Review by C.J. Bunce
You can tell filmmakers Debra Hill and John Carpenter were inspired by Alfred Hitchcock–it comes through the in their films–and just look at the Easter eggs in movies like The Fog. Practically everyone who writes suspense-thrillers or mysteries can point back to the beloved auteur for more than one character or story they’ve created. Short story anthology compiler Maxim Jakubowski has put together his next effort, 24 short stories inspired by Hitchcock in the new hardcover anthology Birds, Strangers, and Psychos: New Stories Inspired by Alfred Hitchcock just released and available now here at Amazon. Twenty-four writers take their turns unveiling a story each developed in a few pages to evoke Hitchcock’s movies, including some familiar bestseller names like Lee Child.
When approaching something like this I set my expectations accordingly. With a title like that I am looking for a short story like those tales Hitchcock carefully selected and adapted into his own movies, like Rear Window (Cornell Woolrich’s “It Had to be Murder”), Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith, and Daphne du Maurier’s “The Birds.” Or maybe the stories would fit into Hitchcock’s great TV anthology series Alfred Hitchcock Presents.
I was surprised that most of the stories seemed to be modern horror-thrillers with only the barest of ties to Hitchcock, like references in the story to his films. Others felt like self-indulgent pieces, and still others were filled with characters using profanity or sexual content or overtly grotesque content I just can’t see Hitch having selected (just imagine a lost or missing film based on one of these stories). But three contributions stood out as the best, really reflecting an understanding of those character types and the trademark suspense that made Hitchcock a household name.
First was the contribution by the best writer that contributed to the book: Kim Newman. I’ve said in my reviews that after reading every new work by Newman, it confirms he is simply the best horror writer of my lifetime (see his Anno Dracula books). But he’s also the best writer on cinema (see his Something More Than Night). Nobody touches his skill in researching the details of whatever he is writing about and creating a complete lived-in, visual world for the reader to marvel at and immerse themselves in. To write you must read. It’s obvious from his contribution “Hitchcock Presents” that nobody else in this anthology has the knowledge from reading and researching or the writing skill to create this layered, cleverly concocted tale. Several of the writers in this anthology reference actors or movies from Hitchcock, but none to the level of Newman. The story is a masterpiece of a man and his son, and certain “presents” the son is receiving from an anonymous party. I hope this is made into a live-action version one day in the next incarnation of The Twilight Zone. It’s worthy. If you loved Hitchcock’s breakfast table conversations in Shadow of a Doubt, you’ll love Newman’s dialogue and story.
Another gem in this anthology is from a newer voice, British writer Lily Samson. In “Hitchcock Blondes Have More Fun” she homes in on that actress that nearly bested Hitchcock for number of cameos in Hitch’s portfolio of films. This story features a protagonist whose voice is right up there with the next Mrs. DeWinter in Hitchcock’s Rebecca. Only I’d cast Tippi Hedren in the role because some of the story screams Marnie. The story is slowly, strategically, artfully rolled out by the actress who was this very “extra” in so many films. The manner, the vintage style, the understanding of Hollywood’s Golden Age is brilliantly presented. This actress’s exploits and what happened to her in the end is worthy of its own segment on The Twilight Zone, Ray Bradbury Theater, or Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Brava!
The other story that triumphs is “Cameo,” by Edgar Award-nominated short story writer Donna Moore. With a ring of the tone of Hitchcock’s Family Plot, Moore recounts an actress with big ambitions. Only instead of acting her way to stardom she banks on a secret she learned of a certain famous director. She blackmails him into marrying her, with a secret marriage contract that requires he put her in each of his films. Only the director turns the tables on her and uses that contract against her in some interesting ways. In the end this may be a revenge tale. But the writing and imagination here are great fun to read.
Ultimately fans of any of the 24 contributors will likely enjoy their favorites trying to emulate Hitchcock or grab something from his influence. The book includes brief biographies of each in an addendum. I was tripped up by some typographical errors in this hefty volume, but it didn’t distract too much from reading.
A good read and a mix of styles, for fans of horror or suspense anthologies, check out Birds, Strangers, and Psychos: New Stories Inspired by Alfred Hitchcock, now available here at Amazon from Titan Books, the latest extension of the influence of that great master of suspense.
