I suppose it is tempting to call Mister B. Gone the long-awaited return of Clive Barker to horror, as many are doing (hell, even the inside jacket says so). But, after reading it, I'm not sure that's 100% accurate. Sure, it's about a demon, and has quite a few gruesome moments. But, overall, it's never really terrifying, and its whimisical nature actually has more in common with Barker's more recent fantasy work than with his Books of Blood days, in my opinion. That's not a criticism, though - just an observation. Mister B. Gone is a fun, undemanding read, with a nifty concept. The idea that Mister B. is actually trapped within the pages of the book, pleading with the reader to burn the book, adds a unique element to the tale...although the sequences where he does talk directly to you start to get a bit tiresome about halfway through the book. My only other complaint is the book's climax, which never feels quite as epic or interesting as I think Barker believes it is. Still, it is nice to see the man writing about some truly nasty stuff again, and the fact that you can finish it in about 2 days is also a plus. Hopefully this was just Barker gearing up for a REAL return to horror, but until then Mister B. Gone will suffice just fine.