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Pagoda
"Follow the sacred directives -- or be doomed."
The wizened merchant's words echoed hollowly in Carl Holton's mind as he carefully carried the pagoda through the crowded bazaar in the heart of Burma. When he had first discovered the teak miniature, he was enchanted; it was exquisitely carved and adorned with jade, gold, and ivory. But he knew he must not be deceived by its beauty, for although the most precious secrets of life were trapped inside, the pagoda housed a great evil, an evil capable of destroying the world. Those who followed the ancient path would be rewarded beyond imagination, but those who strayed would suffer a damnation more terrible than the fires of hell...
The wizened merchant's words echoed hollowly in Carl Holton's mind as he carefully carried the pagoda through the crowded bazaar in the heart of Burma. When he had first discovered the teak miniature, he was enchanted; it was exquisitely carved and adorned with jade, gold, and ivory. But he knew he must not be deceived by its beauty, for although the most precious secrets of life were trapped inside, the pagoda housed a great evil, an evil capable of destroying the world. Those who followed the ancient path would be rewarded beyond imagination, but those who strayed would suffer a damnation more terrible than the fires of hell...
- GenresHorror
394 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
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About the author
R. Karl Largent
25 books10 followersR. Karl Largent, a.k.a. Robin Karl or Simon Lawrence, is an author, lecturer, and columnist who teaches writing at Tri-State University. Before launching his writing career, he spent 30 years in industry, the last 17 as VP of Marketing for a Fortune 500 multinational. A former horse show judge and trainer of youth horses, he competed in SCCA road racing events, flew as a weather observer in the USAF, completed a tour of duty in the Arctic and served with the U.S. Weather Bureau.
R. Karl Largent is the author of over 600 columns. He has also authored nearly two dozen novels including the bestselling "Red" series. He has also written six non-fiction books as well as numerous articles for magazines, newspapers and other publications.
R. Karl Largent is the author of over 600 columns. He has also authored nearly two dozen novels including the bestselling "Red" series. He has also written six non-fiction books as well as numerous articles for magazines, newspapers and other publications.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 29, 2024
Pagoda reads more of a mystery thriller than a horror novel, but definitely one of the best of the Largent novels I have read. The titular Pagoda, crafted in Burma in the 19th century by an alchemist monk, made its way to the USA before the turn of the century. The prologue features an old academic who has the pagoda who for years tried to discern its secrets. He acquired it in China and was told by its former possessor that it contains the six 'ultimates'-- wisdom, wealth, power, pleasure, good and evil-- within six tiny porcelain orbs located within. Yet, if the orbs are removed without solving the 'riddle', destruction will ensue of the pagoda and 'defiler'. Sadly, he admits his failure and passes the pagoda to his nephew...
Pagoda traces the 'travels' of the pagoda threw several pairs of hands, with each possessor the subject of a long chapter. The only uniting thing (besides the pagoda itself) among the stories consists of one Loo Song, who has been tasked by the 'master' to obtain the pagoda and bring it back to Burma. Loo believes the pagoda is something akin to a holy grail, and given its nature, it cannot be bought, even by him, but must be given freely. Well, to the American possessors of the pagoda, cash is king, and the old maxim 'I have it, you want it, how much will you give me for it' permeates most of the pagoda's possessors.
One of the issues I have with Largent concerns his main protagonists, who are often insufferable to say the least. Here, however, each long chapter presents well crafted, eclectic characters who have their own story to tell. The first, a disbarred lawyer who now helps run an underground empire, the second, a mild mannered pawnshop broker, etc. Poor Loo eventually makes contact with each but to little avail. The pagoda travels in an old tin case, which also contains the notes on it from several previous owners who tried to solve its riddle, and the entire mystery of the thing captivates one another another. Unfortunately, their curiosity often leads to some pretty gruesome ends!
Largent finishes this tale with a surprising denouement that I did not see coming, but oh so fitting! Not sure who I would recommend this to; a must for Largent fans, but I think anyone who appreciates a funky mystery thriller would get a kick out of it. Horror fans? If you did 80s style romps. In any case, fun read! 4 mysterious stars!
Pagoda traces the 'travels' of the pagoda threw several pairs of hands, with each possessor the subject of a long chapter. The only uniting thing (besides the pagoda itself) among the stories consists of one Loo Song, who has been tasked by the 'master' to obtain the pagoda and bring it back to Burma. Loo believes the pagoda is something akin to a holy grail, and given its nature, it cannot be bought, even by him, but must be given freely. Well, to the American possessors of the pagoda, cash is king, and the old maxim 'I have it, you want it, how much will you give me for it' permeates most of the pagoda's possessors.
One of the issues I have with Largent concerns his main protagonists, who are often insufferable to say the least. Here, however, each long chapter presents well crafted, eclectic characters who have their own story to tell. The first, a disbarred lawyer who now helps run an underground empire, the second, a mild mannered pawnshop broker, etc. Poor Loo eventually makes contact with each but to little avail. The pagoda travels in an old tin case, which also contains the notes on it from several previous owners who tried to solve its riddle, and the entire mystery of the thing captivates one another another. Unfortunately, their curiosity often leads to some pretty gruesome ends!
Largent finishes this tale with a surprising denouement that I did not see coming, but oh so fitting! Not sure who I would recommend this to; a must for Largent fans, but I think anyone who appreciates a funky mystery thriller would get a kick out of it. Horror fans? If you did 80s style romps. In any case, fun read! 4 mysterious stars!
May 29, 2018
This was a fun one.
A mysterious teak pagoda holds the secret of The Ultimates. And it’s been stolen.
Now it’s a race against time to see if it can be recovered before it, and The Ultimates are destroyed, or they destroy man.
Fun characters. Great story. Very original story.
A mysterious teak pagoda holds the secret of The Ultimates. And it’s been stolen.
Now it’s a race against time to see if it can be recovered before it, and The Ultimates are destroyed, or they destroy man.
Fun characters. Great story. Very original story.
August 17, 2017
The book was good, but the end took some really unexpected and peculiar turns especially at the end.
I still have questions about certain plot points that make no sense to me, but the book was an entertaining read.
I really loved the mystery surrounding the "Ultimates", and never guessed what they actually were.
I still have questions about certain plot points that make no sense to me, but the book was an entertaining read.
I really loved the mystery surrounding the "Ultimates", and never guessed what they actually were.
September 30, 2024
Three Tales in Ome
Larchmont's novel is really three stories linked by the title's ancient Burmese mystical icon. The transition between these gales is smooth and framed by the quest to recover the sacred object and its contents. There are two recurring characters but several others are fleshed out only to suffer cruel fates. Recommended for fans of unusual horror. Novels.
Larchmont's novel is really three stories linked by the title's ancient Burmese mystical icon. The transition between these gales is smooth and framed by the quest to recover the sacred object and its contents. There are two recurring characters but several others are fleshed out only to suffer cruel fates. Recommended for fans of unusual horror. Novels.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews