Dark Reflections collects twelve stories from Paul Kane, all of which are based on pre-existing works within the horror genre. By asking the questions ‘what if?’ or ‘what happened next?’, each of them finds an answer that can be comfortingly familiar or entirely unexpected, but always delivered by Kane’s usual skill and respect for the original texts as he takes readers beyond their final pages and into unexplored territory. They are not only tributes but – as Kim Newman states in his introduction – love letters from the author, showing why such classics are read again and again, their characters remaining a part of popular culture for so long.
The sources of some stories can be initially obscure, while others are obvious from their titles, but both types make for a good read. There’s delight in guessing correctly, while prior knowledge of what’s being referenced helps the author twist expectations to provide memorable moments and satisfying surprises. Kane’s a prolific writer, and he’s one who doesn’t stand still, imbuing this collection with a variety of styles; the darkness is always there, of course, but it’s tempered with a modern approach and humour that catches the reader off-guard to provide a superb experience.
As such, there isn’t a weak tale among them. Picking a favourite would depend on the mood at the time, but for this reviewer, Dracula in Love stands out; it manages to be laugh-out-funny while making the titular character both sympathetic and terrifying. Fans of Kane will have read some of the stories, but three of them are new to this collection, which is a triumph for its author. Kane thanks the publisher, Black Beacon Books, for being willing to release the book and we should too, as this dark dozen are perfect accompaniments to the works that inspired them.
