Horror Books

Love the book!!
Our granddaughter had this book memorized when she was 3 or 4. It's a very good book for kids and grannys too!!

When my brother and I were three and five either our mother or father would read this book to us everynight. We had hundreds of books but this one was our favorite. As the years have a tendency wear on books, our copy was in very sad shape when my daughter came along nearly 20 years later. I bought a new copy of "The Beast in the Bathtub" and gave it to my mother for christmas with a note saying it was from my daughter. The happy memories of hearing mom read the book to my little brother and I were brought back in a rush when my daughter climbed up onto her Granny's lap and heard the story for the first time. It was a real tear jerker.

I loved this book when I was a kid and now my son loves it. A silly and fun read :)

This story is about a boy named Lewis, he is terrified of the bathtub because he thinks there is a monster or Beast in the tub. His mother insists that he take a bath. All the way through the story one thing leads to another. I think the illustrator did a great job of making the pictures describe what was going on in the story. This is a great book for all children to read.

I bought this book in 1987 for my then 6 year old. It quickly became his favorite. The friendly green monster helped him to conquer his own fear of bed time monsters, and it became our joke that 'the beast' was under his bed guarding him! He is now a U.S. Marine and the book has become a favorite of his 2 and 4 year old little brothers who love it not only because 'Big brother Dave' loves it (still), but because they love to join in the pillow fight at bedtime and imagine stealing apples from the kitchen when the sheriff and deputy are watching t.v. They love to call out the final sentence with me as I read.... "OF COURSE there's no beast in the bathtub.... he's under my bed!!!"

Beasts was a very interesting and enjoyable take on this subject. The story flowed quite well and I thought the character development was well thought out and executed. I was able to connect on an emotional level with each of the major characters. I can't wait for the sequel.

BEASTS is the first adult novel I read completely through, and got me interested in reading. It was just in manuscript form when I read it many years ago, the author is my mother.

I have gotten positive reviews from the other soldiers in camp where a copy of this book has been donated.

Thanks Mom!

I thought this book was excellent!! It had a great pace and kept you wanting to read. The character(all of them) had good backround information, just enough about them to let you know where they where coming from and why they were who they were. If you like to be kept on edge, read this book! I can't wait for the next one!

"Beasts" takes an unusual look at werewolves, and pulls no punches with the grisly details. While not for the squeamish, anyone who enjoys a good scare will love this book. There isn't a dull moment, and the characters are carefully developed so that the reader cares about them. The dialog is excellent. More importantly, there are unexpected twists and turns that make it impossible to figure out the ending without cheating. In particular, the Native American lore is fascinating and makes sense, which contributes to the goosebumps and the reader's tendency to jump at shadows! This isn't a thick book, which is just as well, as it is impossible to put it down once it is started! The ending is totally unexpected, and leaves the reader hoping for a sequel. This is an excellent first novel by a very promising writer.

This is an original and satisfying ghastly yarn about serial killers who are human part of the time...they turn into werewolves. A star detective gets on the case and ends up...well, that would be telling! The offbeat characters of the identical twins -of the Havasupai Indian tribe- add to the mystery. The author knows her Indian ways, and comes up with some wild twists and turns under Sister Moon. Eeeek!!
Author Arthur Myers

The witch in this book takes you through a world that existed in history but seems strange and unfamiliar because you are seeing it through her eyes. I felt like I had rediscovered a period in time that I thought I knew quite a bit about. The love story in this is bizarre but touching. I really wanted the couple to have a happily ever after ending(and I am usually not like that). I got so involved with the story line that I got mad when the book was finished. The heroine is kind of a modern day feminist by accident. She can't help the fact that when the men who choose to behave in a animalistic sexual way toward her get what is coming to them. I liked the immediate karma of that. It had the feminist in me smiling. All I can really say is: READ IT!

Because I was 14 when I read my uncle's book, I had obviously not a great appreciation for good literature. However, when I started, you'd have to incinerate me to stop me. I read it in about a month(!) It was totally worth it! Graphic, and stupendously original and unique. I look to it for help on my future novel, and always will until it's complete. I'm fortunate to say that this was not H. C Turk's only book, and though I have not read anything else published, his non-published manuscripts are extraordinary. Everything he's written is extraordinary...settle down. A trajedy is that I haven't seen him for 5 years now. The only way to know what terrific literature your missing is to read BLACK BODY; again, and again and again. Sometimes when I see or hear things, very rarely, I can relate those to Alba; that just shows you how real H. C. Turk made her. Her attitude and fluent speech make her a radical babe, er...young woman. Books are the best way to absorb the excuisite deatil of the novel, but I think that allowing them (whoever 'them' is) to make it into a movie would be a fair idea to consider. I'm sure the other readers would understand... While you read it (one does and will) you can imagine what the things that happen to her, effect her paradigm of the 'sinners' and their lifestyle, 'tis romantic!

My review is consummated...

iiiiiiiiiiii and again!

I enjoyed this book for its sensual treatment of the subject of wiches, its beautiful phraseology, and the unusualness of the author's perspective.

The writing style is teriffic . . . sentences that are detailed enough to bring the reader deep into the thinking of the author make this book special.

I lost a valued copy of this book and regret that it is no longer in print.

I bought my first copy of this at an airport to help pass the time on a cross-country flight. That was over ten years ago, and in the intervening time I have read and re-read the novel about 12 times. I am an avid reader, yet it is difficult to find anything that is truly satisfying--hence my many returns to this beautiful piece of literature. The only modern works that I have enjoyed nearly as much are Foucault's Pendulum and The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco. It is unfortunate that the work of H.C. Turk has not received the attention that is deserved. I am amazed at the people who hold up Hemingway and his ilk as the last writers of "Literature," when their tales cannot hold a candle to the writing of Mr. Turk. Luckily for me, I managed to locate a hardcover edition (I was told it was the last copy from the publisher). It is one of my most carefully guarded possessions! Please note: while the novel is out of print in standard format, it is available as an e-book from Mr. Turk's website (the e-book has the added benefit of Mr. Turk's original artwork accompanying the text).

A million years ago when I worked in a mall bookstore, I got to bring home tons of stripped paperbacks. This one sat in a bag for ages because I didn't see how it could be interesting. Boy was I wrong. Black Body is a treasure. When I finally cracked it open and read this gorgeously great-humored and lovingly imagined story of witches, I couldn't put it down. My generic superlatives can't convey the sense of excitement and delight that I felt as I became immersed in the story of Alba the witch. Part of the fun of the novel is its historical and quasi-scientific plausibility. H. C. Turk's singular vision shouldn't be out of print. If you should run across a copy (and according to these reviews they seem to show up in the strangest places), pick it up, read it and cherish it.

I have to confess that when it comes to science fiction or fantasy books I am somewhat of a snob about what I will read. When a friend turned me on to these books, I absolutely fell in love with them and hated to put them down to do anything!

They have everything you could want, witches, werewolves, vampires, dragons, all very intricately woven around Poppy Z's family. I know he is rather conceited, but Romo the Immortal was very funny to me as well as the cat! I have done some research and have found out that there are going to be some more books in this series. I can't wait! If you want an excellent read, buy these books. I assure you that you will hear a lot more from these authors. Some day soon the whole country anyone who loves this type of book will know the names Gaither and Canada! --Lynn S. South Carolina

When I first started reading Black Moon, I was blow away. Finally a book that took everything supernatural that this world has to offer and mixed them into one fine read. Meet Poppy Z. A two thousand year old witch making a small community in Arkansas her home. Her life is turned upside down when an Immortal who is slowly losing his power comes to her doorway asking for help. Dark humor, suspense, and horror all weave together to make this book. Very wonderfully written. If you havne't read this yet then shame on you. Shame indeed.

From the first chapter these wonderful new authors suck you into a perfectly balanced world of horror and fantasy. Poppy Z. and her crazy crew take you along on a thrill filled dimension jumping mystery ride that you won't want to end. Vampires, Werewolves, Immortals, Dragons, Witches and a sharp tongued talking cat,... this book has it all and more. S.J. Gaithers and Micheal Canada cleverly combine just the right amount of suspense, action, scares, humor and passion to make this book a truly enjoyable book. They masterfully bring together these many different realms and beings without losing or confusing the reader. I found myself actually laughing out loud at times...holding my breath at others. The characters so real you get completely caught up in their lives and experiences.

I loved this book and can NOT wait to get my hands on the second part of this series... Blood Moon!!

Ok, take a witch who is on the far side of her second century, an immortal who is having a few problems with power loss, a horde of vampires out for blood (pun intended), and a local deputy who needs a serious attitude adjustment. Now throw in a healthy dose of sibling rivalry, dark powers churning for revenge, side-splitting humor, and a loveable but scathingly funny talking cat, and you have yourself a great story.

Canada and Gaither credit Laurell K. Hamilton as one of their influences, and it is easy to see that influence in Black Moon. But don't walk away thinking that this is a copy-cat of Hamilton's creations. Black Moon stands firmly on its own as a fun, engaging, creepy, and action-packed story. The characters are well developed, and I found myself literally laughing out loud over their dialogue and inner thoughts. Midnight the talking cat is a hoot, and the fact that he is a cat who also talks actually works quite well in this story.

I am so impressed with this debut novel that I have recommended Black Moon to numerous people. I have also read this book twice, which is the ultimate compliment coming from someone with hundreds of unread books sitting around the house. The world of Poppy and her friends--and some not quite friends--is amazing and well developed considering the fact that this is only the first in what I hope will be a long series of books. I look forward to the next in the series, Blood Moon, which is now on the shelves (and on my nightstand!). I hope to see much more of Poppy, Romo, Rush, Danny, Raven, Midnight, and Jean-Tou. I wonder what has happened to the young girl who fled into the woods after "meeting" Romo? I also wonder if my favorite character Nicolas might somehow make a future appearance?

This is a first-time novel by new authors that you should not pass up. Black Moon is dark fantasy at its best and has the right mixture of snappy humor as well as chills and thrills.

Immortals and dragons and vampires, Oh my! I whipped through this fast paced new novel by the immensely talented S.J. Gaither and Michael Canada in two days. I literally could not put it down. Thefirst tale of adventures of Poppy Z, a two thousand year old witch who's a magnet for danger. When Romo The Immortal appears unexpectedly at Antique Bookz, her metaphysical store, Poppy knows she's in for a ride. Romo and his reluctant sidekick Caffee are in trouble, having incurred the wrath of an ancient being with powers that rival their own. Halloween Jack and his minions make life a living hell for Poppy, the immortals and her beloved talking white cat Midnight, as time runs short for Romo. This is the introductory novel in the Witching Moon series. Filled with intriguing characters, sidesplitting banter, and plot twists that will keep you spellbound. Don't start this book at night if you plan on getting any sleep.

I read a review of this book, and thought it would be quite interesting to read a book that combines so many atypical characteristics and themes for gay literature. At seven years old, Juan Ramon Fuertes watches his mother be raped and killed, sees his father shot dead, and is cast aside by the murderer, a man he can name and remember, but who has enough power to pass by the police. This boy grows, and plots revenge from the cold horrible orphanages he endures through adolescence.

He sees that the man who killed his parents has a son, Bernardo. Bernardo is entering a monastary to become a monk, and the plan for revenge begins. Juan Ramon will find a way to use the son to get to the father, and is willing to first pass through all the steps of becoming an ordained monk himself to do it.

The story alternates between Juan Ramon and Bernardo, the son of the murderer, and is absolutely packed with sexual tension, erotic prose, and dark emotion. Juan Ramon can sense the attraction Bernardo has for him, and slowly realizes his own feelings for Bernardo are growing to be more than usery, but with so much blood on everyone's hands, is the innocent Bernardo doomed? Written with some deep theological internal debate in Bernardo's voice, and even darker violent anger in Juan Ramon's, the libidinous charge that saturates this novel is just nail-biting. Ultimately, where the end of the novel goes is a sharp shock, and the characters are definitely true to themselves, though not in a way you might think. Good for fans of thrillers of any sort, but definitely a solid choice for fans of the gay genre written at its most sensual.

'Nathan

I was looking for some new authors and after reading the customer reviews decided to try this one. Excellent, starting Vampire Now, as a result of reading Blood Brothers, and even thinking about going to Spain....lol...
The writing is amazing, the depth of characters and the visual images he creates in such a short work captured me.
Hope you enjoy it as much as I did...
Thanks..
Wolf

I found this book during one of my walks through listmania, and decided to buy it when I read the reviews. It was a great decision, because I have read a very well crafted book. The only criticism I have is that it is too short :)

The premise of the book has been explained in other comments, so I will not get into that, but I do want to say, that if you are longing for a good, very well crafted, book, then look no further. I really hope there is going to come a sequel to this one, because I want to read more on these characters.

I have been trying to get this book forever, and finally I got it and read it in one day. It's only about 200 something pages, which is very short in comparison to other books I read.

Though short, this novel is very interesting and present us with, if not the secrets, the hidden thoughts of monks. How they think and struggle and what they have to sacrifice for faith. In the book we see the extremes of the two monk heroes: Bernardo, who is extremely pious and tries despretly to abstain from even touching himself at night, and when he does he prays and confesses like no other; and Juan Ramon, for whom any piece of ass would do just fine.

The two get tangled up together in lies and deceipt. Bernardo loves Juan Ramon, but uses him to get the monk's father back for kiling his family. Juan Ramon is delibretely rough during sex and hurts Bernardo in his frenzy, but Bernardo takes it without complaint. Poor Bernardo is still a saint, in the sense that he submmits like a quiet puppy all in the name for love.

When everything seems to fit his plan perfectly, Juan Ramon falls in love with Bernardo and has second thoughts about everything. Now things are not so clear anymore, but the ending got me wanting to read more. It was too short, I thought.
I really hope that Michael will write a sequal as he did for "Vampire Vow".

A word of caution: this is not a book for everyone. The homosexual sex is very explicit and the author's ideas about religion are very peculiar and might sound extremely disturbing for believers.

The first problem of this book is its cover pic which, though pleasant in itself, is hardly related to the content.
As I mentioned above there is a lot of explicit sex but this is hardly a porn. As is the case in his vampire trilogy Mr Schiefelbein's main interest is (catholic) religion. He focuses on monastic life to underline his spite for the traditional catholic vision of religious life. He makes his dislike very clear but gives us very few hints about what his personal opinions might be to let us think for ourselves instead.

The plot in itself is not particularly original for those readers who have already read "Vampire Vow": Juan Ramon is clearly Victor's younger brother; his rage, his iconoclastic fury are much the same. The sweet Bernardo is the twin of the two innocent monks of the other trilogy.

What makes this short novel worth reading is the astonishing quality of the writing: much the same you find in "Vampire Vow" with the addition of the stylistically most interesting shifting between the two narrators you find in the later "Vampire Thrall". Not a word wasted, every turn of phrase deceivingly simple.

Mignon DuPlessis is `a woman scorned' personified! Although a man didn't scorn her in the traditional way-she was transformed into a vampire after her slave owner, Charles Rabelais, sold her children to a brothel. And hundreds of years later Mignon is still pissed!

Charles is obsessed with Mignon and is determined to win her back. To get Mignon's attention and to satisfy his lust for power Charles has broken the Praetorium's rule and has sold vampire secrets to the United States government under the pretense of helping them create a vampire army to fight terrorists.

The Venators are responsible for keeping the peace between vampires and humans and as one of them, Mignon now has another reason to hunt Charles down and kill him. It has been discovered that Charles is transforming criminals into vampires in the hopes of building his own army. This sends Mignon to the morgue, where the dead bodies of the criminals have been shipped. Her job is to kill the criminals again before they are reborn as vampires.

Ryan Lattimore is a New Orleans detective assigned to the case of discovering who is beheading the already dead people in the morgue. When he interrupts Mignon in her attempt to wipe out Charles' vampire army, he's introduced to a world he never thought existed.

J.M. Jefferies weaves a wonderful tale of the dark life of vampires, entwining it with human morals and tribulations. I thoroughly enjoyed the flashbacks into Mignon's life from the time she rescued her children up until the time that she met Martin Luther King, Jr. This tale was told in such a way that it had me looking twice at people on the street wondering if they too were vampires! Even if you are not into vampires or romance, for that matter, this is a great read as it keeps your mind so busy that you can hardly tell where one plot ends and another picks up. I would definitely recommend this book for your keeper shelf.
Reviewed By: AC Arthur, Black Butterfly Review

This is a really great story with much potential for a even greater series. I look forward to reading what she does with the other male vampires in this book. It one of those books that was hard for me to put down!!!

Mignon was a slave who was turned into a vampire. Her master, Charles Rabelais, changed her a couple of centuries ago, and she's never forgiven him nor forgotten it. In BLOOD LUST by J. M Jeffries, we find her in the present time, still as angry with Charles as she was when he owned her. She's angry that he sold her children and that he has turned her into the undead. Charles has not changed over the centuries; indeed, if anything, he's worse. Mignon and her fellow vampires attempt to find Charles because they know he's doing evil.

New Orleans police detective Ryan Lattimore is searching for a serial killer in New Orleans' warehouse district when his path crosses Mignon's. Sparks fly as he admires the beautiful young woman, and she returns the lustful feelings. It is a star-crossed situation if there ever was one.

J. M. Jeffries has created an exciting novel that combines the natural with the supernatural. It is full of suspense, unexpected twists and turns, and even as you acknowledge that it is pure fantasy, you find yourself becoming a true believer in vampirism. This book makes you sit on the edge of your seat as you flip the pages, wondering what on earth can possibly happen next. Even those who are not big romance fans will find this a delightful, suspenseful read.

Reviewed by alice Holman
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

Vampire Mignon Du Plessis is on a mission. She is hunting rogue vampire Charles who has been on a killing spree in New Orleans. Mignon has a personal stake in this hunt as well. Charles is the vampire who turned her, 250 years ago when she was his slave, and who stole her children away and sold them to a brothel.

Ryan Lattimore is the police detective investigating a rash of murders that leave the bodies drained of blood and the heads cut off. When staking out the local morgue, Ryan never expected the latest set of bodies to rise up from death, or to be a witness to a woman beheading them!

Soon Ryan learns that what has only ever lived in nightmares is in fact real, and he teams up with the mysterious, and sexy as all get out, Mignon, to get to the bottom of the murdering spree. Neither expected that a love strong enough to defy even death would bond them.

Then there is the fact the government seems a lot more interested in this case than they should be....

Mignon is good at what she does, working as a venator (assassin) for the Vampire Praetorium, the tribunal that makes and upholds the laws to protect vampires from being discovered by human society. She is also a nurturer, holding on to her old ties to humanity through generations of her descendants. This makes for quite a fascinating contrast in her personality. When she meets Ryan, all her beliefs go out the window as she struggles with her attraction to him, knowing they can never be together and wars with the belief of the Praetorium that the number of humans who know about the vampires should be kept at a minimum and accidental discovery means death for the humans.

Charles is a truly evil vampire, warped by centuries of undead life and getting worse by the day. When his plan is discovered and we finally learn why he is slaughtering so many humans, the horror of it is tremendously shocking. His schemes cause a strong sense of urgency as we know time is counting down to destroy him before he can destroy the human race.

Blood Lust would not be complete without the exceptional cast of supporting characters. I too came to adore Elder Turi, as Mignon did, for his quintessential charm and the wisdom gleaned from his thousands of years as a vampire. Max and Solomon make the perfect companions for Mignon, and these three together are absolutely unstoppable. Women reading this book will be falling in love with these two and eager to learn their stories.

I've been reading writing duo JM Jeffries' work for several years and know that I am guaranteed a good story no matter what they write. Blood Lust is exactly what I've come to expect of them. Engaging characters, fast paced stories, vivid details, and a passionate love story - what more could you ask for? How about a sequel? Lucky for us Blood Seduction is already available as well!

© Kelley A. Hartsell, January 2008. All rights reserved.

In 1745 Martinique, Master Charles Rabelais informs his slave Mignon Du Plessis that he sold their two preadolescent children. Distraught, but unable to do anything about his atrocity, Mignon is forced to endure the sexual needs of her owner who reveals fangs and bites her neck.

In present day New Orleans, police Detective Ryan Lattimore his superior and another cop stake out the city morgue in an attempt to capture the "Vampire Slayer". Suddenly a beautiful woman enters with an axe. He tries to intercede, but stops when he sees corpses begin to rise. She decapitates them before trying a chanting spell on the cop that shockingly fails. She drives away from the area while Ryan remains stunned.

Mignon is upset that he had not caught Charles because of the cop's involvement, which interfered with her assignment from the Vampire ruling Praetorium council to kill him. As she continues her work, Ryan catches up with Mignon who takes him into an underworld he never imagined existed even as the mortal and the vampire are attracted to one another, an impossible scenario.

This action-packed vampire romantic police procedural thriller rotates between the present and the 1740s with most of the emphasis on today though the past provides deep insight into the motivation of the heroine and the lunacy of Charles. The story line moves at a lightning fast-pace, but the key cast members are fully developed including the ruling pro-life council; readers especially can feel the desire between the mortal cop and the bloodsucker, seemingly forbidden fruits. Readers will believe that vampires exist in this fine tale that makes the supernatural species seem genuine as they live amongst us life short-timers.

Harriet Klausner

This book is so different to the normal (yawn) vampire stories, you know, garlic and crucifix.... these vampires - or Dark Kind - to give their real name - are so believable! They kill to survive, but then so does a tiger or a cat or a wolf .... and they have a code of honour and ... oh Azrar is wonderful and Jazriel... what can I say??? Swoon.....!

I can't believe this story was made up. I totally believe vamps really did help us humans in the war!

Is there going to be another novel about the Dark Kind? The author says yes. Oh good!!!!!!!

I loved this book. It is a different kind of Vampire story.
The time and places and descriptions are wonderful.
You feel you are experiencing them as you read.
The character and courage of each individual keeps you
captivated till the end.
I can't wait for the next book.

So often reviews do not live up to their rating. Blood Tears is truly excellent! Events take place in Europe during WWII and just prior. The action flows from Eastern European mountain ranges to England, to the heart of the Nazi war machine. Superstition, prejudice, obsession, love, honor, loyalty, the tragedy and horrors of the war itself. Psychics, dark kind (vampires), empaths, do these beings really exist? Are there humans with paranormal abilities? In Raven Dane's alternate reality there are. Read and enjoy!

I just finished reading this book yesterday and I'm devastated I didn't get the sequel at the same time as the first book. I'm soo pleased I stumbled upon this book. Its soo gripping and vivid I just couldn't put it down. Highly recommend it !!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's a rich and unforgettable tale of dazzling scenes and vivid personalities. I have read many Vampire stories, never thought I'd be this surprised...

I thought this was a good book for these reasons. This book is about a girl named Melanie who is new to a town. She needs a job and gets one reading to a named Lisa who is handicapped. Melanie soon finds out the horrible thing that happenens and tries to find out what Lisa is trying to say.

This book interesting from the first page on. from the moment Melanie started her new reading job, till the moment when the mystery was almost revealed. I couldn't put it down. A very suspensefull mystery.

This was a great mystery book from Carol Ellis. I almost never read, and I couldn't put it down. I kept reading because I needed to know who did it!

Seventeen-year-old Melanie Jacobs is new to Clifton, Massachusetts, and looking for part-time summer work besides just baby-sitting. When she answers a newspaper ad to read to an invalid for an hour a day, Melanie expects the person to be an elderly person; instead, it's a young girl her age. Lisa Randolph was paralyzed in a fall shortly before Melanie arrived in town. It's a sad outcome for such a young, popular person, but Melanie soon learns there's more to it than just a tragic accident. While reading "Jane Eyre" to Lisa, Melanie notices Lisa motions with her hand at certain parts in the book. This, Melanie realizes, is Lisa's way of communicating with her without anyone else finding out. But what secret does Lisa want to tell Melanie and no else? And why has Melanie been threatened lately not to pursue the incident? What exactly happened to Lisa when she fell? Was it just an accident--or did Lisa find out too much herself?

"The Body" is another great teen suspense thriller by Carol Ellis. Fast-paced and easy to read, it'll definitely appeal to teens who enjoy Scholastic's Thriller books.

I am actually sixteen now, but I read this book when i was 13 or so. This is the best book i have ever read. i don't do much reading, because i don't really like to read. But this kind of book makes me want to read. it's not very scary at all, but it sure is interesting!

The first thing that strikes you about this collection is the breathtaking cover by Thomas Floyd. This is simply a masterpiece of mood and color. But the cover is only the beginning of an incredible journey.

The stories comprising BROTHER GRIM are as varied as the golden age of pulp fiction itself:

"The Brothers Grim" is a captivating origin tale for one of the most unusual heroes to come out of modern day pulp. This sin to salvation story keeps you turning the pages and sets up the stories which follow.

"The Shield And The Claw" is a great werewolf tale with an ironic ending worth the price of admission. And this harrowing tales gives a gore-soaked nod to the glory days of the bloody pulps.

"The Scales Of Terror" ventures into Lovecraft's corner of Hell with terrific effect. Grim going toe to toe with a demon worshiping cult? This is the stuff of pulp Heaven.

"See Spot Kill" is another horror tale dealing with Voodoo and the undead. Not to be missed!

"The Root Of Evil" also strays into horror's back alleys with a morality tale about the misuse of ultimate power mixed with oriental mysticism. A winner.

"Gorilla Dreams" is pure pulp excitement. A gangster's mind transplanted into the body of a gorilla. Who could ask for more? But this tale is not a gimmick yarn. There is a deft touch of tragedy mixed with the humor.

As you can see, quite a pulp buffet. So no matter where your pulp tastes take you, BROTHER GRIM has what you're looking for.

With the second coming of pulp we rabid fans are enjoying, Ron Fortier leads the way with as good a pulp anthology as one is likely to find. BROTHER GRIM does not disappoint.

When I sat down to read Fortier's Brother Grimm I wasn't sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised by the robust pacing and exciting prose found in this collection of short tales of the enigmatic Brother Grimm. I highly recommend this book.

Fans of classic pulp characters like The Shadow and The Spider will find a lot to like in "Brother Grim." Fortier makes good use a lot of pulp archtypes including a dark avenger of evil; a gentleman adventurer and talking gorilla (yes, really, a talking gorilla). These stories play out against a common background, the shadowy city of Port Nocturne, which allows the characters to interact in different ways. (BTW, other Port Nocturne stories, by Fortier and others, can be found on the website www.supernaturalcrime. com.) I particularly liked "Gorilla Dreams" and "The Scales of Terror."

Ron Fortier ("The Green Hornet" comic series) delivers again with no frills pulp action. Undead vigilante Brother Grim (formerly a vicious pair of mobsmen - just read Fortier's origin tale, it all makes sense) metes out justice to all those who deserve it, as penance for past crimes. These stories are contemporary, but evoke the feeling of the `30s and `40s pulp mags quite well, combining elements of hardboiled detective fiction, the maniacal vigilante The Spider, mad scientists from serials of the day, and hints of the occult from the pages of Weird Tales. Highly recommended.

Imagine a sweet mix of Eerie's Uncle Creepy, 50's pulp fiction, and film noir classics. Oh, and let's throw in an origins tale worthy of some bizarro Lone Ranger. This will begin to give you an idea of the warped joys that await you in Ron Fortier's BROTHER GRIM. This book has come into my life on the companionate heels of the Hard Case Crime series of pulp reprints and originals in a pulpish vein. If you like non-stop action, clearly delineated heroes and villains, and the occasional escapist slay-ride, you will be well served by these half dozen tales of one grim, whacked-out brother indeed!

Over the course of this series I've grown quite fond of Tempe Crabtree as she deals with conflicts arising from her Yanduchi heritage and her marriage to Hutch, pastor of Bear Creek Chapel.

Tempe is resident deputy of Bear Creek, a small community in California's southern Sierra foothills. In this series entry she has two unexplained deaths to deal with.

Arthur, a member of Bear Creek Chapel, dies after a trip to the ER. His widow, Felicity, seems more relieved than bereaved. Was it natural causes? Was it murder? Hutch is suspicious.

Then a woman's body is found in Bear Creek at the site of an old bridge. Her name is Doreen and she's been having trouble with her boyfriend, Jimmy. He says she jumped. Tempe believes him.

Tempe's investigation of Arthur's death takes her to Southern California, where the couple lived before coming to Bear Creek. As is often the case, their former neighbors love to chat.

Meanwhile, Jimmy is suspected of Doreen's death. To prove his innocence, Tempe wants to talk to the only other person who knows the truth: Doreen. She consults Nick Two John, who instructs her on how to call back the dead.

Meredith is a polished writer. She wraps up this story in 154 pages without sacrificing plot, characterization or sense of place. She introduces a new character, Deputy Oxley, a kind of Barney Fife on steroids, and includes Indian legends on how mountains are made, why people die and what happens when you die.

I loved the element of American Indian mysticism, and I loved this book.

Pat Browning, author of Full Circle

Christianity meets American Indian religion over a cozy homicide, or was it a suicide? Either way, the protagonist (Deputy Tempe Crabtree) sets out to find the answers and almost gets murdered in the process.

If you are anything like me, then you are in the dark when it comes to Indian beliefs and traditions. My perception on this topic consist of how the Indians acted in Dances With Wolves or in a John Wayne movie. Calling the Dead is a modern-day sleuth novel that sets the record straight, while examining a homicide. There's also a woman who's suspected of killing her previous husbands too--kind of like a black widow theme.

It's an easy read that you can tackle in a weekend. Great story and well written.

Calling the Dead is an intriguing mystery which delivers suspense Native Americans who practice in calling back the dead. The story unfolds in Bear Creek California, where Deputy Tempe Crabtree is investigating two deaths. One of the deaths appear to be from natural causes and the other looks to be murder. She investigates these murders by using her insticts and her intuitions as well as investigative tools to solve these crimes. Upon further investigation things become complicated and now the question is was this a murder or an accident or suicide? Other questions arise concerning the two young people who actually reported finding the body, why did they give false names and addresses? And why did they flee so quickly? Then did the other death occur to natural causes or something else? As she continues her investigation into these deaths she is forced to gain answers by use of drastic measures, which puts her own life in danger as she comes closer to solving these deaths.

Marilyn Meredith has her own unique writing style which brings her readers in and allows them to put the pieces together like a puzzle, and to help solve the mystery as they are engaged in the reading of her work. This is a great story with good characterizations, and well developed plot. I highly recommend this book which can be read in a day or two.

"Calling The Dead is an intriguing mystery. Delivering suspense and folklore about Native Americans and their technique of calling back the dead."

"Deputy Tempe Crabtree is in the middle of investigating two deaths in Bear Creek a small community in the southern Sierra."

"One case appears to be a death by natural causes and the other looks like murder. Tempe continues to search for evidence in both cases based on her instincts that everything isn't as it seems."

"Tempe receives reluctance from the police sergeant and other investigators looking into the cases. She is forced to take drastic measures to gain answers, which puts her life in danger as she comes close to solving the cases."

"This is a great story that mystery lovers will thoroughly enjoy."

Well, Marilyn Meredith has done it again - created a page-turner. Her characters are compelling, the plotting is excellent and without holes. Her writing is tight and ingeresting. Thanks for another delightful read!