Charting the behind the scenes story of Warren Beatty’s 1991 film, this is goes into a bit of detail about Chester Gould and his famous creationCharting the behind the scenes story of Warren Beatty’s 1991 film, this is goes into a bit of detail about Chester Gould and his famous creation before tracking the planning and making of the movie. Bonifer clearly likes his own style, pontificating at length in various places to no real end and the piece is clearly sanctioned by Disney - everyone who works on it is great and everything goes well. Beatty isn’t mentioned often (I would assume Bonifer never spoke with him) though he’s much adored, a true perfectionist who brings out the best in his collaborators (only Vittorio Storaro is allowed to say it got on his nerves). Storaro, production designer Richard Sylbert and costume designer Milena Canonero get the most attention (and talk glowingly of each other), with John Caglione and Doug Drexler getting the best coverage of the effects teams with their spectacular make-ups (I’d have preferred as much info about the miniatures and matte paintings). It’s worth a read because there are some gems - how they worked out the colour scheme, for one - even if they’re usually buried in a lot of gushing adulation. Of its time and much too sanitised for its own good, if you love the film it’d be worth a read but if you’re after film-making nuts and bolts, I’d look elsewhere....more
Lord Peter Flint, the British agent best known as Warlord, appears here in comics pages for the first time since 1991. Professor Von Bessner hasLord Peter Flint, the British agent best known as Warlord, appears here in comics pages for the first time since 1991. Professor Von Bessner has defected but been imprisoned by the Nazis he refuses to serve and it’s Flint’s job to get him out! In the 70s, my favourite comic “Bullet” had a good run until it was absorbed - as so often happened - into another, in this case “Warlord” (Flint was Fireball’s guardian). I read “Warlord” for a while but it wasn’t really my thing and moved on to 2000AD, so it’s probably 40+ years since I’ve read any of Flint’s adventures. When I found out two stories were being published as part of the ongoing Commando series (another comic run I used to read as a kid), I picked the first one up. Told over 63 pages in black & white artwork, it’s a simple enough story but gives plenty of opportunity for Flint to shine as both a secret agent and a wit (something I thoroughly enjoyed in the comic) and it was lovely to see the Warlord logo again. The story has a good pace, lots of action and a decent twist and it appealed to the nostalgic in me, so I thought it worked. If you read the comic, or remember the war comics of the 70s and early 80s (an ad at the back, talking of reprints, mentions the fact “some pages may contain references which are of their time, but would not be considered suitable today”), this has the same kind of violence, thud and blunder and I’d recommend it. ...more
In 1989, Jonie & Bella were ten-year-old best friends who played ‘Knock, Knock, Ginger’ (we called it ‘Cherry Knocking’) on the door of Billy ‘In 1989, Jonie & Bella were ten-year-old best friends who played ‘Knock, Knock, Ginger’ (we called it ‘Cherry Knocking’) on the door of Billy ‘Creepy’ Cawley’s bungalow. But things took a turn for the worst when Jonie disappeared and Bella’s evidence saw Creepy Cawley convicted of her murder and sentenced to thirty years in prison. When Billy is released, in 2019, Anna (Bella) goes back to her hometown as someone is nailing doll parts to her mothers front door. Could he be seeking revenge? This is the first novel I’ve read by Sam Carrington and I thoroughly enjoyed it for the most part. Characterisation is strong, the two timelines (seeing the fall-out from 1989 and the memories being dredged up in 2019) worked together well and the village of Mapledon is well realised (and quite frightening in its own right). There are plenty of suspects, more than a few red herrings and a couple of nice twists (one of which is a kind of “I’ve gathered you all here today…” sequence that I felt pushed credibility a bit) before a satisfying conclusion. Good fun, suspenseful and well worth a read. ...more
From “Star Wars” in 1977 right through to “The Rise Of Skywalker” in 2019, Anthony Daniels has been inside C3PO, that unfailingly polite golden droidFrom “Star Wars” in 1977 right through to “The Rise Of Skywalker” in 2019, Anthony Daniels has been inside C3PO, that unfailingly polite golden droid who captured imaginations around the globe. Here, Daniels tells of how he got started, the trials and tribulations of filming and pretty much every point in between. The official blurb calls this a “deeply personal memoir” (how can a memoir not be personal?) and while that’s true to an extent, we don’t find out anything about him if it’s not connected to the Star Wars saga - it starts, pretty much, with his first audition for Lucas - and I would have preferred to see more background. For an officially sanctioned book, however, Daniels is refreshingly honest. He’s clearly not a fan of the prequels - either the finished films or the process of making them - and is wonderfully blunt about it and also doesn’t like the CGI Carrie Fisher in “Rogue One”. He acknowledges the obnoxious reputation that precedes him (which doesn’t come across at all), with most of it seeming to come from his relationship (or not) with Kenny Baker - to his credit, whatever the truth of the situation, he deals with it very tactfully here. Oddly, though, the book spells the “Empire Strikes Back” director as Kirshner (it’s Kershner) so Daniels mentions ‘Kirsh’ frequently - that’s a fairly easy mistake that should have been picked up. Being a Star Wars fan of longstanding and having read a LOT of books on the subject, I’m aware of most of the stories Daniels covers his but not from his viewpoint and, on that basis - as well as his wit and candour - I’d very much recommend it. ...more
Published as part of Marvel’s “Journey to the Force Awakens” programme, this four-issue mini-series picks up immediately after “Return Of The Jedi”Published as part of Marvel’s “Journey to the Force Awakens” programme, this four-issue mini-series picks up immediately after “Return Of The Jedi” and explores the galactic implications of Emperor Palpatine’s death during the Battle Of Endor. Focussing on Poe Dameron’s parents - Rebel pilot Shara Bey (who almost blasts Luke as he leaves the Death Star) and her husband Kes Dameron (part of Han Solo’s strike team) - it reads well and has a good pace, taking a logical approach to the story threads and how the vacuum at the top is filled. This edition also includes “Princess Leia 1” (which is good fun) and the start of the original adaption of “Star Wars”, freshly coloured. If you’re a fan, this is well worth a read and I’d recommend it....more
When Steve Austin goes to Battle Mountain to help geologists chart a new faultline, it turns out Bigfoot roams the timberline there. But maybe there’sWhen Steve Austin goes to Battle Mountain to help geologists chart a new faultline, it turns out Bigfoot roams the timberline there. But maybe there’s a more sinister explanation, something buried deep in the mountain, that only the Six Million Dollar Man is equipped to discover. Adapted from the double episode by Kenneth Johnson, this does a good job of translating the visuals to the page and Jahn also works the novel into the logic from the original Martin Caidin novels (Austin has a plate in his head). There’s also a chapter explaining how Steve Austin came to be the Six Million Dollar Man which is nicely written and covers all aspects, making it clear Steve wasn’t too happy with the process. Jahn writes action well and the pace moves along briskly, but this does detract from some of the character work. I don’t remember the TV episode at all (and although this series was my favourite growing up, I’m very reluctant to go back and watch any), but this seems like enjoyable nonsense and translated into a good read. ...more
You can’t trust your mother, your best friend, the neighbour next door. One minute they’re perfectly normal, the next - RABID. Pray it doesn’t happenYou can’t trust your mother, your best friend, the neighbour next door. One minute they’re perfectly normal, the next - RABID. Pray it doesn’t happen to you! Based on Cronenberg’s screenplay, this is a straightforward adaption by Richard Lewis, who was publishing plenty of paperback horror originals in the UK at the time. Told at great pace - there’s a lot of action - this doesn’t spend much time in character’s heads and, on occasion, set pieces go rattling by where you think, after the fact, he could have got much more tension and terror out of them. I enjoyed it and I particularly liked the way he covers the scientific mumbo-jumbo - a character will ask Dr Keloid (the doctor who essentially starts the rabies plague off) what he means and he explains it. If you like this sort of thing, you’ll enjoy it but if not, it won’t convert you. ...more
Another in the Ladybird Books for Grown Ups series, this does exactly what the title says and covers the Dad. As a son and father, there was plenty IAnother in the Ladybird Books for Grown Ups series, this does exactly what the title says and covers the Dad. As a son and father, there was plenty I recognised in here and some of the pages made me properly laugh. The concept, taking illustrations from classic Ladybird books (all of the artists are credited at the back) and applying new write-ups to each, is inspired and for the most part it works. Even better, the humour covers every part of the book, such as the writers having letters after their name (NSFW and OMG) and the ‘other titles’ list on the back page jumping to a random volume. Expensive for what it is, this is nonetheless well worth a read....more
First published in May 1978 by Usborne, this thrilled me as a 9-year old and I did, indeed, set up a detective bureau in my bedroom, fingerprintingFirst published in May 1978 by Usborne, this thrilled me as a 9-year old and I did, indeed, set up a detective bureau in my bedroom, fingerprinting friends and family and wandering around Rothwell trying to find cases to solve. I’ve spent years looking for this - I couldn’t remember the publisher or title - and it was a chance glance while looking for the Usborne ghosts book that I discovered it. The Flat Man (the baddie of the piece) inspired some villains in my own writing at the time (Detective West came up against Wiry Cog, as I recall) and the story still works now, forty-one years later. Inspired, well laid out and beautifully illustrated by Colin King, I loved this then and I loved re-discovering it as a fifty-year-old. Brilliant and very highly recommended....more
Tonight the fog that rises off the California coast is different, unnatural, a writhing icy mist blanketing the small town, concealing it’s terrors.Tonight the fog that rises off the California coast is different, unnatural, a writhing icy mist blanketing the small town, concealing it’s terrors. For tonight, one hundred years later, they have risen from the dead in vengeful fury, stalking down their victims in a night of unimaginable horror. With a back cover blurb that gives away pretty much everything, this is a workman-like adaption of John Carpenter & Debra Hill’s screenplay by the excellent Dennis Etchison (misspelled on the cover of my copy). Trying to convey a very visual idea (and while it’s a creepy film, most of that tension comes from what you see or hear) with prose was always going to be a difficult proposition and Etchison is restricted in quite a few areas, not least of which is that the characters don’t get too much depth (apart from Nick Castle, one of the protagonists, who spends his time thinking badly of the girl he’s just picked up). Set pieces move quickly, the writer is left to explain some things that slow the pace down and on paper, the fog creeping in isn’t really that worrying. Not as bad as this review might make it sound - Etchison is too good a writer for that to happen - but if you’d read this first, you probably wouldn’t rush out to see the film. Worth reading, certainly, but it’s not brilliant. ...more
A wonderful blast-from-the-past, this is a reprint (complete with Reece Shearsmith foreword) of the classic 1977 edition. Well illustrated, this wasA wonderful blast-from-the-past, this is a reprint (complete with Reece Shearsmith foreword) of the classic 1977 edition. Well illustrated, this was the perfect book for ghost-mad kids back in the day and still works well now. Covering everything from explaining what a ghost is and how they’ve appeared in history, where they’re likely to gather and how literature has presented them, through to a helpful map of a haunted village, this has it all. With a healthy scepticism (it debunks several myths), this also presents the photographs that terrified me as a child, including the old lady in the back seat of a car (and you can tell me a million times her scarf is over part of the car frame, I still won’t believe you). Essential reading and a wonderful nostalgic blast, highly recommended....more
Psychotherapist Dr Hal Raglan runs the Somafree Institute, where he practises ‘psychoplasmics’, a technique he’s developed which encourages patientsPsychotherapist Dr Hal Raglan runs the Somafree Institute, where he practises ‘psychoplasmics’, a technique he’s developed which encourages patients to release suppressed emotions through physiological changes to their bodies. Nola Carveth is one of his patients but when her husband, Frank, discovers their daughter Candy has been injured on a visit, he wants to stop them connecting. The problem is, Nola is Raglan’s best patient, the one who has taken the technique to its logical and murderous conclusion. Based on David Cronenberg’s screenplay, this does a workman-like job of telling the story though Starks does add some touches of his own and delves a little more into the background of certain aspects. The book has a decent enough pace but suffers with little characterisation and doesn’t make as much of the set-pieces (especially Ruth Mayer’s big scene) as the excellent film does. Worth a read as a companion piece but the film is better way to experience this story. ...more
Another excellent entry in the long running series, this issue from November 1988 covers four films - “Alien Nation” (article by Ron Magid), “Die HardAnother excellent entry in the long running series, this issue from November 1988 covers four films - “Alien Nation” (article by Ron Magid), “Die Hard” by Adam Eisenberg, “Dead Ringers” by Don Shay and “The Blob” by Robert G. Piekle - which are all very different but full of cutting edge effects. From the make-up pressures of “Alien” to the nice combination of miniatures (which had me fooled when I saw the film) and reality in “Die Hard”, from the work required to get convincing split screens in “Dead Ringers” (and they really do work) to the gory excesses of “The Blob”, the articles showcase the incredible creativity of the effects teams who had to make things work with foam, rubber and models, without the get-out of creating everything in the computer afterwards (no pictures in here of a group of people sitting pointing at a monitor), though it’s amusing the split-screen gizmo in “Dead Ringers” runs off a Compaq 286 and hard disks. Entertaining, informative and intriguing enough it makes me want to see the films again, if you like behind the scenes stuff and effects, this is a cracking read and I highly recommend it....more
A group of thirty-something friends, who’ve known each other since their Oxford days, go to the Scottish Highlands to see in the New Year. OrganisedA group of thirty-something friends, who’ve known each other since their Oxford days, go to the Scottish Highlands to see in the New Year. Organised by Emma, a relative newcomer to the group, it’s clear very early on that all is not well, the friendships straining and when a body is found in a nearby loch, it’s clearly not an accidental death. As the weather worsens and the estate is shut off, the friends are left to bicker and pretend all is well while two members of staff, both with their own secrets, are caught up in the fray. This is an entertaining read, told from three viewpoints in a pre-New-Years timeline - Miranda, the belle of the group; Katie, the plain friend done well and Emma - and the staff POV in the post-New-Years (we don’t see who the victim is until quite late in the story). The characterisation is well done, the location is well realised and clues to the discontent - and the murder - are salted throughout though for the bulk of the novel, it’s more of a contemporary drama than a thriller (and I don’t think it could be qualified as a psychological one, at that). With a good pace and a firm grasp of the story (if a slightly unlikely resolution to one of the threads), this is well told and well worth a read....more
Richardson is an Oscar and Bafta-winning special effects supervisor and designer, who’s been involved in more than 100 films, including nine JamesRichardson is an Oscar and Bafta-winning special effects supervisor and designer, who’s been involved in more than 100 films, including nine James Bonds, Aliens, Superman, The Omen and the Harry Potter series. From creating explosions to beheading David Warner, from creating futuristic gadgets and helping make a man fly, Richardson holds a unique place in cinema history, learning his trade from his dad, pioneering FX technician Cliff Richardson. As a life-long fan of special effects - and behind-the-scenes books - I was looking forward to reading this, especially since Richardson was involved in some films that form part of my formative viewing years (especially Warlords Of Atlantis!). It reads as if you were sitting down and chatting with him so it wasn’t a surprise to see Gareth Owen (manager for the late, great Sir Roger Moore and on-stage interviewer for his brilliant theatre shows) thanked in the acknowledgements. Running through his career in general - with very few biographical details - it takes in the big films, the surprising entries in his filmography (Straw Dogs, for me) and all points between, a combination of techniques, ideas and the fun to be had working as part of a big film crew (there are plenty of practical jokes). Thoroughly entertaining (the final section is a filmography and a display of posters for his films), my only real issue would be the lack of photo captions (probably 95% of the pictures are unidentified and even if you can work out for yourself who and what you’re looking at, it’s not always clear). That aside, this is great fun and well worth the read. Recommended. ...more
I’ve been looking for this book (published in 1980) for years and finally stumbled across it in a 2nd hand bookshop in Leicester for 4 (much cheaperI’ve been looking for this book (published in 1980) for years and finally stumbled across it in a 2nd hand bookshop in Leicester for £4 (much cheaper than I ever saw quoted on ebay!). Back in the 80s, I imagined it would be full of instructions on how to create monsters (as the title would suggest) but it’s so much more than, a roll-call of make-up greats from the start of the film industry up to Rick Baker (but published just prior to his American Werewolf breathrough). Twenty-five artists are interviewed, some more interesting than others, but because of the timing there’s only a few who didn’t get to contribute some thoughts or anecdotes. It was particularly heartening to read of the likes of Jack Dawn (who built prosthetic appliances for injured soldiers returning from World War 2), Gordon Bau (who created prosthetics for amputees after the war) and Howard Smit (who made up a team of undercover policemen trying to track down criminals mugging old ladies). The John Chambers segment is fascinating - as well as his credited make-up work in films, it appears he did a lot for other films without credit (including the head in the boat sequence from “Jaws”) in addition to a lot of work with wounded soldiers and people who suffered life-altering injuries. He also became the first make-up artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. The book finishes with Stan Winston and Rick Baker, two men just starting out at the time (most of Baker’s section covers “King Kong” and goes into details of his stressful time on the film), who would go on to do great things - as the book was published, Baker was a year off creating the American Werewolf make-up effects that would win him an Oscar. Competently written and well laid out, it’s clear Sue Roy (who apparently did most of the work) interviewed her subjects thoroughly and it’s nice to see the changes in the film over the span of the twentieth century, with the newcomers building on the work of those who came before - and being reverential about it. The book does have some glitches - the aforementioned Dawn is given full credit for the Creature From The Black Lagoon make-up, completely ignoring Milicent Patrick while Jacqueline Pearce who is mentioned as being the reptile in the Hammer film is shown, in a photograph, with the actress being menaced given her name - but these kind of add to its charm in a strange way. I found this completely fascinating, explaining difficult processes in a clear and easy way and really giving these technicians a chance to shine. I’m glad I finally managed to track down a copy and if, like me, you’re interested in movie make-up, I’d very much recommend it. ...more
The coastal town of Potter’s Bluff is small, insular and friendly, where everyone knows everyone else’s business and outsiders are easy to spot. SoThe coastal town of Potter’s Bluff is small, insular and friendly, where everyone knows everyone else’s business and outsiders are easy to spot. So when dead bodies start to turn up - burned beyond recognition - Sheriff Dan Gillis doesn’t have a great deal to go on, except that his wife seems to be tied up in it. As the threads of his investigation start to come together, he realises his neighbours might not be everything he’d thought they were… Based on the screenplay to the excellent film - though not, it appears, the shooting script - this is a decent attempt to create a suspenseful novel from a story that, I think, works best visually. In the film, we see the characters and get a sense of the almost surreal nature of what’s happening, while Yarbro is forced to explain bits and pieces that don’t really work once they’re laid out. Having said that, she writes well and the pace clatters along, with Dan taking the lion’s share of the POV - Janet, his wife, gets short-changed the most unfortunately, while others characters seem there purely to serve the plot. The suspense set-pieces - such as the out-of-town family pursued through a deserted house - are very well done and there’s a nice creepy sense over the piece, that lingers well into the last quarter where everything appears to turn on its head (no spoilers here). With a great eye for location - a small town with lots of sea mist - and atmosphere to spare, this is a worthy companion to the film (different enough to make it an interesting and intriguing read in its own right) and if you liked the movie, I’d very much recommend this. ...more
Charting the filmic output of Stephen King and covering some sixty-five movies and thirty television shows, this is apparently “the most comprehensiveCharting the filmic output of Stephen King and covering some sixty-five movies and thirty television shows, this is apparently “the most comprehensive account of the films and television series adapted from [his] work…ever put together.” I grew up reading King, his novels and short stories led me into a lifelong love of the horror genre and I’ve enjoyed several of his films too, so this seemed an ideal read for me, especially since I liked Nathan’s work in Empire magazine. However, having now read it, I’m not entirely sure what it’s purpose is. The blurb promises “fresh critical analysis, interviews, behind-the-scenes revelations and biographical detail”, but I didn’t see much of that at all. Each item has a pitch-line, basic credits and plenty of beautifully reproduced pictures, but the content varies alarmingly (as does the length). If Nathan likes the film (and he includes a handy list telling you his favourites), the film takes up more space (8 pages for “The Shining”, “Shawshank” and “Stand By Me”, for example), whereas the ones he doesn’t have time for (including “Dolan’s Cadillac”, which he clearly loathes), cover one or two. There’s no consistency in what is covered (there’s no fresh critical analysis), the interviews all come from other books/magazines and there’s not a lot of behind-the-scenes revelations that won’t already be known to fans. There’s also a weird editorial glitch, where he mentions characters or actors surnames who haven’t been listed in the limited credits, making the reader feel like they’ve missed something. Hard to recommend, it looks lovely but, as King himself said about “The Shining”, it’s “like a big, beautiful Cadillac with no engine inside it”. ...more
Eve and Dinah are as close as sisters, never parted as they lives their restricted lives on the Isle of Altnaharra, a community of strays ruled by aEve and Dinah are as close as sisters, never parted as they lives their restricted lives on the Isle of Altnaharra, a community of strays ruled by a mysterious figure they call Uncle. Eve longs to be free and, with the world at war, the solitude of Alnaharra is broken, along with her faith and sanity. When things reach a bloody climax, Eve and Dinah’s accounts of that night contradict but only one woman can be telling the truth. A proper slow-burn of a novel, this gothic takes place over several time periods, the different years peeling back information for each other as the story becomes ever more clearer. Once you realise what the Isle is (and, more specifically, what John (the Uncle) is doing) it becomes a painful harrowing read at times - the children are starved and drugged, while he eats richly every night and things just get worse - and everything builds to a powerful punch of an ending. The characterisation is vivid, as is the use of location while the pacing is deliberately so (it drags quite a bit around the three-quarter mark) and it’s quite a gruelling read at times but well worth sticking with. Recommended....more
Grieving after the sudden death of her husband - and the curious, heartless reactions of her in-laws, Laura is struggling to cope emotionally andGrieving after the sudden death of her husband - and the curious, heartless reactions of her in-laws, Laura is struggling to cope emotionally and financially. With her 17-year-old daughter Tilly, she takes up an invitation from a local community group, Oak Leaf Organics, to move to their commune. But once settled in with their new ‘family’, things take a sinister turn and after one of the community dies in suspicious circumstances Laura wants to leave but Tilly, enthralled by the charismatic leader, Alex, refuses to go. Soon Laura uncovers a horrifying secret and then realises they’ve been digging into her past, discovering the terrifying reason they invited her and Tilly in, and why they’ll never let them leave… Beautifully constructed, this is a deceptively simple story though once the house of cards begins to crumble, you see how much work has gone into making the sleek plot sing. Told from Laura and Tilly’s points of view (with occasional others for good measure), this presents well realised characters, in a nicely detailed location (most of it takes place at the farm/commune) and a plot that twists and turns, stumping this reader several times in the last quarter. Great pace, well written and frighteningly real, this is a terrific read and I’d highly recommend it. ...more
It all begins on a Monday, when four people board an elevator in a Manhattan office tower which proceeds, non-stop, to the top, stops for a fewIt all begins on a Monday, when four people board an elevator in a Manhattan office tower which proceeds, non-stop, to the top, stops for a few seconds, then plummets to the bottom of the shaft. It appears to be a horrific, random tragedy until it happens again on Tuesday, in a different Manhattan skyscraper. Wednesday brings yet another high-rise catastrophe and suddenly one of the most vertical cities in the world is plunged into chaos. Clearly, this is anything but random and is a cold, calculated bid to terrorise the city. And it's working. Told from three points of view - investigative reporter Barbara Matheson, Mayor Richard Headley (who Barbara despises and is constantly writing about) and NYPD Detectives Bourque & Delgado - this follows the investigations and consequences of the elevator failings, while also taking in a terrorism group, a bomb in a taxi, tangled family histories and a quest for revenge. The details stack up nicely, the plot moves along at a fast pace and the characters are bold, if thinly drawn. Barclay conveys a good sense of New York, we get back stories for the people who are caught up in the tragic events (just enough to make us care - and wince, on occasion) and the logic holds well, that if such a situation were to occur, you could see it playing out like this. This is the first Barclay novel I’ve read but, on the strength of it, I can’t see it being the last. A good blend of suspense, tension and city politics, I’d recommend this. ...more
Diver James McGregor is used to exploring sunken ships but there's something strange about his latest job, on the wreck of the Grave Descend. ForDiver James McGregor is used to exploring sunken ships but there's something strange about his latest job, on the wreck of the Grave Descend. For starters, no-one aboard tells quite the same story about what happened and then there's the mysterious cargo they were carrying. Very soon, it seems McGregor might be mixed up in something over his head. Written by Crichton when he was a medical student (this was originally published in 1970, though he revised it for the Hard Case edition), this is proper pulp - the plot races along, characterisation is minimal, some of the writing is very much of its time but it works. The story twists and turns nicely, there are flashes of humour and violence and it’s well written, delivering everything you want a good pulp novel to do. I thoroughly enjoyed it (though it’s a lot shorter than you expect, the Hard Case edition is 204 pages long but the last fifth is an excerpt from another novel) and would very much recommend it, if you like this kind of thing. ...more
Struggling to cope with the tragic loss of her husband and son, Leah moves to Maitland Farm. Her husband found the listing and dreamed of living thereStruggling to cope with the tragic loss of her husband and son, Leah moves to Maitland Farm. Her husband found the listing and dreamed of living there and Leah, who shares ancestry with the farm, decides to make it a reality. But as she arrives at the run-down Yorkshire farmhouse, snow shrouds her new home. While it might look like a Christmas card, it’s soon clear it's not just the house that needs renovation: the land is in bad heart, too. As Leah sets to work, she begins to see visions of the farm's former occupants - and of the dark secrets that lie at the heart of Maitland Farm. I have been a fan of Alison’s since her first novel, an accomplished writer who can apparently turn her hand to not only different styles of horror but different time periods too, making it all seem easy. She does the same here, slipping from the present day back a hundred years or more, the seams blended so well it takes you a while to realise what’s happening. Maitland Farm - and her ancestors - are well described and the sequences with the unfortunate lady of the house take on a sad tinge, which is cleverly maintained. Leah is beautifully written, a grounded character so consumed by grief she’s open to supernatural persuasion, which starts small - did that really happen? - and then becomes something much more scary. With a great little supporting cast (the family over the next field), an isolated location (perhaps 90% of the book is in and around the farm), the ability to make mistletoe frightening and a measured pace, this is an excellent read and I would highly recommend it. ...more
Lily Cortez finds out, by accident, that her real father has just died. Growing up with her sister Zinnia in a two-mum’s household, she’d alwaysLily Cortez finds out, by accident, that her real father has just died. Growing up with her sister Zinnia in a two-mum’s household, she’d always assumed her father was a donor but it appears her mother, Roma, had a fling which her mum Patsie, wasn’t best pleased about. To try and establish links with her “other” family, Lily moves to Middledip to work in the pub her half-brother Tubb runs. But when he takes a sabbatical to Switzerland, in order to recuperate from a heart attack, Lily finds herself smitten with new bar manager Isaac though, as always in a Sue Moorcroft novel, things don’t run smoothly. I liked this a great deal - Lily is a fantastic character and her interplay with Isaac is nicely handled, as is her friendship with Carola (from “The Little Village Christmas”). It’s always great fun to spend time in Middledip (and revisit a lot of characters from Sue’s previous books) and, this time, the action moves further afield as a big chunk of the novel is set in Switzerland at Christmas, when snow is all around. The pacing is spot on, the characters and atmosphere and perfectly realised and there’s a well-maintained suspense to the will-they-won’t-they. Highly recommended. ...more
When the seventh Earl of Lowesdale is found hanging at Wasdale Hall, everyone assumes it’s suicide until the coroner finds signs of foul play and DIWhen the seventh Earl of Lowesdale is found hanging at Wasdale Hall, everyone assumes it’s suicide until the coroner finds signs of foul play and DI Kelly Porter is swept into a world where secrets and lies dominate. Meanwhile, two young hikers go missing and it’s up to Kelly to lead the search. But digging deeper reveals ties to other unsolved disappearances and Kelly and her team are in a race against time. Soon, both investigations and Kelly’s own family secrets, lead back to Wasdale Hall. This is the third book in the Porter series, but it seems to stand pretty much alone (the one key link with the others, her sisters PTSD, is resolved off page and the character disappears at the three-quarter point) though on the evidence of this, I can’t see myself investigating said back catalogue. Porter is a gung-ho officer, leading a team and very sure of herself but the frailties she displays are almost always contradictory. Her relationship with Johnny, a mountain rescue man, never really convinces and the interaction (often bad) with her family feels tacked on, rather than organic (she asks her mother a serious question at one point, which could potentially be life-changing and it’s cleared up in a few sentences). Most of the characters are almost cartoonish (the brawny gamekeeper, the too-close siblings, the damaged (why?) young man, the bad seed) and it’s not made clear why the person who kidnaps the young hikers does so - even less why we spend so much time with another character who is blatantly a red herring. With some atmospheric use of the Lakes as a location, I couldn’t decide if this wanted to a drama, a thriller or a police procedural and found myself skimming chunks towards the end (including one whole chapter which details a character going fishing). Hard to recommend. ...more
When patent lawyer Peter Hamilton is found dead at a remote crag in the Peak District called The Devil’s Dice, police are surprised to find hisWhen patent lawyer Peter Hamilton is found dead at a remote crag in the Peak District called The Devil’s Dice, police are surprised to find his initials cut - many years before - deep into the stone behind him. The network of caves around him, known at The Labyrinth, are a well known suicide spot and subject to countless spooky legends. DI Meg Dalton isn’t superstitious but she’s also no stranger to suicide, her sister having killed herself when Meg was ten. A debut novel, this quickly introduces Meg and her damage - a pronounced limp (we later find out where it came from) and something that happened to her in Manchester, which led to her transfer back to Derbyshire - and she makes for a good character. Along with her new partner, the clean-shaven lapsed Sikh DS Jai Sanghera, their relationship is strong and believable, cracking the case and the occasional joke and coming across as well rounded people. The rest of the characters - police colleagues, as well as the friends and relatives of the deceased - are all strikingly created and none of them sounded a false note for me. The locations are well used and described, as is the power of legend and the plot ticks along nicely. Atmospheric, smart and well told, this is a good read and I’d very much recommend it. ...more
After years in a difficult marriage, Kate decides enough is enough and tells husband Jack - who has a bit of a temper on him - that she wants aAfter years in a difficult marriage, Kate decides enough is enough and tells husband Jack - who has a bit of a temper on him - that she wants a divorce. He doesn’t accept it and when he discovers she’s met another man, his jealousy escalates into a rage no-one is safe from. Another in the excellent Quick Reads series, this works well as both a primer to Ms Cohen (I haven’t read one of her novels before but, on the strength of this, I would be tempted) and as a ‘quick’ read in itself. The set-up is fairly simple, with Kate and Jack narrating alternate chapters (all of which take place on specified dates after the break-up) and the characters are well drawn, both the leads, their children and Mel, Kate’s best friend. Tom, Kate’s new partner, feels a bit short-changed but it’s not an issue. Told with good pace and some nice foreshadowing, I thoroughly enjoyed this (even if I did have a slight issue with the use of plaster) and would very much recommend it. ...more
Starting with the announcement 2018 was the 40th anniversary of “Space Invaders”, this charts computer/video gaming from its infancy in the 50s andStarting with the announcement 2018 was the 40th anniversary of “Space Invaders”, this charts computer/video gaming from its infancy in the 50s and 60s through to today, though it spends a lot of time in the boom of the 70s and 80s, which worked perfectly for me. The format is simple, each double-page spread commenting either on a particular game, system or historic incident, with Whitehead making for a good host. He gets across plenty of facts with a good sense of humour, so this reads almost as though you’re sitting down with a more knowledgeable mate and having a nostalgic chat about the computers of your teens. The games are discussed broadly - though the programmers are almost always named - and the systems are put into context of what they led to, while the artwork is a mixture of screengrabs, cassette covers and production art. Funny, occasionally enlightening (I didn’t know there were Spectrum games built around James Herbert’s “The Rats” or “The A-Team”) and always readable, for someone who came into gaming in the 80s (I had a ZX81), this was an excellent read and I would highly recommend it....more
I’ve been aware of The Killers since “Mr Brightside” and knew most of their songs, even if I wasn’t a committed fan. That all changed, however, whenI’ve been aware of The Killers since “Mr Brightside” and knew most of their songs, even if I wasn’t a committed fan. That all changed, however, when we watched their headline set at Glastonbury in 2019 and I suddenly realised what I’d been missing. Since then, I’ve picked up their back catalogue, have a new favourite band and then discovered this (big) book. Mark Beaumont is a music journalist who not only knows the band but has been writing about them from the start and a note in the acknowledgements makes it clear that although it might not be authorised, the band was very much behind it. Covering everything the Killers has done - and it’s a biography of the band, in that we get the life stories of the four prior to joining it but afterwards, unless it relates directly to the group, it’s only mentioned in passing (such as Brandon getting married) - up until the end of the Battle Born tour in 2013, this is thorough (and includes plenty of quotes from various interviews over the years with a wide variety of publications) and doesn’t shy away from any issues, from Brandon’s early scrapping through the music press to the dissatisfaction over touring and input from Dave and Mark in the later albums. They dropped out of touring after the books timeline, though it was obviously on the cards because Beaumont includes long interviews with both, interspersed through the book. As a read, it’s perfect book for a Killers fan as it charts how these four blokes with little in common clubbed together and took on the world, from the early days in Vegas when they couldn’t get arrested to the satisfaction of playing Wembley (“we’ve come a long way from Dave’s apartment,” as Brandon says). The excitement and enthusiasm from the bandmates is tangible and the fact they all come across as nice blokes just makes it all the better. Told with wit and insight, I loved this and if you like The Killers, I would highly recommend it....more
She lies so still. A tatty yellow dress, chipped green nail varnish, long eyelashes on pale skin. She should be at a sleepover, not lying in the dirt,She lies so still. A tatty yellow dress, chipped green nail varnish, long eyelashes on pale skin. She should be at a sleepover, not lying in the dirt, her last breath already taken... When the body of teenager is found hidden inside a grave, crushed under the weight of a coffin in a small-town cemetery in The Lake District, an urgent call is made to Forensic Pathologist Beth Adams. In hiding since an attempt on her own life, Beth realises she’s the only one with the expertise to crack this disturbing case but as threatening gifts start arriving at her home, Beth is faced with the reality the killer wants her attention. The first in a proposed series, this sets out its stall early - Beth is damaged but getting stronger, her police colleague Josh is having issues at home - and weaves them into a twisty tale that takes in another girl being kidnapped. Characterisation is brisk but efficient, the locations are well used (though I’m not sure if that’s because I know Windermere, because there isn’t a lot of description) and the plot chugs along at a good pace. Aside from the killer being fairly obvious from about halfway through (and the final showdown taking place over a couple of pages), I enjoyed this and would be keen to see where Beth goes next. ...more
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