pacardullo's reviews
278 reviews

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

4.0

Fascinating story that details the lead up to and aftermath of a murder. We know who the victim and perpetrators are in the first two sentences, but that makes what follows all the more intriguing. This is not a story with likeable characters - with the main cast being over-privileged, self-indulgent college students. You may want to punch most of them in the face, or at least slap them silly, but you will also want to know the "whys" of the central event and then will want to stick around to see how this affects the group dynamics afterwards.

The Inhabitant of the Lake & Other Unwelcome Tenants by Ramsey Campbell

4.0

Fascinating peak at the early work of Ramsey Campbell. Written when he was 18 years old, the stories are a pastiche of Lovecraft, but they show the promise of later work by Campbell. 4-stars because not only does this edition showcase the early work by a later expert, but also because it includes later-day Campbell's afterward with his thoughts on the early stories, first drafts of some of the stories, tales cut from the initial collection, and the author's correspondence with August Derleth - friend of Lovecraft and publisher of the book. All-and-all a fun look into the start of what would become a fantastic career.

The Great God Pan by Arthur Machen

5.0

Excellent and influential novella from Machen that really was rather ahead of its time. My appreciation of this one grew as it sat with me. Most of the more prurient aspects are implied, but they are not quite hidden. And while much happens "off screen", as it were, the final disposition of one of the main characters is spelled out in rather gory detail.
The more I think about this story, the more I appreciate and enjoy it. 

The Auctioneer by Ed Gorman, Joan Samson

3.5

This one was OK but just did not quite work for me. I did not mind the "slow burn" nature of it, nor the underplayed horror aspects. It was primarily that it felt repetitive. It did not feel like a slow ramping-up of the actions of the auctioneer. Everything just-sort-of-happened.
That said, your mileage may vary. There are those who feel that this is one of the best, scariest novels of the 1970s. I am just not one of them.

Armed in Her Fashion by Kate Heartfield

5.0

Historical fiction is not usually in my wheelhouse - even if it is historical horror/dark fantasy, such as this. That said, this book grabbed me. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Fantastic stuff. Great characters. Fascinating read. This is one of those books where I was almost sad that I had finished it.

Now You See It . . . by Richard Matheson

lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

4.0

Fun, twisty, who-done-it/who-will-do it mystery from Matheson based on his own unproduced stage play. (What I wouldn't have given to see the play with the proposed lead of Jack Palance.) Super fast, snappy read. It is a bit similar to a couple of other classics of the one-room light mystery genre, but it is enjoyable nonetheless. Lots of twists, turns, and reversals. Not to repeat myself, but it is a fun, diverting read.

Harmlessly Insane: The Complete Collection: Volume One by Evans Light, Adam Light

dark

4.0

Fun, creepy giant tome of tales from the Light Brothers (or is that The Brothers Light?). All sorts of weird tales that range from darkly funny to ghoulish to downright creepy. You are bound to find lots of dark goodies inside. 

A God of Hungry Walls by Garrett Cook

4.0

A different kind of haunted house story. Quite disturbing with much sexual violence, though it honestly goes to serve the story. I cannot say this was an "pleasant" or "enjoyable" read - but it was well done, effective, and quite unsettling

That Which Cannot Be Undone by Jess Landry

4.0

Cool horror anthology with a strong "sense of place". A good variety of high quality tales. Check it out.

The Wise Friend by Ramsey Campbell

dark emotional

4.0

Fine folk horror with a good touch of paranoia. How this one hits you may depend upon whether or not you are a parent with older (<= older teen) children. I found the most effective bits dealt with the main character and his desire to protect his son mixed with his feelings of guilt of possibly putting him in danger.