The Wishing Pool and Other Stories

In these 14 powerhouse stories, Due (Joplin’s Ghost) probes history, the grim present moment, and not so far-flung futures, delivering an expansive collection that still hits close to home. America’s racism haunts the protagonists of the terrifying “Last Stop on Route 9,” while in the 1960s-set “Thursday Night Shift” a girl gives up her individuality to change the course of history. The pandemics of “Attachment Disorder” and “Ghost Ship” ring an eerie bell without feeling too familiar, and though all the tales are rooted in horror, Due offers glimmers of hope: a young woman decides to put on a comedy show for the survivors of an apocalypse in “One Day Only,” and the tragedy “Haint in the Window” offers a moving celebration of Black literary greats. There are no false notes; every piece is a study in tension, showcasing Due’s mastery at balancing action, suspense, and emotion. Centering Black characters and often Black experiences, this is a standout in both Black horror and the genre more broadly. Agent: Donald Maass, Donald Maass Literary. (June)