Her chilling grasp of the mechanism of terror and a dead-on killer instinct for storytelling puts Kristi Petersen Schoonover’s work in a class by itself.”

~ Mark (James Axler) Ellis

creator of the OUTLANDERS series and author of CRYTPTOZOICA

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The six stories comprising Skeletons in the Swimmin’ Hole beautifully complement each other, making for a collection unified in two major ways—through the Disney World settings in every one, and through the supernatural horror elements in all.  The thematically more interesting stories, I think, employ the plot elements of horror to objectify the protagonist’s guilt-ridden soul (the first story, “Doing Blue,” and the closing novella that gives the title to the collection are my favorites in this respect).  I am also impressed by the author’s skill throughout in making us care about the characters, in creating authentic, richly detailed settings, and in building old-fashioned suspense.  In one of my favorites, “All this Furniture and Nowhere to Sit,” suspense and horror are hilariously combined with comedy.  To sum up: with this collection a robust new talent enters the genre of supernatural horror.

~ Daniel Pearlman

Author, THE BEST-KNOWN MAN IN THE WORLD & OTHER MISFITS

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Skeletons in the Swimmin’ Hole is a very innovative collection of short stories with supernatural elements….all of these stories are united by setting as well as theme: the theme park, and this creates a wonderful cultural commentary—where people most expect to be happy and carefree is where nemesis often finds them most easily. Schoonover has taken this genre and made it her own with engaging characters, strong plotting and well-nuanced themes that always avoid cliché. These stories are a delight to read.”

~ Jeanne Mackin

Author, THE SWEET BY AND BY

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Usually, I hate wild rides, but I wouldn’t have missed this one for the world! There’s no question Petersen Schoonover has achieved an enviable blend of Disney and horror.”

~ Melissa Martin Ellis

Author, THE EVERYTHING GHOST HUNTING BOOK

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While Schoonover’s sensibility is partly rooted in the tradition of classic ghost and horror stories, her work…is suffused throughout with a wonderfully dark sense of comedy and heightened surrealism. Her stories are genuine page-turners that linger long after the reading; they’re mysterious, eerie, and truly haunting.

~ Susan Kim

Author, CITY OF SPIES and BRAIN CAMP with Laurence Klavan

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On “Doing Blue”:

Really interesting concept…I never in a million years thought a story could be centered around a character having a “revelation” on the PeopleMover! But as I was reading the story, I started to actually think about the PeopleMover and my thoughts on it. It’s strange, but I can remember riding that thing and almost “feeling inspired”—like the character—as it takes you lazily through Tomorrowland. Looking out over the amazing place that’s Disney, and honestly feeling like nothing really matters at that moment. And it’s always the “break” in the middle of the day. A time to sit down finally and relax on a slow ride, figure out what to do next, what to ride, where to eat.

Definitely a story for a Disney Fanatic that has those strange and wonderful connections to every little part of the park!

~Amberrose Hammond

Michigan’s Other Side

Author, GHOSTS & LEGENDS OF MICHIGAN’S WEST COAST

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Something nice to say about Skeletons? We’d love to hear from you, and we’ll share it right here on this page! Send your comments in an e-mail to admitonepress[at]gmail[dot]com and be sure to include your name and where you’re from!

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