Haunted - James Herbert

Advantages: What a twist in the tale!!
Disadvantages: Hate those naughty scenes

How do I write about a review about one of James Herbert's finest books? 'Spose I'll start at the beginning and work my way through! The Psychical Research Institute investigates stories of psychic phenomenon, mediums, spiritualist, ghosts, etc. They believe in paranormal activity and go as far as they can to verify its existence. So sometimes they need the services of a certain David Ash psychic investigator extradonaire one of their best investigators. ...
...sceptic, believing every thing has a natural cause and trying to prove it. Hence he's quite the enemy of other spiritualists. One day the Institute receives a call from the Marriell family asking that Ash goes to investigate the young girls that they claim is haunting their house. Kate McCarrick boss and part time love packs him off to Edbrook with order to behave, not drink so much and bring back some results. At the run-down house of Edbrook ... Read review

Advantages: Creepy storyline
Disadvantages: None

I read this one after The Ghosts of Sleath which features the same central character, this is a physic investigator called David Ash. This book however is actually the first featuring this character and as such I read them in the wrong order, this however wasn’t detrimental to the story but it did have a bearing on my expectations. As I had thoroughly enjoyed “The Ghosts of Sleath” I probably approached this book expecting more ...
...expectations, perhaps if I’d read it first that might have been different. Anyway, back to the story. Ash is a strong character who claims that there is no such thing as the “unexplained” and sets out to prove it with a truly cynical attitude. In this story he is called in to investigate reports of hauntings in a family home called Edbrook. As the story develops Ash is confronted with situations that even he cant explain and is ... Read review

Advantages: A very easy read - with an unexpected twist!
Disadvantages: A bit cheesy - especially the film

This is a classic scary story... it was the first I read by James Herbert and it got me hooked! It is a trashy horror - a nice easy read - but I wouldn't reccommend reading it alone in bed! It's so good that a film was made based on this book - film is a bit cheesy! It can be very frightening in parts - but if you are already a fan you will expect this. It is like one of those ghost stories you hear - that you are not sure whether to believe ... Read review

Advantages: As with many of James Herbert's books the story is intense and his writing style helps you to feel as though you are there in the book. It is a wonderful story with twists and turns.
Disadvantages: The book was made into a film and if you have seen the film it is a little hard to get the images of the screen characters out of you head, especially David. Also please make sure you read this before 'The Ghosts of Sleath' as this is the sequal.

...two, but on realising that Haunted was the prequal I had to read it. As with his other books, you are drawn into the situation. In the fire I felt hot and out of breath. Towards the end my heart was racing with fear and excitement. As usual there is still the typical James Herbert account of the character's sexual relations, but these just help to get a feel of the characters. I did get the continuous feeling of the scene being constantly dark, ... Read review

Advantages: Short Gripping Read
Disadvantages: A Bit outdated and cliche'd

...and a part of him he thought never enev existed. If You like this and other James Herbert novels, I would suggest you look for By Horror Haunted - edited by Stephen Jones and James Herbert's Dark Places as they are great insightful books. I'll be totally frank about this though. I really need to re-read the book. I remember bits of it, but not all of it. I think the girl he falls in love with was sent to investigate on him, and he maybe still working within the police, but undercover, or he is on sabatical and simply trying to olve a certain part of the case on his own. I definately remember the ending being very strange!!... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Classic Herbert, great storyline with some nice twists
Disadvantages: 300 pages too long, some cheesy dialogue, not his best work

...INTRO I'm a big fan of James Herbert even since I read "Haunted" a few years ago and have been an avid reader of his many horror novels ever since. So I was extremely excited when I heard that he was releasing a brand new book. Finally, a Herbert novel that I could look forward to ("Nobody True" having come out under my nose without me noticing it's initial release). However, would it live up to its usual horror style and keep me turning the page? TECHNICAL INFO Release Date: October 2006 Publisher: Macmillan Pages: 600 approx. THE SECRET OF CRICKLEY HALL = Moving into a new home is never easy. Especially for the Caleigh family who have just purchased Crickley Hall down in Devon. A large manor built in the countryside away from the hustle and bustle of city living... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Plenty of twists and turns, and surprises. An easy imaginable place.
Disadvantages: Very Similar too many of his others novels.

...Having read ALL of James Herberts Books. The Ghosts of Sleath was a very good read but not unlike his others works. If you enjoyed The Magic Cottage, Once and Nobody True then you'll love it! Its not quite as fast and compelling to read as '48. But it takes the place of the awful films they put on now adays. The story continues from James Herberts 'The Haunted'. It takes the Story of David Ash a Psychical reserchers on from his meeting at Edbrook house, and how his story continues. The nightmares and atmosphere thats he feels again rises for him to find the turth once again for the village of Sleath. When David Ash Arrives at the village of Sleath and automatically feels the burden that holds this Village, the truth evades him, and sends me all over the village looking for the Truth. With shocking accidents as the villagers... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful