Category Archives: Horror

Review: The Auguries by F.G. Cottam

Title: The Auguries by F.G. Cottam
Publisher: Severn House Publishers
Genre: Contemporary, Horror, Occult
Length: 208 pages
Book Rating: C+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

An unexpected lunar eclipse. A poisonous fog that cripples the capital. Statues that weep blood.

As the catalogue of calamities mount, fear and paranoia provoke rumours of terrorist attacks. But from whom?

History professor Juliet Harrington is an authority on sixteenth-century mysticism and a long-time believer in the existence of the Almanac of Forbidden Wisdom, a potent spell-book legend insists was compiled in that period by a cabal of powerful occultists. Its magic is summoned though only at disastrous cost, signalled by The Auguries. Juliet is convinced that the recent plague of disasters means someone reckless is using the book – and she has little time left to stop them.

Review:

The Auguries by F.G. Cottam is an intriguing blend of occult and horror elements.

Fourteen year old altar boy  Andrew Baxter is disturbed enough about troubling occurrences during a recent funeral to talk to his parish priest Father Gould. During the course of their discussion, the term “the unrestful dead” immediately comes to the priest’s mind. In an effort to learn more information, Gould reads a monograph by Professor Juliet Harrington in which a rumored book, Almanac of Forbidden Wisdom, might be responsible for recent tragic events.

It turns out Britain’s Home Secretary also believes this book containing numerous spells is at the heart of their country’s latest catastrophes. He convinces Juliet to travel to Germany in hopes of learning where German alchemist Gunter Keller (who was burned at the stake centuries earlier) hid the Almanac.  As these cataclysmic events continue at an alarming rate in Britain, the fate of the world rests on Juliet locating and neutralizing the book.  Will she accomplish this near herculean task?

Unbeknownst to Gould or Juliet,  the Almanac of Forbidden Wisdom has fallen into the hands of young local girl in his parish. She does not comprehend the correlation between her experiments and the tragic events occurring in Britain.  And even if she does eventually figure out the connection, will she stop performing the spells in the book?

Juliet is aided by translator Paul Beck as they scour Keller’s long ago writings that begin in 1528. They uncover alarming information that in turn leads to their frenetic attempts to track down the writings of other people involved with the spells in the Almanac of Forbidden Wisdom.  Juliet also knows how to stop the current catastrophes from continuing, but she must locate the book.   She is edging ever closer to uncovering the Almanac’s whereabouts but will Juliet get there before it is too late?

The Auguries features an interesting premise but the pacing is slow and some passages are a bit repetitious.  The translations of the centuries old works are quite fascinating. However, the story arc in the present hinges on unrealistic circumstances surrounding the novel’s antagonist. The horror and occult aspects of the storyline are extremely well written and very interesting. F.G. Cottam brings the novel to an ambiguous conclusion that is rather frustrating. A bit of a mixed bag, but an overall entertaining read.

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Filed under Contemporary, F.G. Cottam, Horror, Occult, Review, Severn House Publishers, The Auguries

Review: We Sold Our Souls by Grady Hendrix

Title: We Sold Our Souls by Grady Hendrix
Publisher: Quirk Books
Genre: Contemporary, Horror, Occult
Length: 336 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

In this hard-rocking, spine-tingling supernatural thriller, the washed-up guitarist of a ‘90s heavy metal band embarks on an epic road-trip across America and deep into the web of a sinister conspiracy.

Grady Hendrix, horror writer and author of Paperbacks from Hell and My Best Friend’s Exorcism, is back with his most electrifying novel yet. In the 1990s, heavy metal band Dürt Würk was poised for breakout success—but then lead singer Terry Hunt embarked on a solo career and rocketed to stardom as Koffin, leaving his fellow bandmates to rot in obscurity.

Two decades later, former guitarist Kris Pulaski works as the night manager of a Best Western—she’s tired, broke, and unhappy. Everything changes when a shocking act of violence turns her life upside down, and she begins to suspect that Terry  sabotaged more than just the band.

Kris hits the road, hoping to reunite with the rest of her bandmates and confront the man who ruined her life. It’s a journey that will take her from the Pennsylvania rust belt to a celebrity rehab center to a music festival from hell. A furious power ballad about never giving up, even in the face of overwhelming odds, We Sold Our Souls is an epic journey into the heart of a conspiracy-crazed, pill-popping, paranoid country that seems to have lost its very soul…where only a lone girl with a guitar can save us all

Review:

We Sold Our Souls by Grady Hendrix is an engrossing novel of redemption with slight horror and occult elements.

Forty-six year old Kris Pulaski is the co-creator and guitarist of the now defunct heavy metal band Dürt Würk. She, along with Terry Hunt, formed the band while they were still teenagers.  After years of playing bars and small venues, they were finally on the brink of signing a major deal when Terry yanked the rug out from under them. Kris and the other members of Dürt Würk, Scottie Rocket, Tuck and Bill faded into anonymity while Terry went on to have a successful career in his new band, Koffin.  When Terry announces a farewell tour, Kris decides it is time to find out exactly what happened the night she and the rest of Dürt Würk were supposed to sign their contract. After paying a visit to Scottie, she has an uneasy suspicion that Terry’s success goes deeper than just good luck and talent.  With Koffin’s final tour culminating with a Woodstock-ish festival dubbed Hellstock ’19, Kris must battle a variety of murderous individuals who are determined to prevent her from reaching Terry.

Kris is just going through the motions as she works the overnight shift at Best Western. Learning about Terry’s farewell tour is the catalyst Kris needs to reclaim her life. She is also very curious about why their final album has never seen the light of day. Scottie is the first bandmate she contacts and she is shocked by the changes in him. When tragedy strikes, Kris finds herself on the run as she continues trying to stop Terry before he carries out a diabolical plan.

With plenty of action, scary encounters and heavy metal references, We Sold Our Souls is a fast-paced and compelling novel. The storyline is unique and quite imaginative. Kris is a feisty protagonist who refuses to back down despite facing some very daunting and life-threatening obstacles. Kris absolutely shines as her story arc comes to a glorious denouement but the novel’s conclusion is a bit ambiguous.  Old and new fans of Grady Hendrix will love this homage to heavy metal music.

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Filed under Contemporary, Grady Hendrix, Horror, Occult, Quirk Books, Rated B, Review, We Sold Our Souls

Review: The Lucifer Chord by F.G. Cottam

Title: The Lucifer Chord by F.G. Cottam
Publisher: Severn House
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Horror, Supernatural/Occult Elements
Length: 240 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Ruthie Gillespie’s efforts to find out the truth about a mysterious missing rock star lead her on a terrifying journey into the past.

Researcher Ruthie Gillespie has undertaken a commission to write an essay on Martin Mear, lead singer and guitarist with Ghost Legion, the biggest, most decadent rock band on the planet, before he disappeared without trace in 1975. Her mission is to separate man from myth – but it’s proving difficult, as a series of increasingly disturbing and macabre incidents threatens to derail Ruthie’s efforts to uncover the truth about the mysterious rock star.

Just what did happen to Martin Mear back in 1975? Is he really set to return from the dead, as the band’s die-hard fans, the Legionaries, believe? It’s when Ruthie’s enquiries lead her to the derelict mansion on the Isle of Wight where Martin wrote the band’s breakthrough album that events take a truly terrifying turn …

Review:

The Lucifer Chord by F.G. Cottam is an incredibly atmospheric and enthralling mystery with subtle yet eerie supernatural elements. Although characters from previous novels make guest appearances, this latest release can be read as a standalone.

Children’s book author Ruthie Gillespie is staying with good friend Veronica Slade in hopes of mending her broken heart. When offered a research job by Carter Melville to write an essay on much celebrated singer/songwriter/guitarist Martin Mear whose band Ghost Legion still has a cult following, she harbors a few qualms about accepting the assignment. Reassured by her friend (and possible love interest) Michael Aldridge, Ruthie cautiously begins her research into the life and death of the iconic rock star.

Rumor and speculation swirl around the death of Martin Mear in 1975. Not everyone is convinced he is in fact dead so Ruthie’s first order of business to try to authenticate his death. Hoping to glean a few psychic clues, her first interview is with medium Frederica Daunt, who has a family connection to Mear. Although she is not  exactly a skeptic, Ruthie approaches her upcoming meeting with Frederica with an open mind.  In the aftermath of their chilling encounter with a menacing  spirit, Frederica flees to Portugal and warns Ruthie to tread lightly.

Ruthie’s next meetings with Mear’s girlfriend Paula Tort and his daughter April are certainly less ominous and provide her with important insight into the charismatic singer. However, the band’s roadie and Martin’ s friend, Sir Terence Maloney proves to be much more elusive. As she traces Mear’s meteoric rise  to stardom, Ruthie discovers Martin’s uncle Max Askew has an unexpected connection to Martens and Degrue which is really a front for the Jericho Society. Ruthie has reason to be a bit worried about this link since her dealings with the Jericho Society in the past have been rather frightening. The deeper she digs into Mear’s past, the more Ruthie begins to speculate about exactly how Martin’s success originated.

With some very bone-chilling encounters and all too real deaths in the present, The Lucifer Chord is a spellbinding mystery with understated paranormal phenomena. Ruthie is a multi-faceted protagonist that is well-developed with realistic strengths and weaknesses. F.G. Cottam deftly incorporates slight supernatural elements that greatly enhance the fast-paced and engaging storyline. The novel comes to a clever conclusion that completely wraps up the various story arcs. I highly recommend this suspenseful mystery to readers of the genre.

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Filed under Contemporary, F.G. Cottam, Horror, Mystery, Rated B+, Review, Severn House Publishers, Supernatural Elements, The Lucifer Chord

Review: Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage

Title: Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction, Horror, Suspense
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: C

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

In the tradition of ROOM comes a debut about a mom desperate to find help for her young daughter, whose disturbing behavior grows increasingly dangerous.

Suzette is unable to form a bond with her seven-year-old daughter, who cannot—or will not—speak. Ever since Hanna was a baby, she felt rejected by her. It’s as if the child hates her, leaving Suzette very frightened.

Alex wants to believe his wife’s accounts of their daughter’s cruel and unusual behavior, but he’s never seen anything but her love. Is Hanna just a naughty girl whose antics reveal intelligence, creativity, maybe even charm? Or is she actually trying to kill her mother?

A powerhouse, razor-sharp novel of psychological suspense from blazing new talent Zoje Stage, Baby Teeth raises more questions than it answers—and will leave you guessing until its shocking conclusion.

Review:

Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage is a suspenseful novel that centers around a fiendish seven year old who is plotting to kill her mother.

Suzette Jensen is a stay at home mom who home-schools her mute seven year old daughter, Hanna. After exhaustive testing that rules out a physical cause for Hanna’s mutism, the doctor refers her to a psychologist to try to get to the root her speech issues. Suzette’s husband, Alex, adores Hanna and he is quite reluctant to put their daughter in therapy. Suzette is frustrated and exhausted as she struggles with her own health issues in addition to dealing with Hanna’s alarming behavior. Alex refuses to believe there is anything wrong with Hanna despite the disturbing reports from caregivers and school officials.  He has also never witnessed any of Hanna’s disconcerting actions because when Hanna is with Alex, she is a loving, well-behaved young girl.  After an escalation in Hanna’s frightening behavior, Suzette is certain her daughter is trying to kill her, but can she convince Alex before it is too late?

Suzette’s childhood was quite dysfunctional so she works hard to be a good mother. However, Suzette’s sweet daughter has morphed into a willful, destructive girl whom she cannot seem to connect with. She is emotionally exhausted and struggling to decide what to do next with her increasingly disturbed child. Suzette cannot help but wonder if she at fault for Hanna’s problems and she becomes progressively more ambivalent about motherhood as her daughter’s behavior worsens.

Hanna is an intelligent child whose thought processes and actions are more typical of a much older child. She positively adores her father so she is quite careful to conceal her antipathy and anger towards her mother.  Convinced her mother is “stealing” her father away from her, Hanna carries out her diabolical plans to rid herself of Suzette permanently.

With chapters alternating between Hanna and Suzette’s points of view, Baby Teeth is a chilling and somewhat disturbing novel. The plot is interesting but a little repetitive and the pacing is slow. Alex is the only “normal” character in the story but his inability to accept the truth about his daughter is wearisome. Suzette is difficult to relate to since readers meet her when she is at the end of her rope with Hanna. Hanna is sly and manipulative and she is genuinely shocked when things do not go her way.  Zoje Stage brings the novel to a somewhat ambiguous conclusion that will leave readers wondering what the future holds for the Jensen family.

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Filed under Baby Teeth, Contemporary, Fiction, Horror, Rated C, Review, St Martin's Press, Suspense, Zoje Stage

Review: The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay

Title: The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense, Horror
Length: 288 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

The Bram Stoker Award-winning author of A Head Full of Ghosts adds an inventive twist to the home invasion horror story in a heart-palpitating novel of psychological suspense that recalls Stephen King’s Misery, Ruth Ware’s In a Dark, Dark Wood, and Jack Ketchum’s cult hit The Girl Next Door.

Seven-year-old Wen and her parents, Eric and Andrew, are vacationing at a remote cabin on a quiet New Hampshire lake. Their closest neighbors are more than two miles in either direction along a rutted dirt road.

One afternoon, as Wen catches grasshoppers in the front yard, a stranger unexpectedly appears in the driveway. Leonard is the largest man Wen has ever seen but he is young, friendly, and he wins her over almost instantly. Leonard and Wen talk and play until Leonard abruptly apologizes and tells Wen, “None of what’s going to happen is your fault”. Three more strangers then arrive at the cabin carrying unidentifiable, menacing objects. As Wen sprints inside to warn her parents, Leonard calls out: “Your dads won’t want to let us in, Wen. But they have to. We need your help to save the world.”

Thus begins an unbearably tense, gripping tale of paranoia, sacrifice, apocalypse, and survival that escalates to a shattering conclusion, one in which the fate of a loving family and quite possibly all of humanity are entwined. The Cabin at the End of the World is a masterpiece of terror and suspense from the fantastically fertile imagination of Paul Tremblay.

Review:

The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay is a suspense-laden, violent and horror-filled novel about an very unusual home invasion.

Seven year old Wen is playing outside the vacation home she is sharing with her dads, Andrew and Eric, when a stronger approaches. In spite of all of the stranger-danger warnings, Wen inexplicably strikes up a conversation with this unknown person who introduces himself as Leonard. Just about the time that doubts creep into Wen’s mind that Leonard might not be as trustworthy as she first believes, she spies three more people headed to the cabin.  Wen rushes to tell her dads about the danger brewing, but it is much too late to save their family from the harrowing experience they are about to endure.

Leonard, along with Sabrina, Adriane and Redmond, have seen an apocalyptic vision along with the means in which to prevent it from occurring.  Wen, Andrew and Eric figure into this plan in a particularly harrowing manner.  Initially, neither Andrew nor Eric believe what the strangers are telling them but they are powerless to free themselves and Wen from this horrifying ordeal. In less than twenty-four hours, their world is turned upside down as they struggle to make sense of the fervent mission that brings Leonard, Sabrina, Adriane and Redmond to their idyllic vacation in a remote area of New Hampshire.

The Cabin at the End of the World is an incredibly atmospheric and chilling novel that is absolutely riveting. The perspectives shift between the various characters and these peeks into their minds are infinitely fascinating and quite illuminating.  The violence is graphic yet not gratuitous since each act of aggression adds another layer tension to this intricately plotted story. Paul Tremblay ratchets up the tension with nail-biting suspense and a high degree of uncertainty as the novel hurtles to a terrifying conclusion that is incredibly satisfying despite a few unanswered questions.

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Filed under Contemporary, Horror, Rated B, Review, Suspense, The Cabin at the End of the World, William Morrow

Review: The Inside Out Man by Fred Strydom

Title: The Inside Out Man by Fred Strydom
Publisher: Talos
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense, Horror
Length: 296 pages
Book Rating: C

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

A young musician receives an unusual offer from a wealthy stranger in this haunting story of psychological horror.

Bent is a jazz pianist living gig-to-gig in a dark city of dead-ends. With no family, and no friends, he has resigned himself to a life of quiet desolation. That is, until the night he meets the enigmatic Leonard Fry.

After accepting an invitation to his countryside mansion, where Leonard resides on his own, Bent is offered a deal of Faustian proportions.

“There is a room in this house. There’s only one way in and one way out . . . There’s one lock on the door, and only one key to that lock. Now, what I’m going to ask may seem strange to you. I don’t necessarily need you to understand, but what I do need is for you to agree to help me.”

Disillusioned with his life of excess, Leonard has decided to explore the final frontier of his existence, the margins of his mind, by locking himself in a small room in his mansion for a year. In exchange for Bent’s assistance, everything Leonard owns will be Bent’s for the duration of his self-imposed imprisonment.

But there are two sides to every locked door. As the days go by, and Leonard’s true intentions become clear, Bent will find himself venturing beyond the one terrifying boundary from which he can’t be sure he’ll ever return . . . the boundary of his own sanity.

Review:

The Inside Out Man by Fred Strydom is an unusual novel with an intriguing but rather convoluted storyline.

Raised by a single mother who died when he was a teenager, Bentley “Bent” Croud is a talented jazz pianist who plays in local bars a few times a week and lives in a rundown apartment he has dubbed the “Crack Radisson”.  Learning of his barely recalled father’s death, he receives a bit of a puzzling inheritance.  Not long after hearing this news, he is offered a hefty sum to perform at weekend party on Leonard Fry’s large estate.   After the weekend is over, Fry has another proposal for Bent which is rather bizarre. In exchange for access to all of his possessions for the next year, Bent agrees to serve Fry three meals a day after he locks himself in a room in his mansion.  At first enjoying his luxurious accommodations, things take a rather odd turn after Bent meets Leonard’s friend, Jolene.

Bent is an interesting character who does not seem overly unhappy with his life when he first meets Fry. He has a passing acquaintance with his neighbors  and although the bars where he plays piano are not high end, he is comfortable with the bartenders and patrons. Bent agonizes over his decisions to Leonard’s two very different proposals, but in the end, he is curious enough to agree to his benefactor’s somewhat peculiar propositions.

The Inside Out Man is well-written and at first the storyline is engaging and interesting. However, the novel quickly takes a very strange and dark turn and readers will have a difficult time knowing whether or not Bent’s experiences are real.  Fred Strydom brings the confusing novel to a twist-filled conclusion that is somewhat ambiguous and rather unsatisfying.

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Filed under Contemporary, Fred Strydom, Horror, Rated C, Review, Suspense, Talos, The Inside Out Man