Horrible people doing horrible things — in new ways!

Full Dark, No Stars consists of three stories that verge on novellas, and one very short short story. I pulled the synopses off Goodreads because I am so very behind on my reviews, and added my thoughts in italics.

1922
The story opens with the confession of Wilfred James to the murder of his wife, Arlette, following their move to Hemingford, Nebraska onto land willed to Arlette by her father.

3 stars: Decent, creepy story with lots of rats, and people who get what’s coming to them. It’s a little folksy in its telling, but King pulls it off.

Big Driver
Mystery writer, Tess, has been supplementing her writing income for years by doing speaking engagements with no problems. But following a last-minute invitation to a book club 60 miles away, she takes a shortcut home with dire consequences.

4 stars: This is a rape story, so don’t read it if that’s a trigger for you. In it, the victim takes her revenge on her rapist, rather than report him like the otherwise sensible woman she seems to be. If you’re willing to go with that, it’s a decent story starring a really fantastic character. I wish King had devoted a whole book to Tess — I loved her (and her cat, and her GPS). My favorite of the bunch.

Fair Extension
Harry Streeter, who is suffering from cancer, decides to make a deal with the devil but, as always, there is a price to pay.

2 stars: Fairly stupid story with a decent set up that quickly goes nowhere. Luckily, this is the really short one.

A Good Marriage
Darcy Anderson learns more about her husband of more than twenty years than she would have liked to know when she literally stumbles upon a box under a worktable in their garage.

4 stars: I actually listened to this as a standalone audiobook last year and reviewed it, but I went ahead & reread it here. Just as gross and creepy as the first time around!