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The Universal Library #5
The Golem of 2020
This is the 5th book in the Universal Library series of horror/comedy books inspired by classic horror films (and by the more recent attempts to reboot those films for a modern audience as a single universe). The stories are set predominantly in the present day but with a classic feel, tongue-in-cheek delivery and many references to the original films and other horror movies for film fans to spot. Though the books are stand-alone, it's probably better to read them in order as characters do recur, weaving in and out of the series - that said, you don't have to read the first 4 books to enjoy this one.
London in 2020 is living under pandemic lockdown and the residents of tower blocks like McDowall House are particularly hard hit by the restrictions. But when care packages start appearing on doorsteps, the residents realise that they have a mysterious benefactor.
When artist, Henrik, created the Golem, it was an art project to reflect and to champion the many unheard voices of London. But, as Nurse Emily Jennings discovers, the Golem has taken on an unexpected and literal life of its own. It exists to serve the people of McDowall House, to do what's best for them, but its methods are sometimes brutally direct. So is the Golem hero or villain? Angel or monster? Its up to Emily and retired detective, Clive Harrigan, to find out.
But the Golem is not all they must face. Something more than Corona Virus stalks the empty streets of London; an ancient evil that had risen before in times such as these, and which brings nothing but death.
London in 2020 is living under pandemic lockdown and the residents of tower blocks like McDowall House are particularly hard hit by the restrictions. But when care packages start appearing on doorsteps, the residents realise that they have a mysterious benefactor.
When artist, Henrik, created the Golem, it was an art project to reflect and to champion the many unheard voices of London. But, as Nurse Emily Jennings discovers, the Golem has taken on an unexpected and literal life of its own. It exists to serve the people of McDowall House, to do what's best for them, but its methods are sometimes brutally direct. So is the Golem hero or villain? Angel or monster? Its up to Emily and retired detective, Clive Harrigan, to find out.
But the Golem is not all they must face. Something more than Corona Virus stalks the empty streets of London; an ancient evil that had risen before in times such as these, and which brings nothing but death.
- GenresHorror
318 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 4, 2021
4 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Robin Bailes
16 books27 followersRobin Bailes is the writer and presenter of the web-series Dark Corners, based around comic reviews of old B movies and serious retrospectives of cult classics. Robin's love of old movies, and particularly the Universal horror cycle, was established by an old collection of Famous Monsters of Filmland (the seminal fanzine created by Forrest J. Ackerman), nourished by a film buff family, and is now inspiring a series of comedy/horror novels beginning with The Mummy's Quest and now running to 4 titles. The books are informed by classic horror, and are peppered with references to old movies and cult literature. The books are also a reaction to Universal Studios' baffling and uninspired efforts to turn their legacy into a comic book franchise. The latest title is The Immortal Dracula.
Outside of Dark Corners, Robin has written and directed the comedy/drama web-series Coping (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5XG...), among many other intriguing and diverse projects, as he attempts to make a living from writing. He also volunteers at the Cinema Museum at Elephant and Castle in London, and can be found behind the cafe for most silent film screenings. You can learn more about Robin (if you really want to) on his website, robinbailes.com.
Twitter: @DarkCorners3, @robinbailes
Facebook: Dark Corners of This Sick World
Outside of Dark Corners, Robin has written and directed the comedy/drama web-series Coping (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5XG...), among many other intriguing and diverse projects, as he attempts to make a living from writing. He also volunteers at the Cinema Museum at Elephant and Castle in London, and can be found behind the cafe for most silent film screenings. You can learn more about Robin (if you really want to) on his website, robinbailes.com.
Twitter: @DarkCorners3, @robinbailes
Facebook: Dark Corners of This Sick World
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 5, 2023
Something stalking the dark
When an artist crates the image of a golem he fills it with the messages of the residents of a block of apartments. Covid is beginning to lockdown London and some hope for a Guardian Angel.
Meanwhile a creature that feeds on the victims of disease awakens after decades. Slowly moving from place to place as the disease spreads it to finds itself in the empty streets of London.
Several characters from previous books in the series appear again, and we are introduced to new characters as well.
When an artist crates the image of a golem he fills it with the messages of the residents of a block of apartments. Covid is beginning to lockdown London and some hope for a Guardian Angel.
Meanwhile a creature that feeds on the victims of disease awakens after decades. Slowly moving from place to place as the disease spreads it to finds itself in the empty streets of London.
Several characters from previous books in the series appear again, and we are introduced to new characters as well.
February 18, 2024
Another solid, clever chapter in the Universal Library series, this one invoking classic monster vs monster tropes culminating in an epic fight between morally ambiguous and evil.
There are themes coming out your ears so I won't go into them here, discover them for yourself, but they'll ensure reread value. (Ok, a sampling: insiders vs outsiders, individual vs mob, organized crime vs white collar crime, manmade disasters vs man exacerbated disasters vs natural disasters... all right, I'm done.) And as a bonus, plenty of Terry Pratchett references.
I look forward to the next book, 'The Wolf, the Raven and the Black Cat,' and the next after that!
There are themes coming out your ears so I won't go into them here, discover them for yourself, but they'll ensure reread value. (Ok, a sampling: insiders vs outsiders, individual vs mob, organized crime vs white collar crime, manmade disasters vs man exacerbated disasters vs natural disasters... all right, I'm done.) And as a bonus, plenty of Terry Pratchett references.
I look forward to the next book, 'The Wolf, the Raven and the Black Cat,' and the next after that!
June 12, 2025
another good one.
the set up was perfect.
lock down not only gave the monsters the
ability to roam but it was like Lock down
was a character in itself.
I do regret that it took me so long to get to this on
(self admitted book goblin)
but now that I have, Mr. Bailes, would you be so
kind and to write another one.
Pretty please?
We still have the creature from the black lagoon,
perhaps something from the center of the earth, maybe
a mad scientist.
Search your Hammer Horror archives!
Flip through your movie review!
Don't let us down!
the set up was perfect.
lock down not only gave the monsters the
ability to roam but it was like Lock down
was a character in itself.
I do regret that it took me so long to get to this on
(self admitted book goblin)
but now that I have, Mr. Bailes, would you be so
kind and to write another one.
Pretty please?
We still have the creature from the black lagoon,
perhaps something from the center of the earth, maybe
a mad scientist.
Search your Hammer Horror archives!
Flip through your movie review!
Don't let us down!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews