Bad Dolls by Rachel Harrison | Horrorish Short Stories Review

I purchased a copy of Bad Dolls when Audible had a very good sale a little bit ago. 80% off? Thank you very much.

Anyone read this one?


My 2 Cents for Free!



Bad Dolls by Rachel Harrison

Released September 2022
Source: Audible Purchase
Get it at your local library or see more @ Goodreads

These stories are what I’d call “horror adjacent” so keep that in mind if you’re expecting the creepy crawlies. They’re more about complicated, messy women (Bad Dolls, I guess?) and their complicated relationships than they are about the trad horrors. But being a woman is sometimes a horror all in itself so there’s that.

Reply Hazy, Try Again
This is a tale about a woman who purchases a used 8 Ball and realizes her current relationship kind of sucks. Is the 8 Ball just being spicy or is it helping her out? I didn’t like any of these people and that’s ok but the story didn’t thrill me too much either. 2.5?

Bachelorette
This one drives home that some friendships really need to die a natural death. It’s about a bunch of grown mean girls and also wasn’t my favorite. Also a 2.5.

Goblin
Be warned there is a lot of disordered eating in this story because it’s about a woman trying to fit into a dress to impress an ex (ugh, why??) who downloads an app called Goblin. I won’t spoil it but this goblin app is brutal 😳 I probably liked this one the best. It reminded me of a Tales from the Darkside episode. So, a 4, mayhaps?

Bad Dolls
A woman returns to her childhood home after a death in the family and a creepy doll enters her life. I don't know why the synopsis calls her "wayward". She seemed pretty average to me. This is a heavy one about suicide and survivor grief. It was a hard one for me personally to get through. Your experience will likely be different. For that reason, I'll leave out a rating.

Overall, these weren't my favorite stories by this author (that'd be Cackle), but it’s a good way to get a taste for her writing.

Final Rating: ⭐⭐⭐



Publisher Plot Synopsis (if you need one, be warned because sometimes they can spoil it all!)

In this stunning new collection of four horror stories, award-winning author Rachel Harrison explores themes of body image, complicated female friendship, heartbreak, and hauntings.

In “Reply Hazy, Try Again,” an indecisive young woman finds a mysterious Magic 8 Ball that might just have the answers she’s been looking for...or might lead her down a path of self-destruction.

In “Bachelorette,” a bridesmaid attends her childhood best friend’s bachelorette weekend, only to discover the itinerary may demand more than she’s willing to sacrifice.

In “Goblin,” an unusually brutal dieting app wreaks havoc on the life of an insecure woman preparing to attend her ex’s wedding.

In “Bad Dolls,” after a death in the family, a wayward young woman comes into possession of a strange porcelain doll that could offer a connection to her lost sister.

These dark tales navigate the complexities of modern life with humor, insight, and the occasional blood sacrifice…

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