Welcome to the Macabrary. The mission of this site is to generate a reference library for horror readers and collectors. As a lifelong fan and collector, my mission is to collect, preserve, and categorize horror fiction, with special attention to paperbacks. Within the Macabrary Catalog, you will find books listed by their publisher and imprint. Each book’s title, author, publication date, ISBN numbers, and pertinent copyright and taxonomic information are presented in chronological order. Information and background for the history of these imprints is an ongoing effort, and in all cases, references are presented at the bottom of each page.
Although this project is the work of Mark Hennion, you can help! While I own hundreds of the books listed and reviewed here, sharing information about missing horror paperbacks and books is greatly appreciated! An standardized intake form is forthcoming, but until then, sharing the details you see listed under each imprint in the catalog (title, author, publication month/date, and IBSN #) provides a way to preserve these titles for other readers, scholars, and collectors to help locate them. Plans to digitize thumbnails and high quality covers are forthcoming (with respect for copyright and identifying cover artists whenever possible).
Book Reviews: Philosophy and Practices
The other extension of the Macabrary is horror reviews by Mark Hennion. The book reviews presented here are similarly merely one man’s opinion and should be taken as just that. For more about my reviewing philosophy, please visit the Book Reviews section. As a general policy, books I do not finish (DNF) and didn’t enjoy enough to review are filed under the “Buried Alive” section. This isn’t a mark against their authors; taste is subjective, and what didn’t work for me might be just what you’re looking for. With so much negative criticism on the internet, I simply choose not to contribute further to it. While I aim to review as objectively as possible, my personal policy is always to identify the strengths and unique things about the book (and by itself, the genre I love and write myself).
Got a title to share? An opinion?
If you wish to get in touch with me, click the About Mark page. Thanks for visiting the Macabrary!
Latest from the Blog
Horror Haul: The Book Dispensary in Columbia, SC
A wonderful gem parallel to I-26 just outside of Columbia, the Book Dispensary never fails to have a few amazing finds! The Book Dispensary is meticulously organized, with excellent signage, organization, and variety. Both nonfiction and fiction are to be found, situated in multiple rooms, all with excellent lighting. In addition to accepting trade, one…
Brian Hodge’s “Oasis”
Though his second published novel, Hodge’s 1989 Oasis was his first written, and his impressive debut takes readers back to nascent adulthood, pitting its protagonist with a bevy of hard choices, these made all the more impossible as everything he loves is torn apart.
Kathryn Ptacek’s “Shadoweyes”
After writing and publishing for 4 years under 3 pseduonyms, Kathryn Ptacek’s 1984 Shadoweyes became the first title published under her name. In the 36 years since its publication, the formula and structure will read familiar to horror fans… After a prologue with some victim-to-be strawmen and one minor character who will provide nominal assistance…
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