Short Stories Books

Having read many of Howard's fantasy works (Conan the Barbarian, Kull the Conquerer, Solomon Kane), it's nice to read more hack n' slash works from him but with an actual historical backdrop.

Robert E. Howard is well known among readers of action/adventure as the creator of Conan of Cimmeria, the Puritan killer Solomon Kane, and Kull of Atlantis.

He is less known for his forays into historical fiction, but these bleak, savage (and action-packed) stories of the Crusades and the Mongols are phenomenal, and should be read by anyone who appreciates Howards immense descriptive skill.

A few examples, if I may:

"The Lion Of Tiberias"

The year 1124: One of the few survivors of a battle against the Caliph of Baghdad, Crusader John Norwald was enslaved in the galleys by "Zenghi esh Shami, Imad ed din, governor of Wasit and warden of Basorah, whom men called the Lion of Tiberias", after seeing Zenghi mercilessly murder a young boy... "the only person who had ever shown Norwald kindness"...If it took a lifetime, John Norwald would have his revenge.


"Sowers Of The Thunder"

A historically detailed and exciting tale of the real life conqueror Baibars, Sultan of Egypt and Syria, the fictional Red Cahal who opposes him, and the actual slaughter by Tartars of Moslem and Christian alike in the sack of Jerusalem in 1243.

"Shadow of The Vulture"

The story of Suleiman the Great and his attack on the City of Vienna in 1529, (and the lengthy siege that followed). Howard, as is his wont, works in some excellent fictional characters: Red Sonya, in her first appearance in print, and the drunken (yet ferocious and formidable) Gottfried von Kalmbach (whose head Suleiman wants on a platter).

These stories, as well as the many others (including the title story, a brutal yet excellent tale of Timour The Lame, (and fictional Donald , a Frank who rises to fame as his chief killer) make this book well worth owning for any fan of Robert E. Howard, or those who appreciate historical fiction in the tradition of Harold Lamb (but a little more graphically violent, as we expect from R.E.H.).

I also recommend the desert tales of another Howard slayer, Kirby O'Donnell, an American adventurer in the guise of a Kurdish outlaw, "Swords of Shahrazar".
Swords of Shahrazar

Harold Lamb wrote historical fiction and was one of Howard's favorite writers. This most likely inspired Howard to write some historical fiction of his own. If you like REH, check out Harold Lamb. The two of them are probably my favorite writers. But I like REH for his violent sword and sorcery, whereas my favorite stuff from Lamb are his historical works such as Hannibal and Genghis Khan (2 books that are must-reads by anybody interested in these two generals). Harold Lamb's famous Cossack stories are now being re-released. I have not yet read them but am looking forward to them, so check them out as well.

Also, if anybody has Lord of Samarcand and Others, please provide a list of the stories within this book (I think I have them all, but I want to be sure). I would be very thankful.

This is a must read and great to add to any book collection. I thoroughly enjoyed it! REH was a genius! Anytime I can find a REH story it's a great day! Lord of Samarcand - Gottfried von Kalmbach in The Shadow of the Vulture. REH wrote: "A more dissolute vagabond than Gottfried never weaved his drunken way across the pages of a popular magazine: wastrel, drunkard, gambler, whore-monger, renegade, mercenary, plunderer, thief, rogue, rascal-I never created a character whose creation I enjoyed more. They may not seem real to the readers; but Gottfried and his mistress Red Sonya seem more real to me than any other chracter I've ever drawn." Collected in this book is the entirety of Howard's historical Oriental fiction-including some fragments. These tales are probably among the most somber ever written by REH; among his best, too. Prepare to embark on a journey unlike any other in the field of historical fiction. The place is Outremer, the time the early thirteenth centery... Must Reads of REH (1906-1936): Blood and Thunder, The Life & Art of REH by Mark Finn, Two Gun Bob, One Who Walked Alone by Novalyne Ellis REH's girlfried, The Last of the Trunk-Paul Herman, Crimson Shadows-The Best of REH I & II, Conan, Kull, Solomon Kane, Cormac Mac Art, The Black Stranger and Other American Tales has the scariest story ever called Pigeons From Hell, Bran Mak Morn, all of the Weird Tales issues, etc. Get them all. If you can't locate them at your local bookstore try used bookstores and/or the internet. A special thanks to Glen Lord, Mark Finn, Paul Herman, Dark Horse, and everyone else that kept REH's legacy alive and well.

I've been collecting the works of REH for a few years now, and have found this book to be an excellent collection. The stories in here are unique, containing none one of REH's 'big' heroes (Conan, Solomon Kane, Kull). Rather is about the later Crusades. Think if REH had written Kingdom of Heaven and you'll have a good idea as to what these stories are like. This isn't quite Sword and Sorcery... there are none of the monsters or magic found in many of REH's writings, but it is still worth reading for any true REH fan.

Reading the reviews I did not think I would like this book but the writer was recommended on a site I frequent so I thought here goes. The plotline disturbed me. Friend makes husband and mentoree promise to marry each other to raise 4 year old triplet daughters whilst she is on her death bed. I still believe anyone who does this, death bed or no, is emotionally blackmailing their loved ones. It is possible to be a legal guardian to anothers children without having to marry the widower that could have been arranged. However this is still a beautiful love story, dealing with the effects of grief on husband, children and close friends. Amora is a young virgin of 22 who marries her former mentor and friends husband, a much older man. They fall in love slowly. The things that moved me in this book and it was excellently written - the consummation of the marriage and the 'love' lessons Ross teaches his wife, Amora's role as a mother and the effect of the mother's death on one of the triplets. I will definitly read the other books by this writer and the other connecting stories.

Breast cancers are not an easy subject to talk about, let alone craft a story depicting deathbed wishes and privileged promises. Author Kim Louise went one better by giving new meaning to emotion. A Love of Their Own is a heart warming story with poignancy hanging in the balance for heartache and grief to be equal partners in defining the true meaning of dedication. More often than not it's always the speculation of loss, or some quirky notion that we somehow can live and deal with inevitable odds that are destined to cause pall. Kim Louise wrote one hell of a story where Amara Fairchild's close friend and mentor is diagnosed with breast cancer. From here the story steadily forms definitive character development as emotions are taken to limits not easily broached. Amara's devastation is further tested when her mentor makes her promise to raise four-year-old triplets and the husband (Ross) she's leaving behind. Is such a request too hard to fathom? Can this be done without her best friend's husband being equally affected? Amara is between a rock and a hard place...a decision must be made knowing that to do so would have a profound effect on her current and subsequent life.

Despite obvious surface tendencies to dismiss and look askance at this situation, the author gave reason to depict her characters with substance and a unique show of moxie. Such a subject totally unexpected that raises questions are sure to be explored psychologically and with intrigue to want to anticipate, if not be inquisitive enough to read on. I was able to read this story as it gripped me emotionally, instinctly placing me in scenes that I felt closest to anticipating Ross' every move! Without the many positive aspects that this story is aligned with I doubt it would have manifested the need for one to dig just a little deeper to understand why Amara would want to make such a decision. I was amazed at the amount of research done to make this story not only believable, but one where anyone associated with the malady would readily understand and empathize with Brenda. As heart wrenching as this story is, there will bound to be readers who'd be quite surprised how Ross handles the situation without stereotypical responses akin to lack of emotion form a man. As such, it was refreshing to have the male character show so much feeling.

The story is so complete that it radiantly gives illumination to secondary characters as if they should have been written with more involvement. But then again, Ms Louise's writing was just that tight in the sense that just enough coloring was given to enhance all intent. It was refreshing to see the hero of the story show real emotion. Even though the story deals with such serious issues, it still allowed you the wherewithal to know that some aspects and stages of the book lent itself to breezier and lighter moments.

I read this book three times and everytime I read it, I love it more. Amara Fairchild was a true Hero in this book, she was so courageous and strong willed because she made a promise to her dying friend and mentor Brenda Hayward to marry her Husband Ross and become a mother to her triplet daughters when she passes on. Of course she's reluctant to do this, so is Ross... they experience many trials and tribulations, they agree to disagree about what's best for the girls.. eventually Ross and Amara they come together, they fall in love, they have to somehow find a way to cope with the loss of wife and friend, the girls have to learn how to cope with the loss of their mother. I cry EVERYTIME I read this book, the writing is superb and this is a book I'm greedy with because I won't lend it out.

Ok this author was recommend by my Ms Betty, she has read just about every A.A around so I trust her completely, Also on a side if you want a excellent reviews on books, check out free4lyfeu2. So back to the book, I didn't think it was a good premise. I mean marrying your best friends husband because of her promise on a death bed? I was so wrong. Amara and Ross were not perfect both had issues and but the love was there. The book did not have them fall in love by chapter 3, and that made the book even more special, I love the fact that there was still a mourning process, Also the daughters, took the story anyone who wants a hot, love story with a little pain, and lots of joy. PLEASE READ THIS BOOK.

Amara Fairchild is shocked when her dying mentor and best friend Brenda Hayward asks her to marry her husband, and to help raise her children immediately after her death. Of course, neither Ross, Brenda's husband, nor Amara immediately agree to this. However, when they see that Brenda is holding on to that one last breath waiting for their positive response, they reluctantly agree. From there, the story unfolds into a tale of love lost and love found on the oftentimes bumpy road to happily ever after.

It has been a while since I read a novel by Ms. Louise, and once I read A LOVE OF THEIR OWN, I couldn't fathom why I waited so long to read this one. It was a beautiful tale of heartache, loss and finding love again. There are so many positive aspects to this story that combine to make this book one worth reading many times over. Louise masterfully depicts the woes of breast cancer, the importance of monthly breast exams, and how the death of a loved one from this dreaded disease affects everyone, especially small children. It was refreshing to see the hero of the story show real emotion. Ross cherished his wife and did not want to sully the memories of her with thoughts or feelings for another woman. Even though the story deals with such serious issues, there are also moments where you laugh out loud, and, of course, fall in love again. Never again will I hold onto a Kim Louise book. As soon as it reaches my hot little hands, I will find the quietest spot in my house and lose myself in her work. (RAW Rating: 4.5)

Reviewed by Renee Williams
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

To start off with, Christine Townsend's books are fabulous. When I first read Passions Promise, I felt like part of the family. And when she came out with Love On Hold, I just fell in love with Cara and Jet all over again. I mean I loved these books so much that I re-read both of them and I don't usually
read books twice. I can't wait to read Plenty More Love.

I can't believe she's serious about ending the series. Please tell me she's just messing with us. I don't know about everyone else, but for me personally, I don't want to see them leave. I mean Cara and Jet need to become parents (Hint).

Anyway, if you read these books you are in for a real reading experience. With Townsend's descriptions you feel like you're there.

Jazzie E

When I finished reading Love on Hold, my first thought was "THE GIRRRL CAN WRITE!!!" I was transported to another world. The storyline was excellent, very well written and complex. The conversations between the characters were so real I felt like I knew them--for real! Townsend's writing style just drew me in to experience the culture, the lifestyle, and feel the characters. . . Christine Townsend has something to say and she says it very well. I will search the bookstores for Christine Townsend books, as well as tell others what a great writer she is.

I read "Love on Hold" first and I am about to read Passion's Promise. I have never read a book that kept me on the edge of my seat like that. The character's are so believeable that I wanted to call Jet and Cara and tell them they have a beautiful marriage and to stop playing around.

You will not be disappointed if you buy this book. The love scenes were amazing.

I put "Sweet Desire" in the bathroom for my long visits and my other 3 room-mates have finished my book before me. (What the hell!)lol

I recently read "Love on Hold," featuring Jet and Cara Stevens. I loved it! I have read it 5 times and each time, I fall in love with it more and more. I especially loved
it because the characters seemed so real and I felt like I was actually there with them. The places and the people were very realistic.

I can't wait for the sequel to this one. The central
character will be Lisa, Jet's sister. I am really looking forward to reading it.

The writer has a great imagination for writing. If she keeps writing,I will keep reading her books. I am a true fan.

If you are married or in a committed relationship, can you imagine working with your mate? It's one thing to be together while you are at home, but to see each other each day in a working environment is something totally different. I know for me if my husband and I worked together, we would probably be divorced now. I would rather keep business separate from my personal life and vice versa. LOVE ON HOLD by Christine Townsend delves into the lives of a newlywed couple who also work together.

Jet and Cara Stevens are happily married and very much in love. They both feel as if nothing or no one can come between them. Both are very savvy business people who take their work very seriously. Jet is the owner of a major corporation, and after marrying Cara, she comes to work for him and heads a division of the company, which makes Jet her superior. There's trouble in paradise when they disagree on an issue that's very dear to Cara's heart. The two who were very much in love, become virtual strangers in their own home. The icing on the cake is when Jet takes sides with a beautiful new communications director over Cara regarding a controversial business deal. Cara is so upset she decides to take a job in another city. Jet feels as if Cara is walking away from their marriage, but Cara simply needs some time away. Will the time away from the marriage be beneficial or detrimental for Jet and Cara? Can a love that once was so strong weather the storm?

LOVE ON HOLD, the sequel to Passion's Promise, is an enlightening read that takes a look into mixing business with pleasure. What I enjoyed most about the book is that although it's a sequel, enough information was given and you could follow along without being lost if you, as in my case, hadn't read Passion's Promise. Also, Jet and Cara are very strong-willed and well-developed characters who you can visualize and connect with through the writing. After reading this book, it confirmed for me that I would never want to work with my husband. Mixing business with pleasure is still a no no in my book. If you are in the market for a good romance novel with just a touch of controversy, LOVE ON HOLD is definitely for you.

Reviewed by Eraina B. Tinnin
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

Judge Smith's riveting and suspenseful novel is so realistic that it brought back fond memories of my early days as a young prosecutor in L.A. County's criminal justice system. Congratulations to Judge Smith for winning the First Place $1000 prize from www.jadapress.com for Best Fiction Book. Judge Smith is to be commended for writing a superb novel that makes easy reading for lay persons.

Judge Smith calls upon his vast experience as a hands-on Municipal and Superior Court judge to create a vivid, realistic picutre of how the courts actually work at the municipal court level. Very informative and entertaining. I recommend it highly.

I read "The Magistrates" over the Thanksgiving holiday and thoroughly enjoyed each and every page of it. For me it was a real "page turner."

The more I read the more it seemed to become a novel about real flesh and blood human beings-three of whom happened to be judges.

It was also a nice trip down memory lane.

Judge Smith also captured the changing mores of the times vividly.

I truly enjoyed The Magistrates. The three main characters were well done. The ending was terrific. I like the villainous to get theirs in the end and the good to triumph. I never thought you could write sex scenes - but yet another surprise. It took me back to 1974 when I was a run deputy D.A. for L.A. County where I spent 4 weeks in Alhambra trying hpye cases and DUI's.

A very enjoyable read. Judge Smith gives us a glimpse of parallel worlds - public hallways/courtrooms and private corridors/judicial chambers. Lawyers and non-lawyers will have fun reading about Southern California in the late 60s. Highly recommended.

James Halon will tickle your adventure-bone with this novel! His characters have an incredible depth to them, and the premise of his story is unique and fast-paced. Halon's main character Jim Morgan has wit, intrigue and sex-appeal. Morgan is today's James Bond without all the gadgets and far-fetched scenarios. See what happens when a Field Engineer is thrown into a life of spys, danger, and romance! Even Halon's 'bad guy' has been done originally and is a refreshing departure from the norm. I recommend this book to anyone who loves adventure with a twist of romance!! For Halon fans, be sure to check out his collection of poetry entitled "Poetry" by James Halon, too! You will glad that you did! This author is extremely versatile and has a firm grip on how to entertain a reader!

James Halon takes the spy thriller to a whole new level with his novel The Malagasy Tortoise. Engineer Jim Morgan has a knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time and making the most of it. Fancy clothes, secret weapons, Bond girls, Morgan doesn't need them (well almost!)as he battles the forces of evil. Humor, witty dialogue, brilliant description, and imaginative situations keep this fast paced book clicking along.

James Halon has done an excellent job of mixing elements of intrigue, action packed adventure, and infatuation.Jim Morgan, like so many men, is carnially motivated by love - or lust (I'm not sure he knows the difference). His motto seems to be love the one your with. His overactive libido leads him into one disastrous scenario after another.
On his quest to find the rare Malagasy Tortoise in Madagascar, he finds himself torn between his recently reunited love, Eunice and the young, sultry, CIA agent, Sophie. Perhaps, the mysterious Tina Johnson would be a good distraction from this dilemma. What is a man capable accomplishing in the name of love? Jim Morgan, an engineer by trade, finds himself smack in the middle of a CIA covert operation. Car crashes, burning buildings, Russian prisons, is any woman worth the tortures he finds himself enduring?
This book is a great read for any audience. It's difficult to find characters portrayed so honestly. James Bond, he's not. Jim Morgan tries to be just as suave and sophisticated with the ladies. Instead, his charismatic wit and humor seem to be his strong point. In the end, like Bond, Morgan finds his share of love / lust.
This reader can't wait for the next, Jim Morgan Adventure!

If James Bond was an Engineer and wore sweatshirts instead of tuxedos his name would be Jim Morgan... Well, maybe not. Morgan is a refreshingly unique character unlike the typical male protagonist. James Halon has conjured many wonderful characters in this book that take the reader on a bizarre quest for a rare tortoise. A quest that reveals multiple lovers, deadly spies and plenty to laugh at along the way. I look forward to Jim's next adventure and future dreams.

Author Jim Halon has managed to create characters that enabled this reader to feel she knows them personally. A very well crafted story with laugh out loud writing. The humor the author displays throughout is refreshing and uplifting.

Halon has a wonderful ability to place the reader "there"...with exceptional description, one feels like they're partaking of the adventure right along with Morgan. The fresh prose delights throughout the story. "My steak disappeared so fast that David Copperfield, the infamous illusionist, would have been awestruck, and demanding that I eat another so he could pick up on my trick."

I was gravely mistaken when I initally thought this was a "man's" adventure story. Halon has combined adventure with a hefty amount of humor and romance. This reader was quite impressed with his choice of female characters...strong-willed, intelligent, competent, attractive and independent. Don't expect a damsel in distress in this novel. Halon's female characters makes this particular female reader exceptionally impressed with what he created. All of them, including Morgan himself, are realistic and believable. I sincerely give this novel a five star rating, only because six wasn't available. Order a copy, curl up in a comfortable spot and prepare to be highly entertained! This author has great promise and I look forward to the sequel.

Reading Malinche's Children was a very humbling experience for me; I grew up in one of the "jewels" next to Carmelas, and attended Ramona School through 8th grade. In fact, I think the home my dad bought in 1955 might have been the very home that served as the development office mentioned in one of the stories. I didn't live in Carmelas, but I played there with friends, visited some of their homes, attended their birthday parties, fell for their sisters, bought candy at the Mexican Store, and even pulled a little red wagon down those dusty streets selling newspapers on Sunday morning when I was five years old.

And still, I knew very little about their history, and their beliefs. Daniel Houston-Davila is a wonderful writer, and I thank him for each and every jewel he has written for this collection.

This is the sort of book whose characters you miss when you put it down. I found myself many months later thinking of people I'd met in this book and wondering about them. Houston-Davila has the gift of the well-turned phrase... the book doesn't feel so much "written" as it does "lived". The path of this book was obviously chosen by the characters themselves and not the author-- but it's the author makes them come alive on the page with such passion. An excellent read. I should be so lucky to find another book as engaging anytime soon.

Daniel Houston-Davila's "Malinche's Children" heralds the introduction of a wonderful new voice in Chicano literature. Spanning a hundred years of love, hate, work and struggle in the Southern Californa barrio of Carmelas, Houston-Davila paints in vivid colors the lives of people he certainly knows well. His language is muscular, poetic and vibrant. "Malinche's Children" marks the beginning of what I hope to be a long, productive writing life for Houston-Davila.

Yes, this book is a warmly written and detailed chronicle of Mexican Americans in southern California. But it is more: a richly imagined and compassionate exploration of human aspiration. Houston-Davila's characters want what all of us want: love, home, a sense of meaning. Seeking these things in a transplanted, impoverished environment, the odds would seem stacked against them.
But they succeed. Again and again, with humorous, bold and poignant leaps of faith. This book is a rare treat: enjoyable, yet good for you. It nourishes the soul, expands compassion and understanding of what it means to be human.
The author has a rare ability to paint characters who are in a profound sense innocent, yet never insipid. He helps us see, through them, what really matters.
While appreciating the author's unique insights into the culture and times of its characters, don't miss its deeper truths.
Expect a lot from this book. You won't be disappointed.

Yes, this book is a warmly written and detailed chronicle of Mexican Americans in southern California. But it is more: a richly imagined and compassionate exploration of human aspiration. Houston-Davila's characters want what all of us want: love, home, a sense of meaning. Seeking these things in a transplanted, impoverished environment, the odds would seem stacked against them.

But they succeed. Again and again, with humorous, bold and poignant leaps of faith. This book is a rare treat: enjoyable, yet good for you. It nourishes the soul, expands compassion and understanding of what it means to be human.

The author has a rare ability to paint characters who are in a profound sense innocent, yet never insipid. He helps us see, through them, what really matters.
While appreciating the author's unique insights into the culture and times of its characters, don't miss its deeper truths.

Expect a lot from this book. You won't be disappointed.

Reading this book is like cozying up with a warm blanket. The authors provide so much detail that you feel like YOUR grandmother is sitting in front of you, recounting the tales. The book spans the decades, from the early 1900s to the late 1970s and throws in a bit of history/current events to place the family's hostory in context. Great book!

At the center of Mama Flora's Family is the indomitable spirit of Mama Flora, the matriarch of an extraordinary family of destitute Tennessee sharecroppers. The characters are so real and believable it made this reader feel that I was right there with them experiencing all their trials and tribulations, as well as the joys. This book is much more than a poignant, hard-to-put-down story of a Mama Flora and her descendants from 1920 to the late 1990s. It, for the most part, effectively weaves into the plot much of what has transpired in American/African-American history during this time period (e.g., life for African-Americans in the South, the rise of the Civil Rights movement, the Black Panthers, the Nation of Islam, the Viet Nam war, political repression under Idi Amin, etc). Mama Flora's Family is a rich, resonant family novel that cuts across the barriers that divide us to touch the hearts of people of all races and backgrounds. I highly recommend this excellent, emotionally-packed posthumous novel written by David Stevens based on Alex Haley's notes and research.

This novel is one of the best I have read. Alex Haley and Stevens express a kind of compassion from a grandmother/mother that no one could do better. It's a very emotional book, and touches everyone that has ever experienced a good book. Once you start it, you can't put it down!

This book made you feel apart of it. I loved it! I loved the history, the story, the emotions and how it wove a story of a loving family working their way through life. This is a must read.

Pretend that there is a really good review here. I loved reading this novel. It is one that is vary hard to put down because you can't help wondering what is going to happen next.

I don't know what else I can possibly say...Everyone else's reviews seem to nail it in the head. The thing I agree with most is how the characters in each story are so vivid - it really sucks you right into the book as if you were really there. I'm so glad these were short stories because I tend to have trouble putting down a really good book(as is the case here)...so I'd be up all night long trying to finish it!! These are just the right length to read a story a night (or if you're like me, several a night!!). I'm definitely looking forward to his next book!!

If you want a good read that will pull you into the story itself as if you were right there, than you have got to read Midnight Tableau. I have never been so into another book, especially to the point where I felt that I was right there, where I felt as though I was the character. It was very hard for me to put this book down because you wanted to know how the story ended or how, in some cases, didn't end, just left for suspense. It was awesome and I would definately reccommend it any one who loves to read and I have already.

What a book! What writing style! No predictable endings and the stories are short enough to enjoy in one go! I predict that Michael McCrann will go a far way and can't wait for his first novel. Others who have read the book agree. Its different and refreshing. Carry on writing MC - you have a couple of new fans here in SA and we can't wait for the novel!

I LOVED IT! I would and have recommended this book to anyone and everyone that enjoy's reading. I found the stories scary and compelling at the same time. Begging me to turn the next page. I am going to read it again and again! I am even sending a copy of it to my brother who is in iraq serving our country. Its THAT GOOD!!! You gotta buy this!

This was an excellent book. The stories were fantastic. Mr. McCrann does a fine job of taking ordinary people and situations and turning them into something extraordinary. I look forward to reading him for years to come.

The author of this book Natasha Wing does a fantastic job describing what a traditional Thanksgiving time is like before and after!!! It's is reminiscent of what Thanksgiving is like at my in-laws house! Both me and my children thoroughly enjoyed reading this book with me numerous times before Thanksgiving!!!

This is patterned after the Night Before Christmas. I had previously given a copy to my 2 granddaughters and this one was for a grandson. It's a good book to read in preparation of Thanksgiving.

My 2 year old twins love this book.
The rhyming text captures their attention as well as the lively pictures. There are lots of items I can ask them to find and count on the pages. Additionally, there are places in the text that are perfect for asking them to predict what is going to happen. Also, at the end of the book the family says a prayer of thanks which is a great place for me to show my children that other people pray to God, too.

It's along the lines of A Night Before Christmas. It's family harmony at T-giving.

Our whole family enjoys this book, which makes us giggle and feel the warmth and love of sharing a holiday with family.

During the Depression, a young brother and sister must flee from a murderous preacher who has infiltrated their home in search of a small fortune in stolen money. This novel deserves to be better remembered than it has been, for I have read few books that are better at evoking the psychology of children in a realistic way. But Davis Grubb doesn't stop there: the sociopathic preacher with his flexible interpretation of scripture, the lonely single mother whose yearning to experience love and make a secure home for her children makes her vulnerable, the lonely drunk whose personal weaknesses undermine his good intentions, the self-sufficient matriarch with an unshakable sense of duty--these and many other characters are vividly rendered. Grubb also skillfully evokes the lonely rural settings where his drama plays out. Such careful attention to character and setting makes for a scary and heartbreaking novel because we can imagine these things happening to real people in a real place. Highly recommended.

The Night of the Hunter is an old story and movie, but is a page turner as of today. Very exciting and intriguing.

Night of the Hunter has always been one of my favorite films: eerie, atmospheric, gripping are just a few words that come to mind for this masterpiece, the only film made by silent film star Charles Laughton. It gets better with each viewing. I only got around lately to reading Davis Grubb's source material and it's just as amazing and mesmerizing as the movie. If you like a book that gives you genuine chills, yet still creates really sympathetic characters, give this one a try. Of course, if you're like me and loved the movie, you owe it to yourself to see why they wanted to make it into a movie.

With the publication of a new edition Amazon seems to have deleted the earlier reviews. They were unanimous in their praise for Night of the Hunter,

I bought the book in Italy to read on the trains. There wasn't much of a selection. I expected a routine crime thriller.

We have cheapened superlatives to the point where they really don't resonate. If I tell you it's the best book I have ever read, I may be setting your expectations so high that it can never meet them.

It did change my life.

Grubb provides one of the best "bad guys" in literature: the Reverend Harry Powell. A bad guy needs a hero. Powell is so bad that it takes two heroes to offset him.

The first is John Harper, the older brother. If you happen to have two children -- an older brother and a younger sister -- the story of their relationship has immense power.

The second is Rachel Cooper. She is my favorite character in my reading life.

She is immensely strong, with a forgiving nature. It was her ability to forgive that helped me to forgive someone -- to change my life.

Of course Robert Mitchum is well known for having played Reverend Powell in the movie -- for good reason. Lillian Gish played Rachel Cooper. She was wonderful.

The movie continues to grow in stature, while the novel seems to be forgotten. (There is a musical version of Night of the Hunter out there somewhere.) This is an unfortunate, as Grubb deserves to be recognized as a great writer.

I've been reading my way through all his works -- that I can find. Fools Parade is the most accessible -- terrific, and Shadow of My Brother is a very powerful story of racism that, unfortunately, is still highly relevant.

Grubb wrote with strong emotional content. The emotional power of Voices of Glory is so high that I haven't had the composure to read it yet. I'm trying to understand how he did that, to be able to write like that myself.

Hemingway, Steinbeck, Tolstoy et al, will always have a place in the pantheon of literature. In this reader's opinion, this novel warrants a little niche in that pantheon for Davis Grubb, whose lean, muscular and evocative prose propels this thrilling story, driving it toward the inevitable conclusion.

Charles Laughton's movie based on this book was an interesting effort and well done, but if one hasn't read the unsentimental, un-varnished novel, then somewhere a potential reader is missing the juice. Like Laughton's screen effort the novel is indeed pregnant, but not at all unwieldly; rather, the book, slender as it is, is bursting with some of the best writing put to paper in any genre and is as good as anything ever written by the more prolific Masters.

Grubb's unpretentious style looms up from the pages like the reek of the bottom waters at river's edge. Subtle by turns, the terrifying game of hide-and-seek between light and shadow jumps at the most unexpected moments, just like the novel's villain with his knife.

Filled with archetypes and certainly many levels of meaning for interpretation by the reader, this is one novel one won't forget soon. It stalks memory and, personally, I find myself still returning to the book from time to time to savor a magnificently rendered mood, and a time, place and story that is as fresh and exciting now as it was almost half a century ago.

Writing true and honest profiles of such diverse characters, let alone children, is no easy thing, and Grubb's work is peopled with wholly believable characters who truly cast shadows, live and breathe, even in the periphery. This is part of the novel's triumph.

I cannot recommend Night of the Hunter too highly. It's simply a "must read" for anyone who loves good literature, fine writing --and isn't predjudiced against genre. In this beautiful, sinister work, Davis Grubb breaks the mold.