Horror Books

Advantages: A blending of traditionalist horror and new mythology.
Disadvantages: it would have been a fine full length novel - I almost wish it was...

L.H. Maynard and M.P.N. Sims are familiar names to those who know. Not only have they set up and run the superlative Enigma Press, currently running at four imprints, but they have a very fine reputation for supernatural tale-telling of their own. 'Moths', the launch title of Enigmatic Novellas, is a very fine example of this duo's gift. Unpredictable, creepy and disturbing, the tale deals with the strangeness of David Alywin's old friend Simon ...
...Visiting the Desborough estates deep in Wiltshire, David notices a strange tension in his friend. Something disturbs him also about bride in preparation Anna Otani, and her oriental family. When he discovers, to his horror, that the Otani's are now owners of the Desborough assets, he digs deep to find out just what is going on. What he finds underlying events, the monstrous Tashkai, are beyond all imagining. Slow building, the novella paints clearly ... Read review

Advantages: Good Long Read
Disadvantages: It Finishes!!

As usual from the Master, an original unbelievably believable tale! No monsters no aliens no virus' no zombies but there are few stories I've ever read that can be any more horrifying than this. You hate the fact that there can be only one winner and hope for a happy ever after. But of course this is King , he doesn't do happy ever after and he needs his sacrificial lambs to slaughter just as you think they might get away with it !!! I spent the ... Read review

Advantages: Simply Fantastic read
Disadvantages: None

The Secret of Crickley Hall. James Herbert. When writing a book review I sometimes put to much plot, so this time I am going to try and get the balance right with this review. I bought this book a while back, picked it up and put it down. I thought it would be a ghost story that I wouldnt like. Well I was right and I was wrong. Whilst it is a ghost story, it is in a class of its own. An extrodinary written ghost story which grips you from the ...
...I was wrong, I loved the book ! The book begins with Herberts usual fantastic discriptive talents, setting Crickley Hall clearly in the readers mind. The narrative between the characters is superbly written and Herbert gives various chapters to each character showing the story from their points of view. The pace of the book is not racey but that doesn't distract from the creeping horror hidden within the house and within the story. It is a Friday ... Read review

Advantages: It's By James Herbert
Disadvantages: Quite Frustrating

...well, telling you all about the 2 main characters, Mike and Midge (her real name is Margaret). They both live in the 'big city' but want a slower paced life in the countryside to help with their work. Mike is a musician and Midge is an artist. After a lot of searching they finally agree on a beautiful, yet rundown cottage in the middle of nowhere. On first viewings of the cottage Mike finds an awful lot wrong with it and gets the builders in, but ...
...animals that like to visit the 'magic' cottage, there are two main characters here also, a little bird and a little squirrel (Rumbo), there are various other animals who also like to visit. As the story proceeds we learn more about Mike and Midge's relationship and how their talents flourish while living in the cottage, paintings coming to life, music flowing beautifully, etc. There is however something in the attic, but I will not spoil this for ... Read review

Advantages: Worth the money and is a good read.
Disadvantages: Had no social life through this book.

The dark tower. The gunslinger. The first part of the dark tower series is 'The gunslinger'. The story is set in a fantasy world about 'Roland of Gilead' the last of the gunslingers. The hero is on a quest to find the mysterious dark tower whilst also hunting 'The man in black', who you don't get introduced to until near the end. On his quest 'The gunslinger' meets other strange and wonderfull characters which make the book more readable, one of ...
...strange world. Although i thought the book was fantastic it seemed at times the story wasn't progressing, but towards the end it picked up again and i couldn't put it down. I was then just waiting to get my hands onto the second part. I paid £7.99 from WHSmith but this was a couple of years ago and is probably alot cheaper now. Especially on the net or auction sites. ... Read review