are you able to identify this story

[Acutely decayed]

Not sure if anyone can help or is inclined..but I am trying to recall where I read a story recently (I am pretty sure it is a recent - as in last 5-7 years, tale) – possibly in one of the Best of’s or a Datlow or Jones Anthology but possibly not.. it was set in a post-apocalyptic compound where a daughter was seduced by a travelling outsider..the main thing I recall is that multiple generations of unfortunate individuals were subsequently described and a stepmother arrived on the scene giving birth to a ferociously hungry and sharp toothed mutant baby (possibly described as albino) which thrived at the expense of the other children who surreptiously tried to despose of it in a goreyesque “beastly baby” style denouement involving a barrel – I am usually pretty good at tracking these down but this is irritating me – any help appreciated..

and apologies for drawing upon your collected erudition

[Malachi_Constant]

I'll see what I can come up with. I'm pretty sure it wasn't in Datlow's series, I've read the 5 current volumes and looking over their TOC's nothing rings a bell. It could be in Jones Mammoth Book of Best New Horror series, and a few other anthologies to consider (it's been so long since I've read them that I can't recall all the stories): Stephen Jones - The Mammoth Book of Monsters, John Joseph Adams - Wastelands, John Langan & Paul Tremblay: Creatures.

[Acutely decayed]

Sincere thanks, could have been any of the Mammoth books (or Gurans's 2010, 2011 or2013), I haven't read my copy of the Book of Monsters yet and the only Adams I have is the Mad Scientists anthology. Could be Evolve II - theme fits but can't match to the TOC, Supernatural Stories by Women, Fearie Tales, Teeth, Haunts or Inferno (which I got to relatively recently) or a few others - if nothing else the story has stuck in my mind - just not where I read it!

could even have been the weird compendium but I don' think so...

[teguififthzeal]

I don't recall that story. I have to say, though, the best horror story I've read recently has been Eric Chassler's "To Assume The Writer's Crown: Notes On the Craft"

[ramonoski]

I have a few of the Mammoth horror books, but haven't read them in their entirety. I'll read through them a bit, see if I can find that story in the few volumes I owe.

Anything else you can recall? Like how long it was, or if it was written in the first or third person.

[Acutely decayed]

Thanks again, if it was a Mammoth I think it was 19 or later - I seem to remember an editorial comment at the beginning or end though regarding something about generations and how the story fitted the theme (this is very vague though...) which would rule out the Best New Horrors. I also have a vague memory that it was stretching the anthology theme - which might mean teeth or haunts (I don't have access to these at the moment) I remember sylistically it reminded me of DGK Goldberg a bit - there were shotguns, wire mesh fences, burning oil fields perhaps and a visceral southern gothic feel - I am not suggesting the story was great (not that my opinion is relevant)... it wasn't bad though - it's just annoying me not being able to place it...

It was between about 15-25 pgs in length not massively short or long..

Don't want to selfishly assume this matters to anyone but me so I'll leave it at that now.. thanks for your patience

[ramonoski]

I know that feeling too well. Sometimes I'll remember a particular image or bit of dialog and go crazy trying to remember where I read it. It's extremely irritating because you know the answer is quite obvious and right there in front of you, yet for some reason your brain isn't seeing it.

[ramonoski]

Well, I must report my search in volumes 18 to 22 of the Mammoth horror books proved fruitless. Bummer.