This short collection of alternative horror stories by Peter Straub is great. Don’t go into this expecting to read scary tales of the typical horror tThis short collection of alternative horror stories by Peter Straub is great. Don’t go into this expecting to read scary tales of the typical horror troupes, rather, Straub employs the use of basic human nature and general real world scenarios to scare the daylights out of readers. Highly recommend. ...more
A fitting end to a very entertaining series. The One Impossible Labyrinth does a great job at bringing the series together, from The Seven Ancient WonA fitting end to a very entertaining series. The One Impossible Labyrinth does a great job at bringing the series together, from The Seven Ancient Wonders all the way through to this final stanza, there’s Easter eggs aplenty and story loops closed to give the reader a sense of satisfaction. This is one series I’m very happy I stuck with over the journey despite the steady creep from the plausible to the impossible. ...more
Captures that classic fantasy feel of Sabriel; transporting the reader into a dangerous world of magic, manipulation, life and death. Perfect for fansCaptures that classic fantasy feel of Sabriel; transporting the reader into a dangerous world of magic, manipulation, life and death. Perfect for fans of the Old Kingdom series who want to go back to the beginning of where it all started. ...more
It’s not you, it’s me. The forth book in the Archie/Gretchen saga failed to connect with me in any meaningful way. Unlike the previous entries in the It’s not you, it’s me. The forth book in the Archie/Gretchen saga failed to connect with me in any meaningful way. Unlike the previous entries in the series, Archie felt flat and Gretchen had a Hannibal Lector vibe which didn’t gel with the character I’d come to enjoy previously. The plot was just ‘ok’. It’s a shame really as this is a very good crime fiction series. ...more
Hired by a mysterious and somewhat sketchy client to locate her missing sister, the P.I with the ‘profile’ Danny Boyd, (true to the formulaic nature oHired by a mysterious and somewhat sketchy client to locate her missing sister, the P.I with the ‘profile’ Danny Boyd, (true to the formulaic nature of these books) lands himself in the proverbial quick smart, only to then wade through a web of complex and confusing lies before getting to the eventual grandiose finale’.
The Rip Off is a hard sell, even for a book written by the prolific pulp hack, Carter Brown (expect sleaze pulp rather than literary noir). The plot, whilst straight forward soon veered off the rails and became a murky mess of confusion – notably when the client revealed she doesn’t actually have a sister, let alone one who is missing. Turns out Boyd was brought in as part of an elaborate ruse by his client to unearth some criminal enterprise between parties the client was formerly aligned with… until she wasn’t; basically, this is a convoluted ‘women scored’ pulp with erotica overtones....more
Despite the title and cover, this is not a book of the Omen or Baal ilk, rather, it's more akin to test tube horror and genetic enhancements; mad scieDespite the title and cover, this is not a book of the Omen or Baal ilk, rather, it's more akin to test tube horror and genetic enhancements; mad scientists with too much cash and time on their hands and far too little sense to make meaningful strides for mankind.
The 'Lucifer' child, as it were, is a genetically enhanced designer baby who grew in a monkey's womb (this is 80's horror after all!) and only shows up in the book in the last third. Naturally, the child is evil incarnate with the ability to read minds and move inanimate objects. Before too long his 'family' feel the brunt of his power as the story moves into a classic good verses evil story until the bloody end.
Overall, The Lucifer Child is a decent read, which, while taking some time to get going is entertaining enough despite the formulaic approach to the horror troupes within. ...more
Well this was different… I was expecting a rock and roll, full heavy metal horror, instead I got a horror infused with a lucid dream like quality whicWell this was different… I was expecting a rock and roll, full heavy metal horror, instead I got a horror infused with a lucid dream like quality which made even the norm scary and unpredictable. Perfect for readers who like a healthy dose of the fantastical mixed into some gory horror! ...more
I've seen the movie a bunch of times but not read the book until now. As usual the novel proved to have so much more impact and depth. Just a great reI've seen the movie a bunch of times but not read the book until now. As usual the novel proved to have so much more impact and depth. Just a great read all round. A must for all horror fans. ...more
I really enjoyed the subtle horror elements to Dream Girl, nestled among the mystery and traditional criminal elements Lippman is so well known for, hI really enjoyed the subtle horror elements to Dream Girl, nestled among the mystery and traditional criminal elements Lippman is so well known for, however, I would've liked that element to play out more - I couldn't help but think Lippman was scratching the surface at much deeper horror troupes and would've loved to have seen the author bump up the tension a notch or two. Despite this, the story is pretty good with engaging characters who all read 'real' and there's a nice cameo of a popular character long time Lippman readers will appreciate. I certainly recommended checking this one out. ...more
A decent one sitting thriller which is surprisingly spine tingly from start to finish. More crime than horror but the scares and tension pack a memoraA decent one sitting thriller which is surprisingly spine tingly from start to finish. More crime than horror but the scares and tension pack a memorable punch. ...more
Dark, moody, and evocative. The Burke novels are known for taking the reader into the back alleys of society and leaving them there to wallow in theirDark, moody, and evocative. The Burke novels are known for taking the reader into the back alleys of society and leaving them there to wallow in their seemingly never ending depths of despair - Blossom is no different; pitch perfect noir....more
Not the typical ghost story - more spiratural/higher power elements than horror. Had a decent amount of character depth too. More akin to a 'cosy SundNot the typical ghost story - more spiratural/higher power elements than horror. Had a decent amount of character depth too. More akin to a 'cosy Sunday afternoon horror' than the mass produced splatter punk horror of the 80's. ...more
Reads as two separate stories tied together by a circumstantial crime. Really enjoyed the distinct styles and clever blending of stories and characterReads as two separate stories tied together by a circumstantial crime. Really enjoyed the distinct styles and clever blending of stories and character. Highly recommend. ...more
I wanted to like this more than I did. At its core Satan’s Love Child is erotica disguised as horror with a sub theme of occult shadowing every angle.I wanted to like this more than I did. At its core Satan’s Love Child is erotica disguised as horror with a sub theme of occult shadowing every angle. Whilst the story was ok and the characters developed enough, it was hard to get past the overt sexual nature of the storytelling which detracted from the story. One for the Paperbacks from Hell collectors only. ...more
The sequel to Blood Hunt is pretty much more of the same; a spicy mix of police procedural and horror which unfortunately focuses too much on the formThe sequel to Blood Hunt is pretty much more of the same; a spicy mix of police procedural and horror which unfortunately focuses too much on the former. ...more
Can a book about attack dogs on the loose be categeoried as a 'creature feature'? Not sure, but given the high intensitiy balls to the wall crazy zestCan a book about attack dogs on the loose be categeoried as a 'creature feature'? Not sure, but given the high intensitiy balls to the wall crazy zest that author Douglas Borton writes with, I think the dubbing of Manstopper as said 'creature feature' is apt.
A book about man's best friend, this is not. Within the pages of this paperback from hell a story is told to rival even the most Jack Ketchum of Jack Ketchum novels; think Offseason or Offspring but with the gore amped up a notch.
Manstopper is a scary, tension filled novel which does the 'creature feature' sub horror genre proud. ...more
Loading...
