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wunkymatts's review against another edition
1.0
Why is James Herbert as popular as he is? I can only think it's because he's quite prolific, because I struggle to believe it's his skills as a writer.
I'd read two books by him before, and both were absolutely clunkers. I only tried this one because it was small and short and I could easily put it in a bag for a weekend away and it came in my book subscription. Also it's a haunted house story and I was always a sucker for a haunted house story.
But why is he so bad? I'm so glad you asked. The biggest issue I have with him is he is a misogynistic twat. He couldn't write a decent female character if his royalty cheque depended on it. Frustratingly it doesn't seem to. The first time we are introduced to female characters they are discussing their weight in the most patronising terms. I nearly yeeted the book across the room there and then. Herbert is also at great pains to tell us that, it's OK, the most prominent woman in the book is older than thirty, but don't fret because she's still hot. The rest of the women's appearance is pointlessly pointed out and mused over.
The main character is also a complete cookie cutter anti hero. Yawn. Oh no, David Ash has a mild drinking problem. He's surly and emotionally unavailable like a thousand other main male characters written by pathetic men who want to be interesting. Pity he doesn't have a personality.
The writing is unbearably clunky. The plot is passable, if derivative and you can see the twist coming from a mile away, but the descriptions are just awful. Flat, unwieldy prose that is only just about bearable in a 240 page book. His longer ones should probably be outlawed as a form of psychological torture.
I'd read two books by him before, and both were absolutely clunkers. I only tried this one because it was small and short and I could easily put it in a bag for a weekend away and it came in my book subscription. Also it's a haunted house story and I was always a sucker for a haunted house story.
But why is he so bad? I'm so glad you asked. The biggest issue I have with him is he is a misogynistic twat. He couldn't write a decent female character if his royalty cheque depended on it. Frustratingly it doesn't seem to. The first time we are introduced to female characters they are discussing their weight in the most patronising terms. I nearly yeeted the book across the room there and then. Herbert is also at great pains to tell us that, it's OK, the most prominent woman in the book is older than thirty, but don't fret because she's still hot. The rest of the women's appearance is pointlessly pointed out and mused over.
The main character is also a complete cookie cutter anti hero. Yawn. Oh no, David Ash has a mild drinking problem. He's surly and emotionally unavailable like a thousand other main male characters written by pathetic men who want to be interesting. Pity he doesn't have a personality.
The writing is unbearably clunky. The plot is passable, if derivative and you can see the twist coming from a mile away, but the descriptions are just awful. Flat, unwieldy prose that is only just about bearable in a 240 page book. His longer ones should probably be outlawed as a form of psychological torture.
blatdriver's review against another edition
3.0
I would give this book 3.5 stars.
This is the first of the David Ash trilogy, which I did not find out until I was about halfway through. I do not know if the story continues on, or if it is completely different. But the story wraps up nicely without any cliff hangers.
This is an old-fashioned ghost story, it was a bit predictable, but I still liked it, and really want to know what happens to the David Ash character in the next two books.
This is the first of the David Ash trilogy, which I did not find out until I was about halfway through. I do not know if the story continues on, or if it is completely different. But the story wraps up nicely without any cliff hangers.
This is an old-fashioned ghost story, it was a bit predictable, but I still liked it, and really want to know what happens to the David Ash character in the next two books.
heatherwillard's review against another edition
excelent book total twist in the end!!!
ianl1963's review against another edition
2.0
Even Stephen Pacey didn't help with this book.
Surprising, as reading other books of his recently meant expectations high!
Maybe that was the issue.
Surprising, as reading other books of his recently meant expectations high!
Maybe that was the issue.
bellamyhill's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
smrw's review against another edition
3.0
More like 3.5. I found this good enough to want to see how it all turned out but rather slow in parts. I can't say I was enamoured of our hero, David Ash. I figured out the twist and I found it irritating that our supposed expert did not. For a paranormal investigator, he was rather spleeny.
lulubeth's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
nnair25's review against another edition
5.0
Good horror stories are confusing and scary!
Great horror stories are predictable and scary!
This is a great horror story!
Great horror stories are predictable and scary!
This is a great horror story!