Horror World Book Reviews
December, 2008

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HE IS LEGEND: AN ANTHOLOGY CELEBRATING RICHARD MATHESON Edited by Christopher Conlon
Review By Norm Rubenstein

When it comes to Richard Matheson, there are only two types of people in this world: those that know Matheson’s enormous and brilliant body of work and appreciate it, and those who thoroughly enjoy his work without actually realizing that Richard Matheson is responsible for the creation of so many of their favorites.

Richard Matheson is a true literary genius and national treasure, a living legend whose body of work over the past fifty-nine years has been prodigious not just in quality, or even quantity, but in the influence that his unique, fresh and innovative style has had upon both his own and all succeeding generations of writers.

To review Richard Matheson’s entire body of work would far exceed the space permitted for this article. He is a master of virtually all forms of writing. His short fiction, beginning with the first short story he had published, the brilliant Born Of Man And Woman, has been anthologized innumerable times, and has been the basis of many film and television adaptations for shows such as The Twilight Zone and Star Trek. Then there was his short story, Prey, which the author adapted into one of three segments of his film, Trilogy Of Terror, starring Karen Black and the infamous Zuni Warrior Doll, that arguably not only started the entire “deadly dolls” sub-genre of films like the “Chucky” and “Puppetmaster” films, but remains the scariest of them all. Indeed, he took his short story , Duel, and adapted it into a screenplay for a famous television movie of the same name that brought its first-time director, Steven Spielberg, widespread attention and praise. Matheson also has authored numerous popular screenplays such as the first two “Kolchak” television films that were so popular, the television series Kolchak: The Night Stalker starring the late Darren McGavin was produced from it. Matheson also teamed with Producer/Director Roger Corman, and adapted many of the works of Edgar Allan Poe into a series of very successful motion pictures starring Vincent Price, in the 1960’s. Then there are Matheson’s novels, many of which were later adapted, sometimes by Matheson himself, into successful films, including, but not limited to: The Shrinking Man (filmed as The Incredible Shrinking Man), Stir Of Echoes, Bid Time Return (filmed as Somewhere In Time), Hell House (filmed as The Legend Of Hell House), and his famous vampire novel, I Am Legend (variously filmed as The Last Man On Earth starring Vincent Price, then as The Omega Man, starring Charleton Heston, and, most recently, as I Am Legend, starring Will Smith).

In a well-deserved homage to this brilliant man, Barry Hoffman and Gauntlet Press have, under the astute editorship of Christopher Conlon, put together a true “dream-team” of contemporary authors who have similarly been influenced by Richard Matheson. This “ultimate” Matheson-themed Anthology, titled, He Is Legend: An Anthology Celebrating Richard Matheson, will be released in February 2009. Each story in this huge over five-hundred page book has the author(s) taking a classic Matheson story or stories as their inspiration, and creating a new work, be it sequel, prequel, or “riff.” The anthology contains fifteen new stories by such authors as: F. Paul Wilson, John Shirley, Mick Garris, Thomas F. Monteleone, Michael F. Arnzen, Gary A. Braunbeck, John Maclay, William F. Nolan, Ed Gorman, Joe R. Lansdale, Nancy Collins, Whitley Strieber, the author’s son, Richard C. Matheson, and, perhaps most anticipated – the first collaboration between father and son, Stephen King and Joe Hill. In addition to these stories, the book contains an informative and personal Introduction by Ramsey Campbell, and Editor’s Note by author and editor Christopher Conlon, and both cover and plenty of interior artwork by the brilliant master-artist, Harry O. Morris. The book also contains, as an added bonus, the full screenplay co-authored by Richard Matheson and the late Charles Beaumont titled Conjure Wife, a brilliant adaptation of author Fritz Leiber’s novel of the same name. This original screenplay was later substantially altered by British screenwriter George Baxt, and it is Baxt’s altered version that was ultimately filmed as Burn, Witch, Burn. Thus, this is a unique chance to read what Matheson and Beaumont envisioned for the film.

I’m certain that many collectors will hasten to purchase copies of this Anthology merely due to the notoriety of obtaining the first published collaboration between Stephen King and Joe Hill, and also in the Deluxe version, to obtain their signatures. However, this book is far more than this one story – though it happens that their contribution, “Throttle” inspired by Matheson’s story Duel, is first-rate and a thrill-ride of an homage that is a worthy tribute to Matheson. Actually, every one of the fifteen stories contained in this Anthology are brilliant and captivating tales in their own rights. Not only is there not a single “clunker,” apparently every contributing author felt strongly enough about wanting to honor Richard Matheson that each submitted story is exceptional. The reader will find the anthology filled with one tour de force after another, all masterpieces, from beginning to end. It is a stunning, virtuoso work, and compliments are due to both publisher Barry Hoffman, who also is an author and contributes a gem of a short story of his own, and to editor Christopher Conlon, who put together one of the finest anthologies it has been my pleasure to read, and stands certain of strong consideration for awards for the best anthology of 2009.

When one is lucky enough to be presented with a collection of stories of such a uniformly excellent nature, such as here, it becomes rather difficult to single out any specific stories for “extra” recognition; and is most probably more an exercise in the particular reviewer’s preferences, indulgences, and peccadilloes than anything else. However, the following seven stories certainly had the greatest effect upon this reviewer, who found them all to be memorable and especially noteworthy: F. Paul Wilson’s Recalled, a truly terrifying sequel to The Distributor, John Shirley’s Two Shots From Fly’s Photo Gallery, an atmospheric and fascinating Western-themed sequel to Somewhere In Time that pulls the readers back to the circumstances surrounding the famous gunfight at the OK Corral, Michael A. Arnzen’s She Screech Like Me, a frightening and moving sequel to Born Of Man And Woman, Richard C. Matheson’s fascinating venture into paranoia, Venturi, which is inspired by his father’s story, Legion Of Plotters, Joe R. Lansdale’s Quarry, a virtuoso sequel to Prey, marking the horrifying return of the murderous Zuni fetish doll, He Who Kills, Ed Gorman’s Comeback, an engrossing take upon Envy and revenge inspired by Matheson’s The Finishing Touches, and a personal favorite, Nancy A Collins’ Return To Hell House, an inspired and awesomely fearsome prequel to Hell House that could easily be made into a far better film than the recently filmed Return To Hell House.

In closing, let me reiterate and again stress that He Is Legend is one of the finest Horror Genre anthologies I’ve been privileged to read in the last ten years, and a book that will totally immerse the reader into the chilling universe that is the mind of the brilliant Richard Matheson. Each of the included stories is a flawless gem filled with the addictive kind of terror that will leave the reader breathless yet begging for more. It is a most fitting tribute to one of the true giants of Twentieth Century literature, an innovative and inventive genius who has been, and will long remain, a huge influence for writers of all genres, Richard Matheson. If you could only purchase one book for the entire coming year, this should be the one you choose. It is that good.

Gauntlet Press

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THE DAMNED by William Ollie
Reviewed by Mark Tyree

A trusted Internet pal, with similar tastes in horror fiction heralded Bill Ollie as the next Richard Laymon. (Hey, a blurb to grab out of context!) Earlier, I’d received a piece of powerful fiction from the writer himself, and so it was with great anticipation I cracked open Ollie’s first published novel The Damned.

Scott is having one shitty day. Fired from his job, driving home dreading informing his woman, he’s stuck behind someone tooling along in the fast lane, cell phone glued to his ear. Ollie had me right here, at “hello” so to speak. This is a major pet peeve of mine so I cheered when Scott gets off at his exit spotting the blue Honda with the culprit idling at the light, gets out and proceeds to pummel the man…then realizes it’s not the right guy. So begins a series of rug pulling, brutal surprises and terrific characters being bumped off at the whim of Ollie that had me realizing from the get-go that this is a novel where anyone can die at anytime.

Scott is shot in head by the victim he beat and wakes up in a hospital, seven weeks later, crusted IV in his arm and a dead patient next to him. What follows is an excursion into hell on Earth. Seems The Rapture has occurred taking the good folks home to be with the Lord… and all animal life. Scott’s first glimpse of this new World is of a woman being roasted over a pit by several bikers…whom he proceeds to blow away with a shotgun found in a police car---Ollie wastes no time, here. Scott meets up with a deranged dwarf and a sexy woman named Lila who seems cut straight out of a comic book. But, like I said, nothing is as it seems in The Damned and Lila’s back-story is heartbreaking and one of the novel’s more finely drawn characters---too bad Ollie has other plans. Also running amok are crazed, drugged- out bikers living in a prison, trading women for drugs with an Italian mob boss (!) deformed humans slithering around, cannibals and various dregs of society.

The Damned, first and foremost is a pretty well written first novel---there’s nary a typo to be found. Ollie is comfortable with his dialogue and it rings true throughout the whole book. Only problem is a lot of the content seems superfluous and the whole thing could’ve used a rewrite and some serious trimming. And, possibly, Ollie and his editor would have spotted some glaring mistakes such as a girl’s eyes are described as emerald then on the same page she looks up with her “brown eyes”. There’s a scene with a spicy, feisty ex nurse named Karen who, in the course of being chased by some of the biker clan, ends up responsible for two of their deaths. They catch her, get ready to crucify her to a tree but she’s saved, IN THE NICK OF TIME! when a fellow biker is dragged in with a gunshot wound and she saves him. That almost had the feel of a bad TV movie.

But, putting this aside, some minor quibbles, Ollie has created one fast-paced, grueling and brutal apocalyptic yarn fueled by outa left field, unexpected violence. Just when you think this will be another ho-hum small press crap-fest Ollie saves the book with sudden zigs when a less competent writer would have zagged and kept it nice and safe…. which The Damned certainly isn’t.

*Please Note*

The above reviewer, in his haste to get to “LUCKY’S” Sports Book in Primm, NV had six-dollar, boxed trifectas bouncing around his half-empty skull and failed to mention (something he does every time) that fact the above book was, indeed, an Advanced Review Copy. Hence, all mistakes listed above will, of course, you…you… no-reviewing, unprofessional jackaninny! be corrected in the final edition of The Damned. A sincere, heartfelt apology out to Mr. Ollie and his publisher and, of course, the long-suffering Nanci Kalanta who was kind enough to post this review in the first place.

I will now unbend a wire coat hanger and proceed to whip it back and forth across my back.

Bloodletting Press

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JAKE’S WAKE By John Skipp & Cody Goodfellow
Review by David Simms

Collaborations in horror are always a mixed bag. Some like King & Straub produce masterpieces; others can churn out utter disasters, no matter how talented the writers. Then there are the others, the solo artists who seemingly can work with anyone and spin words into gold (Tim Lebbon and Brian Keene come to mind).

Finally, we have John Skipp, co-father of the splatterpunk generation. With Craig Spector, he created several gems that redefined horror in the 80’s such as The Scream, Animals, The Bridge, etc. A second marriage has emerged with newcomer Cody Goodfellow, who penned Radiant Dawn & Ravenous Dusk. What I know about Goodfellow besides his writing is this: on a panel at World Horror about music in horror with me and an obvious ex-nun, he broke out some very cool techno/industrial music he wrote and has sold for adult movies. Once we delved into our dark sides of music and writing, I figured out the guy has a truly twisted but talented mind. I think that poor woman is still spewing Hail Mary’s after that session.

As for Jake’s Wake, the question is answered. Yes, it works. Televangelist Jake is murdered by the boyfriend of one of his followers during a “service” he’s delivering to her. Soon afterwards, he awakens, resurrected, and unleashes a new terror on those at the funeral home. The mystery is why he returns and what motive is truly behind the blood he and his companion spill.

Recommended for all Skipp fans and more.

Leisure Books

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SUCCULENT PREY By Wrath James White
Review by David Simms

When Jack Ketchum states that a novel is disturbing, watch out - you’re definitely in for some seriously sick writing. When your writing is compared to that man, Richard Laymon, Ed Lee, and John Skipp, make sure your stomach is strong. Succulent Prey reads like a rollercoaster ride through Donner Pass sitting next to Jeffrey Dahmer with an engine fueled by Rob Zombie.

Read the above disclaimer not as a deterrent but as if you were beneath the wildest, scariest, disturbing ride at Six Flags during Halloween. If you’re a fan of those writers, this novel will make you sick with pleasure. The book opens with young Joey being tortured by a child serial killer (I think all of us wondered about that weird kid down the street when we were growing up – this is what he might’ve been doing) in a scene that had me squirming long after the blood had dried.

Joey survives but has been transformed. Something in him, something dark has been born, unearthed. A monster brews under his skin, sneaking out in bits and pieces, each time more and more sinister. The scene with the dogs is guaranteed to get under the flesh of even the most calloused horror aficionado.

Never boring, always exciting and bristling with violent pleasures, White’s sharp, cutting prose (yes, pun intended) pulls the reader along until the bloody end.

Leisure Books

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DAMEWOOD: DEMONS OF THE PAST by Erin Durante
Review by Steven E. Wedel

When I was asked to review Erin Durante’s debut novel Damewood: Demons Of The Past, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I don’t know Erin. She’s one of many mostly anonymous MySpace friends. I’d never heard of her publisher, Leucrota Press. I agreed to do it because, well … sometimes I’m a pushover and hate to say no. Needless to say, my expectations were not very high.

I was pleasantly surprised. The novel is set in a future world where modern civilization has fallen apart because our technology outsmarted us. The world is ruled by little kingdoms that live in fear of things natural and not so natural. Things like the weather destroying vital crops, as well as demonic entities from the shadowy forests.

The story is about Nadia, a princess, and her only real friend, a horse with a dark secret of his own. Nadia runs away from home when a cult attacks her castle. With her trusty horse, Nadia takes on a quest to end genocide and find a key that will end the brutality of the cult and reveal the history of her own people.

Durante’s writing is crisp, yet descriptive. She knows this world she’s created and is very comfortable in it. There are a few rookie flaws here, but overall the book is engaging and well written. Classifying is a little difficult. Is it sci-fi? Fantasy? Horror? Maybe a little of each. It’s sort of a Swan Song meets The Lord Of The Rings in Narnia with a twist of Robert A. Heinlein. If that makes sense, or appeals to you, this first Damewood novel is something you definitely should check out.

Leucrota Press

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HAWG by Steven Shrewsbury
Review by Mark Justice

Fans of hardcore horror have a cause for celebration with the release of Hawg. Steven Shrewsbury – best known until now for violent sword and sorcery tales – makes his first foray into contemporary horror with a story of a feral monster, half-man, half-pig, ravaging a rural community.

Hawg is not for the squeamish. In fact there are scenes in the novel that might make Edward Lee blanch. Shrewsbury balances out the nasty bits with a cast of well-drawn characters and a knowing examination of the vicious little evils that thrive in small towns.

But the star of the show is Shrewsbury monster, one that is destined to take his place in the horror fiction pantheon alongside Lee’s Bighead. There are moments in Hawg when you want to avert your eyes from the page, yet Shrewsbury’s feverish, driving prose won’t let you.

If Robert E. Howard had clawed his way out of his grave and shambled back to his typewriter, the primal savagery of Hawg could have been the result.

For readers who are tired of quiet horror and want their fiction with a side of deep-fried pig testicles, this is the novel for you.

Graveside Tales

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BLACK CATHEDRAL by LH Maynard & MPN Sims
Reviewed by Mario Guslandi

A house infested by alien beetles, but, more importantly, by unknown, powerful, alien forces....A desolate island three miles off the east coast of Scotland becoming the location of a survival course for a group of people who get lost to the world within a couple of days... Soon death and terror take hold of the men and women now staying on the island but helping them is a very difficult task even for a veteran like Robert Carter, used to the fight against human and inhuman enemies. Yet Carter has his own very good reason to get to the heart of the puzzle...

The Minister of Defense is interested, a rescue team, including also a couple of psychic, is sent to the island to discover what’s happening and to straighten things up. As it turns out, behind the island’s mysteries hid a wealthy women outfit called The Sorority, ancient depravities involving the Jesuits, Satanism and evil forces now at loose.

I’m purposely avoiding trying to describe the plot in a straight manner, in order not to spoil for the reader the pleasure of  fully enjoying the book.

Despite some minor inconsistencies, the novel is a breathtaking chain of horror, a frightening reading experience that will reveal to the reader the malignant forces lying behind the smooth surface of everyday’s reality.

Once again Maynard & Sims has contrived to create a powerful work of fiction, which reminds me of one of those nightmares that make you glad to wake up and find out it was just a dream.

As a long-time reader of horror fiction I promise I’m not squeamish but, believe me, this book is terrifying, so much so that even if now and then suspension of disbelief becomes a bit hard to keep, the avalanche of emotions and the flow of adrenaline will carry you on.

So I’m warning you: if you have important engagements ahead don’t even think of starting this novel because you won’t be able to put it down until you’ve reached the last page.

Leisure Books

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BITS OF THE DEAD ANTHOLOGY, Edited by Keith Gouveia
Illustrated by Sean Simmans
Reviewed by William A. Veselik

At first glance, “Bits of the Dead” is a nifty little anthology featuring zombie flash fiction and sporting a table of contents that, if it were made of human flesh, would make a cannibalistic undead salivate uncontrollably. Among the authors included in “Bits” are Piers Anthony, J.G. Flaherty, Steven Savile, R.J. Sevin, Steve Vernon, Jeff Strand, Tim Waggoner, and Michael Laimo.

But even though “Bits” promises on its back cover that it is “a hard-hitting, pulse-pounding collection of zombie tales that’ll have you ripping through the pages faster than a ghoul through a warm body,” this anthology isn’t likely to hit the reader very hard or cause his or her heart to pound beyond a normal beats-per-minute rate, unless the reader is a true horror virgin who spends most nights reading nothing more violent than “Reader’s Digest.” Long-time horror fans, especially the jaded ones, will agree that “Bits” rarely surpasses a PG-13 rating. If these folks end up at a heart-pounding level, it will more likely be attributable to an untimely cardiac event related to a bad diet and too little exercise—and not the tales included in this anthology.

Certainly, the reader will rip through the pages quickly—this is flash fiction after all, and no story in the collection spans more than three pages. Added to the fact that each story is also accompanied by one or two full-page illustrations, this anthology is the quickest read since the warning label on a pack of cigarettes.

The 38 pieces of flash fiction included in “Bits” range from zombie love stories to more conventional post-apocalyptic mini-tales about the odd moments that occur in the lives of any survivors of a zombie rising. Unfortunately, readers may likely find that the similarities of several of the stories in “Bits” tend to blur over time until just a few of the flash pieces stick out in one’s mind.

Nate Southard’s “Another Lonely Day” is an ode to the unwanted human meal who is literally dying for some attention. Joel Arnold’s “Rotten Fruit” proves that flesh-eating zombies can learn how to fish. John Weagly’s “Duet of the Living Dead”—one of the shortest pieces in the collection—reads like a beautiful, rhyme-less poem that gives new meaning to the art of sharing. Steve Vernon’s haunting tale of lost love, “Whistling in the Graveyard,” is sure to stick with the reader long after many of the other stories are long forgotten.

None of the flash fiction in “Bits of the Dead” is poorly written, by any means, and most of it is superbly written, despite the fact that some of the stories aren’t the true stand-outs one might expect from the outstanding lineup of authors included in this anthology. Keith Gouveia’s editing skills are certainly to be commended, although he might easily have thrown in a couple of tales that diverged more from the general themes of the included pieces or hit that gut-wrenching low that every zombie fan craves. Sean Simmans’ illustrations—except for the creepy toddler zombie depicted in full color on the cover—are all black and white on the interior. Most of them hit their mark, especially in capturing the mood of the accompanying story.

“Bits of the Dead” would make an excellent gift for someone who is keen on being initiated into the world of zombie fiction, but for hardcore fans of the genre, the anthology belongs in the grocer’s freezer under the label “Lean Zombie Cuisine” rathe than sharing the shelf with the “Hungry Zombie” meals.

Coscom Entertainment

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VAMPYRRIC RITES By Simon Clark
Review by David Simms

Simon Clark writes some of the best British horror writers of the modern breed (post-Ramsey Campbell) and with Cemetery Dance’s reissue of the UK version, Vampyrric Rites further establishes that reputation. Written with the same tenacity that infused such classics as Blood Crazy, Nailed By The Heart, and this novel’s predecessor, Vampyrric, Rites takes over where the action last ended.

Lazarus Deep holds deep, dark things within its murky waters. Dylan’s friend Luke might be one of those things once he goes missing. Once in the moors, the Nosferatu now inhabit the dark waters of Leppington. The main characters from Vampyrric, David Leppington, Bernice Mochardi, Electra Charnwood, reunite to battle the undead in another exciting adventure. For those unacquainted with the first book (which is a recommended read but not necessary to follow this plot), the town and character share a name and dark history, harkening back to the Vikings.

Many of Clark’s novels deal with apocalyptic scenarios in near plausible fashion with memorable characters that strain to be different. From Electra’s unique website to David’s colorful backstory to another character who returns from the previous novel in different form, Rites is populated with fleshed out people (and other creatures) rippling with prose that propels the plot to an explosive climax. Possibly, there will be a third Vampyrric?

For those who like a different spin on the Dracula theme but still scary as hell, this one comes highly recommended.

Cemetery Dance

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CRIMEWAVE 10 (Now You See Me)
Review by David Simms

A couple of months ago I reviewed two issues of Black Static magazine here on this site. Short story mags are a tough sell nowadays; even the stalwarts seem to be lagging, lacking freshness and literary bite, with very few exceptions. That mag bucks the trend and proved it wasn’t a one hit, high quality wonder. Understanding that it was the sister to Interzone, everything made sense. Now, Crimewave 10 arrives in my mailbox, a digest-sized magazine of dark mystery and suspense, the third of a beautifully intelligent set of triplets.

Dispensing with articles, interviews, and reviews, Crimewave brims with nothing but stories. One by one, they blaze by in high octane style. The lineup carries some familiar names, some new. Joel Lane, Alex Irvine, and Steve Rasnic Tem carry the spotlight but nearly all of the others step up to the plate in fine fashion.

The only entry which isn’t a worthy short story is Tem’s, not because it isn’t good. It just isn’t a full story. It’s a short paragraph, four simple lines. However, they pack a wallop and not the reader off guard. Lane’s “Even The Pawn” counters with an uppercut with a surprise from the left and never lets up from there.

A great buy from across the pond. We need more magazines like this.

Black Static/Crimewave 10

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