky.social Good Boy! Here are my spoiler-free thoughts 👇 www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBYK...

Hey, if you're looking for "Salem's Lot" chat, @talkscaredpod.bsky.social just did an episode on it in a "Dark Tower" context (No DT spoilers in the main ep)