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Horowitz Horror is a collection of short stories written by Anthony Horowitz. The collection was published in 1999. Anthony wrote the stories using a mixture of the first and third person perspective.
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Order of Pocket Horowitz Series
| # | Read | Title | Published | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Burnt | 2002 | Description / Buy | |
| 2 | Killer Camera | 2002 | Description / Buy | |
| 3 | The Night Bus | 2002 | Description / Buy | |
| 4 | The Phone Goes Dead | 2002 | Description / Buy | |
| 5 | Scared | 2002 | Description / Buy | |
| 6 | Twist Cottage | 2002 | Description / Buy |
The first story in the series—Bath Night—follows the exploits of a girl whose family installs a new bath. The girl, Isabel, learns that the bath is actually possessed by the spirit of a serial killer.
However, no one will believe her, not even her parents who seem all too ready to accuse her of insanity. Bath Night is categorized as horror and so are the rest of the stories in the Horowitz Horror collection, hence the name.
The stories could also be accurately categorized as young adult. All the protagonists are teenagers, and to Anthony Horowitz’s credit, they all act like teenagers. The circumstances that lead each character to the horror-oriented danger they encounter vary.
In fact, there is no real theme connecting these books. Anthony’s protagonists differ widely. You have innocent girls who must fight to overcome malevolent spirits they did nothing to invite into their homes.
You also have boys who keep stumbling upon seemingly innocuous objects like computers and cameras, and by the time they realize the truth of these objects and the threat they pose to their lives and those of their families, they can do little more than watch as chaos descends.
There’s always a bully or two sprinkled into the Horowitz Horror collection, a relatively unlikeable character that many readers would agree deserves to suffer but whose ultimate fate might leave some audiences disturbed.
The Horowitz Horror stories are simplistic works. They are not designed to engage the mind with highly complex tales boasting multi-layered meanings. Anthony Horowitz’s only objective is to create young male and female characters, endear them to readers and then drive them down a brief but harrowing path filled with ghouls, ghosts and the supernatural.
For that reason, older readers have complained that this collection of stories is a little too predictable. And when one looks at the structure that seems to repeat throughout the Horowitz Horror series, this charge becomes difficult to deny.
After all, each book seems to revolve around a girl or a boy whose life changes when they encounter an object with a paranormal history. The girl or boy initially warms to the object. Then, upon learning of its nefarious purpose, they fight it, seemingly gain victory, only for a nightmarish twist to surface, ending the story on what Horowitz hopes is a disturbing note.
Fans of this collection have suggested that it is best enjoyed when one doesn’t give the stories too much thought.
The Horowitz Horror series has a sequel called More Horowitz Horror that came out in 2000.
Best Horowitz Horror Books
The Horowitz Horror Collection might be a mixed bag as far as quality is concerned but it has many defenders, with some of the best stories in the collection including:
Killer Camera: Birthdays are difficult to maneuver for most people, mostly because finding the perfect gift tends to pose so many challenges. Matt can relate. It is his Dad’s birthday and he needs to find something nice but which falls within his budget.
Matt thinks his luck is changing when he finds a great camera at a boot sale. He realizes too late that the find was too good to be true. Strange things are happening and the camera is at the center of it all.
As Matt begins to investigate the previous owners of the camera and learns the truth about the dark powers residing within it, his world falls apart.
Scared: Gary is a school bully. His mom decides that it might be good for him to spend some time with his gran. Gary isn’t so sure he likes that idea but he has no choice in the matter.
It isn’t just the idea of staying with his gran that rubs him the wrong way. Gary also thinks the countryside is boring and prickly. He has no idea what awaits him when he gets lost.
Other Book Series You May Like
You may also enjoy the “Alex Ryder” Series by Anthony Horowitz. Alex Ryder is a 15-year-old boy who is recruited by MI6 and tasked with completing his dead uncle’s latest mission. The mission opens the door to a world of action, adventure and thrills for Ryder.
Another great series is “The Diamond Brothers” Series by Anthony Horowitz. Tim Diamond is the worst detective in the world. Fortunately for Tim, he has Nick, his more intelligent brother who acts as a balancing force and helps him solve mysteries.
What Is The Next Book in The Pocket Horowitz Series?
There doesn't seem to be an upcoming book in The Pocket Horowitz Series. The newest book is Burnt and was released on January, 1st 2002.