Sorry for the delayed response (Braling I only just now let me out of the box) but, yes it is from Something Wicked This Way Comes.

Next?

Try this one;

"They went down the street of the coffin makers. Even this late at night there was a tapping and sawing of wood. Through the door you saw the coffin makers joking at their work."

Sounds like it could be 'The Next in Line' (???).

Dear Ozzie,

Sorry, that is not correct. However, geographically speaking, my quote comes from the same region as 'The Next in Line.' Please try again. Loved your character in Death is a Lonely Business, which I just finished reading. Really enjoyed it. Since the main character was another version of Ray, I wonder if there might be a real Crumley out there.

Wouldn't be The Halloween Tree, would it?

Doug,

I'm currently about a quarter way into the 2007 Hardback issue of 'The Halloween Tree,' just as Moundshroud tells the boys to build a kite to save Pipkin. Didn't know that HT ends up south of the border, I'll have to read to find out. Either way, it is not 'The Halloween Tree.'

quote:

"They went down the street of the coffin makers. Even this late at night there was a tapping and sawing of wood. Through the door you saw the coffin makers joking at their work."

How about 'And the rock cried out' ?

Hello again Ozzie. However, the short story is not
'And the rock cried out.' You are closer, geographically speaking, with 'The Next in Line.' Keep trying, and take care.

"The Life Work of Juan Diaz"?

Brailing II, Hope you are having a good day after your rest in the cellar. It is not 'Juan Diaz.' However, Juan would feel at home in the setting of my quote from one of Ray's mystery short stories.

Is it The Candy Skull? Or El Dia de Muerte? (Titles are estimates only, as I don't have the books to hand!)

Phil is the winner! The Candy Skull is my short story selection from 'Memory of Murder.' Phil's web site says that The Candy Skull is exclusive in collected form to 'Memory of Murder,' which is only available in paperback. You can pick it up used at a reasonable price from the usual sources. The collection has a beautiful cover. The Candy Skull has many similarities to The Next in Line.
Phil, your turn! Again, a zillion thanks for your web site.

OK, name the story. And for a bonus point, what is being described here:

"...the howl of moon-dreamed dogs, the seep of river-cold winds through January porch screens which stopped the blood, a thousand fire sirens weeping, or worse!"

quote:

Originally posted by greenray:
Phil is the winner! The Candy Skull is my short story selection from 'Memory of Murder.'

Blast! And I just had RB sign that book. I just haven't read it yet.

In it he wrote "Love + Hate", then autographed it. He said these stories helped him in his early career, but he dislikes them now, and only allowed the collection if it were a paperback, and no reprints.

Check out the interview with the widow of Carl Sagan in the "Space" episode http://www.wnyc.org/shows/radiolab/episodes/2006/05/12 and guess which Bradbury story comes to mind!