Stephen King’s 2024 short story collection is one ofthe biggest horror books of the year, and almost every tale inside it lives up to the hype. Some of thebest stories fromYou Like It Darkerexplore existential themes like aging, grief, and unrealized potential — though there are a few scarier ones that lean into more chilling subjects.Among those is the short story “The Fifth Step,“which seems innocuous at first glance. It sees a recovering alcoholic approaching a stranger on a bench as part of his 12-step program.
The man confesses his sins to the stranger, but his admissions become darker and more concerning as he reaches the end of their conversation. In a final, shocking moment, the man admits that he killed his wife before murdering the stranger on the bench. Although “The Fifth Step” is one of the shorter tales inYou Like It Darker, its ending makes it one of the most disturbing. And while it’s bound to leave readers with their mouths agape, its twist shouldn’t be that shocking. After all,King has pulled off something similar in another short story.
You Like It Darker’s “The Fifth Step” Is As Dark & Shocking As “The Man Who Loved Flowers”
Both Feature Shocking Acts Of Violence Under Seemingly Ordinary Circumstances
Part of the reason “The Fifth Step” is so chilling is that its central murder happens so suddenly, proving that any interaction can take a dark turn when you least expect it. This message makes “The Fifth Step” one of the scariest stories from King’s 2024 collection, and it feels reminiscent of a much older story of his. “The Man Who Loved Flowers” was first published back in 1977, and it appeared inNight Shift.It also starts off seemingly innocent, with a man deciding to purchase flowers for the woman he loves.
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Unlike “The Fifth Step,” “The Man Who Loved Flowers” drops an early clue that something’s not right: an update from the radio that a woman has been murdered. It’s easy to dismiss this, though, as it doesn’t seem to bother the story’s main character. It’s only after he gets the flowers that readers realize why he’s so uninterested. The man already knows about the killing, as he’s the one committing such heinous acts. He does so again immediately after buying flowers, revealing that the woman they’re for is dead — and he’s been killing other women ever since.
Like “The Fifth Step,” “The Man Who Loved Flowers” takes a seemingly mundane interaction and flips it on its head.
Like “The Fifth Step,““The Man Who Loved Flowers” takes a seemingly mundane interaction and flips it on its head. Both stories end on shocking notes, capturing just how abrupt violent acts can be. And this is a message King captures impressively, as he showcases the darker side of human beings in other works as well.
Both Short Stories Drive Home A Point Stephen King Captures Well
He Has A Knack For Unveiling More Human Terrors
Although some ofKing’s best booksare about the supernatural, the author has a knack for capturing the darkness in human beings and everyday life. “The Fifth Step” and “The Man Who Loved Flowers” put this on full display, but they aren’t his only works to do so. From Jack Torrance to Annie Wilkes,King’s best human villainsalso highlight how wicked and violent regular people can be. Even when there’s the suggestion of supernatural interference,Stephen Kingstill manages to drive home the point that anyone could be capable of such darkness — a haunting reality that makes his stories scarier.
Stephen King
Discover the latest news and filmography for Stephen King, known for The Dark Tower series, The Stand, IT, The Shining, Carrie, Cujo, Misery, the Bill Hodges trilogy, and more.
