Mark Kirkbride's Blog, page 13
July 12, 2013
Dummies
Always wanted to use this as a blog title, I don’t know why. Anyway, it’s also the title of a short story of mine that can be found in eHorror magazine July 2013 Vol 1 No.11.
June 25, 2013
Political allegory with teeth: Daniel Ribot’s Vampsov 1938
Fascistic vampires are plotting against the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and represent everything that needs to be eliminated by Stalin’s regime. An initially sceptical Major Ludmilla Vatinashkaya, drafted in to lead the hunt for their nests, is just one of a whole cast of compelling characters vying for one’s attention that also takes in Vassily, a cold-blood who helps fight to rid the world of his own kind. The battles between humans and vampires make for some extremely memorable set pieces, culminating in an attack on Count Drakul’s stronghold. Political allegory and blood and guts – Vampsov 1938 has it all.
June 9, 2013
June 4, 2013
Treats: A review of Candy House by Kate Jonez
The writing bursts with vibrancy, hauling us into the world of Candy House just as Roland Childe is hauled into the world of his mysterious neighbour Hesperia. But she’s not the only woman seeking possession of him. There’s also the beautiful but disturbed Julia. That’s if either of them can prise him from the clutches of his mother. But then Roland has some secrets of his own. Familiarity with Hansel and Gretel won’t prepare you for the treats and shocks in store in this spellbinding tale.
April 28, 2013
Only one thing scarier than the dead… the living!
These Unquiet Bones shines a light on a depraved world of brutality and lust. Such is the danger that Amy is in that even her protectors have dark secrets, unforgivable urges and repressed personalities. The ghosts that haunt her home seem almost kindly in comparison. But the past can never be buried completely. Shorter and shorter chapters increase the pace towards a gripping finale. While an epilogue nicely ties up all the loose ends, some will forever be wrestling with their demons. A blistering read, and all the better for that.
March 24, 2013
Putting the “fun” into “funeral parlour”: Revival House by SS Michaels reviewed
Revival House is a dark book filled with Grim Reaper humour. The opening is riveting, to say the least, and dovetails nicely with the ending. The Gothic characters are remarkably colourful. Their disturbing exploits are threatened with exposure by the arrival of a film crew. And the explanation for the main character’s (barely) suppressed rage is unexpectedly moving. In some ways the book reminded me of Fight Club. ‘Frightainment’ at its best.
March 4, 2013
Killer plot: a review of Graeme Cooper’s ‘Thicker Than Water’
What a debut! Every nuance of terror is wrung from the plight poor Steve Jacobs, the main character, finds himself in, as a deranged murderer forces him to play a very dangerous game indeed. To save what’s precious to him and the lives of those around him, Steve has to try and turn the tables on the killer, even as he’s forced to get so close to the murders that he’s virtually implicating himself. There’s more twists and turns than in half a mile of rope, so that one is continually horrified at what’s potentially going to happen next, yet at the same time begging for more in this extremely faced-paced and chilling thriller. And the revelation at the end pulls off that tricky feat of being a total surprise, yet entirely logical.
March 3, 2013
A review of Melanie Dent’s Complete Lynchcliffe Chronicles Trilogy
Melanie Dent has created not just a trilogy but a whole series of works under the umbrella of the Lynchcliffe Chronicles. The genre is historical romance and this trilogy is the ideal gateway into the world the author has created. The time period is well evoked and takes in such momentous events as the sinking of the Titanic. The characters are interesting both individually and in their sometimes steamy interactions, and the twists and turns of the story will keep you reading to find out what’s going to happen next. Here’s hoping that Melanie Dent keeps up her prolific output.
Stop press…
I’ve removed The Devil’s Fan Club from Amazon Kindle… because it’s been accepted for publication (with a slight change of title) by Omnium Gatherum, on their Odium (horror) imprint.
January 27, 2013
Amazon review by Melanie Dent of The Devil’s Fan Club
James & Louise Glavier are twins. At a nightclub they meet a mysterious stranger named Nick who invites them to join The Devil’s Fan Club. However the initiation task is somewhat disturbing.
Meanwhile young women are being murdered and the police seem nowhere near to catching the killer. Things begin to spiral out of control as the murders get closer to home and startling truths emerge along with twisted desires, inappropriate relationships and a glance into the chasm of mankind’s capacity for evil.
Mr Kirkbride has written a uniquely dark and twisted tale; compelling dialogue, off the cuff humour and dark imagery. The narrative flows as easily as day into night… A great read.
Melanie Dent aka Elinor Carlisle
http://lynchcliffe.wordpress.com/about/
