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Poe Must Die
A satanist threatens the planet, and only Poe has the imagination to stop him.It is said that beneath Solomon’s glorious throne, books were buried that gave the fabled king control over life, death, and demonic power. The throne has been lost for millennia, but now one man seeks to find it, and harness its secrets to unleash hell upon the world. Jonathan is the most powerful psychic on earth, and in service of his god Lucifer he will tear civilization apart. To combat his dark designs, mankind’s hopes rest on a half-mad alcoholic named Edgar Allan Poe.In the shadows of New York City, Poe drowns his talent in rotgut gin, trying to forget the death of his beloved wife. A bare-knuckle fighter named Pierce James Figg arrives with a letter of introduction from Charles Dickens, to beg Poe’s help chasing down the power-mad devil worshiper. Writer and fighter will stand together, to save humanity from a darkness beyond even Poe’s tortured imagination.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1978
72 people are currently reading
487 people want to read
About the author
Marc Olden
55 books40 followersMarc Olden (1933–2003) was the author of forty mystery and suspense novels. Born in Baltimore, he began writing while working in New York as a Broadway publicist. His first book, Angela Davis (1973), was a nonfiction study of the controversial Black Panther. In 1973 he also published Narc, under the name Robert Hawke, beginning a hard-boiled nine-book series about a federal narcotics agent.
A year later, Black Samurai introduced Robert Sand, a martial arts expert who becomes the first non-Japanese student of a samurai master. Based on Olden’s own interest in martial arts, which led him to the advanced ranks of karate and aikido, the novel spawned a successful eight-book series. Olden continued writing for the next three decades, often drawing on his fascination with Japanese culture and history.
A year later, Black Samurai introduced Robert Sand, a martial arts expert who becomes the first non-Japanese student of a samurai master. Based on Olden’s own interest in martial arts, which led him to the advanced ranks of karate and aikido, the novel spawned a successful eight-book series. Olden continued writing for the next three decades, often drawing on his fascination with Japanese culture and history.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
October 4, 2012
POE MUST DIE is not a great novel by any stretch, but if you're looking for a story about Edgar Allen Poe doing battle with evil sorcerers, it's probably as good as any. Olden's writing is incredibly uneven here, and the quality of the storytelling varies with each paragrah. At it's best, POE MUST DIE is an entertaining thriller that takes an interesting perspective on Poe's bizzare personal history and provides dark insight into the criminal underbelly of New York at the time (Olden presents New York in much the same way that Scorcese did in the movie GANGS OF NEW YORK, only with more child prostitution and grave robbing). Both the beginning and ending sections of the novel are incredibly cheesy, but the middle section is solid enough that reading the book doesn't feel like a waste of time, despite it's excessive length and relatively slow pacing.
September 21, 2022
Never was a fan of Edgar Allan Poe. Charles Dickens or Barnum, before or after Bailey. Throw in an English cockney boxer. Black magic. Sacrifices. Blood rituals and a bunch of hilarious dialogue, and you got a hell of a good book.
More of a fan of his 70's "NARC" and "BLACK SAMURIA" books. Marc Olden can write a story, no matter what genre he goes for.
More of a fan of his 70's "NARC" and "BLACK SAMURIA" books. Marc Olden can write a story, no matter what genre he goes for.
October 16, 2012
Surprisingly not bad for cheesy '70s horror. The characterizations of women and African Americans is dated in its not-PCness but, as these prejudices reflected Poe's own Victorian attitudes, it at least fits the story, even if it is icky. There is lots of action and some '70s-style vaguish mysticism, although I would have liked to hear more about the grimoires. Still, this is at least as good as many fo the more recent novels which have featured Poe as a detective, although, granted, that is mostly damning with faint praise.
My husband found this book for me at a yard sale in Salem, MA, and it cost a quarter, so my expectations were not very high, but it made a great beach book for a week when I wasn't feeling well.
My husband found this book for me at a yard sale in Salem, MA, and it cost a quarter, so my expectations were not very high, but it made a great beach book for a week when I wasn't feeling well.
July 9, 2012
Jonathan is a dramatically evil villain (he may truly be the personification of evil itself) . Poe and Figg , his adversaries, make an unlikely but certainly kick-ass duo. The historical setting brings readers to another time and place that enhances the almost Biblical sense of violence and fear.
June 10, 2017
This was an entertaining read with some enjoyable characters not the least of which is New York in the 1800s. Poe is often used in that meta way as an occult criminal investigator (and by often I mean I have read three books in which he plays that role) and it suits the idea most of us have of him today, you know, dark, romantic, tragic, unappreciated in his day, etc etc. I looked forward to reading this book every night so I suppose that says enough.
November 16, 2016
I'm heartbroken at how dry and inconsistent this one turned out to be. The premise is a pulp novel dream (Edgar Allen Poe and a hulking British boxer are hired by Charles Dickens to hunt down a demon-summoning sorcerer plotting to take over the world...amazing!) but the execution is lacking. The pacing is slow and then will jump around a bit too much out of the blue, the sections of dialogue can be overlong and aimless, and some of the things the characters do don't make much sense based on their situations . So despite very high hopes and a good recommendation from a bookshop clerk, this one just isn't working for me. Farewell, Mr. Poe.
February 6, 2014
Excellent book. Read it years ago, and intend to read it again. The atmosphere is perfect for the time, and details are nicely researched.
The balance and contrast between the slightly demented Poe and the grim, world weary bare knuckle boxer works very well.
Poe's mystical horror mixes perfectly with ruthless violence and superstition of P.J. Figg's world of deadly bare knuckle fighting and "manly" self defence.
Not suitable if you are looking for a "modern" slasher, or "Exorcist" style spiritual horror.
The balance and contrast between the slightly demented Poe and the grim, world weary bare knuckle boxer works very well.
Poe's mystical horror mixes perfectly with ruthless violence and superstition of P.J. Figg's world of deadly bare knuckle fighting and "manly" self defence.
Not suitable if you are looking for a "modern" slasher, or "Exorcist" style spiritual horror.
November 6, 2024
Rating: 2.5-3 stars
This was my last of three Halloween 2024 reads. Poe Must Die is a bit uneven and slow in parts, but overall, it was enjoyable. Poe and a British boxer race around 1840's NYC battling demons and dark magic as well as hooligans.
SUMMARY: It is said that beneath Solomon’s glorious throne, books that gave the fabled king control over life, death, and demonic power were buried. The throne has been lost for millennia, but now one man seeks to find it and harness its secrets to unleash hell upon the world. Jonathan is the most powerful psychic on earth, and in service of his god, Lucifer, he will tear civilization apart. To combat his dark designs, mankind’s hopes rest on a troubled author named Edgar Allan Poe. In the shadows of New York City, Poe drowns his talent in rotgut gin, trying to forget the death of his beloved wife. A bare-knuckle fighter named Pierce James Figg arrives with a letter of introduction from Charles Dickens, begging for Poe’s help chasing down the power-mad devil worshiper. Now, writer and fighter must stand together to save humanity from a darkness beyond even Poe’s tortured imagination.
This was my last of three Halloween 2024 reads. Poe Must Die is a bit uneven and slow in parts, but overall, it was enjoyable. Poe and a British boxer race around 1840's NYC battling demons and dark magic as well as hooligans.
SUMMARY: It is said that beneath Solomon’s glorious throne, books that gave the fabled king control over life, death, and demonic power were buried. The throne has been lost for millennia, but now one man seeks to find it and harness its secrets to unleash hell upon the world. Jonathan is the most powerful psychic on earth, and in service of his god, Lucifer, he will tear civilization apart. To combat his dark designs, mankind’s hopes rest on a troubled author named Edgar Allan Poe. In the shadows of New York City, Poe drowns his talent in rotgut gin, trying to forget the death of his beloved wife. A bare-knuckle fighter named Pierce James Figg arrives with a letter of introduction from Charles Dickens, begging for Poe’s help chasing down the power-mad devil worshiper. Now, writer and fighter must stand together to save humanity from a darkness beyond even Poe’s tortured imagination.
February 22, 2018
I tried really hard to get into this book, but I just couldn't seem to do it. Aside from the fact that the story is about 85% exposition with a flurry of activity at the end, it's the casual racism that killed me. I understand that it's accurate for the setting, but just because something is historically accurate doesn't mean we should revel in it as entertainment. It's oppressive, on every page, and severely interferes with my ability to focus on any other element of the story. If it at least served the narrative, or managed some sort of moral commentary in retrospect, I could be more forgiving, but it does neither. It's just THERE.
It's a shame, because the story is obviously well-researched, and filled with interesting bits of historic and literary trivia, as well as fascinating discussion on the nature of good and evil, fiction and reality, religion and superstition. The characters are well-developed and morally interesting. Now if only the author could take those strong elements and translate them into strong story-telling as well.
It's a shame, because the story is obviously well-researched, and filled with interesting bits of historic and literary trivia, as well as fascinating discussion on the nature of good and evil, fiction and reality, religion and superstition. The characters are well-developed and morally interesting. Now if only the author could take those strong elements and translate them into strong story-telling as well.
October 1, 2017
On the one hand, I understand the urge to write a book about Edgar Allan Poe, or one in which he is a main character. On the other hand, if you’re going to take this rather bold step, maybe do a bit better than this.
On the third hand, the book presents a multi-layered version of the doomed poet, a complicated figure already, here made more so by an acknowledgement of flaws. Maybe could have left out the cliche alcoholism, but still, a decent characterization.
On the fourth hand, this book is dated. Late 70s. Some of its racial dynamics wouldn’t fly today, and the whole magic/occult thing feels weird in the 21st century.
If you like pulpy, just-for-fun stuff, however, and you can get this cheap, go ahead and read it.
On the third hand, the book presents a multi-layered version of the doomed poet, a complicated figure already, here made more so by an acknowledgement of flaws. Maybe could have left out the cliche alcoholism, but still, a decent characterization.
On the fourth hand, this book is dated. Late 70s. Some of its racial dynamics wouldn’t fly today, and the whole magic/occult thing feels weird in the 21st century.
If you like pulpy, just-for-fun stuff, however, and you can get this cheap, go ahead and read it.
May 4, 2025
Ein echter Pageturner, auch wenn Olden oftmals den Leser mit schlechten Tricks einfach über den Tisch zieht. So springt er an einer Stelle einfach einen großen Schritt in der Geschichte nach vorne, ohne je zu erklären, wie die Protagonisten an diesen Punkt gelangen konnten (Stichworte: Keller und Whiskybad), und vergisst am (sehr kurz geratenen) Ende einfach gar einen, zuvor recht uninspiriert aus der Luft eingeführten, Gegenspieler, der noch gerade damit drohte die zarte „damsel in distress“ zu meucheln (Stichwort: Laertes). Dem Lektorat war es wohl aufgrund der gelungenen, schnell erzählten Geister- und Dämonenschnurre ebenso egal wie mir: entweder man liebt oder hasst eben solcherlei Kulturgut. Ich jedenfalls liebe es: und vergebe: 4,25 von fünf herausgeschnittenen Menschenherzen.
July 6, 2017
Tedious.
Original concept sounded fascinating, but the story moves much to slow. So many speeches from Poe about how intelligent he is and how he's suffered because he's poor. By the fourth or fifth one, I was bored, bored, bored. Kept reading because I wanted to see how the actual plot would play out, but there were so many long scenes that did nothing to progress the plot.
Overly violet, racist, offensive. Such a backwards book. I don't want to say I hated it, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
Original concept sounded fascinating, but the story moves much to slow. So many speeches from Poe about how intelligent he is and how he's suffered because he's poor. By the fourth or fifth one, I was bored, bored, bored. Kept reading because I wanted to see how the actual plot would play out, but there were so many long scenes that did nothing to progress the plot.
Overly violet, racist, offensive. Such a backwards book. I don't want to say I hated it, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
March 29, 2018
This was pure fun to read and directly in the genre of novels I often enjoy: historical fiction with a bit of weird added in.
I did not realize it was written in 1978 when I impulsively picked it up to read, choice driven by title and a short “about” blurb. After reading the comments on Goodreads about racist parts of the book, I was apprehensive.
They were there, but seemed added as the, unfortunate, predominant thoughts of the time period. There were, admittedly, some insensitivity’s that were born from the novel being published in 1978 vs 2018; and even though they were obviously there, I was able to overcome them for overall enjoyment.
I’m not familiar with this author. I took a look at some of the books in his catalog, and while I did enjoy Poe Must Die, I did not see anything else which piqued my interest.
I did not realize it was written in 1978 when I impulsively picked it up to read, choice driven by title and a short “about” blurb. After reading the comments on Goodreads about racist parts of the book, I was apprehensive.
They were there, but seemed added as the, unfortunate, predominant thoughts of the time period. There were, admittedly, some insensitivity’s that were born from the novel being published in 1978 vs 2018; and even though they were obviously there, I was able to overcome them for overall enjoyment.
I’m not familiar with this author. I took a look at some of the books in his catalog, and while I did enjoy Poe Must Die, I did not see anything else which piqued my interest.
August 23, 2017
Excellent!
The title made me read the. lol, the writing pulled me in and never let go. I love works of fiction that incorporate real characters into the storyline. This one was first rate!
The title made me read the. lol, the writing pulled me in and never let go. I love works of fiction that incorporate real characters into the storyline. This one was first rate!
October 9, 2017
This was a nice little seasonal treat. Historical horror (really more historical than horror), and while about Edgar Allan to some degree, his eventual partner, the boxer Pierce James Figg, steals the show.
October 17, 2018
The Death of Poe, not!
The book was intriguing but a bit confusing. The characters were well fleshed out and you do care about what happens to them. However, there were several things that weren't fully explained. All in all one keeps reading to find out if Mr. Poe really dies!
The book was intriguing but a bit confusing. The characters were well fleshed out and you do care about what happens to them. However, there were several things that weren't fully explained. All in all one keeps reading to find out if Mr. Poe really dies!
January 30, 2023
Poe finds nothing in his imagination prepares him for this Adventure
A complex, haunted, damaged Hero. A rollercoaster of a plot & starring Edgar Allen Poe . Definitely Worth a read
A complex, haunted, damaged Hero. A rollercoaster of a plot & starring Edgar Allen Poe . Definitely Worth a read
May 21, 2017
Good mystery and action. Read that it might be a movie soon.
May 11, 2018
Gave up after the first couple of chapters. The writing was almost comically bad. Reminded me of something written by a middle schooler.
March 26, 2019
Not really my thing, as far as the supernatural aspects. Was entertaining and amusing in parts, if you accepted the story on its own terms. But towards the end it went over the top.
June 12, 2020
If you like works by Poe, you will love this
A richly told tale in a typical Poe fashion. One would barely, if at all, believe that Poe was not the author.
A richly told tale in a typical Poe fashion. One would barely, if at all, believe that Poe was not the author.
March 27, 2022
Worth reading.
I received this book free from Early Bird Books.
I received this book free from Early Bird Books.
October 3, 2023
Another I had to put down. It was just not moving along and was so dull. Anything Edgar was in was sort of interesting but for the most part, just so much talking and walking.
January 23, 2024
Extrañamente complace esta lectura, aunque creo que se extiende más de lo debido. Sus puntos buenos son ver a Poe hablar sobre sus obras y convertirse en Dupin, sin embargo vemos muy poco de eso.
February 24, 2017
This novel mixes real literary figures with fictional characters, mysticism and magic......and I loved it. I read this book in one whole sitting because I just couldn't put it down (and I looked like hell after but I didn't care) I was on the edge of my seat at some points and found my heart racing at others. Poe Must Die was definitely worth my all of my time and emotional investment.
August 19, 2015
I'm a sucker for a novel where real historical figures fight crime, or, in this case, crime with a side of demon-raising. This works as a kind of supernatural buddy comedy (though it's not actually a comedy), with mismatched allies Poe and Figg earning each other's grudging respect and eventually affection.
Something else I really liked: Olden does not sugarcoat Poe's racism or the racism of the time. So when we first meet Poe, he is drunkenly inveighing against equality for the races. I really admired this; it's as though Olden (who was black and wrote Black Samurai) is telling the reader: "if you're gonna like this guy, you're gonna have to deal with this." Interesting, too, that a character is referred to in the narration with historically accurate racist terms: "the black," etc. Not sure what Olden was up to there, but let's just say he does a better job of dealing with ugly historical racism than a lot of historical novelists.
And there's a fun plot about an evil guy trying to summon and control Asmodeus, king of the demons, and Poe and Figg racing against time to foil his plot and save the world.
A fun read and definitely recommended for fans of supernatural horror, buddy comedies, and Poe.
Something else I really liked: Olden does not sugarcoat Poe's racism or the racism of the time. So when we first meet Poe, he is drunkenly inveighing against equality for the races. I really admired this; it's as though Olden (who was black and wrote Black Samurai) is telling the reader: "if you're gonna like this guy, you're gonna have to deal with this." Interesting, too, that a character is referred to in the narration with historically accurate racist terms: "the black," etc. Not sure what Olden was up to there, but let's just say he does a better job of dealing with ugly historical racism than a lot of historical novelists.
And there's a fun plot about an evil guy trying to summon and control Asmodeus, king of the demons, and Poe and Figg racing against time to foil his plot and save the world.
A fun read and definitely recommended for fans of supernatural horror, buddy comedies, and Poe.
June 19, 2014
Well....hmmm. I'm not sure what to say. I tend to love these novels that use gone-for-years literary characters, but this one you really, really...and boy, do I mean really, have to stretch the imagination to be able to digest. It was something else.
I'm not certain how much Poe enthusiasts will appreciate the way this book is approached, although I do have to admit that some of the dialogue was absolutely hilarious.
Marc Olden was meticulous with his handling of research on his characters and a lot of the little-know facts about Dickens and Poe came to light in this story. Still, the mad satanist aspect of the story was quite over the top and at times made me laugh, even when I wasn't supposed to.
If you are looking for a book that is definitely based on very diluted reality but none-the-less entertaining, this would be a good one to choose.
Overall, it was fun and entertaining, and that's often enough in a book.
I'm not certain how much Poe enthusiasts will appreciate the way this book is approached, although I do have to admit that some of the dialogue was absolutely hilarious.
Marc Olden was meticulous with his handling of research on his characters and a lot of the little-know facts about Dickens and Poe came to light in this story. Still, the mad satanist aspect of the story was quite over the top and at times made me laugh, even when I wasn't supposed to.
If you are looking for a book that is definitely based on very diluted reality but none-the-less entertaining, this would be a good one to choose.
Overall, it was fun and entertaining, and that's often enough in a book.
April 19, 2015
I heard about this book late last year when Idris Elba's production company optioned it for development as a movie trilogy. Edgar Allan Poe, a boxer seeking revenge against an evil wizard--what's not to like?
Plenty, it turns out.
Two stars was generous. Verbose, repetitious, anti-climatic, plenty of period racism, long sections in inconsistent italics, and something I can't stand--authors attempting to depict dialects in broken print.
Easily as disappointing as the John Cusack vehicle "The Raven".
Plenty, it turns out.
Two stars was generous. Verbose, repetitious, anti-climatic, plenty of period racism, long sections in inconsistent italics, and something I can't stand--authors attempting to depict dialects in broken print.
Easily as disappointing as the John Cusack vehicle "The Raven".
November 10, 2017
So many historical facts and figures, the numerous cameos begin to feel gimmicky. Without out all the tidbits of late 19th century NYC history, I'm not sure there's much of a story. I think the author depends on those And the author seems intent on highlighting racist and homophobic attitudes of the time, for historical accuracy I assume. Listening to the novel in 2017 and hearing the various and sundry epithets being thrown around carelessly and casually throughout the work, was distracting and took me out of the story.
February 18, 2015
Poe, Dickens, a famous British pugilist, and a Satanist. Sounds intriguing. It was, eventually, but you have to inure yourself to the utter bleak and base nature of every character. The protagonists appear just as evil as the Satanist. It's only towards the end, as you get more involved in finding out who survives what appears to be an unwinnable battle, that you get to see some inkling of decency in the main characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews