Caleb Finn’s name is associated with TikTok and short, cinematic horror films. This collection of 10 scary stories – his first in print – will increase his worldwide base of over 17 million fans. Archives of Despair comes with a well-advised content warning: these aren’t dabbling around the edges of horror; they dive right in at the deep end.
The series is linked by an email chain involving the ‘Arc Database’, seeking information on someone who seems to bypass the normal space-time constraints. The ‘Bowler Hat Man’, or ‘Anomaly-991’ is the catalyst for strange events when he appears in the lives of the narrators of each story, such as for Sarah in the first story, ‘White Walls’. She’s waiting for her father to finish work. The walls of his office building are freshly painted white. Black dots on the walls look like missed bits, but expand into something more sinister.
Two perspectives on the one story are given by ‘Please Don’t Go’ – from James’ point of view, and later by his sister, Amy, in ‘Pl*@se Don’t Go*ooo_ooo#ooo’. This second perspective gives insight into how these weird happenings seem for those watching.
The final story, ‘The Extra’ is narrated by the Bowler Hat Man, putting the other stories into some context. To discover the author’s own fears, look no further than ‘Pretend People’. Finn is scared of mannequins. A game of hide-and-seek involving them becomes terrifying.
These are scary stories, so be prepared: don’t read them just before bed, and don’t read them all at once.
Reviewed by Bob Moore
Age Guide 15+
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Caleb Finn is Australia’s most-followed male content creator, with over 17 million fans worldwide.
Known for his cinematic short horror films, Caleb is inspired by film, digital culture, body horror and liminal spaces. His fascination with creepypastas, urban legends found in the corners of the online world, motivated him to write his own collection of scary short stories. He documents his parenthood journey on his TikTok channel to millions of followers.
Caleb lives in Melbourne with his partner and young child. Archives of Despairis his debut novel.
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