Poisoned Soup for the Macabre, Depraved, and Insane | Wendy Dalrymple and Grace R. Reynolds | Horror Anthology | Netgalley DRC Book Review

 

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I am planning to read some Netgalley titles sitting for so long on my TBR.

Name of Book: Poisoned Soup for the Macabre, Depraved, and Insane

Author: Wendy Dalrymple and Grace R. Reynolds

Publisher: Brigids Gate Press LLC

Publication Date: Dec 16, 2025

No. of Pages: 224

Format: Netgalley DRC

A sprinkling of the macabre….

A dash of depravity…

And a whole lot of insanity.

Welcome to POISONED SOUP FOR THE MACABRE, INSANE, and DEPRAVED.

51 INGREDIENTS OF NOSTALGIA AND HORROR

Curated by Wendy Dalrymple and Grace R. Reynolds

Grab a bowl and nourish yourself with the nostalgic flavors of our favorite genre. Together, these tales create a stew of heartwarming memories and moods inspired by your favorite author's first brush with those dark corners of film, literature, and art.

Featuring the work of Avra Margariti, Brian McAuley, Candace Nola, Catherine McCarthy, Emily Ruth Verona, L.P. Hernandez, Pedro Iniguez, R.J. Joseph, Robert P. Ottone, Scott J. Moses, Tiffany Morris, Vaughn A. Jackson, and more, we hope that this dark and tasty anthology satiates your curiosity and hunger for horror. Maybe you, too, will be inspired to craft your own mysterious recipe or terrifying tale.

Soups on!

My Opinion

Poisoned Soup for the Macabre, Depraved, and Insane by Wendy Dalrymple and Grace R. Reynolds is a short horror anthology that promises a disturbing and eclectic reading experience. True to its title, the book presents a mix of stories that feel like different ingredients blended into a single pot—each with its own flavor and intent. The writing style varies noticeably from one piece to another, which keeps the collection from feeling monotonous. However, despite its macabre premise, the anthology often falls short of delivering the terror and unease one expects from horror. Many stories hint at darkness but stop just before becoming truly unsettling. Additionally, the inclusion of essays by authors breaks the immersive flow of the book. While these pieces may offer insight into the writers’ minds, they read more like autobiographical reflections than contributions to a horror collection. As a result, the pacing suffers, and the overall impact weakens. I went into this book with high expectations, but unfortunately, it did not fully live up to its chilling promise.