An American living in London is seduced by a beautiful woman and slowly drawn into a web of madness and terror.
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Dec 19, 2011
Nancy
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I first came across Thomas Tessier's writing in the Hot Blood series, edited by Jeff Gelb and Michael Garrett. Eager for more of his creepy and erotic stories, I was thrilled to find a cheap used copy of Finishing Touches. This story is about a young American doctor, Tom Sutherland, who takes a few months off from his practice to travel, and meets up with an unusual cosmetic surgeon while drinking at a local pub. As Tom slowly gets drawn into the surgeon's dark and mysterious world, and becom
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Jan 17, 2011
Tim
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Will Errikson at Too Much Horror Fiction turned me onto this book recently. I'd heard a lot about the writings of Thomas Tessier, just never had the opportunity to read anything by him. He seems to consistantly make everyone's "top ten" list.
Originally published in 1986, Finishing Touches was recently republished with another of Tessier's writings, Father Panic's Opera Macabre. Touches is the story of Tom Sutherland, a recent medical school graduate who's slumming in London from a More...
Originally published in 1986, Finishing Touches was recently republished with another of Tessier's writings, Father Panic's Opera Macabre. Touches is the story of Tom Sutherland, a recent medical school graduate who's slumming in London from a More...
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Apr 09, 2010
Steve
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Thomas Tessier has been called a master of "quiet" horror. Maybe so. He certainly is a smooth writer, good with pacing, dialogue and description. But when it comes to horror, he certainly yields no ground to any other writer. Actually his brand of horror is far worse. It gets into the mind, because there is a philosophy behind it. No better example of this is his short novel "Finishing Touches."
"Finishing Touches" tells the story of doctor to be Tom Sut More...
"Finishing Touches" tells the story of doctor to be Tom Sut More...
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Jan 25, 2010
BarkLessWagMore
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This is one disturbingly creepy book! It's about Tom, a young-ish American guy, fresh out of medical school and somewhat unsatisfied with the "general practice" position he fell into by default when nothing else grabbed him. He decides to drop everything and take a trip to London. There he meets an older guy, a plastic surgeon, who begins to show him the seedier, hidden side of London nightlife.
One night the Tom is supposed to meet the old doc for a night out on the town More...
One night the Tom is supposed to meet the old doc for a night out on the town More...
Jun 28, 2011
William
rated it:
This book had me flipping pages as fast as I could read them. That is, until the last few chapters. The setup was so amazing, I knew the momentum couldn't last. The last quarter of the book felt rushed and not in character with the first 3/4. However, the characters, atmosphere, culture, and story was incredibly engrossing. It reminded me of some of Evan Hunter's (Ed McBain) books -- of a dangerous and mysteriously erotic nature. The added bonus of the novella, "Father Panic's Opera Macabre
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Oct 01, 2008
Kelly
rated it: 
I’m just going to come right out and say it: this tale depends solely on the understanding that women, and their special “treasures”, are the root of all evil. That’s right, girls. Apparently, when a man has the most amazing sexual experience with a beautiful woman he is instantly at her mercy and no longer in control of his morality, emotions, or life. Oh believe me, if that were true, half the men in the country would be, at this very moment, watching where they aim, flushing, and putting the
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Nov 28, 2011
John
rated it:
Fluid and easy to read, the horror here is firmly in the psychological camp, relying less on the easier paths of sex and violence (both present, of course) and more on the progressive dread of the protagonist as the tale unfolds. The excellent first-person narrative is vaguely reminiscent of the style, if not the heavy verbage, of Lovecraft in terms of mood.
The included novella, Father Panic's Opera Macabre, combines the dread of Tessier's narrative style with a much heavier dose of More...
The included novella, Father Panic's Opera Macabre, combines the dread of Tessier's narrative style with a much heavier dose of More...
Jun 28, 2009
Steven
rated it: 
The first half of the book was erotic and filled with possibility. Unfortunately, the rest of the book failed. An initially intriguing storyline degenerated into nothingness. It was as if the writer gave up, and wrote anything that came to mind just to finish it. Truly a disappointment.
Jul 16, 2010
Maicie
rated it:
Twisted! It would be easy to call this a snuff book but for the subtle psychological warfare that occurs between the pages. Tom Sutherland, a doctor, takes a trip to London before settling down to practice medicine. Introduced to the underground clubs of the city by a surgeon he meets at a pub, Tom is caught up in a lifestyle he only imagined could exist.
Cruel, creepy, and recommended.
There is also a novella at the end of the book. Skim it or skip it.
Cruel, creepy, and recommended.
There is also a novella at the end of the book. Skim it or skip it.
Mar 04, 2010
Brett
rated it:
This book contains two stories. One, Finishing Touches. An erotic horror classic. I'd give it 5 stars because it sticks with readers. On the other hand, the second story, Father Panic's Opera Macabre, starts out with so much potential--and, in my opinion, blows it in the end.
Aug 05, 2011
M.r.
rated it:
Tessier’s novel is a slow burn mystery with an intriguing central premise. The city of London comes alive through Tom’s fears and longings. It is a place of untold pleasures, and enticing enigmas. The tone and atmosphere that Tessier realizes through the city is an amazing accomplishment. The surreal atmosphere creates an environment where anything seems possible, and yet it is always surprising. Anyone searching for an unconventional emotional thriller could easily do far worse. I strong
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Apr 11, 2008
Steve
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This is a horror novel that gets under your skin and makes you squirm. It's a quick, nasty read with some alluringly exotic elements. It's the best book by Thomas Tessier that I have read.
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