John W Smith

Sylvia Devlin, a black widow, attending her sixth husband's funeral meets an apparition as she stands alone at the grave. Convinced her imagination was working overtime from the stress, she leaves the graveyard, and the mysterious being behind. Maintaining the pretense of the grieving widow until the reading of the will, Sylvia visits her dead husband every day. But with each visit, she is taunted by the phantom, who knows all her history and guides her into an experience she will never forget. Sylvia discovers her husband sold the foundry and created a new will before he suddenly became ill and died. Now she must stay in the dirty, small town in order to receive the cash rewards she so hungers for. In addition, she must allow the new owner into her home and treat him as a special guest when he comes to inspect the plant and the books. Delayed in arriving, Sylvia waits to see what kind of person would invade the solitude of a grieving widow. She puts on a pleasant face and treats Mr. Erich Mott with respect. When she discovers he is single, Sylvia sets her sights on husband seven.

A collection of short stories both macabre and entertaining that are certain to keep you reading. This collection, inspired by horror greats, explores the narrative of our nightmares. Experience these stories from the dark side of the mind -- that only surfaces in our dreams or imagination. Will you sleep with the light burning in your room? Can you lay down to rest without looking under your bed or in the closet for those shadows that slither while you sleep?

For years, the East Coast's John Smith has been a well-kept secret. The Charlottetown resident and inaugural Prince Edward Island poet laureate has published six excellent books of poetry since 1972, rich with philosophical and intellectual insight. Here, in his seventh collection, Smith turns from lyrical poems to highly agile prose poems - reflections, dreams, and essays - every one showcasing his rare wit and wisdom. This fine collection explores the nature of our world and builds on our every relationship with it, be it erotic or mathematic, humanistic or scientific.