Tribulations : Crystal Lake Publishing : 9781944787776 : 1944787771 : 09 Apr 2016 : In the third short story collection by Richard Thomas, Tribulations, the stories cover a wide range of dark fiction--from fantasy, science fiction and horror, to magical realism, neo-noir, and transgressive fiction. The common thread that weaves these tragic tales together is suffering and sorrow, and the ways we emerge from such heartbreak stronger, more appreciative of what we have left--a spark of hope enough to guide us though the valley of death. Fireflies and wolves, ghosts and golems, tentacled beasts and demonic spirits--these psychological thrillers will hypnotize you as they slide the blade between your ribs, up close and personal, whispering in your ear as you gasp and pull them closer. Tribulations includes 25 short stories--including two that were long-listed for Best Horror of the Year. There are also five original full-page illustrations by Luke Spooner.