Terminal Fright #11 includes a ghost story by Terry McGarry which
illustrates the value of keeping it simple. The title, "Taibhse," comes from the
Gaelic word for ghost. Declan is the owner of a pub suddenly invaded by some
hostile unseen force that sends the cat running in terror and ruins business with
its malevolent influence. It's up to Declan to discover what's poisoning his pub
and how to cure it. The resolution is sweet, melancholic, and understated, such
a marvelous change from all the bodily fluids sloshing around these days. While
the idea of a haunted pub has been done before, the crucial element of Henry
James' "human heart in conflict with itself" has been preserved here. Declan's
courage and compassion, his sheer determination to save the pub, lift this story
above the common small press horror fare. One hero, one setting, one problem,
one solution (although not easily achieved) make for one excellent story.

Lillian Csernica, Tangent, 
Summer 1996

[Donald Burleson] understands that there can be no horror unless it rises to
confront a strongly drawn protagonist in a very specific time and place....Terry 
McGarry understands that, too, and her "Taibhse" made me homesick for New 
York City and its Irish bars; although the stiff  jolts of horror here are equal to 
a few belts of John Jameson's, with the Clancy Brothers singing of old, unhappy 
things in the background. (For the benefit of other culturally orphaned Wild Geese:
Terry tells me the title rhymes with "HAVE-shuh.")

Brian McNaughton, Deathrealm, 
Spring 1996