Carnacki

Carnacki #1

by William Meikle

In the late Nineteenth and early Twentieth Century the fight against evil was in the hands of Sherlock Holmes, John Silence and Allan Quatermain. And one other, a man who carried the fight to the forces of darkness armed only with his wits, his science, and his arcane knowledge. Meet an Edwardian occult detective who goes where no other gentleman will dare, venturing deep into neolithic barrows, into the crypts of ancient cathedrals and fighting the elemental powers of darkness on his own terms. Meet Ghostfinder

Genres: Horror, Occult Detective, Fantasy, Weird Fiction, Thriller, Mystery, Fiction

171 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 3, 2010

About the author

I'm a Scottish writer, now living in Canada, with more than thirty novels published in the genre press and over 300 short story credits in thirteen countries.

My work has appeared in a number of professional anthologies and I have recent short story sales to NATURE Futures and Galaxy's Edge. When I'm not writing I play guitar, drink beer and dream of fortune and glory.

For an intro to me, my writing and my accent see my Youtube channel

Reviews

[Zain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy Memories!

I liked the part where they had a happy ending.

Most of the stories in this collection are not very short. Some are the size of a novelette. But despite their size, they are still worth the time to read.

The book is about Carnacki and his friends who are invited to Carnacki’s home every fortnight or so to partake of a delicious meal and listen to Carnacki tell a story. The stories are true and are about the Outer Realm of the world.

The Outer Realm is filled with the scaries that we all know to keep away from. It is not a place to be found, or destroyed you will be.

In every story, in the beginning, the middle and the end, the Outer Realm is mentioned, as well as the microcosm and macrocosm. Hearing that the world is really filled with horrific creatures is a very frightening thing. Carnacki’s friends are all filled with so much fear that they are speechless.

Better speechless than dead.

Four stars. 💫💫💫💫

[Riju Ganguly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thomas Carnacki, the entirely humane (unlike Sherlock Holmes) but resolute & methodical ghost-hunter, had appeared in the pages of “The Idler” more than a century ago. In those stories, William Hope Hodgson had provided the world not only with one of the greatest occult detectives, but had also set most of the ‘rules’ that govern the narrative structure of such tales. Subsequently we have had several works (recent as well as somewhat older) that make passing reference to Carnacki, or use him as one of the ‘period’ characters met by the other protagonists. There has also been a full-fledged collection from Ash Tree Press, containing some of the finest pastiches that could have been easily been penned by Hodgson himself, William Meikle’s stories portraying Carnacki belong to an altogether different league. His stories are denser in terms of action rather than philosophy, dealing with threats that are far more physical than spiritual. They also incorporate the more horrific elements of Cthulhu mythos without dropping all those groan-inducing names. Thanks to Dark Regions Press, we have got most of Meikle’s Carnacki stories (at least those published until 2011) in this beautiful edition, literally enriched by Wayne Miller’s brilliant illustrations.

The stories in this collection are:
1. The Blooded Ikwla
2. The Larkhill Barrow
3. The Sisters of Mercy
4. The Hellfire Mirror
5. The Tomb of Pygea
6. The Beast of Glamis
7. The Lusitania
8. The Haunted Oak
9. The Shoreditch Worm
10. The Dark Island

Trying to summarise these stories individually would be unfair. Rather, I can only request lovers of good ghost/horror stories to latch on to this book, find out a cozy & comfortable place, and then enjoy the stories, one at a time. These are classic stories, without gore or sex, but with a rolling narrative that’s best enjoyable in small dosage. Highly Recommended.

[Loren · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection suffers from the flaw of all the Carnacki stories: Carnacki gathers his friends together to tell him his supernatural tales, so you know from the beginning that he's survived the adventure and not been too traumatized to relate it. It's hard to work up any sense of danger against those constraints. The characters of his listeners remain invisible ciphers, a frame that doesn't add anything to the story being told.

Even more frustrating, Meikle doesn't stray from the formula, repeating the same paragraphs from story to story as Carnacki sets up his scientific defenses. It's a shame, because Carnacki is such a fascinating character. He's a man of science, who employs electric lights and a Faraday cage to chase away things from the Outer Realms -- and yet he doesn't believe in ghosts or the existence of the soul after death, even in the face of repeated exposure to them.

Some of the stories in his book were outstanding, especially the The Beast of Glamis and The Lusitania. I enjoyed reading most of the others, but as much as I love Doctor Taverner and John Silence, I think I've read my last Carnacki book.

[Jon Recluse · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pitch perfect homage to the original Carnacki. Meikle, whose voice is one of the best in the business, flawlessly "channels" William Hope Hodgson in this excellent addition to the Carnacki canon of stories. Highly recommended.

[Ken B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am going back and adding an addendum to my initial review on Meikle's Carnacki. Initially I stated that Meikle had captured the spirit of the original Carnacki by William Hope Hodgson. In that statement I was wrong. Meikle's stories are a FAR, FAR cry better than the originals.

I hope Meikle will eventually revisit Carnacki.

********************************************************************

I have to start by saying that I am guilty of not having read all of William Hope Hodgson's original Carnacki stories. I have though read enough of them to pique my interest in the topic. So, after reading and enjoying William Meikle's Sherlock Holmes pastiche, Sherlock Holmes Revenant, I knew I had to read these stories.

Meikle does a great job capturing the spirit of the original Carnacki. He follows the somewhat formulaic story structure set up by Hodgson and weaves a set of pretty impressive tales.

Even so, a couple of the stories stood out as particularly impressive.

I found, "The Lusitania" and "The Sisters of Mercy" to be especially haunting. "The Haunted Oak" certainly did not end the way I had expected. And, the Lovecraftian "The Dark Island" had me guessing until the end.

4 STARS

[Stig · Rating 4 out of 5]

A couple of weeks ago I finished reading Hodgson's original Carnacki stories and liked them so much that I decided to look for some pastiches - surely, I thought, they must exist? Well, they do, but there are not many. Luckily I found this e-book which I enjoyed thoroughly. Meikle gets the style of the original stories so well that it is virtually impossible to distinguish his tales from the ones Hodgson wrote a century ago. In a couple of stories he brings in real world elements that Hodgson probably wouldn't have included; it doesn't distract at all. And Carnacki's four friends - who were VERY anonymous in the original stories - get rudimentary personalities (Arkwright is a bit of a twit).

I am generally fond of pastiches - Sherlock Holmes, Lovecraftian tales etc. - and this is one of the best I've read for quite some time.

[Stuart Neild · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of the old Carnacki the ghost finder stories and in William Meikle’s Carnacki-Heaven And Hell, we have a collection of stories that won’t disappoint fans of the original work. There’s some excellent stories on offer here, everyone a good one. Highly recommended.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining Carnacki listening 🎶🔰

This kindle e-book novel is from my Kindle Unlimited account

I enjoy listening 🎶 to Carnacki having listened to a number of books.

Ten different stories by Carnacki with interesting characters lots of action and misdirection and some violence leading to each conclusion.

I would recommend this novel and author to 👍 readers of fantasy world 🌎 horror haunting adventure novels 👍🔰. 2024 😈😠🏰👑

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

William Meikle's stories featuring the occult detective Carnacki are more fun, fast moving, and, frankly, better written than the Edwardian originals. Meikle's characterization of Carnacki retains many of the eccentric traits of William Hope Hodgson's character, but the detective comes across more as a person and less as a bundle of narcissistic personality disorders. (The biggest mystery in the original Carnacki stories was, why would his "friends" repeatedly return to Cheyne Walk to be subjected to such awkward dinners and the long-winded, self-absorbed recitations of Carnacki's exploits that followed?) Part of the enjoyment of Meikle's stories is seeing how he pokes fun at the originals (but always fondly). The Kindle version of this collection is marred by some major formatting issues, however, with two long stories completely duplicated.

[Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read the original Carnacki stories by William Hope Hodgson, written around 1912, it was a great delight to find that authors have continued the series of short stories. Or at least, this book by Meikle was quite enjoyable. I will likely read others and hope they are as entertaining. Carnacki is a British Gentlemen who invites his friends over for dinner and tells them of his latest exploits in the supernatural. In the original, there are one or two stories (only six total) that are hoaxes. The current work has no hoaxes. I'm not sure the stories have quite the vividness of Hodgson's whistling room or Ye Hogge (House on the Borderland), but they are very enjoyable.
BTW, if you have never read the original stories, they are five stars.

[Phoebe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read the original Carnacki tales and fascinated with the character and stories, I wanted to find out more and some research led me to this collection.

I'm glad to say it was money well spent as the writing continues Hodgson's tradition of language and storytelling format. It's a collection of short stories that are exceptionally well-balanced and with the correct atmosphere and tone to live up to the original tales. Mr. Meikle is commendable in his ability to bring fresh stories and fresh perspectives and ideas to Carnacki without stripping the character of originally-established notions.

Highly recommended, it's one of the best pastiches I've read.

[Estott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Generally good to very good stories, but there's a repetitiousness in them- something not bad if you encounter these one at a time but in a collection it's annoying. We always get Cancacki setting up his defenses using nearly the same words every time. Arkright will break into a story every time. I liked the stories (though there were a couple that dragged out a bit) but I preferred Kidd & Kennett's collection.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent enough collection of stories that build on the original tales by William Hope Hodgson.

The thing that lets it down a little though is that in this collection, unlike the original tales, *all* the goings on have supernatural origins, whereas Hodgson would occasionally throw in some human shenanigans to leaven the lump.

[The Smoog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable collection of William Meikle's Thomas Carnacki stories. While some elements can get a little repetitive, the stories are for the most part pretty original with great setups. The last tale in particular, The Dark Island, is a novella which differs greatly from many of the others whilst still retaining that Carnacki vibe.

[Valentin Per · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carnacki rides,again

William Meikle has done a creditable job of resurrecting William Hope Hodgeson's psychic detective and emulating his style so exactly that I couldn't tell where Hodgeson ended and Meikle began. The plotlines are imaginative and the tension is sustained admirably. I recommend this collection to all Carnacki fans.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good stuff

Another excellent collection of Carnacki tales from Meikle. He captures the original essence and adds his own flair to the tales. Check it out.

[Ed Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Meikle does an excellent job continuing the Carnacki series. Really enjoyed it.

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apparently, I am, as with most series reading this one out of order.

We get some pretty creepy stories, one featuring beings Carnacki has apparently faced before.

Pretty good.

[Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ghost-Finder files!

In this new volume starring William Hope Hodgson’s supernatural detective, William Meikle follows the same layout. Carnacki invites his four friends Arkwright, Jessop, Taylor, and Dodgson to his home for a dinner and to listen to a tale of his adventures. The story is narrated by Dodgson.

Carnacki uses occult means to solve hauntings. His famous Electric Pentacle, the “Sigsand Manuscript," and the powerful “unknown last line of the Saaamaaa Ritual" are used by Carnacki in his battles. Sometimes the cases are real but manageable; sometimes completely fake, and sometimes so dangerous that Carnacki would have died if not for a presence that watches him.

I found these stories to be a welcome addition to the Carnacki canon. Meikle has managed to develop the character while remaining true to the original stories. If I had one complaint, it was that no story was deemed to be something manufactured and therefore not supernatural. In the original stories, some had solid earthly causes, such as the gang in "The House Among the Laurels" using a legend to cover their crimes.

Now onto the tales. A note of warning, I don’t think I spoil the tales but others may.

In “The Blooded Iklwa,” a man is attacked in the night by a weapon that is permanently attached to a wall. There is blood on the weapon in the mornings…
In “The Larkhill Barrow,” the test-firing of a military weapon awakens something dark…
In “The Sisters of Mercy,” mysterious nuns haunt an old folks hospital…
“The Hellfire Mirror” involves Carnacki with a mirror from Lord Francis Dashwood of Hellfire Club infamy…
“The Tomb of Pygea” takes Carnacki to a construction site which dug up a sepulcher with dark magic repercussions…
In “The Beast of Glamis,” Carnacki is called to Scotland where a young girl is haunted by a bogle…
“The Lusitania” features disturbances on the ship long before its fatal date with a German torpedo…
In “The Haunted Oak” a vicar has a problem with a tree in the part of the churchyard where unclaimed poor and convict bodies are buried…
“The Shoreditch Worm” has a Lovecraftian monster raised by a very unusual means! Best in Book!
“The Dark Island” is a longer than usual tale. The titular island conceals a dark past…

William Meikle has two other volumes of Carnacki tales out, which I also recommend. I think William Hope Hodgson would be very proud!

I give the book five stars!

Quoth the Raven…

[Henry Eggleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heaven and Hell



A collection of stories concerning the supernatural investigator Carnacki. The stories aero interesting, tough I find the style of he character narrating his adventures to his friends as somewhat of a let down myself, however this is personal taste.
The stories themselves have only one fault, th a in each Tory we again are taken through what he does as a ward to protect himself.
Nevertheless these stories deserve to be read and enjoyed as the main character is very interesting.

[David Elkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Meikle has done a very good job of recreating the tales of Carnacki. He has captured the style and the atmosphere conveyed in the original. A tour de Force and well worth reading, whether on a device or an expensive signed leather copy. his ability to emulate original authors is very unique and I look forward to his Holmes novel