Hall of Mirrors: Tales of Horror and the Grotesque
Mike Bennett, author of One Among the Sleepless, returns to Podiobooks.com with his sophomore effort — Hall of Mirrors: Tales of Horror and the Grotesque.
A second helping of podcast fiction from ‘One Among the Sleepless’ author, Mike Bennett. ‘Hall of Mirrors’ is a short story collection featuring tales of horror, the grotesque and people in… ‘unusual’ circumstances.
Delivered in a style that pays homage to Night Gallery, Alfred Hitchcock Presents and the old British horror anthology movies of the 1960s, this is a collection of modern gothic tales with a nail of dark humour hammered through its heart. So roll up, ladies and gentlemen, and enter the Hall of Mirrors – if you dare.
October 24th, 2007 at 7:26 pm
I wanted to name my 2 mos. old daughter Mike Bennett…my wife would not me.
Mike is the awesome. Plain and simple. His talent level wants to make me give up writing and work my ass off all at the same time. Subscribe to anything Bennett. It’ll put hair on your chest.
October 26th, 2007 at 9:34 am
Mike’s short stories are every bit as good as his One Among The Sleepless, and his vocal talents are superb.
Like a child eating the best bit of dinner first, I look forward to playing these chapters as soon as they appear. Brilliant!
October 26th, 2007 at 10:00 pm
Mike Bennett, what more can I say? Satan is his homeboy!!
November 6th, 2007 at 6:15 pm
I am loving the latest story called “Hair and Skin”. Reminds me of those creepy Twilight Zone tales from the 60′s. And I’m loving the voice of Charles the bald chicken processor plant owner, the voice adds so much life to the character.
November 29th, 2007 at 4:57 pm
What an ending to the hair story! Sigler has nothing over Mike Bennett. I’m still creeped out….
December 3rd, 2007 at 2:58 pm
Amazing podcast love it Mike you are one great writer you keep me always on the edge of my seat while I listen to the twits and turns in your short stories. Keep the great work up. (He has a great reading voice also, I would have to say the best I have heard.)
December 4th, 2007 at 5:00 pm
Don’t close your eyes…
Mike Bennett sucks you into the world of the deviant, bizarre and strangely alluring. Not to be missed!
December 12th, 2007 at 7:45 am
Mike, I LOVE all of your works! Esp. One Among the Sleepless. I was a little distraught when it was done.
I hope you plan on doing a sequel 
. It comforted me on my very long commute to work and back. I especially loved your little intricate, but significant details re: daily English life. I suffered a bit of nostalgia (originating from an English colony myself). You’re AWESOME and I will continue to listen to anything you release.
Amanda.
January 6th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
you’re right next to JC (hutchins) on MY pod.
and that’s saying a lot.
January 30th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Thank you for being a part of the bid to save my sanity at work. Greatly appreciated. The stories in this collection are very well written, and given an outstanding performance. This is actually the first Podcast I’ve listened to, and I hope it doesn’t set the bar too high for my expectations!
When I get my own Podcast actually started up, I’ll definitely be putting in a promo for this, and One Among the Sleepless, probably, but I haven’t listened to that one yet. Hope to hear more from Mike Bennett!
February 18th, 2008 at 8:14 am
Though the voice used for Hair and Skin made me want to punch a baby (if you’ve heard the story, you have to know the voice I mean) Mike’s talent is unquestionable, and the stories themselves are superb, and if a certain voice does cause cringing and man on infant violence, then it really only speaks towards to power with which this podcast continues to present itself. Bravo!!!
February 21st, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Best podcast on Podiobooks. Period. (Except maybe for one among the sleepless
). Spine-chilling, macabre, and downright deliciously gruesome sometimes, you won’t be able to stop listening to Hall of Mirrors. Mike Bennett is a creative genius. And he opens and closes each story with a nocturne from Chopin? Awesome. Can’t wait for the next volume.
February 23rd, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Excellent horror podcast!!! Author narrates, and he has a perfect voice for reading horror fiction. Looking forward to more stories from Mike Bennent!
February 28th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Mike Bennett is an excellent writer and narrator, and I’m not at all biased since we share a last name. “One among the sleepless” got me hooked on podiobooks, and although I’ve enjoyed many others none have fascinated or entertained me as thoroughly as Mike’s work does. “Hall of Mirrors” is an excellent dessert to follow-up with after you’ve finished the main course of his first book. Mike, if you’re reading, your fans are out here, we love your work, and want more!
February 28th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Thanks, Jeff, and everyone else who has been kind enough to leave a comment – both here and on the One Among the Sleepless page. I greatly appreciate your feedback and support, and hope to have a new podiobook (novel) on-line before the end of 2008… Fingers crossed
April 15th, 2008 at 8:53 am
Mike, it’s been a while since I listened to OATS, and I had almost forgotten how great your work is. HOM was great. The stories were great and your witty banter is every bit as entertaining. You’re really a great entertainer. Can’t wait for what’s to come.
April 16th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Fantastic!!!! Shades of Twilight Zone, Tales from the Crypt, Tales from the Darkside. I downloaded Salvation on a whim and was hooked. I immediately downloaded all of Mike’s works and started listening to them at work tonight, I got through Trolls, Poacher’s Cottage, The Haslet Technique, The Grave and I am in Pt 4 of Hair and skin. I Love This Podcast. Great writing, FANTASTIC presentation, and the production quality of professional Audiobooks. I hope Mike continues to produce stories, I am a fan for life. I cannot recommend these stories any higher.
April 20th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
It’s like tales from the crypt, only modern and much higher quality content. I’ve read Mikes novel “One among the sleepless”, and can also highly recommend it – I’m defiantly going to be following Mr. Bennett’s career, and ravenously consume the literary crumbs he drops on his way.
April 22nd, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Stumbled into the “Hall” completely by accident and can’t seem to find my way out again. The truly sad thing is that I’m not sure I want to. . . .
Can’t wait to find out if I also belong to the OATS. Maybe I am the one and just don’t know it yet.
April 23rd, 2008 at 4:21 am
It was One Among the Sleepless that really got me interested in exploring podcasted stories. The Hall of Mirrors short stories do not disappoint, either. Each one is fantastic and I can’t wait for each release. Mike is a genius with his craft and is one of my favorite authors (spoken or written).
May 2nd, 2008 at 8:00 am
The narration of Hall of Mirrors is unbelieveable! Tweed’s voice gives me nightmares! The stories are amazing. Hair and Skin gives me the creeps on a nightly basis!!!!!
Great job Mike!
May 9th, 2008 at 11:09 am
This podiobook is great…creepy…wonderful sound…could it get anybetter…I hope so as I await in anticipation for the next season/book.
July 12th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Mike is the master of horror podcasts. His voice is soothing while at the same time, his stories can scare you to the core. Love every tale in this collection. I am awed at his voice control, authentic accents, and ability to keep your attention.
Not to be missed!
November 10th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Mike Bennett! A star in the making…if he lives that long…..bwahahahahaa. Seriously, Mike is the best in the business, at horror and humor.
February 17th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
I just finished listening to Stephen King’s “After Sunset” which was great, but Hall of Mirrors is better! Great work Mike. Keep them coming.
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:44 pm
I just ran across these stories and they are unbelievably enjoyable. I saw the comparison to Hitchcock and Twilight Zone, and having already heard One Among the Sleepless and loving it I just knew this had to be good.
I love the way that you talk to the audience at the end of each story. It’s like hearing from a friend.
If this were a professional review I would say, “Dark and witty humor woven into captivating stories – you can’t wait for the next one.” Good job, bloke!
July 1st, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Good stuff! A lot of anthologies can be hit-or-miss, with some good stories, and some not so good.
Not the case here; every story in here is good quality work.
About to start the second volume!
July 28th, 2009 at 8:15 am
Creepy, funny, disturbing, these stories have it all. Not only does Mike write stories that will make your skin crawl, but his narrations will follow you into your nightmares! The intros are fantastic; you can almost feel the ghosts of Alfred Hitchcock and Rod Serling peeking over his shoulder as he welcomes readers to each story. Well done, Mike!
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:56 pm
I thoroughly enjoyed this. Great writing, and a wonderful voice. The intro’s are as good as some of the stories. Mike has wicked sense of humor to go along with his disturbing stories, and he made me laugh out loud more than once. What a talent! You rock Mike!
October 4th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
I loved this! Great stories, great voice, great everything! I was on the edge of my seat for most of these stories! They kept me guessing a lot, you are great at that macabre twist.
October 31st, 2009 at 2:55 am
Mike Bennett is wonderful. Love the voice and the humour. More please.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:13 am
hello, mike. I wanted to pop by and let you know that I absolutely adored both of your “Hall of Mirrors” short story collections and I dearly hope there will be more to come before too terribly long.
The short story is becoming a lost art in literature today and here, you have put together a string of stories that are 2nd to NONE. Even the macabre short story king himself, Stephen King, would be envious of these tales of the twisted, perverse, sick and just generally strange. With these stories you’ve covered all the requirements for successful short story writing. Your story ideas are very original and intriguing. Your style of writing is deliciously descriptive yet very direct, a very difficult balance, even for many seasoned authors. And of course, your presentation is not indulgent but neither is it shy and wilting. All of these things can be extremely difficult to accomplish but you’ve done so, seemingly with ease.
Add to the quality of your writing, your absolutely divine delivery and skill in narration of these stories and you have a wonderful combination that makes for an extremely enjoyable experience for the reader…..errrr, ummmm, “listener”. And your humour, not only in the stories themselves, but also in the prologues, epilogues and transitions is very enjoyable and does nothing but add to the overall experience. Please, do not stop producing these little gems. Denying the reader/listener the experience of enjoying your gift would be cruel and unusual and could not be easily forgiven. Just saying.
I’ve not yet listened to any of your novel length stories, though I have downloaded the entire podcast serial of “One Among the Sleepless” and I expect I will begin listening later this evening or tomorrow at the latest. I have heard good things about it and am looking extremely forward to the listen. Also, I’m quite intrigued by “Underwood and Flinch” and will probably be unable to wait until completion before I begin listening. I usually listen several hours per day and when a serialized podcast isn’t complete I invariably get to the end of the available episodes and then have to play the waiting game. And I am a very impatient person and the waiting drives me crazy. If I start it I honestly do not think I can wait for another year before completion. So get to work and finish that thing already!
Anyway, again, many thanks for the wonderful experiences of the stories contained in the “Hall of Mirrors” collections. They were truly gifts from the author, both literally and figuratively. I will certainly be “donating” in their name on Podiobooks.com (and I encourage others to do the same…support these authors!!). So hopefully, if the good folks at Podiobooks.com aren’t crooks, you’ll have a bit of Christmas spending money courtesy of me.
Thanks again and keep up the good (great) work!
*********
And just a quick word to other readers/listeners:
I enthusiastically recommend that anyone, EVERYONE, grab these short story collections today if you haven’t done so already. And if you enjoy them you better be sure to DONATE GENEROUSLY on the pages for these titles on Podiobooks.com so that the author can get paid, deservedly, for the enjoyment he has provided you.
It is certainly not without considerable cost for these authors to use their valuable time to write these stories, the time and effort to produce the podcasts, the costs associated with acquiring the equipment necessary to produce the podcasts, and any other incidental costs such as paying for the rights to music to enhance the whole experience and make it more complete and more enjoyable for you, the reader/listener.
So do NOT be stingy. If you’ve enjoyed any of the stories from Mr. Bennett, or any other of the many Podiobooks.com authors, you NEED to donate. Not donating is the surest way to cause this wonderful source of quality literature to dry up. And if that happens, I and many others will never forgive you. YOU will never forgive YOURSELF!! Donate today. Go do it NOW.
Seriously, go do it right now!!!
October 2nd, 2010 at 12:28 pm
With Halloween 4 weeks away, I was in the mood for some creepy stories. Found this online and have been thoroughly entertained! Also really enjoy the humor Mr. Bennett injects in his stories and his banter before and after a reading. GREAT WORK!
December 5th, 2010 at 4:03 am
I really enjoyed Hall of Mirrors – Volume 1. The style of the intros reminded me of those old Hammer Horror films where they linked 4 or 5 stories with a device like someone reading tarot cards. The stories themselves were a balance between humour & horror. Hair & Skin was particularly horrific. The Halett technique particularly funny. Will be subscribing to Underwood & Fitch once I finish Volume 2 of HofM. Thank you Mike for hours of happy listening.
April 21st, 2011 at 5:02 pm
I just discovered this series and I’m glad I did! Intriguing stories and excellent narration. Each story is so descriptive it’s easy to have a clear mental image of the scenes. And now I see many more Mike Bennett recordings in the library . . . can’t wait to download them!
August 9th, 2011 at 8:46 am
On trolls ep: for a second I thought you would twist it and have Martin be skitzo and be murdering kids. I still dont get why Janice said what she did. I am still shaking from that ep. Move over Stephen King. … On to the grave. Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.
August 9th, 2011 at 2:00 pm
Part 2 of Hair and Skin scared the crap out of me! Yes I would like a cup of tea or something. lol That was awesome. No story has ever captivated me the way that story has. I’ve got to get to part 3 finale to find out what happens to Charles. ***Spoiler Alert*** When the voices on his head were screaming Charles, I jumped about a foot in the air. I was not expecting that.
August 18th, 2011 at 10:19 am
A fantastic collection of stories! I’ve just finished vol. 1 and am so glad I was behind on finding Podiobooks because now I won’t have to wait weeks or months for vol. 2 to be posted. God, now THAT would have been scary – no more Mike Bennett story-time! I absolutely adore your writing Mike, as well as your sense of humor. Only someone with a wonderful and slightly twisted sense of humor could have written The Haslet Technique. And the others are just so perfectly creepy!
I look forward to listening to vol. 2 and finding any other of your stories and books that I can.
September 30th, 2011 at 11:26 am
Many thanks to everyone for the feedback. I’m delighted that so many people have enjoyed Hall of Mirrors Volume One and taken the time to share their thoughts. Don’t forget, there’s also Volume Two here at Podiobooks: another six tales of horror and the grotesque for you to enjoy
November 22nd, 2011 at 1:14 am
3.47 am…
My ipod sits in it’s speaker dock, I was going to listen to some music to fall asleep to, that was quite some time ago…
That haunting music creeps spider-like into my room, your voice the silken threads that make the web I’ve been lured into… An image of the child catcher springs to mind!
You deliver these wonderful stories in verbal 3D, your mischievous humour is an unobtrusive character in every story…. 3.47 am! I’m now making coffee, you may as well keep me awake for the rest of the night ! Volume 2 coming up! Fantastic! Sleepless in Staffordshire U.K
June 6th, 2012 at 10:46 pm
mike, i love Hall of Mirrors 1 and 2, and One Amoung the Sleepless, but my true love is U&F – I just the past weekend finished the final chapter 45, not gonna say much about what happens, just wanted you to know that you are a true artist in every sense of the word. Thank you so much and I cannot wait to see what you come up with next –
Thanks for a 3 year ride my friend – Keep the pony warm!
Holly Wilson
@hwilson2009