William Fairchild (1918–2000)

"They called the place No Man's Land and it was well named. The rain stopped. I watched a dark cloud pass across the moon to be replaced by thinner wispy veils of grey. I shall never feel peace in the moonlight again, only fear, because it was then that I saw the first of them..."

A World War I novel with macabre undertones, a blackness creeping into the muck and mire of trench warfare. Some THINGS have taken up residence in the netherworld between enemy lines. Men on night patrol and reconnaissance see them sometimes and hurry back to spread tales of beings wearing uniforms from both sides living underground, feeding on the dead.

Mr. Fairchild successfully captures the lot of the average fighting lad in the Great War and, as far as tall tales go, this is a good one. There's an excellent sense of atmosphere and the author's prose is quick and economical. Dialogue well-rendered. A book that deserves a far wider readership...and the makings of a damn fine film.… (more)