Some photographs reveal more than they should, and in Ghost Camera by Darcy Coates, that discovery turns deadly. This eerie collection of short horror stories centers around supernatural encounters, with the title story following Jenine, who finds an old camera that captures ghostly figures invisible to the naked eye. What starts as a curiosity soon becomes a terrifying ordeal as the spirits grow more hostile, and she realizes she’s entangled in something far beyond her control. Each story in the collection delivers its own dose of suspense and creeping dread, making Ghost Camera a thrilling read for fans of atmospheric and unsettling horror.
The very first story, Ghost Camera, is a fast-paced and eerie read that pulls you in from the start. The story follows Jenine, who finds an old camera and quickly realizes it has a terrifying ability—it captures images of ghosts that aren’t visible to the naked eye. At first, she’s just curious, snapping photos to see what appears, but things take a dark turn when the ghosts start getting closer in each picture. Soon, they’re not just standing in the background—they’re watching her, reaching for her, and making it clear they want something. As Jenine scrambles to figure out where the camera came from and how to escape its curse, she uncovers a disturbing pattern: every previous owner met a horrible fate. With time running out, she’s forced into a dangerous fight to break free before she becomes the next victim. Ghost Camera is a suspenseful, quick read packed with creepy imagery, mounting dread, and a plot that keeps you hooked until the final, chilling moment.
While Ghost Camera is the standout story in the anthology, most of the other entries, while entertaining, don’t leave much of a lasting impression. The Run to Broken Ridge Lighthouse sets up an eerie atmosphere with its solitary stretch of beach and grisly backstory, but it never quite delivers on its suspense, leaving the resolution feeling somewhat underwhelming. Similarly, Death Birds provided an interesting sci-fi premise with some tense moments, but the predictable twists make it less impactful compared to the stronger stories in the collection. The rest of the stories included: Payment for the Dead, Untamed Things, The House on Boxwood Lane, Remains, and Cathedral. They weren’t terrible stories by any means, but just didn’t stick with me (I actually had to go back to the book while writing this so I could remember what these stories were). All were enjoyable in the moment, but just lacked the supreme creepiness I was longing for.
That all changed when I listened to the final story, A Box of Tapes. This short horror story is a gripping, edge-of-your-seat thriller that masterfully builds tension from the moment the mother discovers the mysterious box of VHS tapes in her daughter’s closet. The ominous note—“Do not watch, you’ll regret it”—immediately sets the tone for the dread that follows. As she gives in to curiosity and plays the tapes, the gruesome murders they reveal are disturbing enough, but the real terror begins when her daughter starts seeing the eerie woman from the recordings in real life. The story expertly escalates the suspense, making every shadow and every flickering screen feel like a threat. Just when you think you have it figured out, the twist ending pulls the rug out from under you, leaving a lingering sense of unease. With its tight pacing, unsettling imagery, and relentless sense of dread, this is a short horror story that sticks with you long after the final page.
I read this story on a work night (I have to wake up at 4:30 AM), and it was so enthralling that I couldn’t bring myself to stop, even when I knew I’d regret it in the morning. I stayed up until after 11, completely absorbed, listening to every eerie detail unfold. The tension kept building, and just when I thought I had a moment to breathe, something even creepier would happen, making it impossible to turn it off. Even after I finally forced myself to stop, the story lingered in my mind, making it nearly impossible to fall asleep. Every shadow in my room felt darker, every little creak in the house sent a shiver down my spine, and I kept replaying the most unsettling moments in my head. It took over an hour before I could finally drift off, and even then, I half-expected to wake up in the middle of the night and see the lady from the tapes in my bedroom.
The characters in this short horror story are incredibly well-developed, making the terror feel all the more real. The mother is a compelling protagonist—her love for her daughter is evident in every decision she makes, and her growing fear and desperation are palpable as she tries to protect her child from the horrors unfolding around them. Her reactions feel authentic, balancing skepticism, dread, and an increasing sense of helplessness as the tapes’ dark secrets unravel. The daughter is equally engaging, with her innocent confusion turning into sheer terror as she begins to see the eerie woman from the recordings in real life. The mother-daughter bond adds an emotional depth that makes the horror even more intense, as their struggle feels deeply personal rather than just a supernatural mystery. And, of course, the mysterious woman committing the murders is a chilling presence—her eerie, otherworldly nature lingers throughout the story, making her feel like a true nightmare come to life. Each character plays a crucial role in the suspense, making the twists and final revelation all the more haunting.
As I mentioned earlier, none of the other characters in any of the stories really stood out to me in a memorable way. While some had interesting backstories or were placed in intriguing situations, their personalities and development felt somewhat generic, making it hard to connect with them on a deeper level. Even the characters in the main story, Ghost Camera, didn’t leave a strong impression on me. While the plot itself was gripping and the suspense kept me engaged, the characters felt more like vehicles for the story rather than fully fleshed-out individuals. I still thoroughly enjoyed the eerie atmosphere and the way the tension built throughout, but I found myself more invested in the mystery of the camera than in the people caught up in it.
Writing an in-depth review for an anthology of short horror stories can be challenging because each story is so different in terms of plot, pacing, and scares. Some stories rely on slow-building psychological horror, while others dive straight into fast-paced, supernatural terror, making it difficult to analyze them as a cohesive whole. However, one thing that remains consistent throughout is the writer’s ability to craft an eerie and immersive mood in every story. No matter the premise, the tension is always palpable, and the unsettling tone lingers long after each tale ends. I also appreciated how varied the settings were—each story took place in a unique and well-described environment, from isolated lighthouses to haunted houses and cursed objects, keeping the anthology fresh and engaging. While some stories stood out more than others, the author’s skill in creating chilling atmospheres and vivid locations made the entire collection an enjoyable and unsettling read.
Overall, Ghost Camera is a chilling and suspenseful collection that showcases Darcy Coates’ talent for crafting eerie, immersive horror. While some stories are more memorable than others, the anthology as a whole delivers a consistently haunting atmosphere with a strong sense of tension and dread. The title story, Ghost Camera, and ending story, A Box of Tapes, stand out as the most gripping, blending supernatural terror with an engaging mystery that keeps readers hooked until the very end. Though the characters may not be the most distinctive, the unsettling settings and expertly built suspense make up for it, ensuring that each story leaves a lasting impression. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Coates or just looking for a quick, creepy read, Ghost Camera is a solid choice that delivers plenty of eerie moments and spine-chilling surprises.
What did you think? Have you read this book? If so, what was your favorite story in it? Have a book recommendation? Let us know in the comments below!
Scare Me Please 