Mark West's Blog, page 13

Glorious Beasts: A Q&A with Gary McMahon

Gary McMahon & I have known one another for a long time now and I'm a big fan of his writing.  When Peter Mark May told me he was publishing a new McMahon novella (originally scheduled to launch at Stokercon this coming weekend, before the world went into Lockdown) I was thrilled, especially since Pete tends to send me Hersham Horror books to read through before they're released.  So I read the

Five Years Of The Crusty Exterior

Another round-up post (following the Mixtape one a fortnight ago and last weeks Q&A one) as we continue in isolation and hopefully stay safe and healthy.  Out of everything, one thing I've really missed is interaction - yes, I've been online, I've spoken on the phone, I've video-messaged - but none of those compare with standing next to a good friend and having a chat.

To that end, on the fifth

Asking Writers Questions - a round-up

Following on from last weeks Mixtape round-up (which you can read here), as we move further into self-isolation I thought it'd be an idea to collect together some Q&A sessions I've had on the blog with writer friends.  In all cases, I review their latest book and then ask them questions around it (or, in some cases, on completely unrelated topics).  I had fun doing them, all the interviewees are

Mixtape round-up

When I curated the King For A Year Project during 2015, a lovely side-note to it was the occasional email from readers saying a review had prompted them to pick up a book they wouldn't have tried otherwise.  Following this, I decided to set up a similar project that, while smaller in scale, definitely wasn't in scope.  Harking back to the 80s glory days of the homemade mixtape (that wonderful

The Art Of Bob Larkin

Back in the 70s, as an avid reader of Starburst, I saw an ad for a film called Shockwaves and the image - drowned Nazi zombies - was incredibly striking.  I saw the film, many years later and whilst it didn’t (in true exploitation art terms) quite live up to the promise of the poster, it certainly had its moments.  As part of my research, I discovered that the man who drew it also created the

The Mystery Of The Fiery Eye, by Robert Arthur

2014 marked the fiftieth anniversary of The Three Investigators being published and, to celebrate, I re-read and compiled my all-time Top 10 (safe in the knowledge that it would be subject to change in years to come, of course).  I posted my list here, having previously read all 30 of the original series from 2008 to 2010 (a reading and reviewing odyssey that I blogged here).

Following this, I

Review Round-up, for World Book Day

Regular readers will know I take my reading seriously (check out my Westies posts - now up to number eleven! - rounding up what I've read in a particular year), I take book collecting seriously (my sleazy paperback library is something teenaged me would have been proud of) and I'm a real advocate for people losing themselves in a book.


So do yourself a favour - as it's World Book Day on

Into The River, by Mark Brandi (a review)

In a new edition of the occasional series, I want to tell you about a book I've read and loved, which I think adds to the genre (crime, in this case) and that I think you'll enjoy if you're a fan.



Winner of The Crime Writers' Association Debut Dagger and The 2018 Indie Debut Fiction Award



Growing up in a small country town, Ben and Fab spend their days playing cricket, wanting a pair of

Looking For Rachel Wallace, by Robert B. Parker, at 40

Forty years ago this month, Robert B Parker published the sixth Spenser novel, Looking For Rachel Wallace.


cover scan of my 1987 Penguin edition


Spenser is hired to look after the campaigning lesbian-feminist author Rachel Wallace.



Her new book is going to dish the dirt on people in high places, but its publication brings death threats.  The reluctant Rachel doesn’t like macho wise guys

Devil Inside, by INXS

Since it's 32 years old this week, I'm taking a look at INXS' Devil Inside, a single I think best encapsulates not only the excellent Kick album but also the time period.



Devil Inside, the second single (following Need You Tonight) from Kick (which I wrote about here), was released on 8th February 1988 in Australia and 13th February 1988 for the rest of the world.  Recorded at Rhinoceros