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Not Everyone Stays in the Light

by A N Butler

Rated 4 out of 5Alison's rating

This collection of gloomy, thought-provoking, very short stories from the mind of Ann Butler's alter ego, The Book Griffin, introduces you to 11 instances of inexplicable or ghostly occurrences. There's revenge, rede…

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The Messy Reader verdict

Highly recommended to spooky-season readers

Reviewed 30 January 2026 messyreaderby messyreader Spoiler free

I jumped at the chance to read an ARC of Not Everyone Stays in the Light, thanks to @whimsywordspr and @annbutler2023. Released on 31st January, this is a perfect pick for anyone who loves ghost stories and quietly spooky tales. The collection features 11 short supernatural stories, each with its own distinct voice and characters. This is something Butler handles with real ease.

Some stories lean into revenge, others ache with nostalgia and regret, giving the collection a lovely emotional range. My absolute favourites were The Bluebell Woods and The No-Place. Both were eerie and are still lingering in my mind.

It's an easy, atmospheric read, ideal for long, wintry nights when you want something unsettling but comforting at the same time. A great choice for fans of supernatural fiction and short story collections. Highly recommended to spooky-season readers... or anyone who believes not everyone stays in the light.

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