In the Closet, Under the Bed

Reviewed for The Letter‘s book review site

ISBN: 9780981863214

While Lee Thomas is no newcomer to GLBT-themed horror it’s possible you’ve not heard of him before. If so, this quiet-looking book is your chance to experience a dazzling, sometimes blistering, example of queer horror.

In the Closet, Under the Bed is a collection of fifteen horror tales that range in scope from the horrors of being gay, to the the unique, strange and sometimes erotic horror drawn to an unconventional life. You’ll never think of bears the same way again after “Down to Sleep”. Thomas tackles shame, the delicate difficulty of pretending to the point of maintaining a “traditional” family and even the hidden complications of gay spousal abuse. And the one story told from a female perspective, “They Would Say She Danced” is perhaps the most poignant despite addressing the intricacies of gay life from an outside point of view.

Absolutely dark, absolutely queer Thomas’ collection would collapse without with either the gay or horror aspects. Breathtaking only begins describe this example of what horror, science fiction and fantasy could be, if it could just drag itself out of the closet. Highly recommend.