My original Year's Best Hardcore Horror: Volume 2 audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.

This is an anthology of 21 terror-inducing stories by 21 authors and while some stories are shorter than others, their gruesomeness was no less. I was a bit lost in the first story – 55 Ways I’d Prefer Not to Die – as it seemed disjointed (I am assuming I missed that it was going to list in one or two sentences the horrible ways one can die).

While I enjoy (nay, LOVE) horror, I am not a huge fan of short stories; they prevent the listener from delving into the story deep enough. It’s like you are just getting into the story when it’s suddenly done. The Bed of Crimson Joy was definitely bloody and gruesome. I enjoyed “Out Hunting for Teeth, Little Sister – Little Brother and A Face in the Crowd” to name a few.

Definitely gruesome, horrific, graphic details and not something you want to listen to after dark or when alone! Trust me on this one! Each one was scary but each following one was just as scary if not scarier!

Joe Hempel did not add to the feeling of safety at all! His performance was versatile and carried just the right mixture to induce the feelings of terror and creepiness. His passion for horror is evident as there seemed to an undercurrent of pleasure in his performance – like the sound of someone who playing themselves or that is passionate about the subject.

A great combination of writers and narrator!

There were no issues with the audio quality or production of this audiobook.

Audiobook was provided for review by the narrator. ( )