On a cold winter morning, a delivery truck backs into the loading dock of a popular shopping mall. Inside are eight boxes waiting to be picked up by Jodie, the store manager. But something's not quite right about the delivery. Jodie can sense it as soon as she touches the large, coffin-shaped crates: something unnatural and dangerous is stored inside. Almost as soon as th On a cold winter morning, a delivery truck backs into the loading dock of a popular shopping mall. Inside are eight boxes waiting to be picked up by Jodie, the store manager. But something's not quite right about the delivery. Jodie can sense it as soon as she touches the large, coffin-shaped crates: something unnatural and dangerous is stored inside. Almost as soon as the crates are brought into the store, things start to go wrong. Customers seem reluctant to linger. Clothes are thrown off the racks during the middle of the night. And Jodie's co-workers stop answering their phones. As a deadly storm grows on the horizon, Jodie begins to realise just how dangerous the unknown can be.
Lights Out: a horror short story
On a cold winter morning, a delivery truck backs into the loading dock of a popular shopping mall. Inside are eight boxes waiting to be picked up by Jodie, the store manager. But something's not quite right about the delivery. Jodie can sense it as soon as she touches the large, coffin-shaped crates: something unnatural and dangerous is stored inside. Almost as soon as th On a cold winter morning, a delivery truck backs into the loading dock of a popular shopping mall. Inside are eight boxes waiting to be picked up by Jodie, the store manager. But something's not quite right about the delivery. Jodie can sense it as soon as she touches the large, coffin-shaped crates: something unnatural and dangerous is stored inside. Almost as soon as the crates are brought into the store, things start to go wrong. Customers seem reluctant to linger. Clothes are thrown off the racks during the middle of the night. And Jodie's co-workers stop answering their phones. As a deadly storm grows on the horizon, Jodie begins to realise just how dangerous the unknown can be.
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Jeanine –
Darcy Coates has quickly become one of my favorite horror authors. This book is an example why. Mannequins. Creepy!
Sandy Benitez –
This creepy short story can be found as a bonus at the end of The Haunting of Gillespie House. I've never liked mannequins and this tale will have you feeling the same way after reading it. This creepy short story can be found as a bonus at the end of The Haunting of Gillespie House. I've never liked mannequins and this tale will have you feeling the same way after reading it.
Joselyn Moreno Burke –
an awesome book, it chilled my veins and make me wonder from where that plot came from, I have my theories. super cool short for any horror and suspense fan.
Jacquel –
A horror story that could have been a series A clothing store manager buys some new mannequins for her store and immediately regrets it when strange things happen. Lights Out was original, and well written. An excellent addition to the genre. Lights Out had standard tropes delivered with a smooth writing style. Lights Out started and ended strong, but the timeline was a bit hazy at points. The story sagged in the middle, leaving the characters without purpose. The characters were well written, memor A horror story that could have been a series A clothing store manager buys some new mannequins for her store and immediately regrets it when strange things happen. Lights Out was original, and well written. An excellent addition to the genre. Lights Out had standard tropes delivered with a smooth writing style. Lights Out started and ended strong, but the timeline was a bit hazy at points. The story sagged in the middle, leaving the characters without purpose. The characters were well written, memorable, and distinctive. I found them easy to relate to, but at times they were unbelieveable, or made choices not true to their character. I found it hard to put Lights Out down. It was fast-paced, engaging and suspenseful; a joy to read. The world-building was superb and each scene was easy to visualize based on the character's senses and mood. Action scenes were vividly presented and easy to follow. The text was well written and engaging. The writing style was consistent and the exposition didn't slow the plot overly much. There were a few typographical and grammar errors, but not enough to take me out of the moment. Great cover design and page layout.
Carrie –
Creepy retail This was awesome, I really loved, I have worked retail before and this would of freaked me out I would have been long gone if there was something not right no way i would stick around.
Megan Morrison –
i mean....meh?? i feel like everyone is creeped out by the feeling of someone watching them from behind, so that part built some sense of atmosphere, but i think a fear of mannequins is required to actually find this spooky.
Marah –
The premise of this book was extremely original. Anyone who has worked in retail should read this book!!! I loved the entire thing. My one complaint is I wish it were longer!
Kay Covington –
Great short story I have enjoyed many of Darcy Coates' stories. This one is a wonderfully written, clever, enjoyable quick read. I'm on to the next Coates' adventure. Great short story I have enjoyed many of Darcy Coates' stories. This one is a wonderfully written, clever, enjoyable quick read. I'm on to the next Coates' adventure.
Stephanie –
i stg darcy is the QUEEN of horror. usually short stories don’t hit it for me but all of her short horror stories have! (that being said i cant trust mannequins anymore)
Susan Fenlon –
Lights Out This story was very familiar, it was very close to another short story called The Mannequin written by Darcy Coates. I still gave it four stars mainly because I am a big fan of this author. But there were a lot of similarities so I would suggest reading one or the other. I don't know if it's because I read The Mannequin first but I seemed to enjoy that one more, then again I don't know I did love the ending of Lights Out. Doesn't hurt to read them both, they both truly are great storie Lights Out This story was very familiar, it was very close to another short story called The Mannequin written by Darcy Coates. I still gave it four stars mainly because I am a big fan of this author. But there were a lot of similarities so I would suggest reading one or the other. I don't know if it's because I read The Mannequin first but I seemed to enjoy that one more, then again I don't know I did love the ending of Lights Out. Doesn't hurt to read them both, they both truly are great stories!
J.B. –
Darcy Coates... Darcy Coates is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I recently discovered her work, and I was instantly hooked. This one, however, is not exactly my favorite. It was a little too predictable, although, well-written. I think fans of Darcy's work will appreciate it for what it is, though if you're a first-time reader of hers, I don't recommend you begin here. Darcy Coates... Darcy Coates is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I recently discovered her work, and I was instantly hooked. This one, however, is not exactly my favorite. It was a little too predictable, although, well-written. I think fans of Darcy's work will appreciate it for what it is, though if you're a first-time reader of hers, I don't recommend you begin here.
kozettekaysmith –
Very Creepy I saw this coming, wasn't hard to figure out where this story was going. I enjoyed this book as much as the first one by this Author. Darcy you are a good scary story teller I'm looking forward to another. Good job on creeping me out !! kozettekaysmith Very Creepy I saw this coming, wasn't hard to figure out where this story was going. I enjoyed this book as much as the first one by this Author. Darcy you are a good scary story teller I'm looking forward to another. Good job on creeping me out !! kozettekaysmith
Ayanami Faerudo –
There is no escape for you if you encounter these mannequins. If your store (or wherever you are) happens to have one of these, quit immediately. How many of these mannequins are there??? I read The Mannequin before this and even before I finished the story, I knew what will happen. Predictable.
Cristy Bramhall –
Interestingly Disturbing I will never be able to be in the same place as a mannequin without thinking of this and the other sorry Mannequin. Very disturbing. Worth the read.
Chris –
Skip this. Read Manequin instead.
Sherri Smith –
Even though I predicted the outcome, this was a wonderful chilling short story! I highly recommend it to those who enjoy a well written, scary read!
Cierra –
Darcy Coates does a fantastic job packing a whole lot of story into few pages.
Darcie –
I enjoyed the pretense, at the time it was unusual, and it was a scary idea, using some common tropes that always seem to freak me out. however, I hardly felt the suspense. I wouldn't reread it. I enjoyed the pretense, at the time it was unusual, and it was a scary idea, using some common tropes that always seem to freak me out. however, I hardly felt the suspense. I wouldn't reread it.
Kim Russell –
Deliciously creepy. I had to read it without any interruptions.
Angela –
Lee Hamilton –
Jenna –
Mitch Tarazon –
Tara –
Liz –
Breysreviews –
Stefanie –
Jennifer Hall –
Diane Mackereth –
Amanda –