Valley of Lights

by Stephen Gallagher

When Phoenix Police Sergeant Alex Volchak discovers the true nature of a predator that has survived among us unnoticed for generations, he puts himself and those around him in mortal danger.

Genres: Horror, Fiction, Crime, Mystery, Thriller

276 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Stoker and World Fantasy Award nominee, winner of British Fantasy and International Horror Guild Awards for his short fiction, Stephen Gallagher has a career both as a novelist and as a creator of primetime miniseries and episodic television. His fifteen novels include Chimera, Oktober, Valley of Lights and Nightmare, with Angel. He's the creator of Sebastian Becker, Special Investigator to the Lord Chancellor's Visitor in Lunacy, in a series of novels that includes The Kingdom of Bones, The Bedlam Detective, and The Authentic William James. In his native England he's adapted and created hour-long and feature-length thrillers and crime dramas. In the US he was lead writer on NBC's Crusoe, creator of CBS Television's Eleventh Hour, and Co-Executive Producer on ABC's The Forgotten. Recent screen credits include an award-winning Silent Witness and Stan Lee's Lucky Man.

He began his TV career as a writer on two seasons of Doctor Who, and wrote two novelizations of his stories under the pseudonym John Lydecker.

** Photo by Lisa Bowerman **

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one started strong with a body hopping kind of monster killing people. But after several identical episodes and the plot repeating itself the story became a bit winded. The characters were a bit wooden too. There were moments when the story was fluent and to the point but others it was a bit tedious and lame. Overall a solid read, a classic. If you want to read something similar and better take Stephen King's The Outsider. This one really gets off the ground. Overall the Valley of Lights was okay. I'd expected a bit more to be honest.

[Graham P · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid thriller set in Phoenix, Arizona that cuts the fat and sticks to the chase. A widowed cop is on the hunt for a psychopath who has the ability to switch bodies. Demonic possession, a parasitical alien, or a cosmic entity? Author Gallagher keeps the story moving along with a crackling first-person narrative that is bare boned, lean and mean. The supernatural aspects are there, but the main point is the hunt between cop and killer. No big surprises here, but the novel works. And dig that classic Tor Horror cover - evokes a 1980s synth-heavy film score a la Manhunter.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say that it has been some time since I read this book by one of the most intriguing authors I have followed. He has written episodes of Dr Who and Bugs as well as TV shows First born and Oktober, not to mention numerous books which have defied simple categorisation - of which Valley of Lights is most certainly one of the best (although I still love White Bizzango).

So why return to this book - well without giving away anything of the story which I loved the second time around - this is a celebration of the book and its history. Along with the novel itself you have a number of articles about the history and fate of the story (how close it came to becoming a film) along with interviews and an additional short story Nightmare with Angel.

In all this is a rather understated celebration of book I will admit I read before I really knew of Stephen Gallagher or his body of work. And I have to say reading it all over again I have a new found appreciation and I think I enjoyed it even more so. So if you want a crime story with a difference this is certainly one to look at.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

First published in 1987, this is a winning combination of crime and horror, perhaps the perfect companion piece to the equally assured “Falling Angel”. Alex Volchak is a great protagonist, world weary, lonely and bereaved, keen to see justice done but happy to bend the rules when it suits the common good and he’s blessed with an amusingly deadpan film noir style voice. His tentative relationship with Loretta, his neighbour in the trailer park where they live, is beautifully observed but rather than her be the stereotypical “single mum whose child needs a father figure”, she’s gutsy, independent and amusing, a force of nature who drives some of the plot later on and whose child, Georgie, sets off the last act. The villain is a supernatural entity and here is the only place time hasn’t been kind to the novel - back in the late 80s, this may have been a more unique angle but, like the antagonist in “Falling Angel”, it’s been ripped off so many times it does perhaps lose some of its force for people who weren’t there to witness it the first time around. Having said that, Gallagher has a lot of fun with the malevolent being and some of his ‘disguises’ (it’s an old novel, yes, but I don’t want to spoil it completely) are cleverly utilised. Once Alex makes the connection between the killings and the brain-dead bodies they keep finding around the city, he tries to explain it to his bosses - who, obviously, don’t believe him - and then it’s down to him to try and stop the supernatural killer. There’s a beautiful simplicity and logic to this, as the two characters come together, one a contemporary cop who’s struggling to make sense of everything, the other an ageless monster who normally manages to move amongst the living without drawing too much attention to himself. Gallagher uses Phoenix well, a dusty desert town with plenty of dark alleys and dodgy motels and sets a lot of his horror in bright sunlight, adding an almost banal atmosphere to the darker happenings, which only serves to make them even more powerful. With a strong supporting cast, a great pace and voice, this is well worth a read and I would highly recommend it.

[Dreadlocksmile · Rating 3 out of 5]

First published back in 1987, `Valley of Lights' was Gallagher's eighth full length novel to be published.

This murder mystery meets sci-fi horror tale draws heavily from Jack Sholder's film of the same year titled `The Hidden'.

Written predominantly from the first person point of view of Sergeant Alex Volchak, the tale quickly takes on the mysterious storyline of unconnected members of the public being found in comatose states around Phoenix, Arizona (hence the novel's title).

The reader follows Sgt Volchak's job of uncovering the true reason for what is happening to these individuals and how it is connected to a spree of grisly murders that are sprouting up around the city.

Gallagher delivers an atmospheric and tension laced tale, that builds up in pace throughout. The plot carefully intertwines the personal sub-plots and relationship Volchak has with his next door neighbour, bringing together an intense story and character rich read.

With a storyline that unfolds to reveal a somewhat paranormal reality, Volchak is faced with the dilemma of trying to bring these horrifying murders to an end on his own, otherwise the possibility of him being classed as insane would be the more likely outcome.

Taking on a not entirely original plot, the novel still remains an enjoyable read throughout, with a well written approach that delivers a dark atmospheric scenario and a haunting feeling of loneliness.

Not a particularly long novel, `Valley of Lights' lasts for a mere 191 pages in total.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only 11 reviews.... author is Stephen Gallagher (who?)

Back in 1991 I watched the TV series "Chimera" and loved it. It was one of a very few horror shows on mainstream UK TV. I have the book Chimera (on which the TV show was based) on my shelf which I am looking forward to reading.

I read this book as the story sounded very intriguing and it was written by the creator of Chimera. Plus, it was written back in 1987 and I love reading horror from the 80's. Gallagher was the great British hope for horror but never reached the level of King or McCammon, which would explain the low number of reviews.

The story is a mix of Police procedural with a supernatural horror/mystery. It is not overtly gory but creates a dark atmosphere. The story is similar to the movies The Hidden and Fallen, with the evil character moving from human host to human host. The mystery element is high with no explanation given for the evil protagonist. At one point the character is referred to as "The Ghoul" which hints towards a supernatural explanation.

I loved that "The Ghoul" was a mystery and it is left to the readers imagination to provide answers. If you like everything explained then this book will infuriate you! It is also not an out and out horror book. It is the combination of genres and the mystery that I love in this book.

[Tessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was like a mix of The Outsider and the movie Fallen. It was okay but I didn't find it 'ultimate' horror as the cover blurb claimed.

[Wayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Phoenix cop stumbles upon a strange scene at a run down motel in the bad part of town. Three near dead people laying about the room. They seem to be brain dead and unresponsive. But when one gets up and walks out of the hospital, things start to get strange. The cop soon learns that the ghoul, as he calls it, can transfer from body to body. He's out to stop it.

This reads like the movie The Hidden, sort of, from 1987. This came out a year later in 1988. Both are above average. Recommended.

[John Soria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book as a part of a reading challenge, so I knew nothing about it beforehand. Fortunately it was a pleasant surprise! A bit on the supernatural side, but just a tiny bit. It's written more in a crime-noir style, and done pretty well. I never cared all that much about the characters, but I did find myself empathizing just a bit with the antagonist for some reason. Makes sense, because there are a couple times when the hero ALMOST allows himself to do the same. But as much as I liked the story overall, I did not care for the ending. It left a large element out altogether. Though the villain is dealt with, there is a lot of residual fallout created throughout the story that will be left unresolved. However, this is truly the only shortcoming I had with the book, and am pretty happy with the journey back to Valley of the Sun!

[Katherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Appreciated the unique character who tells the story (a hard boiled police detective type who isn't softened in any way for the reader) but this turned out to be more of a mystery/crime story as a result. There's a supernatural aspect to the plot, but I don't think it would satisfy traditional horror fans. There's also very little explanation of how the supernatural aspects operate, which makes sense for this narrator but some may find off-putting.

[Caleb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel mixes horror and thriller well, though I think it leans more towards the thriller side. It starts off with breakneck pacing which slows down a bit in the middle act, but picks back up towards the end. The narrator's voice is fully-realized, complex, and he has a good sense of humor — not your stereotypical meat-headed cop. Overall a fun, engaging, and original read. Gallagher is a masterful writer and offers a creative spin on the zombie trope here.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

My introduction to Gallagher's work and I was quite taken with it. A nonstop thrill ride, for sure. I actually got to talk to him about this book and he told me it had begun as a short story that just wouldn't let go. I felt the same way reading it.

[Book Jester · Rating 3 out of 5]

A totally daft little read written by a guy from the Ribble Valley (i.e. Preston, Lancashire) but with a crazy cop story set in Phoenix, Arizona. It was a bit like a not-so-good episode of The X Files and it also made me think of the 1989 Wes Craven film, Shocker (which starred Mitch Pileggi, of X Files fame).

Anyway, the book was totally stupid but I kind of enjoyed it I guess. It was written in the 1980's so of course it had lines like this corker on page 108: "She was nice-looking and freckled, and looked as if she might get fat one day if she didn't watch herself", but that was to be expected with a pulp fiction horror like this. I quite like spotting all the 'outdated 'sign of the time' bits - I especially liked the purchase of a 'telephone answering machine' for the bargain price of $85!

[Marie Domská · Rating 4 out of 5]

Příjemná detektivka s mysteriózní zápletkou. Hezky to utíkalo a ačkoli tam bylo hodně mrtvých, tak to nebylo příliš nechutně popsáno. Nemám ráda horory, takže jsem byla vděčná, že mě autor netýral přílišným strachem. Shrnula bych to asi jako jeden příjemný díl kriminálního seriálu.
Otázkou zůstává jen to, jak si může být hlavní hrdina jistý, že napodruhé už vraha dostal, když předtím také šikovně unikl.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. The suspense, cunningness of "the bad guy" (I won't spoil anything here) kept me thinking and trying to get one step in front of him. The ending was amazing - I didn't see it coming!!!

[Ryan Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

wasn't bad but not great either give him another go somewhere along the road!

[Al · Rating 3 out of 5]

A routine call to a sleazy Phoenix hotel throws police sergeant Alex Volchak into a world where the brain-dead check themselves out of hospital, and a stranger can seem to know the most intimate details of his life. Like his feelings for Loretta, the neighbour who's more than a friend, and her daughter Georgina, so much the child he never had. Volchak finds himself on the hunt for a child killer, someone who can apparently switch bodies with ease, and who is playing games with the police. And then Georgina is taken. "The best fusion of crime and horror since Hjortsberg's "Falling Angel" ... ordinary police procedures can't begin to cope with this" Time Out "An excellent thriller ... a cracking pace ... large helpings of deadpan gallows humour ... a genuine ability to create a sense of evil" Glasgow Evening News

Review

"The best fusion of crime and horror since Hjortsberg's "Falling Angel" ... ordinary police procedures can't begin to cope with this" Time Out
"An excellent thriller ... a cracking pace ... large helpings of deadpan gallows humour ... a genuine ability to create a sense of evil" Glasgow Evening News

About the Author

Stephen Gallagher was born in Salford, Lancashire in 1954. He studied drama and English at Hull in the mid-70s before working briefly as a documentaries researcher for YTV, and then moving to Granada Television's presentation department with the aim of becoming a drama director.

[John Bowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stone cold classic.

Part police procedural, part paranormal cat and mouse chase.

A great central conceit, masterfully executed, and with an ending that fits so well it might just be made of lycra.

Essential.


- John Bowen is the author of 'Where the Dead Walk' and Vessel. You can find him here on GoodReads, and his published work at Amazon.

[Derelict Space Sheep · Rating 4 out of 5]

42 WORD REVIEW:

Valley of Lights is a compellingly dark supernatural crime novel (often marketed as horror). Gallagher’s first person narrative draws us into a lone sergeant’s pursuit of the archetypical serial killer: a creature who can jump between human bodies, wearing them like suits.

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Creepy" does not begin to describe this powerfully-written book. I was completely drawn in to Gallagher's story. If you're squeamish, you might not appreciate this fast-paced horror story. But if you like that kind of book, you DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS ONE.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as some of his others, but interesting. A quick read.

[eo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding neo-police procedural with a supernatural twist. Normally, that sort of description would send me running in the opposite direction, but this was an outstanding book.
Very creepy.

[Sarah Teasdale]

Rather strange, still thinking about it. Don't mind unusual books but this book you really have to get your head around

[Matthew Fray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread this a number of times. A well told dark fantasy. Don't expect sparkling prose. But it's told from the first person so it doesn't really matter. 191 pages that feel just right.

[Eric N. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting monster/supernatural detective story. Reads very quick,the hero is from the gruff jaded cop school.

[Ignacio Senao f · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un policía cuenta como tras encontrar a personas casi muertas, estas son llevadas al hospital y consideradas fiambres. Pero empiezan a desaparecer. Tras ello este será perseguido por personas, por razones y formas que descubriremos.

Uno se va aburriendo por la flojera la historia, al no tener elementos que desees saber, ni personajes entretenidos. La edición es una basurita que explica el porqué no sigue esta editorial.