Read & Cook with Robbie Cheadle – Skeleton Crew by Stephen King and bolognese sauce recipe

Posted: April 8, 2026 | Author: robbiesinspiration | Filed under: Book Review, Books, Dark fiction, Fiction, Recipes, Review, Robbie Reads and Cooks | Tags: #cooking, #RobbieCheadle, Bolognese, Book Review, Read and Cook, Recipes, Skeleton Crew, Stephen King, Writing to be Read |5 Comments

My review of Skeleton Crew by Stephen King

I have read many of King’s older novels and enjoyed them all. I have also read some of his novellas but his was my first time reading his short stories. This collection is packed with excellent stories that make you think and they are all varied which keeps the interest factor high. King’s writing is always fluid and fast paced and his imagery is startling and detailed.

Hard a job as it was, I have picked my three top stories from this collection.

The Mist – this novella is the reason I bought this collection. I knew from the title that this would be a story I would enjoy and I did. This was my favourites story in the collection. One of the reasons I found this story so interesting is that it seems so likely or, at least, very possible. The idea of a major storm disrupting a research centre in America (although it could be in any country in the world), and letting loose on the unsuspecting survivors a terrible man-made scourge, makes perfect sense. There are so many conspiracy theories about government institutions that hid dark secrets behind their barricades and no entry signs, this idea seems plausible. Everything going wrong in an environment of thick, impenetrable mist makes it all the more creepy as humans are at a distinct disadvantage when they cannot see. The inclusion of a young child, an overconfident young man, and a religious fanatic add to the suspense. I thought this was an excellent story.

Mrs Todd’s Shortcut – this story appealed to me because of the graphic depictions of the paths taken by Mrs Todd on her shortcuts. I also have a great fear of getting lost when I drive, so Mrs Todd’s bravery in discovering new ways to get from place to place was admirable to me. I have not read any other story that is similar to this one so it was unique and refreshing.

The Reaper’s Image – I found this story very entertaining. It was reminiscent for me of The Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde. I enjoyed the idea of ‘a Reaper’ in a mirror that appears only for select unfortunate people. The fact that King wrote this story when he was 18 years old was also impressive for me.

If you enjoy dark, different and highly entertaining stories, you will enjoy this well written collection by Stephen King.

Quotes from Skeleton Crew by Stephen King

“I sit on the bench in front of Bell’s Market and think about Homer Buckland and about the beautiful girl who leaned over to open his door when he come down that path with the full red gasoline can in his right hand – she looked like a girl of no more than sixteen, a girl on her learner’s permit, and her beauty was terrible, but I believe it would no longer kill the man it turned itself on; for a moment her eyes lit on me, I was not killed, although a part of me died at her feet.” (from the short story Mrs. Todd’s Shortcut)”

“You, my dear … have been wondering why she stuck with him. Although you haven’t said as much, it’s been on your mind. Am I right?’
She nodded.
‘Yes. And I’m not going to offer a long motivational thesis – the convenient thing about stories that are true is that you need only say this is what happened and let people worry for themselves about why. Generally, nobody ever knows why things happen anyway … particularly the ones who say they do. (Ballad of the Flexible Bullet)”

“I realized with fresh horror that new doors of perception were opening up inside.
New? Not so. OLD doors of perception.
The perception of a child who has not yet learned to protect itself by developing the tunnel vision that keeps out ninety percent of the universe. Children see everything their eyes happen upon, hear everything in their ears’ range. But if life is the rise of consciousness…, then it is also the reduction of input. Terror is the widening of perspective and perception. The horror was in knowing I was swimming down to a place most of us leave when we get out of diapers and into training pants. I could see it on Ollie’s face, too. When rationality begins to break down, the circuits of the human brain can overload. Axons grow bright and feverish. Hallucinations turn real: the quicksilver puddle at the point where perspective makes parallel lines seem to intersect is really there; the dead walk and talk; a rose begins to sing.” (from The Mist)

Recipe for bolognese sauce

Picture caption: spaghetti and bolognese sauce by Robbie Cheadle

Ingredients

1 kilogram lean beef mince

2 medium onions, peeled and diced

1 cup red wine (250 ml)

15 ml garlic flakes

Rounded tablespoon beef stock powder

Rounded tablespoon white sugar

15 ml thyme

15 ml Worcestershire sauce

salt and pepper to taste

2 cans diced tomatoes (400 grams each)

2 bay leaves

70 grams tomato paste

Method

Sauté the onions in a little olive oil until clear. Add the beef mince, breaking it up with a spoon, and brown. When the mince is nicely browned, add the red wine and simmer for 2 minutes. Add the garlic, thyme, salt and pepper, beef stock powder, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, bay leaves, tinned tomatoes, and tomato paste. simmer for 30 minutes.

About Robbie Cheadle

South African author, photographer, and artist, Robbie Cheadle, has written and illustrated seventeen children’s books, illustrated a further three children’s books, written and illustrated four poetry books and written and illustrated one celebration of cake and fondant art book with recipes. Her work has also appeared in poetry and short story anthologies.

Robbie also has two novels and a collection of short stories published under the name of Roberta Eaton Cheadle and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.

You can find Robbie Cheadle’s artwork, fondant and cake artwork, and all her books on her website here: https://www.robbiecheadle.co.za/

Find Robbie Cheadle

Blog https://wordpress.com/home/robbiesinspiration.wordpress.com

Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/robbiecheadle.bsky.social

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVyFo_OJLPqFa9ZhHnCfHUA

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15584446.Robbie_Cheadle

_________________________________

Did you know you can sponsor your favorite blog series or even a single post with an advertisement for your book? Stop by the WtbR Sponsor Page and let me advertise your book, or you can make a donation to Writing to be Read for as little as a cup of coffee, If you’d like to show your support for this author and WordCrafter Press.

___________________________________

This segment of “Read and Cook with Robbie Cheadle” is sponsored by WordCrafter Press and their themed anthologies.

Once Upon an Ever After: Modern Fairy Tales & Folklore: This unique and imaginative collection of eleven thought provoking fantasy stories will delight readers who enjoy stories of wishes gone awry.

Spells are cast, unlikely alliances made, and wishes granted, sometimes with surprising outcomes. You’ll love this anthology of modern myths, lore, and fairy tales. Once you read these twisted tales, you’ll be sure to be careful what you wish for….

Refracted Reflections: Twisted Tales of Duality & Deception: Reflections and Refractions…

One reveals truths, while the other bends light into varying shapes of deception.

This unique and imaginative collection of nine mind tantalizing fantasy and science fiction stories will appeal to readers who enjoy thought provoking tales with hidden meanings resting deep below the surface. These stories will keep you pondering long into the night.

Visions: An author’s visions are revealed through their stories. Many authors have strange and unusual stories, indeed. Within these pages, you will find the stories of eighteen different authors, each unique and thought provoking. These are the fantasy, science fiction, paranormal, and horror stories that will keep you awake long into the night.

Grab your copy today and find out. Let authors such as W.T. Paterson, Joseph Carabis, Kaye Lynne Booth, Michaele Jordan, Stephanie Kraner, and others, including the author of the winning story in the WordCrafter 2022 Short Fiction Contest, Roberta Eaton Cheadle, tantalize your thoughts and share their Visions

Tales From the Hanging Tree: Imprints of Tragedy: There exists a tree that is timeless, spanning across all dimensions, which absorbs every life as those who are hanged as they die… and it remembers every one. The stories within are a select few of the Tales From the Hanging Tree. 

Curses: Chronicles of Darkness: There are all types of curses.

Cursed places, cursed items, cursed people, cursed families.

Curses that last throughout time. Curses which can’t be broken. Curses which are brought upon ourselves. Curses that will kill you and those that will only make you wish you were dead.

Legends: Monsters That Go Bump in the Night: Coming in 2026

---