When The Century Knocks: : A Halloween Anthology
Eight centuries. Eight places. Eight stories.
Across different times and far-flung places, something has been waiting.
A whisper in the woods.
A shadow where no one should be.
A door that should never open.
A presence that refuses to stay buried.
For centuries, people have encountered things they couldn't explain—strange occurrences that appeared to have no connection to one another.
Or so they thought.
WHEN THE CENTURY KNOCKS brings together eight chilling tales from Kirsten Gale, J.D. Setzer, Tamara Rector, Jim Donohue, Kendra Smart, Abby Woodland, Hayley Bernard-Ryan, and J.K. Charles, each exploring a different century, a different place, and a different nightmare.
What will come from the trees when the century knocks?
Why is it happening?
And what has been waiting all this time?
Pre-Order Available
Coming October 15, 2026
Reader Reviews
2 ratings
Kerri D.
This was such an interesting take on a short story collection, and not one that I have seen done previously. Throughout all the stories, there is one central tree that is woven into each individual story. Some stories pull on folklore, while in others there are spooky creatures, but all of it comes together in an exceptional collection.
You have my vote for a Christmas Anthology now!
Beckie B.
This anthology was fascinating! I loved the lore across the centuries and the different cultures with the tree and its restless, evil spirit serving as the central focus.
Although the backgrounds were different, every author brought to life a frightening tale of the knocking demon who seeks what was lost or demands a repayment in flesh or blood for past wrongs. The legends of the witch trials to LA Llorona to the Headless Horseman to the Japanese Neko were tied in effortlessly. Also the new, unique spin on the lovers initials to the futuristic water dwellers. I am in awe how amazingly vivid these stories were. A lot of time obviously went in to vividly paint the gothic, macabre settings and to tie them together in an eye-opening epilogue.
Bravo to all 8 authors involved in putting together this brilliant collection that in my opinion needs to be a Halloween staple.