Horror Books

I received my book on thursday afternoon. I could not wait to read it.. I waited until my children went to bed to begin. I was up almost all night reading. I could not put it down. Even when I had to stop reading because I was so tired I kept looking at it and saying "one more chapter" thats all I wanted but my eyes could not stay open. This is by far the best book I have ever read. I finished it this afternoon, the day after receiving it. The story was amazing, it literally scared me at times. The horror was excellent. The writing was that of greatness.. Fred Wiehe is the best in my books.. I cannot wait to read the next one.

Strange Days by Fred Wiehe is one of those wonderfully strange, mind-twisting stories that never goes where you expect it to go, and always delivers shocks and thrills. This puppy begs for film or graphic novel adaptation.

finished it and recomend it to other horror fans. fred spins a very believable tale here that could explain why wicked people go bad.

Fred Wiehe has created a masterpiece of horror in his latest novel "Strange Days." From the first page to the shocking last page he takes you on an unstoppable journey of death and Unthinkable Terror. If you like Horror you will love "Strange Days."

Strange Days is the creepiest, scariest book I've ever read. It raised the hackles on the back of my neck. Read this one with all the lights on ... not just a reading lamp ... and forget a booklight ... that's definitely not enough. You won't be able to put this book down so prepare for an all nighter.

First of all the potential reader should know that this book was published in 1917, so the 'Modern' in the title refers to the latter part of the nineteenth century, and the earliest part of the twentieth century.

Secondly, the author omits mention of most of the ghost story authors from that period who are still popular today, e.g. J. S. Le Fanu (first ghostly tale published in 1838) and M. R. James (first collection of stories published in 1904). She also leaves out most of Victorian ladies whose ghost stories are still in print today, e.g. Mary Elizabeth Braddon, E. Nesbit, and Mrs. Riddell.

I would classify this book as an overview of the literature of supernatural fantasy and horror (including a Byronic poem about a vampire). The ghost story as defined and brought to its peak by Victorian and Edwardian authors, receives only brief mention in the chapter, "Modern Ghosts."

Scarborough begins with the Gothic Romance, of which she says: "The mysterious twilights of medievalism invited eyes tired of the noonday glare of Augustan formalism. The natural had become familiar to monotony, hence men craved the supernatural. And so the Gothic novel came into being."

'Gothic' is used to designate the eighteenth-century, pseudo-medieval novel of horror. The author begins with Horace Walpole's, "The Castle of Otranto"--if you are at all fond of Regency romances, you are bound to run across a heroine who is reading Walpole's tale of mad monks and haunted castles, or Mrs. Radcliffe's horrific "Mysteries of Udolpho." These novels depicting "decaying castles with treacherous stairways leading to mysterious rooms, halls of black marble, and vaults whose great rusty keys groan in the locks"--plus a heroine who wanders through spider-webbed corridors at midnight--did not have much staying power. According to Scarborough, Jane Austin finally gave this genre the kiss of death when she satirized their gloomy, overwrought style in "Northanger Abbey," which remained unpublished until after her death in 1818. "The Supernatural in Modern English Fiction" describes many gothic romance peculiarities in detail, while having a certain amount of gentle fun with them.

A chapter on European supernatural literature is followed by the aforementioned chapter on "Modern Ghosts." The author makes much of the effect Poe, Balzac, Hoffmann and other Romantic supernaturalists had on the nineteenth century English and American ghost story. Balzac in particular exerted a strong influence over Edward George Bulwer-Lytton, English author of "The Haunters and the Haunted," and progenitor of that infamous opening sentence, "It was a dark and stormy night..." (yes, that Bulwer-Lytton). Other stories that the author selects for discussion depend more on the Romantic tradition of insanity, gruesome decline, and horrid death to spark them along, rather than a purely supernatural mechanism. (As a matter of fact, Scarborough even published a novel in which the heroine was driven mad by the wind.)

She also expends a great deal of print on Spiritualism (which was already on the decline when this book was written), and the mystical, folkloric pantheism of such writers as W.B. Yeats ("The Celtic Twilight") and Algernon Blackwood ("Ancient Sorceries").

Scarborough draws heavily upon Romanticism, Spiritualism, and folklore for her chapters on "The Devil and His Allies," "Supernatural Life (which contains an excellent exposition on the legend of the Wandering Jew)," and "The Supernatural in Folk-tales."

"Supernatural Science" is the only really dated chapter in this book, with its discussions of hypnotism, the Fourth Dimension, uncanny chemistry, and students who exchange eyeballs. Even here, the author provides interesting commentary on A. Conan Doyle, H. G. Wells, Arthur Machen (whom she despises), and Ambrose Bierce, among other authors who were popular at the beginning of the twentieth century (and still are).

"The Supernatural in Modern English Fiction" should appeal to anyone who is interested in the evolution of fantasy and horror literature. Try "Elegant Nightmares: The English Ghost Story from Le Fanu to Blackwood" by Jack Sullivan or "Night Visitors: The Rise and Fall of the English Ghost Story" by Julia Briggs if your interest is more focused on literature that is entirely devoted to ghosts.

A very cool find... a friend gave me a copy as a birthday gift... so many different stories by authors I had never read... plus the author, Scarborough, has this cute concise way of writing. My fav chapter was on "The Devil and His Allies."

Ever wonder where Horror Fiction came from? How has it progressed from the beginning Gothic story to the stuff it is made of today? This book will answer your questions.

A must have for the speculative fiction lover, this book covers every genre from the early gothic to the ghost stories of the 20th century. First published in 1917, Dorothy Scarbouough covers it all, the madness and the horror of the 18oo's.

I'm glad I discovered this book, it will remain a favorite for years to come.

My bookshelves are filled with anthologies, the favorites being ones that contain some of the more obscure stories. What a pleasure to find this book! Scarborough lists some writers I have never heard of and set me scurrying online. She writes in a pleasant, easy style.

This is the latest in Lethe Press's series of reissues of works on the occult. 'The Supernatural In Modern English Fiction' was written in 1917 by Dorothy Scarborough. Given that the series has been uneven so far I did not have high expectations for this volume, and have only now discovered that it is a veritable treasure trove of books and literary history. It covers the period from Horace Walpole's 'Castle of Otranto' and other Gothic romances straight through to the author's own present times in the early 20th Century.

This makes for a literal cast of thousands. I was quite surprised to discover that horror and fantasy were a major part of the world's literary output from the very beginnings of popular literature. From Walpole, Maturin, and Shelley right through to Doyle, Machen, and Blackwood it was indeed a crowded stage. And Scarborough manages to present most of these efforts in a readable and well-organized fashion. Initially we are given a historical approach, but then the themes are taken up separately. Ghost stories, the demonic, the wandering Jew, rebirth, the afterlife, folk tales, and even 'scientific' monsters each get their turn in the sun.

As I've indicated Scarborough writes without any of the boring academic tone which often haunts this kind of material. This makes this volume an entertaining way to hunt down new reading material as well as a help in steering one's way through book stall accretions with a steady hand. Keep a pencil and a piece of paper handy while reading this book, you are bound to find things of interest.

My only regret is the lack of a bibliography. Scarborough is quite up front about this. In addition to the 3,000 or so titles that she drew upon for the book, there was an even larger additional number that she felt should be provided to the reader/researcher. There simply was no room at the inn. Unfortunately, to our loss, the bibliography promised as a second volume never materialized. There is, however, a good index, which will have to serve in it's stead.

One year ago in Plover, Wisconsin, Maddie Christopher had been attacked by a serial killer known as the "Sweet Dreams Killer". People believed his name to be Natas Sivel. He killed mainly women. His victims' bodies were crushed, the heart drained of blood, and not a single outside wound. He almost had Maddie. But her father, Cassidy, saved her in time. While Natas was too weak from the battle, the police imprisoned him...away from the other prisoners. Now, one year later, the killer escaped!

Natas Sivel was really a demon. He was kept buried, asleep, under an oak tree called The Protector, in a music box. But someone hated Cassidy Christopher enough to dig it up and release the demon held within. The demon's sole purpose was to destroy Cassidy, the property owner, by destroying the women he loved.

Maddie and Cassidy had a psychic connection. Cassidy's friend, Officer Kevin Sheridan (who had been first on the scene with Maddie a year ago) called it "hocus pocus stuff". The only other person with a connection to the Christophers was Maddie's best friend, Robyn Warren. When the demon went after Maddie again, she called Robyn. Robyn got Cassidy to go to his daughter while she jumped on a plane and flew toward them.

The demon saw the attraction between Robyn and Cassidy. He saw them fall in love. So the demon wanted Robyn, as well as, Maddie. Only their love could save them and put the demon back inside the music box, to sleep.

**** WOW! Here is a dark romance book. If not for the romance, I'd label it Horror! It sent chills up my spine the entire time! Fantastic reading! ****

"SWEET DREAMS is a tale brimming with thrills, chills, suspense and love. Cass is a man who cares deeply about those around him and will do anything to keep them safe. Robyn is loyal and wants nothing more than to help her friend and her true love. The two work well together against the forces of evil threatening their existence. SWEET DREAMS is extremely well written. The characters are likeable right from the start and come across as very real. The plot was new and refreshing to me and the demon very believable. "SWEET DREAMS is an exciting thrill ride that will keep you up to the wee hours. I highly recommend SWEET DREAMS for everyone who loves non-stop action!" -Carol Durfee for Romance Reviews Today http://www.romrevtoday.com

"Superb! Karen Wiesner's SWEET DREAMS is a roller coaster ride of breath-catching romance and plunging terror. The book kept me up until dawn and not just because it was an excellent read, but because I was too frightened to close my eyes! This paranormal is both haunting and memorable. Definitely a must read!" -Angelica Hart author of THE GATHERING

"The evil presence in Sweet Dreams is tangible from page one. The main characters are instantly sympathetic, and we don't need to get inside the head of the bad guy to "get" his motivation. Shades of The Witching Hour--seduction and terror--kept me up for hours so I could get to the end. Karen Wiesner structures an intricately woven tale that leaves one panting for more." -author Natalie Damschroder

"What a wonderfully ironic title for a wonderfully put together book. The characters won me over right away. Their pain and their longing is so real, their bravery is almost heartbreaking. I appreciated the way [they were layered]with so many levels of devotion and fear to make them intensely human. The plot is compelling as well. As the demon circles in on Cass and Robyn, the suspense builds until it's nearly unbearable, then explodes into a climax that had me gripping the edge of the laptop and hitting the 'next' key so fast I nearly broke it. I just couldn't wait an extra second to find out how it would work out. And I wasn't disappointed. The ending is entirely satisfying." -Karen McCullough, author of PRISM and Rising Star Award-Winning Fantasy, The Rainbow Bridge,

That was my reaction when I first read these stories when I was younger. I thought that the first one (The Furry Collar, I believe it was called) made me shiver and made me come up with some good ideas for stories of my own. I think that overall these stories are quite good, but they apply for much younger readers. Not for teenagers who are sooooo over this kind of children's stuff. =)

I first bought this book at a book fair when I was in elementary school. I read it constantly, and loved it!! Now that I have my own child, I bought another copy for him, and he absolutely adores it! He loves to read it, and especially have it read to him! GREAT, GREAT BOOK!!! Especially on those dark, stormy nights!!

The book I read is called Tales for the Midnight Hour, by J.B Stamper.
I really recommend this book to the people that like scary stories if not put this book down wimp! Tales for the Midnight Hour is full of horror. At night it will make you stay up asking yourself "is that true?" This book is better than "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark." I`ll give you a summary about one story. This one is called "The Black Velvet Ribbon" Which is about a girl who always had a black velvet always worn on her neck. She would never take it off not even on her wedding! Her husband always asked her if she would take it off but she would always answer "you'll be sorry." Always the same question and answer. The day came when she was sleeping he pulled the ribbon and saw there was no ending until... I will not tell you the rest figure it out yourself! If you enjoyed this summary you'll enjoy the whole story. The way you can figure the last part out is by locating this book in any library.
Trust me you wont like it you'll love it!
By: Giovanna M.

'Tales For The Midnight Hour' is a book of 17 scary stories, aimed at children but can be read by any age. I originally read the book after borrowing it from a library here in England, but a few years later, I had trouble finding it. (It was an American import). None of our shops had it and the library had got rid of it. I ordered an import of it from a book store, and received it a few weeks later (at this time I wasn't aware of Amazon).
The book is still as good, I'm 16 now. The stories are very eerie and well worth a read, especially 'The Furry Collar', 'The Black Velvet Ribbon' and 'The Attic Door'.
Buy the book - you won't be disappointed.
For your information, there were some follow-ups to the book:
More Tales For the Midnight Hour, Even More Tales for the Midnight Hour and Still More tales for the Midnight Hour.

This collection of scary stories appeals mostly to the very young reader. Each story is quite short and simple. The typical story has a short build-up with a simple shock ending like "there was a skeleton at the door." Stories lack the resolutions older or more accomplished readers will want but for the style they are really rather entertaining.

The stories range widely in their focus. The reader meets monsters, vampires, witches, bad fortunes and all manner of scary thing.

This is the first in a series. It has also been collected with the second volume (MORE TALES FOR THE MIDNIGHT HOUR) in another book called TALES FOR THE MIDNIGHT HOUR, VOLUME ONE (ISBN 0-7607-6775-0).

Tales From the Dark Tower is not a book.

Tales From the Dark Tower is a work of art.

Wow... I never thought I'd start a book review like that. But then again, I never quite expected to read something like Tales From the Dark Tower, either. Because it was truly a sweet experience; one of the best ones I've had so far in my career as a book reviewer.

Well, then, what's so great about it? Let me put it this way: it's hard something that is NOT great about it. Everything, from the beautiful artwork on the cover and throughout the book (all done by genius Joseph Vargo) to the quality of the paper to the stories themselves; it's all top quality and I cannot think of a single thing that I don't like about the whole thing. Not one.

And that makes writing a review quite difficult. Why? Because there's simply not very much to say about the piece except that it's a definite must-buy. I don't usually say that; in fact I rarely say that at all, but this time I have no choice but to face the pleasant facts: I loved it. From the first page to the very last. Several different authors contribute with stories, and they're all masters of their craft.

Sure, some people might think the stories are goth-cliché. After all, they are all very much alike, both in setting (in or around the Dark Tower) or in the way the different authors present their ideas (haunted cemeteries, pale and beautiful gothic beauties, forbidden love that forever haunts the unfortunate ones, dark and sinister clouds that blocks out the sun, scary gargoyles staring down at the mortals, and so on). But then again, Tales From the Dark Tower IS a gothic collection, the authors are goths, the readers are goths, it's all a big gothic get-together and thus the stories should and could not be written any other way.

As I write this I have the book next to me on the desk. It looks beautiful. And I'm jealous on all the people out there who have still to discover it. I usually don't read a book twice, but this time I think I have to reconsider.

And I hope a sequel one day will see the light of day. Or rather, the darkness of the night

Tales From the Dark Tower is not a book.

Tales From the Dark Tower is a work of art.

Wow... I never thought I'd start a book review like that. But then again, I never quite expected to read something like Tales From the Dark Tower, either. Because it was truly a sweet experience; one of the best ones I've had so far in my career as a book reviewer.

Well, then, what's so great about it? Let me put it this way: it's hard something that is NOT great about it. Everything, from the beautiful artwork on the cover and throughout the book (all done by genius Joseph Vargo) to the quality of the paper to the stories themselves; it's all top quality and I cannot think of a single thing that I don't like about the whole thing. Not one.

And that makes writing a review quite difficult. Why? Because there's simply not very much to say about the piece except that it's a definite must-buy. I don't usually say that; in fact I rarely say that at all, but this time I have no choice but to face the pleasant facts: I loved it. From the first page to the very last. Several different authors contribute with stories, and they're all masters of their craft.

Sure, some people might think the stories are goth-cliché. After all, they are all very much alike, both in setting (in or around the Dark Tower) or in the way the different authors present their ideas (haunted cemeteries, pale and beautiful gothic beauties, forbidden love that forever haunts the unfortunate ones, dark and sinister clouds that blocks out the sun, scary gargoyles staring down at the mortals, and so on). But then again, Tales From the Dark Tower IS a gothic collection, the authors are goths, the readers are goths, it's all a big gothic get-together and thus the stories should and could not be written any other way.

As I write this I have the book next to me on the desk. It looks beautiful. And I'm jealous on all the people out there who have still to discover it. I usually don't read a book twice, but this time I think I have to reconsider.

And I hope a sequel one day will see the light of day. Or rather, the darkness of the night.

I have to start by saying that I have wanted this book forever. I am a big fan of Joseph Vargos, who amoung us has not seen his art at places like Hot Topic? A friend and I even exchanged postcards done by Vargo as our primary means of communication. His art is beautiful and most of his well known works are contained in this anthology in plate form. The quality of the paper lends itself well to the art prints and those are stunning. Had the volume been slim and only contained his art, I would have given it 5 stars.

However, since the work is also an anthology I feel I have to be fair and review it as a book, too, and I have to be honest, I have read better. There is a wide range of stories in this volume. Let me start by listing all the works with their authors so if you are looking for a specific author, you'll know if they are here. There is **The Dark Tower by James Pipik and Joseph Vargo **Born of the Night by Eric Muss-Barnes **Vampire's Kiss by Christine Filipak and Joseph Vargo **Masque of Sorrow by Christina Filipak **Shadows by Joseph Iorillo and James Pipik **Sentinels by James Pipik and Joseph Vargo **Sorrow's End by Jalone J. Haessig **Noctem Aeternus by Robert Michaels **Nightwatcher by James Pipik **Vesper Tolls by Joseph Iorillo **Sanctuary by Russell Norotny **Lilith by Joseph Vargo and **Watcher at the Gate by Joseph Vargo.

The stories are connected together by a single thread, which is the history and occupants of the Dark Tower. Some are undead, some are alive (though usually not for long) and all have tales of sorrow and morality to tell. Most of the stories are good, though I felt that many could have stood on their own without being connected to the Dark Tower. I even thought that once or twice the authors wrote the stories as stand-alones and then added elements to make it connect to the anthology. I think most interesting were the stories by Joseph Vargo. It's interesting to see what went through his mind, the stories behind his paintings as hold by him. Ultimately, I think my only complaint is I wanted the quality of the writing and stories to match Vargo's art, and that is nearly impossible. His art is so beautiful that it is very difficult to reach that level with another art form -writing.

I would recommend this book just for the Vargo plates alone, especially since Amazon now has the paperback for $16.99. The art is worth it.

So buy it, curl up on a dark and stormy night, and enjoy.

It's got great tales, awsome art work, and sexy scenes. You can't get any better than this.

I am not actually Mike, I'm his 14 year old daughter, just so ya know.... I found the book at Hot Topic and i just HAD to buy it. (It was only 15 dollars at the time, so go to hottopic.com to buy it, it is still like 4 dollars cheaper!) This book is absolutely AMAZING! If you are into gothic "fantasy" this is definitely the book for you! It is full of lavish illustrations bu Joseph Vargo of Monolith Graphics...I couldnt put the book down once i opened it! The various authors -including Joseph Vargo- do a wonderful job of painting a mental picture for you with their words. I would recomend this story to anyone looking for an extremely well put together book, but the squeamish should probably stay away, because of excess blood spillage. ... I would read it a thousand times, maybe more..if only i had the time.. Anyway, its a great read!

You may also be interested in The Gothic Tarot. Joseph Vargo came up with and illustrated it all by himself! His talents are unbelieveable! ...You can get the Gothic Tarot from Hot Topic or hottopic.com, when i purchased the deck it was only $16!!

There have always been authors who, with their plot, their characters, and above all, their prose, had made us feel simultaneously giddy and lethargic. And now (which means for more than a decade) there is Caitlin R. Kiernan. The world of pain and wonder that she has created in this book might be repulsive to many, since it deals with (mostly) lost-wasted characters surviving or perishing in a world of gaudy pleasures and visceral pain, both of which we shun at any cost (while both attracts us when we are given the choice to act as voyeurs). This book harps on that particular attraction as it hypnotises us with its uniquely haunting and burning imagery, with its overlapping of wine-red and blood-red, and as a portal to such beings who carry darkness of numerous shades in their veins, arteries, eyes and heart. Normally I tend to avoid such stories. This time also, when I started reading this beautiful book (Subterranean Press books are a pleasure to read, in all aspects), I almost felt like feeling sleepy, but then.....!

I wouldn't like to offer you a story-wise review, since that would do great injustice to Kiernan's writing. Although these 22 stories are somewhat loosely related, as we find some of the characters coming back to their own unique hells (and occasionally heavens), you may read them in whatever order you wish. Readers of "Threshold" would especially appreciate the "Into the Water Works", a prequel to that novel, and other stories leading to the introduction of the character of Deacon. But most importantly, this book should be read and treasured by all lovers of fiction, irrespective of the genre preferred: dark fantasy, horror, urban angst, surrealism, poetry.... Wholeheartedly recommended.

Caitlin R. Kiernan's magnificent first short fiction collection, TALES OF PAIN AND WONDER, is a dazzling triumph for dark fantasy. The author blends elements of horror and terror (the Gothic), noir, and hints of Lovecraftian sci-fi, for stories that are utterly unique in their scope and tone. Kiernan has established herself as the premiere stylist of dark fiction and nowhere does her talent and skill with words shine more brightly than in this accomplished collection. An informed and conscientious reader doesn't need the introduction by Douglas Winter or the afterword by Peter Straub to tell him that this book is something special. each page - indeed, each sentence - declares that fact. Many of the stories are linked by recurring characters and related events, and even the unconnected stories are related to the others in theme, so that TALES OF PAIN AND WONDER becomes almost a sort of pseudo-novel. With these stories, Kiernan explores the disintegration of society, faith, humanity, and, indeed, the fabric of the world itself, offering a lonely and disturbing view of the survivors. These stories frighten, strike awe, sadden, inspire wonder, and even offer slim bits of hope, but they never merely entertain. Scholars of fantastic fiction should take note: Caitlin R. Kiernan is one of the few important voices in genre today.

That said, the Meisha Merlin edition is a disappointment, a shoddy, unprofessional effort with one of the most garish and inappropriate covers I've seen in ages. The interior layout is slipshod, Richard Kirk's gorgeous interior illustrations are reproduced a bit to darkly, and the book is marred by errors that would have been eliminated from a more skillful printing. I encourage readers who can't afford the pricey Gauntlet hardback to pick up this edition - it's far better than nothing - but I regret that Kiernan's masterwork has been done such a disservice.

'Tales of Pain & Wonder' is a collection of Caitlin Kiernan's earlier work (if one is allowed to speak of the late 1990's as 'late'). As such, it presents many of Kiernan's important themes as they appear for the first time. Characters surface for the first time as well, in particular Deacon Silvey who will show up again in two novels, 'Threshold' and 'Low Red Moon.' This makes the collection 'important' if you are a Kiernan aficionado, but all that aside, what really makes this collection important is that it is very, very good.

I have lately come to refer to Kiernan as the 'last of the great horror writers.' Partially as a lament for a genre that currently spends far too much time specializing in hot, romantic vampire novels, but also because she really is good enough that writers of her caliber are far and few between. Hers is a horror that leaks out of the spaces between things and pervades the atmosphere surrounding her characters, clinging to them like a faint scent of doubt and rot. Yet when its time finally comes, it is sure and brutal, sparing no unkindness.

Kiernan's characters exist on the fine edge of self-destructiveness, whether they come from wealth like the sisters Salammbo and Salmagundi, hypnotized by the beauty of death like Lark and Crispin, or, like Jimmy de Sade, have both feet firmly planted in terror so real it is an aesthetic experience. The confront things they cannot understand, or know far too well, living the kind of homeless or disconnected lives that make them lightning rods for real horror, not the candy-coated-sip-your-blood kind.

Kiernan admits in her forward that the book has two narratives, one is the accident of the order of writing, and the other is a natural order where the interconnections among the tales is more obvious. I chose to read in the latter order, which reveals the most about how the story arcs develop, rather than the former, which says more about Kiernan than her tales. Both, though, are legitimate approaches, and produce equally valid if different experiences.

The writer has a knack for creating symbols and only half filling them in. Eerie twins, cold presences, wounds that never heal, and barren landscapes come and go, but the reader is expected to do part of the work - to construct a narrative at least partially his own. Part of the horror is that it is my terror that lurks about, as well as Caitlin Kiernan's. Each of these stories is a opportunity to look in a place you desperately don't want to go, and to succumb to a nightmarish glamour. And above everything stands Jimmy de Sade, judge and jury in a gothic world.

This is top grade stuff. Kiernan's writing style is excellent - each word is carefully selected for its purpose, nothing is extra. Characters quickly step out of the shadows and assume an unexpected reality. This is what contemporary horror should be.

Truly, Caitlin Kiernan's hypnotic writing is at it's best in this collection of short stories. I have to say, I have enjoyed everything she's written, but this particular book is perhaps the best of the bunch. Her unusual take on plots works best in the short story format, at least in my opinion. And her prose is so tasty you'll practically want to eat it. She creates stunning, stark imagery, and Richard Kirk's illustrations are a wonderful complement. (More books should be illustrated!) The paperback sadly fell apart though, the cover peeled apart almost immediately.

If you've read this book, there's not much i can tell you that you don't already know. If you haven't then you damn well better be ordering everyone of her books. Caitlin Kiernan is an amazing author, with a large body of work that includes many editions of 'The Dreaming', three novels, two published, and a growing number of short stories. In this book, you'll be introduced to a Lovecraftian beast that also takes part in her second novel. As does Deacon, the troubled alchoholic psychic. You will also see Salmagundi and Salammbo, sisters born of a strange estate. Jimmy DeSade, who peddals dark wares to Kiernan's motley collection of amazing characters. You will witness Voodoo magic. You will be beaten bloody, and raised to the absolute heights of ecstasy. You will feel grief, reexperience childhood, and break free of all that's been binding you. Yes, it's that good. And after you read this one you can read Threshhold, and Silk, and In the Garden of Poisonous Flowers, and so much more. Then, of course you'll want to reread all of them. So you'd better get busy. Artistry of this caliber is rarely seen and needs to be coveted as a precious thing.

Bryan Dunn's Thaw is plain and simply a great book. The character's are well-conceived and the plot moves along at a breakneck pace. From the moment you open the book until the very last page, you will be drawn into the suspenseful plot.
TAKE NOTE HOLLYWOOD: This book would make a great film. It has everything: humor, suspense, likeable characters and a villain unlike any you have ever seen.
BOTTOM LINE: Pick up a copy and settle in for a good time. You won't regret it!

The storyline kept me wanting more. I was at the edge of my seat and could not put it down. A well written and easy read.

I read Thaw in one night and wanted more! The characters are really well thought out and the plot keeps you reading. This is a funny, fast paced, thrilling adventure-definitely one of the best books I have read this year!

This book is a great read. Every chapter just flowed and kept your attention. Thaw is a book that you really want to keep reading, it is just that good. After I finished Thaw, I recommended it to my wife and she could not put it down. Each chapter leads you into the next chapter.. Thaw is a fun read!

glen serbin

I'm more of a classics reader so I was not sure what to expect when I picked up a copy of this lighthearted horror/thriller. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the book. It reads smoothly and easily, it definately keeps your interest and it provides some good chuckles as well. The sense of place is keen and the characters sympathetic. A good read, it's the perfect travel book and the short chapters make it a great book to pick up during your daily coffee break.

My son and I read this book together. He was a pre-teen at the time, and I'm glad I was there so we could talk about some of the disturbing things that happened. In spite of the frightening events, we both enjoyed the book and the time we spent together reading it. This book is not for every pre-teen, though. If your younger child reads it, you'll probably want to be there, too.

nice light read, enjoyable, imaginative, not too serious, enjoyable by children but intelligent enough for adults, dark and sinister and yet still has a happy side to it, me likey. wont take you very long to get through.

This is an incredable story that flows seemlessly from first to last page. It has all the elements of a classic Grim Fairy Tail and some of the best Gothic drawings I've every seen. The charecters are so real that you end up feeling for all of them, and the discription of Mr Hood as a vampire of the soul could not have been more accurate. Not quite one to read to the kids but it's definatly one to read when the kids are asleep.

this book was the best book that i had ever read.
although ive probably only read about a minimum of 10 novels in my life this book was the best. Also, the audio cassette version rocks your mom. if you ever listen to an audio book I'd recommend this one.

The Thief of Always is a exciting, fun book that keeps you want to keep on reading. A little scary but addicting. The expression bored to death, which was created by Zeus when Hermes told everlasting jokes to a monster, just means your bored for a couple minutes and then you find something to do, but to this boy he is literally bored to death and is taken to a holiday house, a kid's dream! Then things begin to change......if you want to find out what happens I suggest you read the book, The Thief of Always!

This is the book that started it all for Repairman Jack. If you have started the series somewhere in the middle, or with the last book or two, do yourself a favor and purchase a copy of The Tomb... It's fun to read the very beginning of a classic series entry.

The Tomb by F. Paul Wilson is the first in the Repairman Jack series. Although he's referred to as a repairman, Jack fixes dangerous situations not plumbing. In The Tomb, he is approached by Kasum Bahkti, an arrogant, one-armed Indian, who is an United Nations diplomat. Kasum wants to hire Jack to find the thief who has beaten and robbed the diplomat's mother of a necklace, a sentimental family heirloom. The catch, he has to find the necklace before the diplomat's mother dies from her injuries, which gives Jack very little time. At the same time, Jacks ex-girlfriend Gia, grudgingly contacts him and asks Jack to look into finding her elderly aunt who has been missing, she supposedly disappeared without a trace from her home. Jack sees this situation as a way weave his way back into Gia's and her daughters, Vicky lives. He slowly discovers that the two seemingly unrelated cases do have a common history, one that dates back more than 100 years and involves demonic creatures known as Rakoshi.

What I like most about The Tomb was the fact that Jack did not have all the answers. Some conclusions came to him slowly, if at all. The pacing, characters development, and the action were dead-on. F. Paul Wilson writing made it easy to visualize everything that was happening and at times it was hard for me to put the book down. I am definitely a fan of Repairman Jack and of the author.

The Friday House
Xiii

Way back in 1984, I picked up this book and couldn't put it down until it was finished. It's the best horror novel I've ever read. It's one of those books that only a skilled storyteller could write.

Superb!

Repairman Jack could be described as a fixer - you got problem and for a fee, he can fix it, or a champion of the oppressed - you can't afford a fee, we'll work something out. To the government he doesn't exist. He has never collected a paycheck and has never paid income tax. He has no credit, no credit cards, no FICO score, has never voted, has no social security card, has never been arrested, has no driver's license or passport (at least in his real name). In short, he works outside the system totally under the radar.

Jack has a fiancee named Gia, who has a nine year old daughter named Vickey. She doesn't approve of what Jack does but Jack has saved both their lives on more than one occasion, so she grudgingly accepts his occupation. Jack is crazy about both of them and Vickey idolizes Jack.

More about Jack

Jack is average in every way - average height, weight, looks, hair and eyes and clothes. Since Jacks works within an underground society he works at blending in, being non descript if you will but that's where all similarities to an average man end.

Jack is tough as nails. When he doesn't have a client he works out and practices martial arts. Jack is deadly in a fight and is afraid of no one. Has Jack beat anyone up? You bet. Has he killed anyone? Only those who deserved it and even then, reluctantly. Jack has friends in low places like the intractable, Abe, proprietor of a sporting goods store that is a front for an armory, both legal and illegal weapons. The more you read him the more you decide that Jack is a very interesting fellow.

The Tomb

Jack can be your worst nightmare but as nightmares go, everything is relative and Jack takes second fiddle in this book!

Jack Meets a lovely but troubled woman named Gia. She has an adolescent daughter named Vicky. Jack grows to love Gia and Vicky. He would lay down his life for either and in this story he almost does.

Vicky's father (who's divorced and not in the book) has the surname Wesphalen and hence Vicky's is Wesphalen. None believe it but the Wesphalen family is living under a curse, precipitated by the murderous acts committed by an unnamed, greedy ancestor over a hundred years ago in India.

Kusum Bhakti, an East Indian priest of a tiny sect that worships the bloodthirsty deity Kali and his sister Kolobati are descendants of the victims of the atrocities perpetrated by this elder Wesphalen. They have come to New York City to carry out their vendetta and wipe out the rest of the Westphalen line. Kusum has brought with him the Rakoshi, vicious, flesh eating monsters, to accomplish this horrible undertaking.

Rakoshi are huge (over eight feet tall) hideous, malodorous, perversions of the humanity created eons ago.

Coincidently, Kusum hires Jack to locate the thief that mugged his aged grandmother and stole a necklace which is a family heirloom. Jacks thinks lightning just might strike twice so he dresses up like an old lady and sure enough our perp. attacks him. Jack quickly turns the tables and after a couple broken bones convinces the perp. to relinquish his ill gotten gains. Funny thing, the perp. claims the victim was young.

In fact, the aged grandmother is Kolobati, Kusum's younger sister and both of them are almost 150 years old. They maintain their young appearance because of the necklaces they wear (the family heirlooms) and of course when the mugger took the necklace, Kolobati began to age immediately.

When Jack returns with the necklace, Kusum is ecstatic and Jack walks away a few thousand richer and now has to visit Gia and Vicky. Gia called while Jack was on the Mugger case and needed to see him.

Gia Westphalen, who is a freelance commercial artist, had broken off her relationship with Jack after accidentally discovering his real occupation but decided to call Jack anyway, when one of Vicky's two aunts disappeared.

She's decided Jacks line of work, which she abhors and is the reason she broke with Jack, might be helpful to locate the Aunt. Unfortunately the aunt is long gone and the other aunt is next and Jack and Gia get dragged into a battle with Kusum and supernatural creatures, the Rakoshi to save the last remaining Wesphalen - Vicky

Conclusion

Not for the faint of heart, this story gets quite scary as our hero Jack must confront the apparently insane, murderous Kusum and his nest of monsters in order to save Vicky.

Wilson does introduce some homey, risible moments into the story, through Jack and a couple friends of his. For instance, Julio owns a bar which sometimes substitutes for Jacks office. Julio's Bar (Julio's) has dozens of dead potted ferns located around the bar because he thinks it will keep the yuppies away. Abe owns a pawnshop which is also Jacks armory. While Jack is somewhat upbeat, Abe is kind dour and pessimistic, always predicting a financial or a social catastrophe and he always seems to have a spot of ketchup or mustard on his shirt. Wilson uses moments of levity to lighten the overall darkness of the story.

The Tomb is an excellent fast paced read that I personally have read four times. Wilson's writing is very reader friendly and fast moving, though he does digress occasionally. The novel is fast paced and seems to cover a lot of ground in just over 400 pages. Wilson seems to be a natural storyteller. In this and other novels I have read by him, he draws you in and makes you terrified for our hero and his loved ones. For horror fans this is essential reading!!!!

This novel has ultimately been listed as one of six books that form the Adversary Cycle. I don't think it started out that way but it ended up that way. It and "The Touch" are self contained reads that can be taken that way with no further reading; however they should be read sometime before reading the final book of the series "Nightworld".

The horror genre is enriched by this book, which is inventive and original. Though the book is plot, rather than character, driven, it does not suffer for its lack of character development. The reader is kept too busy thinking about the plot to worry unduly about character development. Such is the power of this unusual and compelling horror story.

The plot is relatively simple. The horror reaches out across the world from India to the United States. A heinous defilement and murders by British soldiers in a temple in mid-nineteenth century India unleashes a curse that is to follow the descendants of the leader of the attack. Coupled with that curse is an entourage of creatures of unimaginable horror that have once again risen to do the bidding of one who would avenge past wrongs. With great power, however, comes great responsibility.

Enter Repairman Jack, a man who works to right what once went wrong and who earns his living by his wits and by his ability to defend himself to the death, if necessary. If one has a problem, he will fix it. When he agrees to help a one-armed Indian gentleman, Kusum Bahkti, retrieve a necklace that is a priceless family heirloom, he soon discovers just how priceless it is.

Jack suddenly finds himself thrust into the middle of a series of almost inexplicable events. Besieged by mysterious disappearances, rank odors, unusual substances of Indian origin, he finds that the necklace holds the key to an ancient horror. He then comes up against the most formidable foes he has ever encountered. He must find a way to vanquish some pretty hellish creatures or risk losing those whom he loves.

Highly original and inventive, this is a pretty well written horror story that should keep even the most jaded of readers turning its pages. It is also the book that introduced Repairman Jack, a popular character that would go on to have a series of books revolve around him.

This book is very good. It keeps you wondering
from chapter to chapter what will happen next
and you really don't expect it when it does.
Everything comes together beautifully and it
is exceedingly well written. A must for every
bored housewife out there to add to her collection.
It is an excellent book.

"The moment she met Ryan Alden, a handsome stranger, Shana Morland was torn between sacred love and its darkest power. She wanted him- but the source of this overwhelming attraction lay veiled in mystery.
Ryan Alden had roared out of the unknown into Shana's life on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Was he the reckless drifter he seemed? Or was he a demon of desire from a past that he did not remember? This love could mean magic menace for Shana. But only the fates she had so recklessly tempted held the tantalizing answer."--from the back of the cover.

This is one of those kind of books that you'll stay up reading until the last page. Can not put down. I recommend all of Carin Rafferty's books and if any of you know of any more that she has written, please e-mail me and let me know!!!

I love how Carin uses detail and how she words her material it is fabulous. I would read all of her books over and over again that is how much I really enjoy her work. It sure does make husband's jellous when you can't put a book down. I just can't find enough ways to thank her for the wonderful work that she has done to put a lot of joy into reading and to keep the emagination going and sometimes the spice in one's marriage. It does work.

When I first got Touch of Magic from the library, at first I wasn't sure, but I am into stories on witches and warlocks and when I read Carin's book I had died and gone to heaven. I have rented it for the forth time and I said to my husband that I have got to have it in my own library. My husband can't understand why I can't put it down. I told him that he should read it to find out. If Carin is still writing keep up the great work. I will continue reading all of your books and read them over and over again. Thank you for the great reading material that you bring to us.

Depressed to her bone marrow because of her overwhelming feeling of loneliness compounded by the celebration of Samhain, witch Shana Morland decides to use a prohibited ancient cursed Tarot deck to see if there is a hunk in her near future. Shana assumes the violation is a minor offense as she considers how bad the curse can be without fully understanding the ramifications. Shana will learn rather quickly as the Tarot deck is actually a magical detention cell containing evil witch Moira; anyone who foolishly uses the deck will free her at the cost of their liberty.

However, Moira's jailers understanding human nature, especially witching human nature, included a caveat that Moira's rescuer must be in love to switch places. Shana knows she is okay as she has no one. That is until Ryan Alden crashes his Harley right in front of her. She is stunned as she wants the unconscious stranger with feelings like nothing she ever felt before. However, if he is her true love as she suspects, Shan's price is the curse.

This is an exhilarating one sitting paranormal romantic suspense novel. Readers assume from the moment out cold Ryan lays at Shana's feet, he is the one who will instigate the switch. The heroic lead couple is a delightful pairing of a seemingly doomed duet as they battle a more powerful foe. Moira disarms them by negatively using the power of love so she can live Shana's future while her savior occupies her incarceration time. Carin Rafferty imparts a compelling tale in which love is the curse.

Harriet Klausner