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Castle of Horror
A novelette of 15,000 words. It is April of 1924. Colossus Films (of the novel Bride of the Rat-God) is shooting in Reno, because their male star, Tor Westlake, is getting his fifth divorce in order to marry Chrysanda (Christine) Flamande, the studio’s #1 starlet. They are filming at the supposedly-haunted castle on the outskirts of town, built by a Gold Rush millionaire, and sharing the sets with a black film company from Chicago, whose female star is also getting a divorce from her abusive husband. Tor wants to hold a séance in the haunted castle, but Norah – Christine’s sister-in-law and dog-minder – is uneasy. Christine’s dogs are conscious of supernatural activity, and there’s something about their reactions to the castle that doesn’t seem right to her.
- GenresFantasyHistorical
44 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 18, 2016
6 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Hambly
205 books1,591 followersaka Barbara Hamilton
Ranging from fantasy to historical fiction, Barbara Hambly has a masterful way of spinning a story. Her twisty plots involve memorable characters, lavish descriptions, scads of novel words, and interesting devices. Her work spans the Star Wars universe, antebellum New Orleans, and various fantasy worlds, sometimes linked with our own.
"I always wanted to be a writer but everyone kept telling me it was impossible to break into the field or make money. I've proven them wrong on both counts."
-Barbara Hambly
Ranging from fantasy to historical fiction, Barbara Hambly has a masterful way of spinning a story. Her twisty plots involve memorable characters, lavish descriptions, scads of novel words, and interesting devices. Her work spans the Star Wars universe, antebellum New Orleans, and various fantasy worlds, sometimes linked with our own.
"I always wanted to be a writer but everyone kept telling me it was impossible to break into the field or make money. I've proven them wrong on both counts."
-Barbara Hambly
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 26, 2023
A nice little side-excursion, combining good characterization, some extremely creepy atmosphere, and Hambly's signature amazing historical ambiance.
March 10, 2022
After recently re-reading Bride of the Rat God, I came across this follow up short story that I hadn’t known about. It’s nicely written, characteristic of pretty much everything Hambly has produced, and the setting and atmosphere are particularly evocative. The story, however, feels somewhat inconsequential to me, and it’s too short to give the characters, old and new, much room to develop. The ending felt a bit rushed, and I couldn’t help being left with a sense that the antagonist “would have gotten away with it, if it hadn’t been for those meddling kids”. Not bad, but below the usual creative standard I expect from Hambly.
March 13, 2019
Novelette. Fascinating setting: the movie industry in the 1920s with some fantasy elements. I've reread Bride of the Rat God many times, so it was fun to read the further adventures of Norah, Alex and Chrysande.
April 25, 2016
Bride of the Rat God is, hands down, my favorite of Hambly's books and so being able to read more about those characters was delightful in and of itself. Norah, Alec, Christine and the Pekes are all present and very much themselves. Even Ambrose Conklin makes a cameo and I was surprised at how pleased I was by his appearance.
The story itself, being short, was very straightforward, but my only real complaint about it--and I should put complaint in sarcastic quotes--is just that it's all too short. I'd really like to read more about the characters we know and the new characters Hambly introduces. I wonder if Hambly might ever try to do what more authors are experimenting with now and do a kickstarter for a new novel in this world. I'd certainly contribute.
The story itself, being short, was very straightforward, but my only real complaint about it--and I should put complaint in sarcastic quotes--is just that it's all too short. I'd really like to read more about the characters we know and the new characters Hambly introduces. I wonder if Hambly might ever try to do what more authors are experimenting with now and do a kickstarter for a new novel in this world. I'd certainly contribute.
May 17, 2016
Castle of Horror
I just love Hambly's "Further Adventures of", and this is the first continuation of the single story, Bride of the Rat God. Set in the golden age of cinema, the antics of the flamboyant actress Christine, her steady assistant Norah, and her Pekes delight and amuse.
I just love Hambly's "Further Adventures of", and this is the first continuation of the single story, Bride of the Rat God. Set in the golden age of cinema, the antics of the flamboyant actress Christine, her steady assistant Norah, and her Pekes delight and amuse.
June 20, 2016
Cute novelette sequel to Bride of the Rat God. Definitely some horror, but not necessarily where you expect it. I still love the three Pekinese dogs, though they don’t play as large a role as in Bride of the Rat God. Wish it were longer, but it is perfect in its way.
December 11, 2020
Entertaining
An enjoyable return to the world of Bride of the Rat God. Whets the appetite for a book-length sequel. Fingers crossed!
An enjoyable return to the world of Bride of the Rat God. Whets the appetite for a book-length sequel. Fingers crossed!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews