Review of "Moods and Megrims: A Collection of Hysterical Women" Compiled by Desiree Horton
- Megan Diedericks
- Jun 16
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 17
I had a feeling I was going to be obsessed with these stories directly after I finished the first piece, and I'm happy to report I was correct!
Moods and Megrims is a haunting collection, but unlike a lot of horror (written or otherwise), various haunts aren't weaponized against women—rather, the darkness becomes their hidden weapon.
Obviously that's something that kept me seated from start to finish. Even the stories where the characters suffered any sort of injustice, they still came out on top.
My thoughts on each story:
⇝ My top three are in red! ⇜
• Nina and Pumpkin Have an Exorcism – Rikki Goodwin
A possession that isn't what you think it is. A very strong start to the collection!
• SKIN DEEP – Christy Aldridge
The Picture of Dorian Gray meets Frankenstein meets whatever body-horror movie you have in mind. Thoroughly obsessed.
• The Preacherman – Kay Hanifen
The characters in this story are the absolute best. I could see this as the concept for a TV show I'd no doubr rewatch for the rest of my life: a band of "unlikely" demon hunters. Love it, and them.
• The Black Widow – Eve L. Fell
At no point did I know where this was going. I was half-right for a second, then my jaw hit the floor.
• These Boots Are Made for Stompin' – Sarah DeRosa
As soon as I read "and they were perfect for obliterating ... until the meaty little bits resembled a spider's egg sac..." I knew this was going to be a favorite of mine. The writing is disgustingly gory and descriptive, and rightfully so. I love you, Li!
• Selective Sight – Chloe York
I could sit for hours thinking on the implications of this story. Its metaphors for depression, lackluster, quitting before you're even ahead, death... Amazing.
• The Unmothering – Kirsten Noelle Craig
Motherhood and generational (as well as active) trauma mixed in with an unknown entity... What more do you want in a story?!
• The Feast – R.J. Powell
Horrific, but not because of the gore (I don't want to spoil it!) Also, the leader of this group being named "Salome" is peak!!!
• A Dish Best Served Cold – Ashley Fox
A wild ride from start to finish.
• Uninvited – Cassandra O'Sullivan Sachar
Incredible storytelling paired with a biting main character. I really enjoyed this one!
• The Black Spot – Desiree Horton
I love the way the concept of a hungry garden is written here, and the way it rewards its owner (Maggie) for a job well done? Lovely.
I think this collection excels in what a lot of popular media fails to do—which is not having the woman be a side character, or worse, a mockery, in her own story.
From cannibalism, to gore, to justice to the extreme, Moods and Megrims: A Collection of Hysterical Women has it all!
Ending this review with a quote from one of the pieces inside which I think, more or less, captures the book as a whole:
"I am not crazy. I am a monster," Agnes confesses
to Nikolas's prone form. "That's what I am."
— The Unmothering, Kirsten Noelle Craig
