Hosted Horror on Television by Bruce Markusen is a 2021 McFarland and Company publication.
I stumbled upon this book at the library a few weeks ago anHosted Horror on Television by Bruce Markusen is a 2021 McFarland and Company publication.
I stumbled upon this book at the library a few weeks ago and thought it would be a fun ‘Halloween’ book. If you thought Elvira, Mistress of the Dark and her Movie Macabre hosting duties was something unique, guess again.
The author is obviously a fan, historian and connoisseur of classic horror movies and has shared his knowledge of classic horror movie’s transition onto the small screen.
While, as far as I can tell, this is a self-published effort, it is very well organized, with notes, and sources. Occasionally, there was some repetition, but for someone writing about a personal interest, as a fan and enthusiast, the book is remarkably well done and it is obvious the author put some work into it, taking a serious approach to the subject at hand.
While hosted horror isn’t what it used to be- there are still some hosts around- and I agree with the author that there are some prime opportunities for a hosted horror resurgence.
This is an informative trip down memory lane. I haven’t seen all these movies and some I haven’t thought of in ages. I was curious about some of the horror hosts, so I Googled a few of them. It was fun to put faces with names and see a few clips on YouTube.
I also checked to see if I could find any of the really old horror movies anywhere and found a few streaming services that have them available right now, so I might have to watch one or two for Halloween this year.
Before Elvira there was Vampira
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Overall, this was a great find and was fun and entertaining as well as educational. Anyone who likes history, pop culture, performance arts, or classic horror movies, will want to check this out.
The Turn of the Screw by Henry James is a 2012 Duke Classics publication. (Originally published in 1898)
I’ve been reading classic ‘horror’ novels duriThe Turn of the Screw by Henry James is a 2012 Duke Classics publication. (Originally published in 1898)
I’ve been reading classic ‘horror’ novels during the month of October for the past couple of years, and it was so fun, I decided to make it a tradition. I have watched several movie versions based on this short story, but, of course, movies tend to take liberties, so I wanted to read the book this year and see it through a fresh lens…
I was surprised to see this classic has only earned a tepid rating average on Goodreads, though. I understand why someone today would find it rather bland if they are expecting modern day theatrics, which is unfortunate because the atmosphere, nuances, allegory, and subtlety are what made the ambiguous tale the fodder for so much debate- which continues on even today. I doubt anyone, one hundred years from now, will still be debating ANYTHING written today. So, there’s that.
That said, the writing is hard to follow. It is too wordy- and the capitalization of nearly every pronoun was annoying. Even so, I still managed to read the book in one sitting-as it is a short story. Despite its age, I did find it effective, as I prefer this slow build up over the cheap thrills so prominent today. I could see where readers would experience some chills and thrills back in 1898- and to be honest, I felt a few shivers here and there, too.
Does the story live up to the hype, though? Well, if I had entered the book with overblown expectations, I might have felt disappointed, or at the very least, confused by all the fuss surrounding this book, which has garnered so much attention in movies, television, and even on the stage. But because I was somewhat familiar with the premise, and knew it was meant to be a psychological exercise, I was fine with it. It’s a book that one might want to read multiple times before one could settle on an opinion about the validity of the ghosts, or any other message one might find buried in the text.
It did not, when first published, come without its criticisms either- but some of that seems ridiculous to me. Maybe the book was simply meant to be unsettling- meant to challenge one’s own perception of the events described- which is what I think. The only debate I’ll step into is the one that argues the ‘Gothic’ category the book often falls into. Yes, it has some ‘Bronte-esque’ Gothic tones- but in my opinion, it is not a pure Gothic novel, therefore I would not categorize it as such.
Overall, I thought the story was thought-provoking- though the atmosphere was tainted a bit by my struggles with the writing. Someday I might read it again, and maybe take a closer look at some of the suggested allegory of the story when I have more time to study it.
I think a book that has this kind of staying power, is still popping up on television, and is still the topic of much debate says a lot about the impact of what might have been a simple ghost story. For that reason alone, it deserves at least a four-star rating....more
Lord of the Wings by Donna Andrews is a 2015 Minotaur publication.
I’ve been reading through this series for a couple of years, just grabbing the nextLord of the Wings by Donna Andrews is a 2015 Minotaur publication.
I’ve been reading through this series for a couple of years, just grabbing the next book in line whenever the mood strikes. Occasionally this means that I’ll end up with a Christmas story in the middle of July, but somehow, this time around the next book up just happened to be a Halloween themed story – which was just pure coincidence- but it fit my mood perfectly.
Caerphilly is hosting its first ever Halloween festival -and for once Meg is not the chief organizer. But, the twins’ revolving door of Halloween costumes, deadly role-playing games, a haunted house, and two murders keep Meg on her toes, as she regales us with her hilarious internal dialogue.
As per usual, the story is wildly zany and entertaining, and seems to always go by too quickly. Another wonderfully enjoyable chapter in the series! As always- I’m looking forward to Meg’s next adventure! ...more
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson is an 1886 publication.
What a strange case, indeed!
This classic tale of horror The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson is an 1886 publication.
What a strange case, indeed!
This classic tale of horror is one that, of all the old movies, like Dracula, the Wolfman and Frankenstein and all their various incarnations, I watched repeatedly growing up, I just didn’t really care for all that much. I did, later in life, watch a movie version of this tale starring Spencer Tracey, and an all- star cast, which was petty good.
Still, when it came to reading the book, unless it was a classroom assignment, I don’t think I ever voluntarily read it, and if I did read it somewhere back there, I honestly couldn’t recall it, which is why I decided to select it for my classic horror Halloween read, this year.
Everyone knows the setup for this short story. A scientist, Dr. Jekyll, is resentful of having to repress the darker side of his nature and happens across a solution- one that allows him to express this side of himself by becoming, through the aid of ‘medication’, Mr. Hyde.
People who encounter this Mr. Hyde is put off by him, and do not understand his hold over the respectable and well-liked, Dr. Jekyll.
As the good doctor proceeds with his experiments, he discovers he is almost addicted to his alter ego- who is gradually becoming the dominant personality and becoming more and more dangerous with each passing day.
This is one horror/sci-fi story, one could find all manner of allegory, making it one of the more thought-provoking tales of this genre.
My mind went to the duality of people who often present one face in public, hiding their baser inclinations, exposing false morality, and hypocrisy.
Other themes are centered around the Victorian era itself, and some of the current political climate- a less obvious theme, in my opinion, but not to be dismissed.
Naturally, one could also go with the classic good vs evil trope-or even a more profound nod at spiritual warfare- as the good side of ourselves continually does battle with the dark side, and the fear that our darker impulses will win out in the end.
Bottom line- All these possible themes make sense, and they each give readers a great deal to chew on, so that the book is not just a horror novel, but a classic in many other ways as well.
Overall, I’m pleased I chose this novella to read this year. I’d considered it many times in the past, but always vowed to read it ‘next’ year. Now, I wish I had not waited so long!!
Howloween Murder by Laurien Berenson is a 2020 Kensington publication.
It’s almost Halloween and Howard Academy is gearing up for the annual costume pHowloween Murder by Laurien Berenson is a 2020 Kensington publication.
It’s almost Halloween and Howard Academy is gearing up for the annual costume party… and Harriet Bloom’s famous Halloween marshmallow puffs!!
However, Harriet’s holiday tradition may be over, when her neighbor dies of cyanide poisoning after eating a batch of her gooey treats.
Harriet and the school administrator ask Melanie to help clear Harriet’s name and hopefully spare the school any unwanted scandal. After agreeing to help, Melanie’s first task is to hunt down all the recipients of Harriet’s gooey treats, which also gives her a chance to ask a few questions.
In the process, Melanie begins to form a sad picture of the victim, as well a possible motive. But can she prove her suspicions and get Harriet off the hook?
While looking for a light Halloween themed novel, I ran across this book in the Overdrive library. However, when I realized this series was 26 installments deep, I nearly took a pass, but I decided to take a chance on it anyway- and I am so glad I did!
Melanie may be an amateur sleuth, but her approach is very much like a procedural. Lots of legwork, and interviews, pitching theories, slowly putting the puzzle together. There are also some big surprises and a thrilling conclusion!
I enjoyed getting to know Melanie a little bit, and naturally I loved her standard poodle, Faith!
It goes without saying, my gamble paid off. While I still extol the benefits of reading a series in order, if possible- sometimes reading out of order can introduce one to a series, without the daunting task of trying to read through all the previous installments first, and make the author one more loyal fan, in the process. One can always go back and catch up on previous installments later. You can now count me in a future repeat customer!
The Chestnut Man by Søren Sveistrup, Caroline Waight (translator) is a 2019 Harper publication.
There’s a serial killer on the loose in Copenhagen -onThe Chestnut Man by Søren Sveistrup, Caroline Waight (translator) is a 2019 Harper publication.
There’s a serial killer on the loose in Copenhagen -one that leaves behind a ‘chestnut man’ doll at every scene. But a shocking discovery could tie these crimes to the unsolved kidnapping of a government minister’s daughter a year ago. The two detectives working the case, Thaulin and Hess are a bit mismatched as a team, but eventually they rise to the occasion, knowing they must catch 'The Chestnut Man’ before he strikes again…
I’ve had this book on my list for a couple of years- but it popped out at me when I went looking through my list for a good thriller to fit my fall reading mood- because what’s better than a terrifying serial killer story for some good Halloween thrills and chills? To make it even more effective the story transpires over the entire month of October- so this did seem like an appropriate choice.
I have not read a ‘Nordic’ thriller is quite some time and got a reminder, right off the bat, of how graphic they can be. The story gets off to a grisly start and then never lets up from start to finish.
The writing does tend to follow an old- school thriller format and is surprisingly slick and polished for all its grittiness. Regardless, this is a violent, white-knuckle suspense ride, as well as a smart, well-planned thriller- and is one of the best thrillers I’ve read this year.
Overall, not to put too fine a point on it- the 2022 thriller offerings have been lukewarm at best. I’m glad I had this ace in the hole to make up for it. The story is not supernatural, but it is super scary, nonetheless, and is a great Fall/ Halloween read!
Death by Jack-O'-Lantern by Alexis Morgan is a 2019 Kensington Books publication.
Snowberry Creek is gearing up for the annual Halloween festival and Death by Jack-O'-Lantern by Alexis Morgan is a 2019 Kensington Books publication.
Snowberry Creek is gearing up for the annual Halloween festival and Abby McCree, the committee queen, is busy with the preparations. When she heads out to pick up an order of pumpkins from the least popular guy in town, Ronald Minter, she discovers his body in a corn maze with a knife in his back.
Abby gets sucked deeper into the investigation when her tenant, Tripp, volunteers her for yet another planning committee, a fundraiser for his veteran’s group. As it turns out, one Tripp’s buddy's, a homeless vet, named Kevin, has become suspect number one. Knowing Kevin is innocent, Abby sets out to find out who the real killer is.
I’m in a cozy mystery mood and in the mood for Halloween themed novels, too, which made this book an obvious choice. Although it is the second book in this new series, it can easily be read as a stand-alone, so if you are looking for a fall/Halloween mystery, just dive right in. But, if you are like me, you’ll want to go back and read the first installment and continue with the series from here.
While the characters are in the early stages of their developments, I can see a lot of potential and room for growth. The most intriguing character, for me, was Tripp. The mystery is very solid, with several likely suspects to keep one guessing. Abby’s amateur sleuthing is on the practical side, thankfully, avoiding any insult to my intelligence. I also liked her faithful dog companion, Zeke, as he plays a big role in the story and melted my heart more than once.
Overall, this book is very nice Halloween or fall themed novel, with a solid mystery that kept me guessing to the end, plus I found a new cozy series to follow!
Ghost Stories: Classic Tales of Horror and Suspense by Leslie Klinger and Lisa Morton is a 2019 Pegasus Books publication.
This is a small collection Ghost Stories: Classic Tales of Horror and Suspense by Leslie Klinger and Lisa Morton is a 2019 Pegasus Books publication.
This is a small collection of classic ghost stories written by some very recognizable influences, such as Dickens, Elizabeth Stuart Phelps, Wilkie Collins, and Charlotte Riddell just to name a few. Some of the stories have been passed around for ages and are well known, while others are far more obscure.
The most interesting tidbit, to me, is that ghost stories were commonly told at Christmas, not Halloween as they are today.
The best part of this collection is that they are centered around spirits and legends. The title, however, suggests the book is filled with horror stories, but while ghost stories are a part of that genre, these are not horror stories written in the vein in which people have become accustomed. Perhaps they were considered such back in the 1800’s- early 1900s, though.
Because some readers might feel a little mislead- although I don’t know why they would, because the title clearly states these are GHOST stories- these tales were right up my ally. I like ghost stories over horror stories any day, and am often very upset when a collection of stories is labeled as ghost stories but are in fact horror stories. So, maybe the publishers need to learn how to label these stories appropriately so people are not confused or disappointed.
I had not read most of the stories included in the collection and was pleased to see such well known names included, but I have to confess, I was taken aback by the lack of quality of writing in some of the stories, especially from a collection featuring this many heavy hitters- or maybe it's just a difference it style than I'm used to. Still, I was happy to discover this collection and recommend it to fans of classic ghost stories and tales of the supernatural. It’s worth a look for no other reason than to read these mostly forgotten tales written by such great literary greats.
Vampyre by John William Polidori is a 2017 Open Road Media publication. (Originally published in 1819)
I’ve been meaning to read this short story for yVampyre by John William Polidori is a 2017 Open Road Media publication. (Originally published in 1819)
I’ve been meaning to read this short story for years. Every fall when I find myself in the mood for a good scary story, I pause to consider this book, then I see the ratings and reviews, and give it a pass. This year, I decided that, because it was written even before Bram Stroker’s vampire masterpiece, I really should check it out. It is such a short story that it would take no time to read it, and then I could decide for myself if the ratings were justified or not.
Honestly, I don’t see why people have judged this book so harshly. It’s subtle, for sure, and it doesn’t have much going on, as far as bloody graphics go.
Still, when one thinks back to the time period the book was written in, and the many rumors that circulated about the ‘undead’, I think the atmosphere was probably unsettling to readers of that time, and it effectively captured a sinister sense of foreboding in an extremely sparse amount of time and space.
I think some modern readers are so jaded and desensitized they have trouble sensing atmospheric nuance. Personally, I thought the book, short as it was, had a few chilling moments- they just weren't dripping in blood and gore...
I'll skip the lecture on how an atmosphere is harder to create because I'm sure it would just fall on deaf ears.
Nevertheless-
The story is too brief to cover more than just the basics of vampire lore- but it does set the stage for the classic tales of the undead that came later, and it is quite apparent these later stories 'borrowed' from this tale- and as such, it deserves its place in history.
Not only that, but the story is also part of the writing challenge between Bryon, Shelley and Polidori- a challenge that produced Shelley’s Frankenstein- so there is that.
The story is fairly simple, not groundbreaking like Shelley's work, by any means, but certainly not as bad as everyone made it sound.
The Big Book of Ghost Stories- Otto Penzler – Editor-is a 2012 Vintage Crime/ Black Lizard publication.
If you love Pure ghost stories, this book is o The Big Book of Ghost Stories- Otto Penzler – Editor-is a 2012 Vintage Crime/ Black Lizard publication.
If you love Pure ghost stories, this book is one you do not want to miss. Every fall, like many other people, I find myself in the mood for a good old-fashioned ghost story. However, in my search for a pure ghost story, I am often disappointed. Not this time, though!!
The book is broken into sections- such as-
“I’m not dead Yet, I’ll Love you- Forever ( Or Maybe), This Old House, Kid will be Kids, Stop- You’re scaring Me, A Séance, you say? Classics, and much more!
Most of these stories are short- some are a bit longer than others, and several are just a few pages in length. Ghost stories are not just for Halloween, of course. For me, any dark, cold winter night is the perfect setting for a nice ghostly tale. But many of these stories are also suitable for a good campfire Spine-Tingler, too.
In other words, this is a compilation one should not feel obligated to read from front to back- all at one time. I got my Halloween ghost story fix this year, by skipping around between sections, and by choosing to read stories by some authors I did not know much about. However, there are many recognizable names in this collection- some of which, I was surprised to learn, had ever written a ghost story.
Each story begins with a brief note about the author, which is also a nice touch and gave me some reference points so that I could check out more of their work.
Of this massive collection, there were only a handful of stories I recognized, so overall, these are all new to me. Of the stories I have read so far, only one of them did not fit my criteria for a ghost story. It was a good story but was more fitting for an episode of The Twilight Zone, or something. A few of the stories are a little flimsy, but overall, this has proved to be splendid, very comprehensive, and goose pimply collection of ghost stories and hauntings! ...more
The Other by Thomas Tryon is a 2012 NYRB Classics publication. (Originally published in 1972) For several years I’ve added this book to the pile of novThe Other by Thomas Tryon is a 2012 NYRB Classics publication. (Originally published in 1972) For several years I’ve added this book to the pile of novels I plan to read for Halloween, but every year it missed the final cut. This year I was determined to read it and boy am I glad did!!
Holland and Niles are twin boys growing up during the thirties. As with most twins, they seem to have a certain telepathy between them. However, they have very different dispositions. Holland is the instigator, while Niles dutifully follows his lead. Unfortunately, they lost their father in a tragic accident which has left their mother in a state of mental shock. Under these circumstances they are pretty much left to their own devices. As a result, the boys seem to have drifted further apart, especially after Holland's disturbing tendencies escalate. Not only that, their family has been plagued by more and more tragedy.
The boys, while directly affected by these sad occurrences often cope by playing a game with their grandmother in which they pretend to be animals or even plants or flowers, literally transferring themselves onto these objects with their minds and imaginations.
But, as our narrator relates these events, we are uncertain if all is as we have presumed it to be, if we can even trust the storyteller, but worse still, we are held helplessly spellbound as we imagine what emotional punch will be served up next and by whom-
While everyone says this is a fantastic horror novel, perfect for Halloween reading, it is yet another one of those stories devoid of traditional supernatural elements. In fact, this one could just as easily fall into the psychological thriller category. However, it has some truly stunning twist that no psychological thriller written today has the capacity to challenge. Remember, this book was published in 1972- and without any prior knowledge of the contents or context of the story, I literally gasped out loud on a couple of occasions, and physically experienced goosebumps!
The story is very, very disturbing and is a reminder of how one’s imagination can stray into dangerous territory. Although the fantasy of immersing oneself into a role- the game the boys played with their grandmother, but which expanded much, much further, was contained within the era in which the book was set- but it seemed like an eerie premonition of immersive video game play, when the projection of oneself onto a fantasy character occasionally went horribly awry, where the person was no longer able to separate fantasy from reality. Or it could just be another evil child or a Jekyll and Hyde spin, or a chameleon style tale.
I’m rambling- thinking out loud. The long and short of it is- this is a really twisted tale. It’s slow, with a Gothic flavor, and will certainly play tricks with your mind. For its time, it is a thought provoking, smart thriller, and I can see why it has remained to popular all these years.
Interesting trivia- a movie was made, based on this book. It was shown frequently on television in the seventies, but while the author helped write the screenplay, he was not happy with the movie adaptation. I haven’t seen it, but I’m going to see if I can find it somehow. 4 stars...more
The Haunting of Maddy Clare is a 2012 Berkley publication.
Now, THIS is my kind of ghost story!!
Sarah Piper agrees to step in as a temporary assistaThe Haunting of Maddy Clare is a 2012 Berkley publication.
Now, THIS is my kind of ghost story!!
Sarah Piper agrees to step in as a temporary assistant for Alistair Gellis, an independently wealthy war veteran, who spends his time hunting ghosts. He already has an assistant named Matthew Ryder, but the case they are called in to investigate requires a feminine touch. Why? Because the ghost in question, is Maddy Clare, a nineteen -year- old girl who committed suicide in a barn, and she really, really doesn’t like men.
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As Sarah, Matt, and Alistair embark on their investigation, the mystery of Maddy’s haunting, and why she is so angry, only deepens, as Maddy’s power grows stronger. To vanquish her spirit, the ghost hunting trio must determine what is behind Maddy’s quest for vengeance so that her spirit can finally rest in peace.
This is the ghost story I’ve been looking for- for ages! I was beginning to think I'd never find one this good ever again.
The mystery is riveting, the characters troubled, flawed, and sympathetic. The story has all the elements a good, traditional ghost story should, with the themes I feel make a ghost story work- and is why I love reading them.
The twists and supernatural jolts are hardly subtle, but there a few surprises that snuck up on me, and really did send a chill down my spine. Good stuff!
The story is rounded out with a romantic element, and gives the main characters room to develop, while encouraging a connection between them and the reader. The shadows of world war one still hang heavily over England, which also gives the story a bit of poignancy and more depth that one might expect from a chiller.
The atmosphere is eerie and extremely intense, and the story is dark, and super scary. Naturally, this book is the perfect story for Halloween, but it could have the same optimum effect on any dark, cold winter night….
Wylding Hall by Elizabeth Hand is a 2015 Open Road Media publication.
Sex, drugs, rock and roll…. And a ghost? In the mid-seventies, a folk -rock groupWylding Hall by Elizabeth Hand is a 2015 Open Road Media publication.
Sex, drugs, rock and roll…. And a ghost? In the mid-seventies, a folk -rock group loses one of its members, tragically. Needing them to regroup, focus, and get some songs written and recorded, their management carts them off to an old country house where they will stay, removed from any distractions. They produce their most infamous album, but before they leave the crumbling estate, their most popular group member, Julian, will have vanished into thin air, never to be seen or heard from again. It’s the stuff legends are made of. But, now the surviving members are looking back on those sessions and the weird atmosphere of the house, and speculate on what may have happened to Julian, revealing a supernatural tale of gothic horror.
I am so picky when it comes to horror novels. I tend to choose the older ones or re-read favorite classics because the newer releases are too centered on gore. This one is not all that old, and sounded very promising, plus, it keeps popping up on my radar. It always seems to make top gothic, horror, or ghost story list, and it has such high ratings, so I decided to take the plunge, hoping this would be great October/Halloween story.
The book started off with the perfect setting, the perfect atmosphere, and all the elements in place for a good ghost story. The members of the group tell the story from a present -day perspective, recalling the time they spent recording their now famous album while at the old country house, pondering on the mysterious woman that had bewitched Julian, all leading up to his sudden disappearance.
I was initially thrilled by the strong Gothic tones, even though this typically means a slower pace, which is why I gave the book much more patience than I normally would. However, the dramas, romances, hijinks, and conflicts within the band takes up more time and space than anything else. The author drops a hint here, a hint there, an unusual occurrence or behavior, hints of occult interests within the group, and a few weird sightings, but nothing too vivid and all of it very, very vague. But, I stayed with it, especially since the book wasn’t all that long. I kept waiting for something to develop that would give me the shivers. However, nothing ever took place that was all that exciting, and the ‘stunner’ at the end was very anti-climactic, tepid, and disappointing. There wasn’t enough information given to the reader to give it much of a bite and I ended up feeling underwhelmed.
The story had a lot going for it, but unfortunately it fell flat. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a bad story, really, just a little over-hyped. The book just needed a few more shivery thrills, and while keeping the nature of the evil hidden from the reader can be effective under some circumstances, here it robbed the story of its edge. The author had the right idea, though, and I’d love to see more horror authors following this lead and write stories with more chills and atmosphere, than sickening gore and gross side effects.
The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane by Laird Koenig is a 1974 Coward-McCann & Geoghegan, Inc. publication.
A spine tingling, edge of your seat thrThe Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane by Laird Koenig is a 1974 Coward-McCann & Geoghegan, Inc. publication.
A spine tingling, edge of your seat thriller-
Recently I picked up a book called Paperbacks from Hell, which explored horror novels written in 1970s and 80s. The book spoke of various popular horror novel tropes, with the 'Evil Child' being one of enormous popularity.
This novel may be one of the best to come out of that boom. While often placed in the horror genre, this book is not a supernatural thriller. But, it is one wickedly tense and scary story! Despite the lack of paranormal elements, it is still a fitting Halloween read. After all, the opening sequence is set on Halloween night, which also happens to be Rynn's birthday.
Rynn is a thirteen -year old girl living in a house at the end of a lane with her father. However, Rynn’s landlord seems to regret renting out the house when her creepy son takes an interest in Rynn, a situation that does not go unnoticed by a local police officer, or the teenage boy who forges a very strong, but sinister bond with Rynn.
From here, it soon becomes apparent that Rynn’s father is never around, that she never attends school, or goes into the village, but she receives vistors often, most of them unwelcome.
I had just begun to take an interest in edgier reading and viewing material when this book was first released. But, it was the movie version that caught my attention back in the mid-seventies. Heavily marketed as a terrifying chiller, I remember feeling really excited about being allowed to watch the movie, only to come away from it feeling let down. At that age, I had yet to develop a strong appreciation for understated suspense and was expecting something far more overt. Mostly, I remember the adults discussing the controversial scenes, which was what I remembered most about the movie, in the years to come.
I never realized the movie was based on a book until many, many years later. By that time, book stores seldom stocked it and over time I forgot all about this little gem. But, one day, my husband happened across a hardcover copy in a used bookstore we frequent. Although the book is in excellent condition, sadly, upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a price clipped book club edition, which seldom appeals to collectors, but, I still seized on my chance to finally read this cunning and, in my opinion, under- appreciated and ‘terrifying chiller’.
This novel is so twisted and the suspense is often nearly unbearable. While Rynn could easily be tossed into the ‘evil child’ mode, her character is much more complex. She’s wily, clever, and very intelligent. She’s not nearly as sociopathic as some might think. There is a method to her madness, I think. She’s exposed to danger, and not just by having her secrets revealed, which prompts her to do whatever she has to, not just to protect her way of life, but to keep from becoming a victim herself.
Rynn embraces her solitude, and is okay with her own company, but she is also lonely, and feels a rush of very intense emotions for Mario the Magician. Their relationship made me squirm and is just as controversial to me now as it was back when this book was first published.
The story is very atmospheric and agonizingly tense. Every time a visitor appeared my heart hammered in my chest. Was I afraid Rynn was going to get caught, or was I afraid she would be harmed? Did I, in some small way root for her, or did she scare me to death? The truth is – a little of both.
Ultimately, this book is pure genius. The understated quality of it, is part of what makes it so good. The conflicting emotions it evokes left me feeling somewhat unsettled.
Our society is much more desensitized than it was in the early to mid-seventies, so this one may not seem as insidious now as it was back then, but I can tell you, I found it downright alarming.
I am so glad I found a copy of this book, especially since my much older self really appreciates the fine art this book really is.
Overall, this made a perfect Halloween read. Even if you have seen the movie- it goes without saying that the book captures the dread and foreboding much more effectively....more
Paperbacks from Hell by Grady Hendrix is a 2017 Quirk Books publication.
While most teenage girls my age were reading Harlequin romances or sneaking pPaperbacks from Hell by Grady Hendrix is a 2017 Quirk Books publication.
While most teenage girls my age were reading Harlequin romances or sneaking peeks inside their mother’s bodice rippers, I was glued to Gothic Romance/Horror/Mystery novels, which morphed into a full -fledged obsession with horror novels, which continued until my late teens, slowly fizzling out, as the horror genre went into a different direction, I didn't feel compelled to follow.
I wish I had had the presence of mind to keep those books, put them a plastic protector and store them in a dark, cool place. But, I didn’t. However, I do love searching out these old paperbacks and do have a nice collection of Gothic novels as well as a handful of vintage horror novels, too. This book really has sparked a renewed interest in these vintage horror paperbacks, so I just might start digging around and try to add a few of these to my collection.
But, I digress-
Like myself, the author’s interest in these vintage paperbacks also stems from the ‘collectable’ angle they inspire, and just as I do, he still reads them.
In my mind, horror novels, and horror movies for that matter, of the 1970’s were best. They may seem cheesy now, and of course they followed trends, just like we do now, but…
These books scared me. It wasn’t the same slasher story, told over and over and over. These books had imagination, took risks, were shocking, and terrifying, or… okay- laughable- Nazi Leprachans?
Looking back on these novels now, many of which were adapted for the big screen, I’m reminded once again of the game changing books than shaped the genre and had me sleeping with the lights on.
The Exorcist, Rosemary’s Baby, and The Other, all spent incredible amounts of time on the NYT bestseller list. They spawned countless spin-offs, all with a strong satanic element, which was a huge theme in the first few years of the 1970’s.
From that point on, the horror genre created the most menacing babies and kids you could possibly image, with books like- ‘The Little Girl Who Lived Down the Lane’ by Laird Koenig, which I happen to be reading right now. But, the sheer volume of books written with this theme, in one form or another, was mind boggling.
Some titles I found intriguing were: ‘Kate’s House’ by Harriet Waugh and ‘Let’s Go Play at the Adams’ by Mendal W. Johnson- (Tonight the kids are taking care of the babysitter!)
Let’s not forget killer animals though- remember Jaws? Of course, you do. How about ‘The Rats’ by James Herbert? There were also a slew of killer dogs, cats, whales, all manner of other creepy crawlies.
Not your thing? How about a good haunted house story, instead? Lots of those! But, not just Amityville!
Every possible angle was covered in the 70’s and 80’s that you could possible imagine. Medical nightmares, horoscopes, psychic teens, UFO’s, Vampires, dolls, Southern Gothic, humanoids, you name it, and this book covers them all.
But, the author doesn’t stop there.
The fantastic cover art is included in the book. The book covers alone make this book worth looking into. Amazing!! It is also interesting to note that some of the cover artists are unknown.
The primary publishers of horror novels are listed too, and frankly, I was surprised by a few- namely ‘Zebra’ which I’ve always associated with those fab historical romance novels of the same period. Who knew?
The 80’s had its ups and downs with some really wonderful contributions to the genre, but also strange additions,such as, heavy metal horror! I’d pretty much moved away from the horror genre by this time, and have no recollections of this, but apparently ‘Splatterpunk’ was a pretty big movement in the mid-eighties.
But, that movement seemed to fade as quickly as hair metal with the onset of the nineties, as did the horror genre as we knew it.
These old horror novels look cheesy, and many are obviously dated, but if you read some of the blurbs, you will see many of them are classics now, and spawned all manner of trends, and influenced many others along the way. They are lurid, gross, often politically incorrect, and misogynist on more than one occasion, but were also groundbreaking. They, also, were a reflection of the era in which they were written, tapping in on real fears, worries, or in some cases, setting off periods of real panic.
But, in the end, the slasher genre won out over killer sharks, haunted houses, creepy kids, and Satan. The name of the game is buckets of blood and revolting gore, without much originality to the plot, which is when I stepped off the horror novel train.
These days, horror is a hard sell for me. On a rare occasion, I’ll try a ghost story or a haunted house novel, or a good vampire novel, as long as the vampire doesn't sparkle, although those seem far and few between these days, or I might settle in for a Stephen King thriller, once in a while.
But, I do have old favorites I read at Halloween, always returning to the tried and true. But, after picking up this book, maybe I can find a few hidden gems from the past to satisfy any lingering craving for a good old -fashioned chiller.
Overall, the author did a terrific job with the organization of this book, deftly adding in well- timed, laugh out loud humor, and his enthusiasm was obvious, and a little catchy.
This is a fun, informative, entertaining, and well researched book, that will appeal to fans of the horror genre, paperback book collectors, or maybe even to those who enjoy nostalgia or pop culture.
TV Horror: Investigating the Dark Side of the Small Screen by Lorna Jowett, Stacey Abbott is a 2013 I.B. Tauris publication.
For Halloween, I wanted tTV Horror: Investigating the Dark Side of the Small Screen by Lorna Jowett, Stacey Abbott is a 2013 I.B. Tauris publication.
For Halloween, I wanted to feature a book on my blog that analyzed the horror genre either in books, movies or television. I never got around to finding a book about horror novels, I did find a few disappointing lists and breakdowns of the horror genre in films, but television?? Not a lot out there analyzing the ‘small screen’ contributions to the horror genre.
So, when I happened upon this book, I was intrigued, but cautiously optimistic.
Thankfully, I was very pleasantly surprised by this book. It’s the perfect length, covers a great deal of material without getting too caught up in opinion and minutia. In fact, this book could be used for a class paper, or for research, but it is also very entertaining, and quite interesting.
The small screen was often thought of a lesser medium compared to movies, but over time, television has evolved and is giving the movie industry a run for its money in technique, writing, and quality visual and audio effects.
When I started reading this book, I was again reminded of the groundbreaking television shows that paved the way for the stellar horror related programs we are so very addicted to today.
Naturally, ‘The Twilight Zone’ comes to mind, perhaps one the most popular anthology series ever, or at least in the fantasy, horror, or science fiction genres.
But, lesser known anthologies that garnered cult status, are also highlighted, and will have you searching old episodes of ‘Night Gallery’ or ‘Kolchak: The Night Stalker’.
But, the book doesn’t just touch on the weird, creepy, and perhaps lurid or gross aspects of the horror genre, but includes shows like ‘The Addams Family’ and ‘The Munsters’ and even expands upon some of the psychology and subtle messages these shows were sending.
One show that crops up pretty often in this book is a phenomenon that is hard to explain, even today, but its influence is still prevalent after all these years- ‘Dark Shadows’.
The show started off like a 'Jane Erye' like Gothic soap opera, which didn’t focus on the usual romances, affairs, medical dilemmas, and heavy emotional dramas daytime serials normally featured.
Instead, this serial was mysterious, with murder mysteries, and ghosts. But, it wasn’t until the role of Barnabas Collins, a tortured vampire, was created, that the show skyrocketed in popularity. Throughout its five -year run, the show featured vampires, witches, a Frankenstein monster, ghosts, time travel and werewolves.
Barnabas was to be a short term character, but when viewers saw him as reluctant villain, tortured by the monster he had become, the writers were happy to explore that thread. As a result, ‘Dark Shadows’ was the first daytime serial to have made it into pop culture history by having books, lunch boxes, posters, and a slew of other tie-in products sold during the height of its popularity.
Two feature films were made featuring the cast from the series, and the show was watched in syndication after it was cancelled. It also spawned a revival series, and is the only daytime serial to have been sold on DVD. Even today it pops in and out of pop culture and the actors are still active in keeping interest in the show alive.
Another serial that enjoyed cult status, was ‘Twin Peaks” and it too is mentioned several times in this book. This show was also groundbreaking, influential, and helped other shows gain popularity, that followed a similar style or theme.
The X- Files is also a show, that while often centered on a science fiction tone, also dealt with many paranormal elements, is often very quirky, but also sparks much conversation, and remains one the most unique paranormal shows aired on television.
The authors lead us through shows from the past, but also touched on newer, very popular shows such as ‘American Horror Story’ and of course, ‘The Walking Dead’.
But, the last chapter, touched on point I had never considered. When we sit down to watch a program on television, we are inviting these characters into our homes. Characters like Dexter walking right into our living rooms!! This, in a way, leads to a moral ambiguity, not only for the character, the monster, but the viewer as well.
This is just an example of the shows the author delves into, draws parallels to, or juxtapositions, if you will. Television has now tapped into areas movies seem incapable of capitalizing on or simply can't make it translate the same way it does in a series format.
In the horror genre, television has come to excel, with superb writing, imaginative plots, and even with some special effects.
Reading through this book, I was struck by how many programs that have aired over the years are paranormal in nature. Some are comical, whimsical, magical, futuristic, historical, and showcase the weird, the unexplained, the dark fascinations we harbor, our curiosity, and our need to exercise our imaginations, or lose ourselves in something outside of our normal reality.
Although this book does cover a lot of ground, featuring some of the shows that have been the most powerful throughout television’s history, all the way up till the present. there were a few shows left out, which is often the case with these types of books, so don't be surprised that some didn't make the cut, but I think the authors made excellent choices.
Overall, I found this book to be very informative, written with a unique approach, occasionally adding in a mashup, which kept it from becoming just another ‘list’ book, or dry reading.
I had fun with this book, especially the nostalgia, but also discovered shows I had never seen, and will definitely seek those out someday.
This is a book I recommend to horror fans, of course, but also to those who are fans of television and pop culture.
The Horror of it All by Adam Rockoff is a 2015 Scribner publication.
I confess I chose this book looking for something related to the horror genre to The Horror of it All by Adam Rockoff is a 2015 Scribner publication.
I confess I chose this book looking for something related to the horror genre to share on my blog for Halloween.
Sadly, this book is just not all that great, although that could just be me. I’m pretty picky when it comes to the horror genre, and the exploitation films are really, really, really not my cup of tea. I also fell out love with the slasher film many years ago, preferring the understated, and under appreciated chiller.
I do believe there are some hidden gems in this book and horror enthusiast may want to give this book a try, for no other reason than sharing a great appreciation for films that fall into this category with someone who enjoys the genre as much as they do.
The author is obviously offended by some remarks made by movie critics and goes on a diatribe to prove the critics wrong. This shows passion for the genre and I appreciate the enthusiasm, but for a more comprehensive listing, one that is more organized, and perhaps devoid of personal remarks that go off topic for extended periods, there are other choices available that will give you a more thorough commentary and a more professional one.
However, for those who might enjoy a more casual approach, one that isn’t too dry, or falls into the ‘list’ category and is obviously written by a huge fan, then this book might be one you wish to add to your collection.
For me, the search is still on for something to showcase on my blog, but I am positive, despite the lateness of the hour, I will find something that works. Wish me luck. In the meantime, this one gets 2.5 stars ...more
Death by Pumpkin Spice is a 2016 Kensington publication.
I’ve been keeping my eyes peeled for a light ‘fall’ or ‘Halloween’ read to feature on my blogDeath by Pumpkin Spice is a 2016 Kensington publication.
I’ve been keeping my eyes peeled for a light ‘fall’ or ‘Halloween’ read to feature on my blog. The cover and title of this book seemed perfect for what I was in the mood for.
Krissy is invited by her possible love interest, Will, to a costume party, but soon after their arrival, one of the several women dressed as ‘Marilyn Monroe’ is murdered.
After having worked with local law enforcement previously, Krissy is asked to help contain the crowd and gets involved in the questioning of the guest, while she copes with her stalker of an ex-boyfriend and the attention of the two men she has feelings for.
Unfortunately, this book was a bit of a mess. It was too busy, too disorganized, and the main protagonist is all over the place. She’s full of jealousy, with a lack of self-confidence, but doesn’t mind toying with the affections of two seemingly nice men.
I got annoyed with the story by the midway mark and considered giving up on it entirely, but of course I never can seem to make myself do that, so I stuck with it. Finally, in the last couple of chapters the writing firmed up enough to piece the mystery together, and I realized I was actually into the story for the first time.
Although the mystery ended on a high note, with all the threads finally coming together, having to wade through all the muck to get to that point was not worth it and I still couldn’t make myself like Krissy.
This is probably not the best representation of this author's work, and I would ordinarily be open to trying another installment, but I'm not sure I can face another book featuring with this protagonist.
Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury is a 1998 Avon publication- originally published in 1962.
I can’t believe it is already October, but atSomething Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury is a 1998 Avon publication- originally published in 1962.
I can’t believe it is already October, but at the same time, I’m glad it’s here. October is one of my favorite months of the year! One reason for that is that I get to pull out a spooky or scary book and create fun blog posts for Halloween.
The downside is that there are so many books to choose from, and so little time to get them read. Usually, I only manage to get one horror novel read, out of the dozen or so I planned to read.
This year, however, deadlines be damned, I’m going to cram in as many horror stories in as possible.
Because I am such an avid reader, it is terribly embarrassing to admit there are so many ‘classic’ horror stories I haven’t read. I’ve seen movie versions, but never got around to reading the book. This book falls into that category.
It’s been many years since I watched the movie version, starring Jason Robards, but I do still remember parts of it. Still, I had forgotten more than I remembered, so reading this book felt like a fresh experience. However, this book may have shaken by enthusiasm for October and the beginning of autumn…
“For some, autumn comes early, stays late through life, where October follows September and November touches October and then instead of December and Christ’s birth, there is no Bethlehem Star, no rejoicing, but September comes again and old October and so on down the years, with no winter, spring, or reviving summer. For these beings, fall is the ever normal season, the only weather, there be no choice beyond. Where do they come from? The dust. Where do they go? The grave. Does blood stir their veins? No: The night wind. What ticks in their head? The worm. What speaks from their mouth? The toad. What sees from their eye? The snake. What hears with their ear? The abyss between the stars. They sift the human storm for souls, eat flesh of reason, fill tombs with sinners. They frenzy forth. In gusts they beetle-scurry, creep, thread, filter, motion, make all moons sullen, and surely cloud all clear-run waters. The spider-web hears them, trembles- breaks. Such are the autumn people. Beware of them.”
Jim Nightshade and Will Halloway are very best friends. But, when a late season carnival arrives in Green Town, their friendship, and maybe even their very lives are in jeopardy.
This short book, is packed with so much imagery, imagination, and intense suspense, it is hard to put it down. For me, the writing was a little hard to adjust to, with chopped sentences, separated by commas. It did force me to slow down and read more carefully, but didn’t really affect the suspense, once I got into the groove.
Horror stories and movies can be taken strictly at face value, a lot of the time. There may not be much depth or symbolism to them- it is what it is. But, quite often there's an underlying theme, a moral to the story that gets overlooked if you aren’t looking beneath the surface, or with a more critical eye. In this case, I think time is a central theme, and the book is chock full of clocks and references to them.
Charles Halloway, Will’s father, is quite concerned about his age, having become a father later in life. Clocks are referenced metaphorically, and the town clock is a prominent prop.
There are other noteworthy allegorical symbols sprinkled throughout, all of which I will leave for you to decipher.
For me, though, the story has a more basic appeal. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the library and how often books are referenced. But, this isn't a book about books- I just happened to enjoy seeing two boys enjoy reading books.
But, more importantly- how do the boys and Charles beat Dark and his minions? I think they come through to the other side of their ordeal armed with familial love and trust and the ultimate power of friendship.
While Bradbury has written books that speak of true horrors, cautionary and powerful, this one may not hit that plateau, but it is the perfect fireside tale of good versus evil. 4 stars...more
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