Book excerpt: In the dark forests and mist-covered mountains of Southeastern Europe, villagers sprinkle seeds on the graves of suspected vampires in an attempt to keep the undead spirits occupied and counting during the night. It is from this superstitious practice that Poppy Seeds on a Grave derives its name. Partially inspired by the folkloric monsters and spirits that dwell in the Balkan mountains, Mirko Markovic employs varied voices to bring different gothic and macabre worlds to life. Each story uniquely draws you into a gothic world of despair and horror that brings the old tales of Eastern European folklore into the modern world.