Tomorrow little kiddies. We're back on the beam with the Jack Sawyer and the Fisherman.

Recorded an episode with Carter Keane today. Whilst talking about their backwoods cult monster novella MORSEL - we managed to embark on a 30-40 minute interrogation of late capitalism and corporate culture. Y’know … typically Talking Scared lefty shit!

On the new episode I chat with @tamikathompson.bsky.social about gun crime in horror and in real life. We talk gangs, ghosts, curses and political theory - in her new novel THE CURSE OF HESTER GARDENS All podcast places

Patreon Exclusive bonus chatter with recent guests. Avery and Annie tell me about hideous childhood memories, spooky visits, and some seriously weird comfort reading. Hit the link. Subscribe - support - enjoy

Woop! New Paul Tremblay has landed. A story of AI horror and bodily (un)autonomy. Can’t wait to see what the Duke of Ambiguous does with the topic. And yes… he’ll be back on the show.

This week, we've got the brilliant Neil McRobert from @talkscaredpod.bsky.social along for the ride as we fall asleep on the London Underground, wake up to find the last train has gone, and discover we're very much not alone. We watched CREEP. Episode coming Friday.

A pair of Talking Scared episodes from this week: 1) The book interview with @buehlmeister.bsky.social discussing his epic medieval horror, BETWEEN TWO FIRES 2)The Off Book chat with @rodblackhurst.bsky.social about the making of his gory backwoods horror DOLLY All podcast places. Tell a friend.

I finally got to read BETWEEN TWO FIRES and have a conversation with @buehlmeister.bsky.social about this medieval horror epic. We get into into history, Biblical mystery, myth and epic poetry... plus the sweet drunken joy of a Renaissance fair. All podcast places - enjoy!

SPOILED MILK by Avery Curran - a story of subtle, sapphic haunting (until the subtlety gives way to feral craziness). Answers the question: what if Enid Blyton had taken hard drugs

Finally got my King ink.

This week sees the return of Catriona Ward to the show. She’s here to talk about NOWHERE BURNING - her new novel of childhood survival, killer megastars, and a creepy estate high in the mountains. But we get so so much weirder than that. So. Much. Fun. All podcast platforms.

I'll be interviewing Christopher Buehlman in an hour - about Between Two Fires. If you need any further endorsement of how good the book is, I screwed up my schedule and only gave myself 24 hours to read it. Pounded my way through it.

I just watched a preview of DOLLY over breakfast - it's really, really good. Some of the best gore i've seen in ages. A true heir to Texas Chainsaw, but with more nipple-chewing.

💙📚🩸 A cosmic horror coming-of-age story that is equally terrifying and touching, GOOD BOY is a perfect blend of mystery, monsters, love, and loyalty that is earnest, emotional, & eerie. @talkscaredpod.bsky.social has written a truly satisfying, stellar novella filled with Horror AND Heart. #MSReview

What's this? Just our own @brennanlafaro.bsky.social, talking all things Denizens on @talkscaredpod.bsky.social!

Just had a hilarious, rambling chat with @catrionaward.bsky.social - we talk about H.H. Holmes, the worst cult we've ever heard of, Skinwalker Ranch and other weird locations, vikings and somehow we still find time to discuss her new novel, NOWHERE BURNING! Coming next week.

For Patreon subscribers, my long, deep review of the new Wuthering Heights movie. I tried to be brief, but between the dog collars, barn-based-BDSM, freckle rooms and problematic casting, there was just so much to say. Subscribe - support - enjoy

It's snowing like a bastard here. Cue me running a long way over the moors to my mum's house for tea. All in keeping with Wuthering Heights week.

In the latest episode I head up on the moors to explore the romance, violence and perversion of WUTHERING HEIGHTS. I'm joined by Agatha from She Wore Black, my sister-in-Goth. We get INTO it! All podcast platforms.

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 💙📚📖