This wasn’t really what I was expecting and, because of that, it was better. I expected some sort of nautical ghost story. You know, “ghost pirates” aThis wasn’t really what I was expecting and, because of that, it was better. I expected some sort of nautical ghost story. You know, “ghost pirates” a la Scooby Doo or something like that.
What I found in stead was a sophisticated precursor to the weird fiction movement that culminated in people like Algernon Blackwood and H P Lovecraft and continues to this day in the people like Jeff VanderMeer. It was spooky and creepy. It gives a strong reminder that we know less and 1% of the universe and it is probably much larger and stranger than we imagine.
The author spent a lot of time in his young life on boats and it shows in his superb command of nautical language. ...more
There is no question that some people liked this book very much. For me, it is hard to see this book as anything more than 200 pages of amputations haThere is no question that some people liked this book very much. For me, it is hard to see this book as anything more than 200 pages of amputations happening, or being remembered, or being argued for, or being anticipated, or being fantasized about, or being threatened, or being celebrated. Time is taken from this in order to speak about stumps, the use of stumps, or the pain of stumps, or the bleeding and oozing of stumps. Lastly, on rare occasions, there’s is a murder mystery used as the dental floss that hold everything else together.
Perhaps that’s an unfair characterization, but that’s honestly how this book seemed to me. ...more
An anthology of stories regarding Sherlock Holmes or things adjacent to Holmes. It’s like almost all anthologies, it’s a mix of good, great, and meh. An anthology of stories regarding Sherlock Holmes or things adjacent to Holmes. It’s like almost all anthologies, it’s a mix of good, great, and meh. If you really like Holmes mysteries, I’m pretty sure you’ll enjoy this, maybe even love it. All others can probably safely pass on it. It’s definitely good, but there is better stuff out there for non-Holmes enthusiasts....more
This is a fine little haunted house tale, involving an old inherited estate, clouded histroy, and an occupant looking for a new lease on life. It has This is a fine little haunted house tale, involving an old inherited estate, clouded histroy, and an occupant looking for a new lease on life. It has all the typical essentials of a good haunted house story. These books usually sink or swim based on their writing, characters, and the details. This book swims.
I liked Emma from pretty early on in the book. I wanted her to do well. I felt the pain of her abusive relationship. I hated her ex, liked her support stytem, etc. There was also something compelling about her obligatory "love interest", Brent. The author chose to dispense with the usual annoying storyline of the detective who is all facts and figures, knows there is no such thing as ghosts, and is sure the lady is crazy until a ghost smacks him in the face near the end. The Detective Inspector early on feels conflict between what he "knows" (ghosts aren't real) and the fact that the house just never feels right, the young woman is clearly scared of something, even is it isn't ghosts. He then does what any good police officer would do. He sticks around to check out suspicious activities. I appreciate that.
This definitely isn't an earth shattering novel in the history of haunted house books. It is, for the most part, pretty standard stuff. That said, I enjoyed spending time with Emma and Brent, the mstery and backstory were compelling, and the resolution was satisfying. There's not a lot more to ask from a book like this. If you are in the mood for a good spooky home and the baddies than infest it, you could do a lot worse The Haunting of Brynlee House. ...more
There is a lot to commend The Legend of Judy Rose by D W Nathan. It is a simple, straight forward classically told horror story. It is written as the There is a lot to commend The Legend of Judy Rose by D W Nathan. It is a simple, straight forward classically told horror story. It is written as the reminiscences of an old man living in New Jersey recounting an inexplicable episode from his childhood. It has a conversational style which left me feeling as though I was on a porch with the old timer listening to him tell his weird tale.
The first part recounts a local legend from Roosevelt, NJ about a girl called Judy Rose. She was born “not right” and she only got wronger after that. The second half recounts the events which ensue when the protagonist as a young boy sets out with some friends to find the location of the Judy Rose legend.
While not especially innovative, it is well written, enjoyable, and satisfying. I found myself thinking about the story while walking outside my house later that night and getting thoroughly freakled out. What more can you ask for from a horror short? ...more
The House of Nodens by Sam Gafford is an excellent addition to the Lovecraftian cannon. It is borne of a successful mixture of coming-of-age novel, myThe House of Nodens by Sam Gafford is an excellent addition to the Lovecraftian cannon. It is borne of a successful mixture of coming-of-age novel, mystery, and Lovecraftian cosmic horror. It is one of the most enjoyable novels I’ve read in the last few months.
The novel centers around Bill, flipping back and forth between his childhood experiences with his friends in the 1970s and the present. Due to the tragic events of his childhood, Bill grows to become completely broken, an impoverished alcoholic disowned by his family. He remembers the events only dimly and drinks in part to forget what’s left. Something happens which forces him to come to terms with his childhood. Slowly but surely, we unravel the mystery of “what really happened that night”.
This was the first work I’ve read by Sam Gafford, but it will not be my last. I loved the mystery element of the story. The ending was excellent too. It left me with a wonderful sense of dread and foreboding. I’d love to read a sequel or a novel which takes place in some sort of adjacent story line....more
This starts as a thriller, shifts into a family mystery, and ends in a place darker still. It’s expertly written. To be honest, while I saw the endingThis starts as a thriller, shifts into a family mystery, and ends in a place darker still. It’s expertly written. To be honest, while I saw the ending coming from a mile away, I didn’t care. I enjoyed the characters and the game of chess Ms Ware played to get to the resolution. It was well played. ...more
It’s hard to know where to start when reviewing this book. Let me just start by saying it is awesome. You need to buy it. Like now.
Ok. Got that out oIt’s hard to know where to start when reviewing this book. Let me just start by saying it is awesome. You need to buy it. Like now.
Ok. Got that out of the way. Let me highlight a couple of things that really stick out as reasons why I feel you should part with your hard earned cash.
1. Prudence Osgood - formerly Pru, now Os. She’s a queer (very queer), smart-talking, paranormal investigator with a troubled past. She suffers from depression, has more than a few substance abuse issues, and I totally fell in love with her within a few pages. Her differentness from the stereotypical Raymond Chandler knock-offs that haunt most investigative novels is a breath of fresh air. 2. The Trio - Os undergoes her journey with two companions, Audrey and Zack. Audrey is the estranged bestie who comes back into Os’ life with a back story that adds depth and complexity to the mystery and Os both. Zack is the techie geek no investigator can be without these days. He is loyal, loving, and the perfect companion for Osgood’s witty and snarky repartee. It seems these three are here to stay for sequels and that only makes me want to read them more. 3. The Mystery - I won’t say too much about this. I don’t want to drop spoilers. Suffice it to stay that it involves 80s Rock, vinyl LPs, occult symbolism, conspiracy theories, possession, and trans-dimensional beings. Beckett takes you carefully through the unraveling, teasing you along the way, and the brings it to a crescendo that does not disappoint. 4. The Ending- This deserves its own number. While the mystery is really cool and compelling from the get go, Beckett takes it to a place that lives more in the horror genre than mystery novels. (Particularly, I smell some strong Lovecraft aromas in this brew.) For me, a confirmed Lovecraft nerd, that made the novel go from damn good to freakin great.
This novel was fun as hell. It had a great mystery and better ending. It will make you want to read the next ones (coming soon, I hope). If you love it half as much as I did, your time and money will have been well spent. ...more
This was my first attempt at an Agatha Raisin mystery. For the sake of my own frustrated sanity, it will probably be my last.
I cannot for the life ofThis was my first attempt at an Agatha Raisin mystery. For the sake of my own frustrated sanity, it will probably be my last.
I cannot for the life of me figure out what’s supposed to make Ms Raisin a competent sleuth. She’s not especially observant. She doesn’t make connections others can’t. She holds no expertise in criminology or forensics. She doesn’t have special personal contacts which she alone can use and combine their work into a cohesive whole.
From the writing it would seem her main competence lies in being a self-possessed woman in her 50s. That’s it. That might make her a compelling character, but it’s not enough to make her an investigator cracking tough mysteries. Having the insight of an adult in your 50s is great and all. I’m nearly there myself. But, I’m sorry, it’s not enough to solve the sort of complex and convoluted mysteries that take place on the pages of such books.
Two features of this book bare out Ms Raisin’s distracting lack of skill more than any other for me. First: It is staggering how much “investigating” in this book is done in livingrooms while drinking tea, sherry, or gin. In isolation this is not that meaningful. However, it adds to the overall feeling that the “heroine” is nothing more than a dilettante out of her depth. Second: each major “break in the case“ is made by accident. In the end, it leaves me with the impression of a hobbit solving a Sherlock Holmes level case. Kay Scarpetta or Lisbeth Salander would have had this mystery solved in 15 pages.
Other than my desire for the protagonist to excuse herself from each and every scene (or to have been the victim in the first scene), the crime well constructed, the plot was nicely paced, and the book was well written. ...more
This was my first Holly Black book. On the surface, this is a story about three childhood friends in their early adolescence, just on the cusp of goinThis was my first Holly Black book. On the surface, this is a story about three childhood friends in their early adolescence, just on the cusp of going their separate ways. They are dimly aware of this dynamic. When Zach insensitive father throws away the toys essential to their friendship, their breaking up is accelerated. The three friends have one last, final great adventure precipitated by a doll which may or may not be haunted.
I think, in the end, the story doesn’t quite work. Not in the way it is being told. If it is for early adolescent readers, then it would have been better to focus primarily on the mystery of the doll. Is it really haunted? It is not? Is Poppy just manipulating them all? If all of this is real, then how is it real? Ms. Black leaves most of these questions unanswered. In stead she focuses on the second dimension of the novel.
The second dimension of the novel is one that really cannot be fully grasped by the adolescents readers this book is marketed to. The kids in the story, their friendship rekindled by their adventure, are wholly unaware of what adult readers (and the author) know. Their childhood friendship is over. Their adventure - which never really was about the haunted (or not) doll - is actually all for nothing. One begins the long path to lonely and solitary teen years. The other two are off to begin their first forays into pre-adult sexuality together. As a “coming of age” story, this book is incredible depressing. The worst part of it is that few 12 year old readers will catch this.
So, Ms. Black leaves the tale that would have spoken most clearly to her audience for one they can only partially grasp, one that is only really understood by an audience she isn’t trying to reach. ...more
There is no question that Preston and Child stick to what has become a pretty successful formula over the last few decades. Brilliant outsider discoveThere is no question that Preston and Child stick to what has become a pretty successful formula over the last few decades. Brilliant outsider discovers importune information that will change the world. They connect with someone loaded with cash who shares their interests. A motley crew of professionals is assembled. They go on an adventure together where many or most of them die. Someone betrays the group for something higher or greed. They (and other sundry bad guys) are overcome just at the moment you are sure the good guys will be defeated. Then the credits roll.
What saves this book is that Child and Preston seems to clearly know how to keep this formula from seeming like a formula. Their writing is excellent. Their characters are compelling and three dimensional. Their research is first rate. Unlike Dan Brown, who seems to only read three wikipedia articles before pontificating in a book like an expert, these guys actually delve into the source material and find interesting tidbits to tease out a great yarn.
Thunderhead has everything in it that fans of this genre will be looking for: compelling female protagonist, the aforementioned motley crew, a great adventure, some heartwarming scenes, and the even obligatory romance isn’t too groan-worthy. (Honestly, why do so many people get horny when their lives are in peril?)
Personally, the story wasn’t my favorite this time around. I think something about the American Southwest or the Anasaz or the mystery they pursue didn’t speak to me. However, it was clear to me from early on that this had to do with me not being engaged by these particular themes, locals, and historical material. The writing, story, and plotting where all on point.
Pretty much any fan of the genre, or Preston and Child, will enjoy this book....more
Andrew “The Weirdling”
>
Books:
mystery
(85)
Loading...
