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A review by caomhin
Dead Shift by John Llewellyn Probert
4.0
This is one of those books with a cover where the artwork gives you a good clue if you'd enjoy reading. The digital rendering is good, the hardback is even better. The writhing mass of tentacles hint at the beats inside, the vagueness of their identity is mysterious, the three (almost) silhouettes at the base give a nod to the dry comedy that works well in British horror. It feels good too. Someone cared about this book. It's not been churned out mindlessly, this has been nurtured.
After such a strong introduction to the book how would it fare? Very well. Probert obviously knows hospitals and horror very well. A slightly disturbing combination that makes me think he should be invited to every dinner party possible. The storyline is refreshingly brief - just one night, well not even that, a few hours really. It allows a good pace for the events as they unfold. It's not a frantic pulse racing tempo, but it does move along well. It allows some glorious details in the writing without it bogging down. And oh those details. Probert's use of language is extremely pleasing. I relished the choice of words, they add so much texture to the pages.
The plot unfolds well. It's a not uncommon trope but it's done well. Ancient text, ritual, creatures breaking into the world, trying to escape and/or fix things. The hospital setting is a nice touch, a lot of hospital based horror is about blood and gore. Here it's far more subtle- using the building for a purpose rather than letting the building define the story. It helps with the characters too, giving them all a pretty much instant backstory just through their job whilst also offering them enough possibilities to allow them to easily fit their roles without having to squeeze them in awkwardly. The way hospitals are built also allows a nice variety in the problems faced; even with a common thread binding them you're never quite sure what will be in the next department.
With a few wry jokes scattered around to keep the mood just so it all comes together for a very enjoyable read. Not for everyone it's true, but if you like your horror to be shadowy and ever changing it hits the spot. If you've got past the blurb to the point you're reading reviews, you'll probably enjoy reading this.
I received my copy through First Reads
After such a strong introduction to the book how would it fare? Very well. Probert obviously knows hospitals and horror very well. A slightly disturbing combination that makes me think he should be invited to every dinner party possible. The storyline is refreshingly brief - just one night, well not even that, a few hours really. It allows a good pace for the events as they unfold. It's not a frantic pulse racing tempo, but it does move along well. It allows some glorious details in the writing without it bogging down. And oh those details. Probert's use of language is extremely pleasing. I relished the choice of words, they add so much texture to the pages.
The plot unfolds well. It's a not uncommon trope but it's done well. Ancient text, ritual, creatures breaking into the world, trying to escape and/or fix things. The hospital setting is a nice touch, a lot of hospital based horror is about blood and gore. Here it's far more subtle- using the building for a purpose rather than letting the building define the story. It helps with the characters too, giving them all a pretty much instant backstory just through their job whilst also offering them enough possibilities to allow them to easily fit their roles without having to squeeze them in awkwardly. The way hospitals are built also allows a nice variety in the problems faced; even with a common thread binding them you're never quite sure what will be in the next department.
With a few wry jokes scattered around to keep the mood just so it all comes together for a very enjoyable read. Not for everyone it's true, but if you like your horror to be shadowy and ever changing it hits the spot. If you've got past the blurb to the point you're reading reviews, you'll probably enjoy reading this.
I received my copy through First Reads