Strange Candy

by Robert McCammon

Free ebook download (mobi).

“Now this,” I said, “is a piece of strange candy.”

This short story was published as a Halloween treat on RobertMcCammon.com on October 19, 2012.

Genres: Horror, Short Stories, Fiction

10 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 19, 2012

About the author

Pseudonyms: Robert R. McCammon; Robert Rick McCammon

Robert McCammon was a full-time horror writer for many years. Among his many popular novels were the classics Boy's Life and Swan Song. After taking a hiatus for his family, he returned to writing with an interest in historical fiction.

His newest book, Leviathan, is the tenth and final book in the Matthew Corbett series. It was published in trade hardcover (Lividian Publications), ebook (Open Road), and audiobook (Audible) formats on December 3, 2024.

McCammon resides in Birmingham, Alabama.

Reviews

[Dan Corey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the idea of this story, but it really deserved to be fleshed out a bit more. It felt extremely rushed, even by short story standards. I read the entire thing at a leisurely pace in less than 10 minutes. That said, it was very sweet and emotional in a way I wasn’t expecting. And it was free! So ... no complaints.

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A satisfying short read, Halloween themed, spooky in a good-natured way.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well done short story from one of the best in the business.

[Kenneth McKinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick little 5 minute read about that strange piece of candy that you find in the bottom of your Trick-R-Treat bag that you can't remember for the life of you where it came from. A Halloween story that will make you smile and remind you of a Twilight Zone episode.

4 out of 5 stars


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[Danny Welch · Rating 5 out of 5]

After having discovered Robert R. McCammon has a number of online exclusive short stories, I've decided to dive in and read a couple. Short Stories aren't usually my thing but recently I've been getting into them, especially with Edgar Allan Poe.

Strange Candy is a fantastic story to read on Halloween, it's not a scary story by any means but it's a beautiful and uplifting story of a strange candy in the shape of a hand that has the ability to connect the eater to the nearby spirits in the local area, asking them to say a final goodbye to their families for them.

It's an incredibly simple story with the essence of a Twilight Zone episode but it's a tale with plenty of heart and despite its short length, leaves an incredible impact on the reader's heart.

Overall: It's a fantastic and unique short story from a masterful author of the macabre! 9/10

[Flora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhere between 3 and 3.5 stars. This story was part of the audiobook for Blue World, and I wasn't aware of that so it was a surprise story. I liked the plot, but I felt like the story was unfinished. Maybe the length of the story took priority for McCammon for whatever reason, but I would have liked to have known just a little more about the cause/magic of the candy.

[Ingrid Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audibles has a summer sale so I stocked up on short stories by my favorite authors. And no list is complete without Robert McCammon.
Just 30 mins to have a seriously creepy story read to me as I drove downtown. Was the chill running up my spine the A.C. or McCammon...?
Recommended

[What the Sam Hill are you reading? · Rating 3 out of 5]

An unexpectedly sweet 3/5. Probably would have rated this higher if I listened to it during October, but it was still unique and surprisingly heartfelt. I was expecting something twisted like in “He’ll Come Knocking at Your Door” and is was entirely different.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Typical McCammon - straight to the heart like a cannonball. How much emotional punch can be packed into 10 pages? Not more than this, I guarantee it. And a most suitable salute to the season.

[Marco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yeah! Mr. McCammon does it again! Great story, it has suspense, surprise, mystery, drama and ghosts! Wonderful! (short, but wonderful :) )

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG, so good, a little sad, to bad it wasn't longer. Definitely got to check out more by this author.

[Jess Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool short story that isn’t what ya expect

[Indieflower · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting short story, kinda reminded me of an episode of The Twilight Zone. I really liked it, a little bit spooky, a little bit sad, not what I was expecting at all, strange candy indeed.

[Bruce Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and peculiar.

[Steven Francis]

Audio version from “Blue World.”

[Geoff Foss · Rating 4 out of 5]

strange and sweet just like an unusual Halloween candy might be.

[Egghead · Rating 3 out of 5]

unexpectedly
sentimental; halloween
is about the dead

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, quick read.