Cries from the Static

Speegle explores the darkest corners of the human heart in this uneven collection of 17 reprints, new stories, and poems. The most accessible is “Hexerei,” about a man who revisits a German farm where three young girls were hanged when the protagonist was a boy. In “A Lonely Town in Alaska,” a driver picks up a lovely hitchhiker whose story of her parents’ deaths has shocking connotations. The gothic-flavored tales “Lauren, with the Fall of Night,” and “Der Teufelobstgarten,” both set in Germany, effectively employ their history-rich setting, creating a strong, sure sense of place and bringing out creeping dread that works its insidious tendrils into the characters. A few pieces don’t really resonate, such as the abrupt “Carnival of Events,” about ennui and societal breakdown, and “Things That Tend to Disturb,” which tries for darkly funny but falls flat. Speegle’s work is undeniably eerie, and he displays a firm grasp of the mysteries of human consciousness. His frequently ambiguous style may not appeal to everyone, but his fans and many newcomers will be pleased. (Feb.)