Full disclosure: I have a story included in this anthology, so this is more of a reflection on the other stories than a typical review.
Tales from the Tomb is the sixth in Ye Olde Dragon Book’s anthology on Classic Monsters. The editors challenged the writers to create new and exciting stories than a typical mummy retelling. Rip off those bandages and let some imagination flow.
Of the ten stories, five are horror and five are more light-hearted. Some, even the light-hearted ones, include some graphic violence. The book is appropriate for teenagers and older.
On the lighter side, Tomb includes a resurrected cat making his way in this new world, a mummy-run bazaar selling wrappings for other mummies, magical bandages that heal, and a mummy running amok on a movie set—a movie, coincidentally, about a mummy. The horror offerings include a cruise ship full of dead people, a cult in a museum, and a bandaged man destroying a Tennessee gathering (and the monster that stops him). A few entries straddle the line between horror and humor, including a witty story of a mummy brought back to life from the point-of-view of his favorite cat. Also,Tales from the Tomb includes a high fantasy adventure about a resurrected leader destroying her adversaries, more thrilling than terrifying, but wonderful nonetheless.
The Mummy, much like the Invisible Man anthology (The Invisible Files, Book #4), doesn’t constrain the writer to the horror genre as much as Frankenstein’s monster or the Creature from the Black Lagoon would. I myself lean toward horror, and my stories attempt to restore the fear of these monsters. Though I love the light-hearted tales as well, you may want to keep that in mind as you read this reflection.
Rachel Dib’s fantastic point-of-view of a mummy story (“The Return of the Favorite Servant”) from its pet cat was a treat. The story absolutely embodies a cat’s way of thinking. Another story from the cat’s point of view was also welcome and creative, Frank DaCasta’s “Chasing Tails.” Michelle Levigne brings us back to her enchanting world where nearly anything—even bandages—can be sentient in “Curses and Cures.” Her tale reimagines the entire concept of wrapping people in bandages. Pam Halter and Rosemarie DiCristo’s “The Wrapping” imagines an area where mummies shop for new bandages, but what if the gods decide to play tricks? Lastly, Debra Cullins Smith’s “That’s a Wrap” is drop-dead hilarious in its homage to the 1932 movie The Mummy with Boris Karloff. It’s a great story on its own, but if you know the people and stories behind the film, it’s a hoot.
On the more scary side, “Mayhem in the Museum” has the feel of a yesteryear radio feature. It describes a cult breaking into a museum to awaken a mummy, and a plucky teenager figuring out how to thwart them. “The Seekers” by Stoney M. Setzer is a monster mash in the best of ways—you’ll get more than a mummy out of that story. And Caitlin Eha’s “Conduit” is a well-written tale of a resurrected, mummified leader and her revenge on a people, yet hope exists in the most unlikely of heroes.
Kudos to Etta Tamera-Wilson and her offering of “Killing Fear.” This mysterious and creepy story of a cruise ship full of dead people, living and unliving, is exactly the type of horror story I love.
So, wrap yourself up in your favorite comforter with the tanna-leaf beverage of your choice and enjoy an anthology of exciting, funny, and scary mummy stories.
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