A short piece in the paranormal-action vein. A mysterious albino hitchhiker, Dancy Flammarion, who claims to speak to an angel, is picked up by a sinister trio (who may be vampires) and taken to an old house tenanted by what may be a coven of cannibal witches. It feels like the opening of a novel - and, indeed, is a prequel to Kiernan's novel 'Threshold' (and, I suppose, 'Low Red Moon,' which I haven't yet read.) ( )

I primarily purchased this book because I love Dame Darcy's artistic style. I wish there had been artwork accompanying the text. That being said, the story and plot of In the Garden of Poisonous Flowers was interesting, it simply felt unfinished. Too many questions were left unanswered, too many back stories were left unexplained. The writing is gripping, and the art work is exquisite. Perhaps if I continue with the Threshold series, my questions will be answered. ( )

Dancy Flammarion's adventure In the Garden of Poisonous Flowers is wickedly disturbing and thankfully short. In Caitlin Kiernan's novella, we find Dancy hitchhiking. She is picked up by an odd trio including the Bailiff, the Dead Girl, and Bobby. The trio delivers Dancy to Miss Aramat and "her eight exquisite sisters", who perform evil and horrific deeds on dead bodies. Has Dancy, the albino who talks to angels and kills monsters, met her match? Read it and find out. Recommended for fans of horror. ( )