Just After Sunset by Stephen King

“'What would you do if your everyday world were turned upside down in an instant? In this collection of twist-in-the-tale stories of suspense you can feel the everyday become the unexpected.”

Just After Sunset is an odd collection of short stories from King. It's the worst I've read, that's for sure, as the majority of the stories featured are below average if not down right awful. Out of the thirteen there were only three that I really enjoyed, but even then they were weak when you compare them to King's other work (Full Dark, No Stars for instance, which is perhaps the best short story collection I've ever read).

Willa

This is a weird ghost story that I felt wasn't really about ghosts. It's not horror, although it's still in King's typical style, and I'm really not sure what to make of it. An odd choice to start with.

3/5 stars

The Gingerbread Girl

Things started a bit slow in this one but they worked up to a more thrilling tale. I still wouldn't call it scary, but it definitely edges more towards King's typical horror. I got some serious Big Driver vibes from it.

4/5 stars

Harvey's Dream

It was the ending of this that really made it, as it was full of suspense and lifted what was an otherwise boring story. Much like the previous stories it was odd and slow to start.

3.5/5 stars

Rest Stop

Totally boring and not scary and I didn't really get the point of it. Felt more like a scene from a longer piece of work.

2/5 stars

Stationary Bike

Again, didn't get this and it was boring and not scary. The ending wasn't too bad and this was the point that I really started to doubt the quality of this collection.

2/5 stars

The Things They Left Behind

Another boring, not scary story that was way too long for what it was. The ending was nice but still somewhat open for interpretation which felt a little lazy.

2/5 stars

Graduation Afternoon

Absolutely hated this. Boring, pointless, and felt ass if it had been taken out of context from another work.

1/5 stars

N.

This is definitely one of the best, but it's still a little long and not completely scary. Reminded me a lot of From a Buick 8. Ending was still a bit weak.

4/5 stars

The Cat From Hell

The cat just made me think of Pet Sematary and Doctor Sleep which wasn't bad as I did enjoy both of those. Don't really have much to say about this as it was just okay. Perhaps give it a miss if you're sensitive to animal abuse.

3/5 stars

The New York Times at Special Bargain Rates

Didn't like this despite it having an interesting concept. The plane crash thing was just done to death at this point in the collection.

2/5 stars

Mute

I really liked this and if it hadn't have been for the ending I would have given it five stars. As it stands, the ending is rather blunt and a bit on the weak side, as I felt that there was room for another twist.

4/5 stars

Ayana

Although I did like this I didn't really get it. I mean, I got the idea but things were just a bit glossed over. If it had been developed a bit more I feel like it could have been much better.

3/5 stars

A Very Tight Place

Despite being rather long and completely ridiculous, this was quite funny. A decent end to the collection, but still nothing amazing.

3/5 stars