What do you think?
Rate this book
The Longest Single Note
From a World Fantasy Award finalist comes a career-spanning collection of chilling stories, ranging from all-out horror to fantasy, from ghost stories to vampires, each of which opens new worlds of darkness, fear, wonder, and hope for the reader.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
69 people want to read
About the author
Peter Crowther
194 books41 followersPeter Crowther, born in 1949, is a journalist, anthologist, and the author of many short stories and novels. He is the co-founder of PS Publishing and the editor of Postscripts.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 10, 2011
My first impression (a dangerous thing) regarding the stories in this book was that: they are all about death, and the different ways & means that we have developed in our feeble attempts to deal with that one constant part of life (except taxation). Most of these stories would not be 'definable' as horror, but they are powerful in terms of the emotional impact they have on the mind of the reader. Despite writing all these stuff, why have I shed two 'star'-s off? Let me describe my thoughts story-wise, as I describe the contents of this collection: -
(*) Introduction by Michael Marshal Smith
1) Where The Heart Is: a poem that sets the tone/theme of this collection.
2) All We Know of Heaven: a sad story about love & loss.
3) Cleaning Up: another story of loss, in the disguise of a ghost story.
4) GALLAGHER'S ARM: a top-notch mythos story, superb in its build up, ambiguous in its Lovecraftian ending.
5) Stains On The Ether: a horror-story about "Faeries", action-packed, as well as thought(?)-provoking.
6) The Visitor: this one, with its unique mix of horror, humour, and grotesque, could have graced the page of one of the 'Pan Book of Horror" books.
7) Head Acres: a surreal exploration of music, madness and (AGAIN) loss!
8) Home Comforts: a gruesome story about abuse, madness, and a post-apocalyptic world infested by "drinkers"!
9) RUSTLE: a top-notch horror story, consisting of dialogues, and yet sublimely creepy!
10) CANKERMAN: another story about loss & death, but more traditional(?!) in the structure.
11) Dumb Animals: a cat story that is more about deviant behaviour according to our definitions.
12) Other Trains: a beautiful poem.
13) THE LONGEST SINGLE NOTE: Don't read this story if any loved one is ill, otherwise you might just start crying, it is that poignant, that beautiful!
14) FALLEN ANGEL: revisiting the legend of Frankenstein, poetically.
15) Incident On Bleecker Street: another (AGAIN?) story about loss, hatred and revenge.
16) Morning Terrors: a strange story dealing with some of the most private fears of men, and their ultimate extrapolated form.
17) Shatsi: a gruesome, violent, and dark story about an abducted (yes, you read it right) cat.
18) TOO SHORT A DEATH: If I am ever allowed to select 2 vampire stories that go beyond all the cliches, even while retaining all the 'traits' suggested by those cliches, then my first choice would be "THE PILGRIMMAGE OF CLIFFORD M.", and the second would be this one. It is so powerful that even after immersing myself in files & memos for almost 10 years, this story succeeded in rekindling my interest in poetry after just one reading!
19) BINDLESTIFF: a werewolf story, but in a most unusual setting, with an action-packed narrative.
20) A BREEZE FROM A DISTANT SHORE: Yes, this story could have proudly entered into the "Twilight Zone"-stories pantheon even while sleep-walking, but it was exquisite in the way it handled all the characters, and their feelings.
21) FOR THOSE WHO WAIT: I know, even I had felt tired after reading so many stories about love, loss, desperation, and the journey that is called life that must end in death. But stories like the above-mentioned few, and this one, still making reading books worth it.
22) EATER: the most suffocating, horrifying, spine-chilling, and suspense-building horror story in this collection, and maybe amongst several that I have read.
23) Mister Mellor Comes To Wayside: an extract from a novel daling with the horrifying central character of EATER.
24) Forest Plains: native American Legend, mixed with solid story-telling and realisitc character portrayal.
25) BEYOND THE WINDOW: another small, haunting poem, that sums up this collection, accurately.
(*) Story Notes
Therefore, out of 25 pieces included in this collection, there were only 11 that compelled me to indicate them in "CAPITAL", and statistically that makes the percentage of re-readabler works (according to my very humble opinion, let me hasten to add)around 45. But the sheer power of some of these stories (esp. No.s 9,13,18,20,21,22) drew another 'star', and hence here we are.
If you really like to read well crafted and heart-touching stories of love, loss, and death, please get hold of this limited edition collection, from any speciality bookshop (since it has gone out-of-print long back). But I would not be returning to these stories any time soon, one reading has made me sufficiently maudlin.
(*) Introduction by Michael Marshal Smith
1) Where The Heart Is: a poem that sets the tone/theme of this collection.
2) All We Know of Heaven: a sad story about love & loss.
3) Cleaning Up: another story of loss, in the disguise of a ghost story.
4) GALLAGHER'S ARM: a top-notch mythos story, superb in its build up, ambiguous in its Lovecraftian ending.
5) Stains On The Ether: a horror-story about "Faeries", action-packed, as well as thought(?)-provoking.
6) The Visitor: this one, with its unique mix of horror, humour, and grotesque, could have graced the page of one of the 'Pan Book of Horror" books.
7) Head Acres: a surreal exploration of music, madness and (AGAIN) loss!
8) Home Comforts: a gruesome story about abuse, madness, and a post-apocalyptic world infested by "drinkers"!
9) RUSTLE: a top-notch horror story, consisting of dialogues, and yet sublimely creepy!
10) CANKERMAN: another story about loss & death, but more traditional(?!) in the structure.
11) Dumb Animals: a cat story that is more about deviant behaviour according to our definitions.
12) Other Trains: a beautiful poem.
13) THE LONGEST SINGLE NOTE: Don't read this story if any loved one is ill, otherwise you might just start crying, it is that poignant, that beautiful!
14) FALLEN ANGEL: revisiting the legend of Frankenstein, poetically.
15) Incident On Bleecker Street: another (AGAIN?) story about loss, hatred and revenge.
16) Morning Terrors: a strange story dealing with some of the most private fears of men, and their ultimate extrapolated form.
17) Shatsi: a gruesome, violent, and dark story about an abducted (yes, you read it right) cat.
18) TOO SHORT A DEATH: If I am ever allowed to select 2 vampire stories that go beyond all the cliches, even while retaining all the 'traits' suggested by those cliches, then my first choice would be "THE PILGRIMMAGE OF CLIFFORD M.", and the second would be this one. It is so powerful that even after immersing myself in files & memos for almost 10 years, this story succeeded in rekindling my interest in poetry after just one reading!
19) BINDLESTIFF: a werewolf story, but in a most unusual setting, with an action-packed narrative.
20) A BREEZE FROM A DISTANT SHORE: Yes, this story could have proudly entered into the "Twilight Zone"-stories pantheon even while sleep-walking, but it was exquisite in the way it handled all the characters, and their feelings.
21) FOR THOSE WHO WAIT: I know, even I had felt tired after reading so many stories about love, loss, desperation, and the journey that is called life that must end in death. But stories like the above-mentioned few, and this one, still making reading books worth it.
22) EATER: the most suffocating, horrifying, spine-chilling, and suspense-building horror story in this collection, and maybe amongst several that I have read.
23) Mister Mellor Comes To Wayside: an extract from a novel daling with the horrifying central character of EATER.
24) Forest Plains: native American Legend, mixed with solid story-telling and realisitc character portrayal.
25) BEYOND THE WINDOW: another small, haunting poem, that sums up this collection, accurately.
(*) Story Notes
Therefore, out of 25 pieces included in this collection, there were only 11 that compelled me to indicate them in "CAPITAL", and statistically that makes the percentage of re-readabler works (according to my very humble opinion, let me hasten to add)around 45. But the sheer power of some of these stories (esp. No.s 9,13,18,20,21,22) drew another 'star', and hence here we are.
If you really like to read well crafted and heart-touching stories of love, loss, and death, please get hold of this limited edition collection, from any speciality bookshop (since it has gone out-of-print long back). But I would not be returning to these stories any time soon, one reading has made me sufficiently maudlin.
January 24, 2013
Horror (n) def: An intense, painful feeling of repugnance and fear.
Synonyms: awe, chiller, revulsion, terror, apprehension, panic
In horror there are many faces displayed. For example, you have your shock horror, supernatural horror, and your literate horror. This books falls into the latter category. No scare to be had, this book’s formula is in the ability to tempt you into a well of despair. Among the 23 stories and three poems, the collection is more about the damage people go through and the scars they leave rather than terrifying fear. Crowther creates a world that requires you to not only invest your time, but your body and soul as well.
A renowned editor of horror and fantasy anthologies, Crowther brings to the table a more patterned feel to his stories. Although the plots are all-encompassing, the thread that binds them is their bookish intimacy. Each tale demands your concentration and feeds off your vulnerability. The characters in the book are as diverse as they are perfectly average. Creating players that are tender renditions of what could be, Crowther grants you a peek at what horror lies just outside the line of reality; from what I’ve seen it ain’t pretty.
The atmosphere is filled with an almost audible howl of pain. The mood is one of longing; a need is craved in each and every story. Here I will give you a piece from his signature story, “The Longest Single Note” and see if you can hear it:
We sat for a while, my dead uncle and me, watching out of the carriage window until I resolved to find out what really troubled him. “Is it so difficult to cope with,” I said at last, “being dead?”
My uncle stretched his legs under the table and shuffled himself back into his seat. “As I said, it’s quiet and it’s dark.” He shrugged his shoulders and straightened his jacket lapels. “We come from darkness, you know.”
The pace in the book, for me, was its downfall. Now normally it only takes me a day to read a book under 500 pages, this book took me a week. The pace in the book started out at a rapid stride then suddenly came to a halt after the 13th chapter. It took me four days just to get through Fallen Angel. Never picking up speed the rest of the journey, I had to force myself to finish.
Crowther’s style of writing is exquisite in his ability to materialize the worlds he manifests. He changes his approach throughout the book, giving the reader a fresh start with each story- Brilliant. My biggest problem with his skill was the fact that it seemed that each narrative was a lesson, a message he needed to share. Not to say that it wasn’t intriguing, but for the most part I like to keep my TCM away from my Touched by an Angel.
My rating? I give this book a 3. Although his stories are more poetic narrations rather than horror, he induces enough unpleasant images that we won’t hold it against him. In fact, he may just be a new breed of horror; you’ll just have to keep your eye on him to find out.
-As reviewed for Horror-Web.com
Synonyms: awe, chiller, revulsion, terror, apprehension, panic
In horror there are many faces displayed. For example, you have your shock horror, supernatural horror, and your literate horror. This books falls into the latter category. No scare to be had, this book’s formula is in the ability to tempt you into a well of despair. Among the 23 stories and three poems, the collection is more about the damage people go through and the scars they leave rather than terrifying fear. Crowther creates a world that requires you to not only invest your time, but your body and soul as well.
A renowned editor of horror and fantasy anthologies, Crowther brings to the table a more patterned feel to his stories. Although the plots are all-encompassing, the thread that binds them is their bookish intimacy. Each tale demands your concentration and feeds off your vulnerability. The characters in the book are as diverse as they are perfectly average. Creating players that are tender renditions of what could be, Crowther grants you a peek at what horror lies just outside the line of reality; from what I’ve seen it ain’t pretty.
The atmosphere is filled with an almost audible howl of pain. The mood is one of longing; a need is craved in each and every story. Here I will give you a piece from his signature story, “The Longest Single Note” and see if you can hear it:
We sat for a while, my dead uncle and me, watching out of the carriage window until I resolved to find out what really troubled him. “Is it so difficult to cope with,” I said at last, “being dead?”
My uncle stretched his legs under the table and shuffled himself back into his seat. “As I said, it’s quiet and it’s dark.” He shrugged his shoulders and straightened his jacket lapels. “We come from darkness, you know.”
The pace in the book, for me, was its downfall. Now normally it only takes me a day to read a book under 500 pages, this book took me a week. The pace in the book started out at a rapid stride then suddenly came to a halt after the 13th chapter. It took me four days just to get through Fallen Angel. Never picking up speed the rest of the journey, I had to force myself to finish.
Crowther’s style of writing is exquisite in his ability to materialize the worlds he manifests. He changes his approach throughout the book, giving the reader a fresh start with each story- Brilliant. My biggest problem with his skill was the fact that it seemed that each narrative was a lesson, a message he needed to share. Not to say that it wasn’t intriguing, but for the most part I like to keep my TCM away from my Touched by an Angel.
My rating? I give this book a 3. Although his stories are more poetic narrations rather than horror, he induces enough unpleasant images that we won’t hold it against him. In fact, he may just be a new breed of horror; you’ll just have to keep your eye on him to find out.
-As reviewed for Horror-Web.com
September 26, 2012
There were some really excellent stories in here. On the whole, definitely worth reading.
February 23, 2024
Crowther, Peter - The Longest Single Note
Generous, very generous collection from Mr. Crow, who bears a hybrid of UK and USA styles.
Most of the stories are very good, honing in on isolated and disenfranchised souls, watching death in action.
“Gallagher’s Arm” is overtly Lovecraftian, in setting, in tone, in subject matter.
In “Home Comforts,” father and daughter drive cross country, post epidemic, scrounging food and fuel where they can, yet ever searching for the villain who traumatized the girl.
“Shatsi” observes the kidnapper, actually cat-napper, a smooth planner who knows the score. A hard boiled alley of the deluded.
“Too Short A Death,” one of the longer tales, is haunting. The reporter (fan) tries to find the obscure poet (Weldon Kees) who had vanished mysteriously.
In “Forest Plains,” a tribal member rolls easy into the sleepy backwater. The town is dying, bypassed by the Inter-State highway. Not that all those dead, or dying, are at peace.
Mine is a Cemetery Dance edition, published in the 1990’s, when that publisher boasted an impressive run of authors and titles.
Generous, very generous collection from Mr. Crow, who bears a hybrid of UK and USA styles.
Most of the stories are very good, honing in on isolated and disenfranchised souls, watching death in action.
“Gallagher’s Arm” is overtly Lovecraftian, in setting, in tone, in subject matter.
In “Home Comforts,” father and daughter drive cross country, post epidemic, scrounging food and fuel where they can, yet ever searching for the villain who traumatized the girl.
“Shatsi” observes the kidnapper, actually cat-napper, a smooth planner who knows the score. A hard boiled alley of the deluded.
“Too Short A Death,” one of the longer tales, is haunting. The reporter (fan) tries to find the obscure poet (Weldon Kees) who had vanished mysteriously.
In “Forest Plains,” a tribal member rolls easy into the sleepy backwater. The town is dying, bypassed by the Inter-State highway. Not that all those dead, or dying, are at peace.
Mine is a Cemetery Dance edition, published in the 1990’s, when that publisher boasted an impressive run of authors and titles.
February 4, 2026
I found this book after Joe Hill mentioned it in 20th Century Ghosts. Very hit or miss with the stories, and while I can’t exactly place my finger on why the misses missed, the hits were outstanding. I think if I had to figure why this was a bit of a chore to get through, it’s that a lot of the stories took a while for the “Ah, that’s what’s happening” moment to occur. In some stories that was a fantastic and thrilling twist, but in others it felt like I was missing something until it was too late to appreciate it. Here are the standouts:
The Longest Single Note
Shatsi
Bindlestiff
Eater/Mister Mellor Comes to Wayside - I’m putting these two as one because the Mellor character figures prominently in both, although the latter is the more exciting story.
Cankerman
Forest Plains
The last story, Forest Plains, is by far my favorite.
The Longest Single Note
Shatsi
Bindlestiff
Eater/Mister Mellor Comes to Wayside - I’m putting these two as one because the Mellor character figures prominently in both, although the latter is the more exciting story.
Cankerman
Forest Plains
The last story, Forest Plains, is by far my favorite.
November 27, 2018
This is one of the best collection of stories I've ever read!
October 10, 2013
This is an all right collection of stories. They're all well written, but most of them just didn't connect with me. The best are "Rustle," "Cankerman," and "Forest Plains." "Shatsi" is also a decent tale.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews