2011 Great Pumpkin Halloween Read

Welcome to the Great Pumpkin Halloween Read

Here is the reading list for the year:

2011 Haunted Halloween Reading List

1. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Macabre Tales by Washington Irving

Not much to say here; a classic Halloween read. I usually like to start off the year with a classic. This year, the choice is in honor of my mother, who passed away a few months back. As a boy, she took me to see the Disney adaptation of this classic, and we both enjoyed ourselves a great deal. She rarely went to the movies, so it was quite a treat. The only other movies I remember her going to was Star Wars, with me, and Indian Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, with my father and me. I had to explain Star Wars to her as we watched, but she was a sport. And she and my dad both fell asleep during Indiana Jones.

2. Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King

Most of you know that I am a King constant reader. I have encouraged many of you to give him a try, with mixed success. This is a collection of 4 shorter novellas, much like Different Seasons that spawned the movies Stand By Me and Shawshank Redemption. Many times, King is at his best with his shorter fiction, so I am hopeful that this is a good choice, especially since you can choose amongst the stories if one or more doesn't resonate.

3. Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein

As you all know, I try to choose across genres for the Halloween list, including true horror, sci-fi, fantasy, psychological thrillers, and true crime; anything that could give a fright. Many of you will be familiar with the pulpy movie made from this sci-fi/bug thriller, but I anticipate much more from the book. I have had several US Marine friends tell me that the book is required reading for cadets in the USMC officer candidate school. Should be interesting; I love the old sci-fi.

4. The Edge of Reason by Melinda Snodgrass

I usually try to introduce y'all to one of our local authors and this one looks to be interesting. Set in my hometown, it follows a local detective as he faces what is described as the 'eve of Armageddon, with the gates of hell yawning open.'

5. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt

This year’s true crime choice and one most will be familiar with because of the movie adaptation. I am really looking forward to this one, as it follows a real murder that is set in a very eccentric and moody town – very gothic.

6. Mercy by David Lindsey

Lindsey is an author I like who you don’t hear about much. He write’s thrillers mostly, and this one is billed as a psychological thriller with a strong dose of profiling from the FBI. Given that dark bent, I think it will fit in nicely with the list. And I hope you guys like this unheralded writer.

7. I’ll Be Watching You by Charles de Lint

Last year, we read From a Whisper to a Scream, one of de Lint’s ‘dark fantasy’ novels he wrote under the pen name Samuel Keys. Some liked it and some didn’t – it was certainly different from the other Newford stories. This is the last of these type that de Lint wrote, so next year we’ll be on to more traditional urban fantasy from this master.

8. Cabal by Clive Barker

This is a re-read for me but I wanted to feature a better Barker than last year’s choice Galilee. This is more traditional Barker, featuring a hero who thinks he’s committed atrocious crimes and has chosen a hermit’s existence in the wilds of Canada. Unfortunately for him, the location is the hiding place for the nightbreed, monsters of extraordinary powers who hunt him. If you don’t like this one, you don’t like Barker.

9. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick

A masterpiece of classic sci-fi, and one with a wonderful movie adaptation – though that’s up for debate amongst the faithful. This is a re-read for me, but I love PKD. The story focuses on a detective who searches out androids. The question is whether the detective himself is an android – also up for much debate.

10. 7 Steps to Midnight by Richard Mateson

Stephen King says that few other authors influenced him more than Matheson. I loved the classic vampire tale I am Legend, so this was an easy choice. The story focuses on a mathematician on the run whose identity and life have been stolen. He is pursued by assassins and looks for help to a dangerous femme fatale.

11. The Terror by Dan Simmons

I am little late to the party with this one, but it’s gotten great reviews from LT’ers and 75’ers. Inspired by Wilkie Collins’ The Frozen Deep (one of last year’s Halloween reads), the tale follows an expedition in the frozen Northwest Passage. The survivors of the failed expedition are pursued by something monstrous.

12. Scavenger by David Morrell

Last year we read Creepers by Morrell with mixed reviews. This is the sequel, following the survivor of that novel as he is trapped in a ‘nightmarish game of fear and death.’ Sounds juicy. But then I am a huge Morrell fan.

13. Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz

This Koontz is in production with a movie adaptation, and I wanted to read it before it hits the screen. Thomas, a short-order cook in a desert town, communicates with the dead. It’s unclear whether this talent is a gift or a curse.

I will read these in roughly this order beginning about September 15 and running through however long it takes me to finish. I had to choose 13 – it is Halloween!

A few things to mention about this reading sub-group here.

First, my idea of Halloween is pretty all-inclusive. I like to be frightened, but I also like to be amazed and left in wonder. So, I include a little bit of everything on the list. This also serves to meet diverse reading tastes, as there are folks who are not horror fans but like classic science fiction or fantasy. You'll find it all here.

Second, please share your thoughts, reviews, and comments here on this thread, so that everyone can benefit and we can have a full and free exchange of thought in one place. I will be using this as my personal thread for the duration through my completion of the titles above.

Third, don't fell constrained by the list or the order. Read whatever you want, and in any orde. Anything, that you fell Halloween related and then share your thoughts about it here. If the thread gets too long, I'll start a new one.

Fourth, is it early, given that Labor Day is tomorrow and October hasn't arrived? Well, it's never too early for a good, thrilling book.

Merry Chills and Happy Frights!

I have Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil from the library, so can share that read with you.

I'm in once more, Mac! Maybe not in the same order as you (dependent on library availability, and whether I think I can handle a 769 pager The Terror!), but I have fun with this every year, stepping out of my comfort zone. The Edge of Reason is in transit to the library as we speak! Thanks for putting this together!

I've picked up a few of the titles already, will review as I go. As with previous years, I'm reading in a different order, but hope to catch most of 'em.

By the way, i've added this thread to the wiki on both the Group Read and the Monthly Theme sections.

Thanks for the thread/wiki help, Doc! Glad you're back for more!

I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone is reading. I have an enormous pile of books for the season so I started a few days ago. Already read Autumn: A New England Journey, which is photography paired with poetry and very beautiful. Also creepy convent mystery Quiet As A Nun and I've just finished the novelization of the Tim Burton film, Sleepy Hollow.

I have Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? on my Kindle, so I shall begin with that. Looking forward to this!

mstrust, nice choices. Glad you're in the mood for Halloween.

Poquette, that one is a re-read for me. I think you'll like it. So many controversies about the film versions.

I've been surfing the used book stores in this area and making library requests so I am ready to start as soon as I get home tomorrow and finish In the Woods. I have both of the Stephen King books of novellas and am determined that I will finally read him.

I've read Midnight in the Garden several times since I lived in Savannah for 25 years including during the time of those events and knew many of the people. I'll save that one for last in case I run out of time--but I hope those who read it will enjoy it. Although it is a caricature rather that a portrait of the city it really captures its essence--as a good caricature should. I've never seen the movie, so maybe I will watch that instead.

I'm looking forward to this!

Great list, thanks again for sharing!
Once I finish the books I selected for the September Series and Sequels I will start working at this list as well! Hopefully I'll finish before Halloween!

I'll be trying these books, I've read the others already:

1)The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Macabre Tales by Washington Irving
3)Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein
4)The Edge of Reason by Melinda Snodgrass
6)Mercy by David Lindsey
7)I’ll Be Watching You by Charles de Lint
8)Cabal by Clive Barker
9)Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick
10)7 Steps to Midnight by Richard Mateson
11)The Terror by Dan Simmons
12)Scavenger by David Morrell

MM, looks like us Giants fans may be cuddling up with these books instead of wathcing postseason play this year. glad you're back for more. We may have to get you to post some inside info on Savannah later in the season to go with the reading of the book.

Gogs81, glad you're along for the ride.

Well, there is no chance that I'm going to be joining you, at least not this year, but I'll lurk along at least ...

I was a lurker last year (found the thread too late) but this year I hope to get at least 1 title read!

I have procured the following books:-

Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King
Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by Jon Berendt
Cabal by Clive Barker
Scavengers by David Morrell

Previously read The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep and hence will be replacing them with Creepers and some other Philip Dick book respectively.

Have already placed my order and expecting delivery for Odd Thomas and The Terror.

I have been unable to procure the remaining 4 books, I am still trying though. If it doesn't work out I will look for suitable replacements for them.

I will soon release the final list for my Halloween reads this year.

Thanks for putting this thread together. I was really looking forward to it and have several books on request from the library. By the way, love the photo at the top of the thread!

Yes, billijean, wouldn't be complete without the 'demon dog' photo.

Lurk along scvlad and join us next year.

Glad you found me early enough this yeark, LauraBrook/

Piyush, nice job getting all those together, if you want any suggestions on another PK Dick book, let me know. I am really looking forward to Odd Thomas, so hope it shows up for you. Hope you like this Cliver Barker more than last year's.

Mac, I have got my delivery for both Odd Thomas and The Terror. I will post the list of Philip Dick books I have sometime today and you pick one up for me.

Just stopping by to star the thread, Mac. I'll be doing a few from your list. We have Odd Thomas and Full Dark, No Stars at the library. It's been a while since I read any Koontz or King, and I like both authors. I'm not sure about the others. I read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil several years ago, so I'l likely skip that one (though it's worth a reread).

I have a bunch of scary stuff on my shelf that I want to read this time of year. To name a few:
a couple by Alexandra Sokoloff, The Harrowing and Book of Shadows
The Cypress House by Michael Koryta
Summer of Night by Dan Simmons
and a bunch of paranormal-related non-fiction, such as The Bell Witch: An American Haunting by Brent Monahan.

Mac, please choose a replacement from the following Philip K. Dick books:-

Divine Invasion
Dr. Bloodmoney
Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said
Martian Time Slip
Now Wait For Last Year
The 3 Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch
The Simulacra
We Can Build You
A Scanner Darkly
Time Out Of Joint
VALIS

Why don't you try A Scanner Darkly. And by the way, there is a cool animated movie version of the book.

A Scanner Darkly it is then! And thanks for telling me about the movie, I will look out for that too. I, lately have been indulging myself with Manga and Anime, they form a world of their own.

The movie is an amalgam of live action overwritten with animation. It has Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey, Jr., and Winona Ryder. Very psychadelic and cool.

I finished The Edge of Reason. I found it very compelling (I think I finished it in 2 sittings), but also found myself confused about who were the good guys & who were the bad guys. Better than I was expecting, not something I would have picked up on my own. I can always count on you, Mac, to drag me out of my comfort zone!

I've read Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Odd Thomas and Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil before. I won't re-read the first two (although maybe I'll pick up the next in the Odd Thomas series as a substitute), and like MusicMom41, I'll re-read Midnight if there's time.

I have just started Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King.

I've finished In Cold Blood and Bone Soup, a Halloween retelling of Stone Soup.

As part of the September Series & Sequels reading theme, I've borrowed Midwinter of the Spirit, by Phil Rickman, through inter-library loan. It's the second in the Merrily Watkins series about a female Anglican priest involved in Deliverance Ministry (exorcism).

I also snared an ILL copy of The Stepford Wives which a patron returned long before it needs to go back to its home library. I think that counts as scary reading.

I'll be reading one of those as soon as I finish off at least one of the books I'm reading now.

BTW, I love the photo at the top of the thread, Mac!

The Stepford Wives certainly counts as scary reading! I watched the movie and it gave me nightmares, really, it did. I can only imagine that the book is even worse in that aspect.

I'm working on the nearly 600 page The Strain, which I'm reading with my sister. Also Robe of Skulls.

Starting the first on the list today, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Macabre Tales by Washington Irving.

TLo, again I'm so glad you liked The Edge of Reason.

billiejean, I can't wait to get to the King book!

Some nice other choices above from tymfos and mstrust. Glad you guys are along for the ride.

tymfos, thanks for the comment on the "demon dog" photo at the top of the thread. It was an accident but I saved it for the thread.

Hey everyone! A little late to the thread. I said I wouldn't do it after last year, but I'll be doing what I did then again this year. I'll be picking a horror novel for each 'traditional/popular' Halloween monster. A book for vampires, zombies, werewolves, and ghosts.

I'm not necessarily looking for classic/well-known novels, but light and easy reads that focus on spooky atmosphere. (That means no paranormal fantasy or science fiction, preferably.)

Like last year I'll consider demons and witches if I have time/find anything of that sort to read. Not sure what I'll choose, but here is what I'm looking at so far.

Vampires:
Midnight Mass
The World on Blood

Werewolves:
Shapeshifter
Guardian (Not sure about his one...?)

Ghosts:
The Man in the Picture
The Harrowing

Zombie:
Apocalypse of the Dead
Dead of Night (If I receive my ER copy in time)

I've still got plenty of browsing to do, so I may not choose any of these!

Well, whichever the case, I look forward to reading everyone's thoughts on the books Mac has chosen. The two that I have read (The Terror and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?) were both fantastic! :)

Show of hands, please. How many of you knew that Washington Irving was the author of the original Rip Van Winkle story? Not I.

I had no idea ...

Yep, but then I like Irving well enough to have made a visit to his gravesite. Also wrote Tales of the Alhambra.

#33 I most definitely didn't.

1 of 4 so far who knew. I fancy myself failry well-read but was quite surprised when I found the story at the start of the collection of his macabre tales.

#37 Well, I will rectify the situation this coming week, good news is that I managed to procure a copy of Odd Thomas, no such luck with The Edge of Reason, I'll Be Watching You or 7 Steps to Midnight.

I am going to substitute them with Fear (one of your 2009 Halloween reads) for The Edge of Reason, What Dreams May Come for 7 Steps to Midnight and either of the following books, based on your recommendation, for I'll Be Watching You:-

Moonheart, Spiritwalk, Greenmantle or Jack, the Giant Killer

I haven't read either Moonheart or Greenmantle yet, but they are both on my 100 best list chosen by readers. One of those. Moonheart is the earlier.

I really liked Fear and was surprised by it, given the author.

I'm a big fan of Moonheart.

By the way, I knew. I read thecstory in school as a middle schooler. :)

Okay then, here would be my final 13:-

1. Creepers - David Morrell
2. Full Dark, No Stars - Stephen King
3. Starship Troopers - Robert A. Heinlein
4. Fear - L. Ron Hubbard
5. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil - John Berendt
6. Mercy - David Lindsey or When the Sleeper Wakes - H.G. Wells

I don't have this one yet. I have put myself on the notify list when it is in stock, keeping fingers crossed, if it doesn't become available by the time I reach this point, I will have to substitute this one too.

The substitution is based on the genesis of Rip Van Winkle shared by Mac.

7. Moonlight - Charles DeLint
8. Cabal - Clive Barker
9. A Scanner Darkly - Philip K. Dick
10. What Dreams May Come - Richard Matheson
11. The Terror - Dan Simmons
12. Scavenger - David Morrell
13. Odd Thomas - Dean Koontz

I guess I did not understand the question re Wash Irving and Rip V Winkle. I was unaware of any other version of the story, so I would have been surprised to learn it was NOT by Irving. I mean, was there someone else . . . ?

Washington Irving has been a favorite of mine since I was a teenager so this was a reread for me. I reread The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and The Spectre Bridegroom for my Halloween read this year. I enjoyed them both immensely--although I find them more humorous than scary.

I requested The Edge of Reason and Mercy from the library and was just notified that they have been sent to my branch so I will probably read them next. I'll get them tomorrow. Then I will try Stephen King. I bought used copies of both Different Seasons and Full Dark, No Stars so I'm serious about finally trying him! :-)

#43 Carolyn, seems like Mac managed to get you to try King after all. I haven't read many of his works, but I liked whatever I have read so far, favourite being The Shining (much scarier than the movie version despite Jack Nicholson's part)

OK, I've finished my first Halloween read, though it is a "substitute" and not on your list. Midwinter of the Spirit is the second in Phil Rickman's Merrily Watkins series about a female Anglican priest involved in Deliverance Ministry (exorcism).

Add me to the tally of those who knew that Washington Irving wrote Rip Van Winkle.

#42 I think the question arose because the basic Rip Van Winkle story is so well known, it's entered popular culture so that most people have heard the basic tale, but many don't know the origin.

Nice list, Piyush!

And, Poquette, tymfos is right here, I was surprised to find that the guy who wrote The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, who I've always known was Washington Irving, also wrote Rip Van Winkle. It's such a well-known story and I should've known he wrote it. Make more sense?

And with tymfos, the doc, and musicmom, the tally is more even with those who knew vs. those in the dark.

And on the Charles de Lint front, Piyush, I think you chose Moonheart with the doc's extra recommendation. Just so you know, both of those are stand alone and not part of the Newford series. Not that that is a bad thing, I have liked everything he wrote so far.

Okay, gotcha!

Count me as one who knew but had forgotten that RVW was by Irving -- until I saw the table of contents in my book. So I guess I could go on either side of the equation.

I finished Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King. This book has 4 stories of varying lengths -- three of them involving crime. I don't read much King anymore, but I thought this book was a terrific read. Maybe I should start reading more by him again?

I have started Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt. This book is something else!

I read Midnight in the Garden back around the time of the movie, and it's very weird, but I remember nothing about it or the movie. Maybe I should dust it off and give it another go . . .

Finished Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. I enjoyed all the colorful characters.

1. Creepers - David Morrell

This book failed to "creep" me out or leave any lasting impression, but then it was a necessary read for one of the other books, Scavengers. The only positive thing about the book was despite the general mediocreness of the book, it wasn't a drag.

2.5/5

I was a little disappointed with Creepers last year also, as I am a Morrell fan. It's not up to his standards but i am hoping the next is better

Mac, that is a great picture to open this thread. I'm tempted to join you this year in one or two books... I'm thinking I'd like to revisit Stephen King's world again, and I'm intrigued by Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep. I've had it on my wishlist since I read some great reviews here on LT.

#52 I hope so too, this was my first Morrell book and I do hope Scavenger would do more justice to his writing skills.

I finished The Witch's Guide to Cooking with Children, a modern re-telling of Hansel and Gretel.

I just finished Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt. I enjoyed this book and found it hard to believe that it is nonfiction.

Next I am starting The Edge of Reason by Melinda Snodgrass.

I've started Come Along With Me by Shirley Jackson.

I finished Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil last night too. It's as awesome as I remember from the first time I read it years ago. I agree with @billiejean, though. I kept having to check the library tag on the spine to make sure it was nonfiction. :)

Great start to the reading list for me. I've got Cabal and the King book from the library, but have one or two to finish before I start 'em.

BTW, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil was #75 for me...

#58 - Congrats on reaching 75, good book to hit 75 with!

#58 & 59> I agree! A terrific read for #75! Congrats!

#55: Jennifer, I read that one last year and enjoyed it.
I can't possibly go with the proposed reading list as I'm struggling to complete my 11in11 challenge, but I do have a couple of YA novels out from the library currently that fit the Halloween theme. So my two reads for this will be Sweetly by Jackson Pearce, another Hansel & Gretel retelling and The Devil Walks by Anne Fine, described as a sinister thriller.

Thanks for the heads up on Jackson Pearce. That's an author I'll be looking for.

I finished The Edge of Reason by Melinda Snodgrass. It was ok, but I did not think it was nearly as good as the other two books that I read. Next I am reading Mercy by David Lindsey.

2 out of 3 ain't bad so far, billiejean.

So glad everyone has enjoyed Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil so far.

I owe a review of the Washington Irving book and have started Full Dark, No Stars.

Book #41, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and other Macabre Tales by Washington Irving

My Review on the book's home page:

Washington Irving’s famous story, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”, both anchors and outshines all of the other stories in this collection. Everyone knows the story of the headless horseman. But what is surprising here is the ambiguity in explanation in Irving’s story. Is the headless horseman a real demon, or is Ichabod Crane the brunt of a rival suitor’s frightening practical joke?

In many of the other ‘macabre’ tales collected here, Irving strikes the same ambiguous tone, falling short of embracing the supernatural. He leaves just enough of a possibility that the explanation for the odd events is an overactive imagination or a misunderstanding. For instance, in “The Adventure of the Mysterious Picture”, the narrator reveals that the host of a ghost-telling party had purposefully planted a seed in the mind of the guests to see how many of them could work themselves into a frightened frenzy. And in “The Spectre Bridegroom”, the ‘ghost’ is a man who purposely holds himself out as a dead man in order to gain access to a young lady.

Besides “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”, my favorite story was “The Adventure of the German Student”. In this tale, the ambiguity in the telling of the story is whether the young German student is of sound mind and body, given a great deal of isolation and depression, when he brings home a bride who has literally just lost her head.

Well over half of the ‘macabre’ tales are really pirate or swashbuckling tales. And while there is always a good deal of the supernatural with pirates, these stories are not as much fun as the darker, more gothic ones.

Bottom Line: A fun collection of ghost and odd tales, though fans of the pirate genre will be happy to find over half the collection devoted to buried treasure and the like.

3 ½ bones!!!!

I just finished Brother Odd, the third in the Odd Thomas series. I still like the first one the best! This one was good, but much weirder and creepier. Helps to have read Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, though.

And yes! I knew that Washington Irving had written Rip Van Winkle! So proud of myself!

I'm not sure which I'll read next. Off to the library tomorrow, I guess!

I've started Count Karlstein by Philip Pullman. Finished and highly recommend Come Along With Me, Shirley Jackson's unfinished novel about a medium.

Now I owe a review on Full Dark, No Stars.....stay tuned.

I'm going to have to change my to-read list as I have not been able to locate some of the books at my library. Instead I will be reading these:

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Macabre Tales by Washington Irving
Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein
The Edge of Reason by Melinda Snodgrass
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick
The Terror by Dan Simmons
Scavenger by David Morrell

And I'll be substituting as many werewolf, vampire, creepy beasty type books as I can find once I am done these. I also plan on reading Creepers before Scavenger as apparently it's a prequel to the book.

I'm currently reading a supernatural novel Full Moon Rising by Keri Arthur.

#65 Blackdogsbooks: I will come back and read your review once I finish the book :)
#66 Terri, I agree that Odd Thomas was the best of the Odd Books!

I have scavenger waiting to be read so will get on the case for that one...

I just finished Mercy by David Lindsey. This book was definitely better than the last book that I read, but it was quite disturbing at times. Creepy, creepy, creepy! I don't read many serial killer books, so I was somewhat outside of my comfort zone. One interesting thing about this book was that it primarily takes place in the span of one week and in "real time" kind of like 24.

Finished Full Dark, No Stars yesterday. Wow, I'm glad I don't live in Stephen King's world. Very dark stories as the title promises. What was creepiest about the book is that he didn't need to put supernatural monsters in. People are monster enough.

Book #42, Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King

My Review on the book's home page:

Many years ago, I read “The Library Policeman” in a collection of four novellas by Stephen King. Among other things, the story was about a young boy who is molested at a local library. I remember thinking then that King’s real gift is not his ability to scare or shock but his ability to tap into the darkest corners of the human heart; the place where we consider things that ought not to be considered. For most of us, that place remains a closely held secret; we rarely even admit to ourselves that such thoughts have even crossed our mind…but they have. For a rare few, these thoughts are given rein in the world outside the mind, given flesh and blood and action. Full Dark, No Stars is a book about such people and the consequences they and their loved ones suffer.

The collection of four novellas starts with “1922,” a story about a prideful man who manipulates his son into helping him kill his wife; a sin that breeds a terrible, consuming guilt. “Big Driver” tells the story of a writer who is raped and left for dead, only to be born again in vengeance. “Fair Extension” follows a man who strikes a deal to extend his life by heaping destruction on his best friend. And “A Good Marriage” examines what lies beneath the surface of one seemingly boring and mundane relationship, asking what awful secrets might still be hidden after decades of routine.

The fear induced in reading these stories does not result from monsters or ghosts but from a simple question. In the afterword to the collection King explains that literature’s value is in its reach to make sense of the world around us. He says, “It’s the way we answer the question, ‘How can such things be?’ Stories suggest that sometimes – not always, but sometimes – there’s a reason.” A lot of folks may read these stories and dismiss them as impossible and only targeted to shock. But three of these four stories are firmly grounded in the reality that plays out in daily newspapers every day. What’s different here is that King ponders how these ordinary people came to violence, and what happens after. Newspaper stories only ever scratch the surface on those fronts.

Full Dark, No Stars features some of the best stories Stephen King has ever written; “1922” may be the best piece of short fiction he’s ever written short of “The Body.” The weakest of the four, “Fair Extensions” seems a bit out of place, as it deals with a more supernatural force and the other three are firmly grounded in the possibilities of human darkness. Still, the choice the main character in that story makes, to trade his cancer in at the expense of his best friend’s happiness and success, gets at the heart of what King was driving at with all of these stories – just what are we all capable of?

An all-time favorite!!!
5 bones!!!!!

I'm adding that one to my list. Great review!

I finished Count Karlstein by Philip Pullman. Written in a folklore-ish style, about two little girls whose evil uncle is trying to sacrifice them to the local demon.

Great review of Full Dark, No Stars! I've read it before but your review makes me want to revisit!

King’s real gift is not his ability to scare or shock but his ability to tap into the darkest corners of the human heart; the place where we consider things that ought not to be considered. very true!!

Fabulous review!

I started Full Dark, No Stars this afternoon, and am already getting a sense of what you mean, Mac.

It's not on the list, but I just finished The Stepford Wives, and think it's creepy enough to qualify as a scary read for this month. I was surprised how short it is -- only 145 pages!

I've read the first two stories in Full Dark, No Stars and while I loved them, I needed a break from "the dark corners of the human heart". I hope to finish the book for this challenge.

My latest book wasn't on the list but I thought I would mention it here in case anyone was looking for anything else creepy to add to their lists!

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson. My review HERE

Basically it is narrated in first person by an insane 18 year old Merricat, this book tells a tale of human nature, mob mentality and the potential of evil in every human being. It's written by the same author who wrote the short story The Lottery.

I'm still working my way through The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and I'm planning on starting Starship Troopers tonight.

I've started The Woman in White and All Hollow's Evil. I'm pretty much abandoned The Strain.

Mac, I really liked your review of Full Dark, No Stars. I have the audio version of it. In "1922" the psychological drama of 'conniving man' is building. King is succeeding in helping me to understand why family life can disintegrate to the point where murder seems the only way out of a situation. It's been years since I've read any S. King books, but he's slowly winning me back as a fan. He is the King of suspenseful writing!

78 I've read the first two stories in Full Dark, No Stars and while I loved them, I needed a break from "the dark corners of the human heart".

I'm in exactly the same place. Those first two stories were excellent -- but kind of gut wrenching, so dark and grim. I'm taking a little break to read other things, too, but plan to return to the book before long.

Heinlein, Robert: Starship Troopers
Science Fiction & Halloween read #2 (for me--not in order)
Nook 229 pages

This is one of the best science fiction novels I've read in a long time. It is the story of a young man who enlists in an elite fighting group and follows him through his brutal basic training leading to his assignment as an MI who jumps onto planets for battles. If you like books about war and the military this might be your cup of java--even though it takes place in the future and on a spaceship.

King, Stephen: Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption
Halloween Read #3
PL 106 pages

For at least 5 years, prodded by Mac, I have been trying to work up the courage to tackle Stephen King. Mac recommended I try some of the novellas so I bought Different Seasons and Full Dark No Stars at a used book store this summer. I remembered seeing the movie Shawshank Redemption several years ago and liked it. After reading the novella I now understand why Mac is so keen to introduce new readers to him. King’s story is much more vivid and compelling than the movie. The story is about Andy who is convicted of a murder he didn’t commit and sentenced to life in a hard core penitentiary. However the POV is from a man who went to prison when he was twenty for a murder he did commit. Andy’s story is interesting and he is a fascinating character, but I was most intrigued by the transformation of the narrator, who had become a typical lifer before Andy came. Highly recommended—a great read.

Loved reading everyone's comments about the books I've got coming up to read. Re Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is definitely nonfiction. I lived in Savannah for 25 years and was there at the time of the trial. I knew many of the people mentioned in the book--although some of them were given pseudonymous names. (The young man who carried the vial of poison actually was a technician at the lab where my husband worked and I once attended a weavers guild meeting in the house where the murder was later committed.)

And, once again, late to the party, but I love this list. Every year it has something familiar and something new As it turns out, I've read seven of the 13 listed, but there's always time for a re-read.

I've read:

Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Macabre Tales
Starship Troopers
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
I'll Be Watching You
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep
The Terror
Odd Thomas

All recommended, and great choices for reading. I especially want to recommend that anyone who saw Starship Troopers forget about the banal film and its even more banal sequels. This novel, like The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is about war and politics and survival. It's great.

I read the de Lint novels published as by Samuel Keys last year, because the first Whisper to a Scream was so compelling. The darker side of de Lint, but well worth the read.

The Terror is worth the wait.

I, too, was stumped by the question about Washington Irving and Rip Van Winkle. You didn't know? I always found it interesting that Irving could write both Rip Van Winkle and his Headless Horseman, one a definitely moral tale and the other a scary midnight tale. Of course, this was in the fourth or fifth grade where they were integrated into American History as well.

In any event, I will be reading King and Matheson (both favorites) and looking for Snodgrass and Lindsey. I wasn't that impressed by Morrell last year, but almost every author gets at least two reads.

Thanks for the list.

I think I might be the only one who did not enjoy Starship Troopers. I found I just couldn't get into it and didn't find it very interesting. I don't think I enjoy some sci-fi.
Although I just started Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep and it's pretty interesting so far and I think that is also considered sci-fi!

I owe a review for Starship Troopers, and I will also be singing its praises, sorry Gogs. But I'm glad you're enjoying Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep.

Glad you're back again this year, Prop2gether. Thanks for the comments on the list and all things Washington Irving. Gald you're going to read the Matheson and the King, the King went on my all-time favorite list. The Snodgrass I just started and the first chapter was wonderful.

MM1, thanks for the reviews and thoughts on Stephen Kings "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption" and Starship Troopers. Glad you finally took my prodding and it turned out well.

mstrust, Gogs, tymfos, Donna, nancy, and doc, thanks for the comments on my review and on Full Dark, No Stars.

The Stepford Wives definitely qualifies; and anything Shirley Jackson or Wilkie Collins wrote is welcome here also.

I liked the first chapter of the Snodgrass book as well. But I guess as it went along, I thought it did not live up to the first chapter. I hope you like it better than I did.

Book #43, Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein

My Review on the book's home page:

The sleep was so deep I felt I could never wake up. I dreamed of a large brass band blaring off of hard surfaces. The band featured a singer, though her voice seemed to screech more than harmonize. As I drifted closer to the band, or it drifted closer to me, the hazy vision of the singer began to take shape. She was short and squat, a block of a woman, and hard looking. Her short hair was swept back and pasted back on her head. And she was not wearing what I would expect a featured performer to wear, though I could never see her clothes clearly through the haze. What did become clear was her face, and she was definitely drifting closer to me, not the other way around. As the music peaked in volume, her lined and leathery visage swooped to within an inch of my nose. Her mouth gaped open and she shrilled at me. When my backside hit the ground, I knew I wasn’t asleep anymore. A uniformed woman was screaming at me to move like I had a purpose, and speakers were blaring reveille. It was my first morning in the United States Army.

Robert Heinlein’s Starship Troopers carried me vividly back to my days in basic training like nothing has since Gus Lee’s Honor and Duty. Though Heinlein’s book is an amalgam of dystopian science fiction and political philosophy, it is above all a book about the fighting man and what moves him. The dystopian future, where only those who volunteer for military service are allowed to vote, is fascinating, especially in the sections where Heinlein peppers in the philosophical underpinnings of such a society. The science fiction bug army that our world is at war with is a singularly unique invention. But the real appeal of the book is Heinlein’s ability to look inside the world of the military, on both the macro and micro level. Few written works have ever captured the life of a soldier so completely. With the political philosophy and the passages on duty, morale, and honor, it is no wonder that several service academies make the book required reading.

Bottom Line: Highly recommended, not just for the science fiction fan, but for anyone with an interest in the military.

4 ½ bones!!!!!


Granted the review is as much reminiscence as review, but that's what the book felt like for me.

Hi Blackdogbooks.
Glad you enjoyed Starship Troopers! I just couldn't get into it, it happens.

However, I did enjoy Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep and I am very glad you put it on the list or I probably would not have read it. So thanks :)

I won't take up space on the thread, but my review is Here for Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep

I'm still working my way through the The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Macabre Tales stories before bed each night. I'm starting The Edge of Reason tonight

#88> Loved your review of Starship Troopers!

Just dropping by to note that since I've read a lot on the list, I'm going to substitute in another vampire book, The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. I've started the book twice before, but was simply not in the right frame of mind. Third time's the charm? Hopefully.

Also, liked your Starship Troopers review. I originally read it in high school, and then again, after the movie came out because I really did not remember the story as filmed. Especially because the film was so totally inane. So-thanks for including it, and thanks for your review. Heinlein is one of my absolute favorite writers.

Thanks for the comments on the Starship Troopers review, Gogs, billiejean, and Prop2gether.

Nice review of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, Gogs; feel free to post the review here next time if you want. That's what this is for. Though the link is great also.

Prop, alot of folks don't like The Historian but I really did. I enjoyed the new take on the vampire story and I liked the inclusion of all the books related to the plot.

I finished The Edge of Reason tonight and found it pretty good.
I'll be taking a little break from the list to read some werewolf fluff-guilty pleasure type books, but I'll be back!

Mini Review:

There has been a secret war fought since the begining of time. On one side are the old ones, the side of religious fanaticism and magic; the other side is fought by the Lumina, the supporters of science, rational thought and technology.

Richard Oort is a police officer and saves the life of a young female, and inadvertently changes the course of his own life. Caught in the middle of the battle he finds himself fighting along side an unusual group, and questioning his faith in the God he has always believed in.

I very much enjoyed this book although I did find some points a little far fetched (I know, it's science fiction .. but still!) I found it hard to believe the main characters just believed in the supernatural aspects with such ease and hardly any proof. Otherwise I found this to an enjoyable read.

3.5*

I read about the first third last night and may get it finished this weekend, Gogs. There are a certainly a couple of thiings that are hard to swallow, but the writing is really first-rate, the language part of it I mean.

I started Creepers by David Morrell last night, since I was not able to get a copy of it last year and wanted to read it before reading his book on the list this year.

It didn't end up being one of the favorites, but I enjoyed it. I have to admit, though, that it is not one of Morrell's best.

Book #44, The Edge of Reason by Melissa Snodgrass

My Review on the book's home page:

Does God exist? If so, what is his nature? If not, is there something else lurking in dark? Melissa Snodgrass turns the history of organized religion completely on its head, answering these questions in some rather unusual ways with her debut novel The Edge of Reason.

Richard Oort, a police officer in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is on the run from everything in his past: a manipulative, cold father; a depressed, alcoholic mother; a failed musical career; and a brutal trauma that haunts him. While on midnight patrol, he finds a young woman engaged in battle with three monsters made entirely of mud and broken branches. The woman shouts for Oort to give her a penny, and she chants the coin into a blazing projectile and dispatches one of her attackers with it. Oort soon finds himself in the middle of a centuries-old battle between two opposing forces, though neither can be accurately characterized as good or evil. At the beginning of time, creatures from a parallel universe breeched the divide into our world. Feeding on the life force of humans, these ‘old ones’ created religious identities to better manipulate their victims into hateful behavior, the better to feed on. The trouble is that these religious icons are the foundations of all the world’s religions, including the Catholic faith that Oort holds so dear, leaving him deeply conflicted about choosing sides. As the barriers between the universes weaken, Oort must choose between faith and reason.

Snodgrass is a gifted writer with a truly poetic command of language. Most of the book uses carefully crafted and beautifully descriptive language. The concept of the book, and the following sequels, is unique and captivating. One of her characters is a modern day, homeless Jesus with seriously fractured personalities that split and try to kill each other. At one point, to bring home her theme, an Episcopalian carving of Jesus slithers down off of his cross and tempts Oort. The whole book was unsettling.

On the down side, Snodgrass plays fast and loose with the realities of law enforcement and asks readers to make huge leaps in logic. I re-read the first chapter of the book a few times, as it is one of the best starting chapters I’ve read. But in that wonderful chapter, Oort loosens the strap on his holster without drawing his weapon, fires warning shots in the air, and fires into a jumbled set of figures; all actions a real police officer would never take. Then, barely ten minutes into a surreal and incomprehensible situation, Oort follows orders from an apparently disturbed homeless man, agreeing to lie to his superiors and colleagues about the incident. Though Snodgrass intended Oort to be a more cerebral and clever lawman, she often requires the character to make supernatural leaps of logic or act decidedly outside his character.

On balance, The Edge of Reason is smarter and better written than most of the offerings in the science fiction and fantasy market. This is partly because of Snodgrass’ membership in the Critical Mass writing group, chaired by George R.R. Martin, and partly because she is already an accomplished writer in another format, having penned scripts for Star Trek the Next Generation.

A brief warning here. There are several times when the story feels like it might devolve into a wholly anti-religious rant. In the end, Snodgrass doesn’t cast off religion as an idea, though she does seem to side with a much more humanistic version of faith and religion. The idea is challenging for a person of faith, but if that puts you off, this may not be the book for you.

Bottom Line: Outside of requiring the reader to swallow some uncharacteristic leaps in logic and behavior, The Edge of Reason is a rich and unique novel. Highly recommended.

4 ½ bones!!!!!


(Would have been 5 bones if she had slowed the main characters conversion down a bit and done just a bit more research on police procedure.)

Wow! The Legend of Sleepy Hollow made the list. That is such a remarkably well-written story. Heinlein's Starship Troopers is a must-read too. I'm adding Sax Rohmer's The Devil Doctor and Erle Stanley Gardner's The Human Zero to my Halloween reading list.

I look forward to your spooky-reading list all year. I love Halloween!

Gald you're back, jadebird.

As noted on my thread, I finished up Cabal late last week. As usual with Barker, it's a good ride! At some point I need to re-read his stuff from the beginning...

Good review of The Edge of Reason--unfortunately, my local library doesn't have it. I have her three Circuit books, but they are over 20 years old, and I probably read them about that long ago so don't remember much about them except that they are about a judge and the first one takes place on the moon.

doc, probably my favorite Barker's are Everville and The Great and Secret Show.

roni, that's a bummer. I'm sure you could get a dirt cheap copy from the Amazon shops. I think you'd like the book. Not to try and tempt you too much.

I've started my only non-fiction Halloween read, Halloween: An American Holiday, an American History.

2. Fear - L. Ron Hubbard

4/5

Just finished Scavenger by David Morrell, which is the sequel to last year's Creepers. I found Creepers an okay read, but I enjoyed Scavenger as a fast-paced thriller.

Frank Balenger and Amanda return as the protagonists who find themselves through a scam involved in two parts of a "obstacle and scavenger hunt." The hunt is for a time capsule, involves video gaming, lots of electronics, and lots of horrific punishment for losers of the game.

Frank and Amanda attend a lecture on time capsules which ends with both of them blacking out. Amanda finds herself in a group of five survivors (a Marine pilot; two Everest hiker/guides; and a woman who survived on a raft for a long period). Amanda, of course, survived Creepers. The group is outfitted in colored jumpsuits, wool socks, hiking boots, and headsets, plus GPS handhelds. They are told that any non-participation (trying to escape, remove the clothing or equipment, or simply refusing to participate) will result in punishment, including death. They are on a quest to find a time capsule.

Balenger finds himself still in New York/New Jersey. Both groups have a time limit to resolve the "game" and win their lives.

While some of the situations were awfully coincidental and there was some lag in the storyline, the information on time capsules and millenium fever was fascinating. I enjoyed this one much more than the first novel.

So thumbs up on number one done.

Thanks. It's good to be back. :)

Thanks for all of the comments on books past and present and for the ones not on the lists at all.

I finished Full Dark, No Stars yesterday. Pretty heavy stuff. Very well written. Thought provoking.

I don't think that The Edge of Reason would be my cup of tea.

I tried to get I'll be Watching You through inter-library loan, but no luck so far.

Glad you finished Full Dark, No Stars and I agree, it is very well-written.

If you can't get I'll be watching you, just replace it with some other Charles DeLint.

I couldn't get From a Whisper to a Scream last year via ILL, either. Not sure if I'll have better luck with any of the others -- and even if I do, the book may not arrive in time to read it for October. ILL is great when it works, but it has limits -- and I'm not buying any more books this month.

I have so many scary books on my shelves that I've been saving for October, I think I'm going to have a go at some of them, even though they're not on the list. I've started The Harrowing by Alexandra Sokoloff, one of my favorite horror writers. Early on, great brooding atmosphere with hints of a good, creepy story to come.

I also have not been able to get the Charles De Lint books -- last year or this year. Now I wonder what I am missing. Sounds like they are great reads!

I've been reading off-list and so far have finished 3 recently published young adult novels -
The Devil Walks by Anne Fine - A suitably gothic setup with young Daniel, who has till now spent all his life as an invalid, hidden from others and under the lonely care of his protective mother. When he is finally discovered and fostered by the local doctor and his family, his mother ends up in the local mental asylum crying and screaming that she was protecting him from evil. The only clue to his family’s past is an intricate doll’s house, an exact replica of his mother’s childhood home of High Gates. Creepy and sinister pageturner, suitable for middlegrade readers.

Dark Souls by Paula Morris - This is a great ghost story set in present day York. Miranda has been able to see ghosts since she and her brother were involved in a traumatic car accident a few months earlier that took the life of her best friend. Now they are visiting York with their parents for a short holiday and ghosts are everywhere. Morris has written an engaging ghost mystery that reveals the history and culture of York. I enjoyed it as much for the chance to relive my own short visits to York as for the story itself. The title ‘Dark Souls’ is from a quote by John Milton:
But he that hides a dark soul and foul thoughts benighted walks under the mid-day sun; Himself is his own dungeon.

Sweetly by Jackson Pearce - This is the second book in Pearce's Sisters Red series, but is a standalone read, a retelling of Hansel and Gretel. I wasn't that impressed, though I'm not the target audience. It turned into a bit of a paranormal romance sort of read that just didn't agree with me. I'll still read her Sisters Red just not straight away.

I'm currently caught up in reading a gothic mystery which is set in Wales, The Pendragon Legend by Antal Szerb which was first published in Hungarian in 1934. My edition is from Pushkin Press (2006). Definitely one to look out for.

Always glad to have your reads here, avatiakh. Interesting sounding books!

billiejean, you and tymfos definitely are missing out by not getting ahold of DeLint. Keep trying.

I finished Creepers late last night. I had a little trouble getting into it at first, but I hung in there as I found the premise intriguing. About a third of the way in, I got hooked and liked it well enough to check out the sequel.

Cool, I am a huge Morrell fan, even though Creepers and the sequel are not his best work. Try The Totem for a really cool take on werewolves.

Thanks for the recommendation! I started The Terror last night. It is off to a good start, but this is a long one. It will take me a while.

The Terror will take time, but it started me on a search for other histories of the the Arctic explorers--quite a fascinating subject. Simmons does an amazing job of mixing facts with speculation. Enjoy!

Just finished 7 Steps to Midnight and I want to cry. This should have been either a long short story or much longer and involved novel (and you would think at over 300 pages it was long enough for a thriller/chiller). I really, really like Matheson's works and have been terrified as a reader and watcher of Hell House, I Am Legend, and The Shrinking Man (saw that movie when I was about 6 and remain terrified of spiders to this day--not to mention dollhouses and basement stairs).

But this? The premise is fine--the mathematician involved in a complicated scientific/government project suddenly finds he's got a doppelganger living in his house, friends and family who don't recognize him, and a bunch of various bad guys out to kill him and he has no idea what's going on. He goes from Arizona to London to Paris to Rome to Lucerne and back again, periodically being attacked, drugged, falling in love, using techniques from thrillers he's read to escape dangerous situations, and wham! In the last 10 minutes (oops, I meant chapters), via deus ex machina, it all becomes clear--even the recurring countdown to midnight. It's Harrison Ford running around in "Frantic" with a bit of Neeson from "Unknown" with a bit of "39 Steps" with a bit of "Who's on First." Once the action starts, it doesn't stop, it doesn't breathe (I don't think the hero takes one shower or bath between Arizona and his return here--although he's in all sorts of nasty, dirty spots between the chic and classy hotels and resorts.) Sorry! Serious Matheson disappointment here. Got to read "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" to restablish the Matheson kick.

I just started I am Legend on audio and enjoying it so far. Less than halfway in and it's had some good creepy spots.

Book #45, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt

My Review on the book's home page:

Anyone familiar with the movie version of John Berendt’s book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, staring Kevin Spacey and John Cusack, knows everything there is to know about this story. The movie captured the spooky and wildly eccentric personality of both Savannah, Georgia, and its citizens. The book is as captivating, but less of a surprise after viewing the film.

Berendt visited Savannah on a lark, and ending up spending the better part of eight years getting to know the odd southern town and the odd people who live there. The book is organized around the murder of a small-time hustler by his sugar-daddy, an antique-dealing fop, Jim Williams. Williams readily admits shooting the young man, but claims he did so in self-defense during a nasty argument. Williams faces three trials before the case is finally adjudicated. Along the way, Berendt meets the voodoo priestess who consults the dead on William’s behalf, a petulant drag queen, a lounge-lizard con artist, and an obsessive/compulsive, savant nut who keeps flies tethered on strings as pets.

Ultimately, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is a revealing comment on the racial and social politics that often breeds eccentricity in such small and insulated towns.

The book drags a bit toward the end. At some point, the shine wears off the oddity of the characters to the point that they become wearisome and annoying rather than interesting.

Bottom Line: An entertaining glimpse of unusual people in an unusual place. If you’ve seen the movie, you don’t need to read the book, and vice-versa.

4 bones!!!!

I finally was able to pick up and finish Full Dark, No Stars after taking a break when I finished the first two stories. These were a fantastic look at the dark corners of the human heart. I think King is at his best in these.

Okay, this is going to seem light compared to the stuff you guys have been reading, but I just read two Halloween-themed vintage comics:

Wildstorm Halloween '97 #1 by Tom Sniegoski and Chris Warner, Image 1997 A trilogy of vampire stories. Very nice—if gruesome—art.

And

Monster Menace #2 by Jack Kirby, Marvel 1994. This is spiffy reprint of some seriously vintage monster short stories by Kirby.

No such thing as 'light' when it comes to Halloween, jadebird! Everything is welcome at this fright-fest.

I agree, nancy, Full Dark, No Stars is some of King's best.

> 123 Oh good. I'm a lightweight when it comes to horror.

Last King I read was a graphic novel about werewolves Cycle of the Werewolf.

That title was first a book, and it's a good one on werewolves. The book was turned into a poor film called Silver Bullet. King is really into the graphic novelization of his work these days, especially The Dark Tower stuff. His son, Joe Hill, also has an award winning graphic novel series out called Locke and Key. Best werewolvbook I ever read was The Totem by David Morrell.

Hey, Mac! I actually was able to get my hands on I'll be Watching You! It helps to work in the library when ordering ILL. I actually saw the response one of the libraries sent back when they declined the request -- that they had the title by a different author -- and was able to e-mail them with the info that there was a pen named involved. Confusion cleared, book has arrived!

I hope you like it! Good work!

3. Full Dark, No Stars - Stephen King

3.5/5

I had mentioned earlier that I was reading The Harrowing by Alexandra Sokoloff. It was a bit of a disappointment, compared with the other books I've read by her. But, then, it was her first novel.

My comments are here on my thread:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/124115#2977235

Piyush, for those who don't know you, 3.5/5 is fairly high rating. Care to make any comments here for the readers who haven't read that one or who think King is a one trick pony?

Thanks for the link to the review, tymfos.

I just finished Scavenger by David Morrell. I thought it was better than Creepers. I enjoy his choice of topics! This was a quick, fun thriller, and I enjoyed it.

The majority have enjoyed Scavenger more than Creepers so far. Now, I'm looking forward to it more. Reading Mercy right now and really enjoying it.

Well I've been off doing my own creepy halloween read for a bit. I've read about werewolves, vampires and invisible men and I've been delighfully creeped out!

Wolf's Trap by W.D. Gagliani
The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells (audiobook)
The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan
I Am Legend by Richard Matheson
The Strain by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan

I am back on the real Halloween list now and starting The Terror tonight! What a chunker!

I plan on getting to Scavenger next and I'm curious for those who have read it and Creepers, is it necessary to read Creepers first or does Scavenger stand alone fine?

Thanks!
Chelle

Almost through Mercy by David Lindsay--nice police procedural with a seriously twisted series of murders. It's not for those who don't deal with visceral details, however, and does involve a lot of sex in fairly violent modes. It's set in Houston and the lead detective is a woman and I am enjoying the read.

#133--Do you need to read Creepers to follow the plot in Scavenger? No, but Creepers does give you the history of the male/female heroes of the piece and an idea of why they act as they do in these circumstances.

Next I have Cabal and King. Barker is not my favorite read (he usually scares the heck out of me) and I've had more than a few warnings about the dark tone of this King to keep me reading during the day. Only disappointment for me so far has been the Matheson book, but I still love this list.

I'm coming up on the second epoch in The Woman in White and I've started The Turn of the Screw.

Good luck with The Terror, Gogs. Of your list, I really liked I am Legend and The Strain, though I haven't read either of the follow-ups to the latter.

Prop, I am also really enjoying Mercy. He is a little more literary than some of the police procedural writers. He has a great ear for descriptive language.

mstrus, anything by Collins is A-OK by me.

#130 I believe a short review is in order here, so here it goes:-

Full Dark, No Stars is a collection of 4 short stories listed below:-

1. 1922

As the name suggests, 1922 is a story based in the year 1922 in a small village near Nebraska. The dominant emotion in this story is the guilt, kind of a modern day adaptation of "The wicked flee when no man pursueth". Essentially, a good story with more details of graphical nature than was perhaps necessary.

2. Big Driver

This story deals with a family of seriously damaged people (oddly, the family still remains functional in a creepy sort of way) and the havoc they can wreak if left unchecked and undetected. The story is very violent and deeply disturbing.

3. Fair Extension

The only story in the book with a supernatural background, the theme remains however, the darkness of human heart. Discounting the supernatural elements of the story, this story to me probably remains the most likely to happen given the circumstances, maybe it is more of a reflection on how I see our species in general.

4. A Good Marriage

The only story in the book, where King spares us the full brunt of his vivid imagination and focuses more instead on the “Good Wife”. Despite the dreary background, this story, the last one in the book, was probably the most hopeful of them all and therefore my favourite.

At the end of the book, King's explains the source of his stories in the book and surprisingly all but one of them are innocent situations.

137 Excellent review, Piyush!

Nice!

Nicely done, Piyush!

Great review. I found Big Driver so disturbing I had to take a break from the book for a few weeks. Nonetheless I really liked the book.

Mercy by David Lindsey got me good. Trying to figure out who the killer was, along with the female detective and the FBI expert, I thought I had it worked out, when some serious twisting of storylines blurred the image and changed a lot of my presumptions. Set in Houston before the FBI and covering a period of only seven days, it is intense. A series of brutal murders of women, all of whom were bisexual, most of whom knew each other outside of family and work, some of whom had been seeing a psychiatrist for various emotional ailments, Carmen Palma and the team of Houston detectives and an FBI profiler, race to find the killer. Various suspects are chased down, only to complicate the investigation. I found this one intriguing, and recommend it, but do warn that it is very graphic about the murders, and discussions about the perpetrator are quite detailed. This is not a cozy mystery.

>137 PiyushC: Good review, Piyush. :)

>142 Prop2gether: Sounds riveting, but probably too graphic for me.

I don't know if I have it worked out yet, Prop. I have an idea, and I was ready for the twist about midway through, but don't know if I have the killer figured for sure. Glad you liked Mercy, and it is a bit graphic. I forget sometimes that these kind of things aren't everyday things for folks, a failing of my work - skewed perspective.

nancy, glad you finished the King after the break - hope it was worth it on balance.

Thank for the appreciation Terri, Jim, Mac, Nancy and Ren :)

Finished The Edge of Reason by Melinda Snodgrass over the weekend and greatly enjoyed it.

This is a book to just sit and read and not overthink. It has a bit of romance (very little actually), a lot of action, some police procedural (which is hugely incorrect and doesn't matter for the story), and lots of discussion about good, evil, and the mind of man. The inside jacket says the characters are a paladin, an adolescent sorceress, an enigmatic philanthropist, a sexy coroner, and a homeless man with multiple personalities. There's also a federal judge and detectives, and I had a great deal of fun with the whole thing. The writing's very sharp and snappy, and there was humor in pathos, which is always the best. All of the characters are seriously flawed, not all are human, and magic is intertwined. I'm looking forward to the obviously-set-up-sequel.

Currently nearly done with Cabal by Clive Barker (although there are four separate four stories as well in this volume). Barker blows hot or cold for me, and I'll let you know if I fit your introductory definition "if you like this one" when I finish. That will leave only the King for me for this list (I've read the rest), but I have some Lovecraft and Poe at home.

4. Odd Thomas - Dean Koontz

An unusual book with an unique storyline played by an unlikely protagonist. Despite this being my first Koontz book, I can appreciate the fan following he enjoys. The protagonist is a young boy, barely out of his teens who has this "cliched" power of seeing dead people, but that is where the story distinguishes itself against all the other books/movies/manga on the subject. For one thing, the protagonist considers the power as a gift and we don't see him whining, "Why me? I never asked for these powers, I hope I can live a normal life", neither is there a need for his uncle to give him a punchline like, "With Great Power comes Great Responsibility". He accepts his power as it is and decides to do the best he can with it. The story spans out to be a rather cozy thriller, until the end strikes and the sheer ruthlessness of the ending gave me a pause, literally, before I could go on and finish the last few pages. All in all, a very good read and I am looking forward to the movie adaptation of the book.

3.5/5

I read that last year, and I thought it was a great book.

billiejean, I had much the same reaction to The Edge of Reason....the only thing that really bothered me was the seriously flawed police procedure. Otherwise, the story is unique, the characters fresh, and the writing more literate than most in the genre. She has already published the second book, The Edge of Ruin.

Piyush, another hit for a first with Koontz, I'm on a roll! If you want to try something other than the Odd series from Koontz, let me know and I can push toward some of the better titles.

http://www.librarything.com/work/188347/reviews/25992381

Book #46, Mercy by David Lindsey

My Review on the book's home page:

David Lindsey is not one of the best known, top-tier mystery/thriller writers, but he is one of the more talented, and Mercy is strong proof.

A serial killer is targeting the women of Houston’s upper-middle class. At first glance, the victims are low-risk; they are professionals and mothers living in the best and safest neighborhoods. But these victims have an explosive secret, one that has put them squarely in the sights of a sexual-sadist. Houston Police Department’s Detective Connie Palma must discover the victims’ secret to have any hope of identifying the killer, but the victims aren’t cooperating. Palma turns to the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit for help in profiling the killer.

I happened onto Lindsey several years ago, picking up Color of Night on a whim, and was surprised to find him a solid cut above the typical thriller and mystery writers. Lindsey’s writing carries a literary air with colorful descriptiveness and deep characterizations.

Mercy is graphic, in the descriptions of the sex, the crimes, and the crime scenes. While the detail adds to the realism of the story, it may also put off quite a few readers, so be warned. Also, Lindsey has not published much in the last few years, and most of his novels predate the turn of the century. So, a good deal of the police procedure is outdated and readers will have to forget any knowledge gained from C.S.I. Unfortunately, even with the old technology, the one major failing of the story is in Lindsey’s failure to follow through on the bite mark evidence possibilities in wrapping up the story – the novel ends with doubt about the killer facing justice for a lack of evidence, even though there are a ton of bite marks that would have been matched to the killer with technology available at the time. The mistake, though, is not one that most folks outside of law enforcement would notice.

Bottom Line: A literary thriller but a graphic one.

4 ½ bones!!!!!

I've started a re-read of The Graveyard Book.

I just finished 7 Steps to Midnight by Richard Matheson. This thriller started out like an episode of The Twilight Zone and then seemed more like that movie The Game with Michael Douglas. In the end, I thought maybe it was a spoof on thrillers. It was a quick read, but not my favorite of the list.

#149 You sure are, and do let me know of other titles, I will add a couple to my 2012 list!

85) The Terror by Dan Simmons

Beware - Spoilers included!

I am not sure how I feel about this book. It took me a week to get through this chunker! I almost gave it up around page 200. While the beginning was very difficult to get into, the back half of the book was terrifying and very interesting and I am very glad I hung in there until the end, however had I not been reading this for a specific challenge I probably would have given up on it.

The Terror is a fictional tale set in 1845, based on the historically unsuccessful Franklin Expedition. Setting off on two vessels, HMS Terror and HMS Erebus, sail from England with 105 men in an attempt to locate the Northwest Passage.

After a bad commanding decision, the boats become frozen in ice and stranded for years and the crew quickly finds that a large portion of their stored food has been packaged badly and has gone putrid. They are forced into dealing with half rations and feelings of starvation, scurvy, constant freezing temperatures, threats of mutiny and a monster. Crew members are stalked by this creature and are attacked and some eaten while walking on ice or attempting to hunt.

Simmons did a great job of showing the terror and anxiety felt by the crew and creating a vivid picture of a beautiful landscape that is a dangerous and dismal place to die. The slow burning suspense in the middle of the book really draws the reader in.

While Simmons manages to hold the readers interest almost until the very end he loses something in the chapters on Inuit mythology. I was unimpressed with this portion of the book and felt that it didn’t quite fit, although I understood what he was trying to explain.

Overall this ended up being an enjoyable book but at 766 pages it really lives up to it’s name.

3.5*

I'm not doing so well with the Halloween read this year. I did finish a spooky audio not on the list, City of Masks: a Cree Black Novel, which showed some promise in the beginning but I wound up not liking it a whole lot. Comments here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/124115#2997594

#154--I read the Hyperion Cantos and Ilium and Olympos before I read The Terror. They made The Terror seem absolutely brief by comparison--LOL! But I enjoyed The Terror despite some of the heavy plodding in sections. If you're looking for a shorter Simmons scary book, I'd recommend Song of Kali, with its shades of Gunga Din wrapped into a modern day story of parent and child.

BDB, I'm starting The Historian next week, but was looking for something lighter this week and started Dead Beat by Jim Butcher. I love Harry Dresden and it's a Halloween story--what a combination!

#156 Thanks, I'll check those out. I just bought Carrion Comfort and I hope to be able to get to that sometime soon.

#154> Nice review of The Terror. I have read only a couple of chapters, I but put it off to finish all the short library books first to cut down on the number I had checked out. I am excited to get back into it after reading your review. :)

I'm finally getting to a Halloween read - World War Z. So far, though, I'm not finding it terribly scary.

#158 Billiejean I hope you enjoy it! I did end up being quite a creepy book!

***

This concludes my involvement in the halloween read. The other books I have either read before or couldn't get my hands on. Good list!! I'll be continuing the rest of the week with other creepy reads that I can find.
Thanks again to BlackdogBooks for putting this list together!

86) Scavenger by David Morrell

***Possible spoilers!

Scavenger is the sequel to Creepers which I did not have the pleasure to read first. It apparently starts from where the previous book left off, with the main character Frank in the hospital after saving Amanda's life. After being released from the hospital and being taken care of by Amanda they are invited to a lecture on Time Capsules. Frank has a passion for history so they attend and then find themselves awaking separately in strange places, with no memory of leaving the lecture.

Amanda and 4 strangers awake in a strange house to the sound of a man's voice coming through loud speakers. They receive instructions on how to survive The Game that they have been kidnapped to play in. Wearing jumpsuits, headsets and given only a GPS they are given instructions to leave the house they are trapped in, and must follow clues given to them from The Game Master speaking to them through their headsets. Very quickly they realize what will happen to them if they refuse to play along, and it isn't pretty.
Meanwhile Frank has been thrust into his own part in the game and must find a way to save himself and Amanda.

They are in the ultimate scavenger hunt, and they have 40 hours to win or die.

Morrell tells a great story in this race against the clock thriller. It was quite the page turner and I very much enjoyed it! I will for sure be looking up more titles from Morrell!
4*

Forgot that I hadn't finished The Legend of Sleepy Hollow yet as I had put my iPad in a drawer and forgot about it! Finished it off this afternoon.

87) The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Macabre Tales by Washington Irving

As with all short story compilations some are good, and some are not so good. I won't do a full review of each story but just state that I did enjoy the stories overall. Surprisingly there were quite a few stories of pirates, some of which didn't really live up to the "macabre" promised.

The title tale The Legend of Sleepy Hollow was quite good, but not what I expected. As with a lot of the stories, Irving leaves the tale open to an alternative conclusion; the reader can either chose to believe the supernatural side or the possibility of a reasonable explanation for the event.
My favorites of the stories were: Rip Van Winkle and The Adelantado of the Seven Cities

"Times grew worse and worse with Rip Van Winkle as years of matrimony rolled on; a tart temper never mellows with age, and a sharp tongue is the only edged tool that grows keener with constant use." From 'Rip Van Winkle'

3.5*

Two hits for you, Gogs! Glad you enjoyed them. If you're ever in the need to try a different Morrell, I'd be happy to point in the right direction.

#162 that would be great!
I was susprised to find out Morrell is local, lives about an hour from me. Kinda cool

Well, I finished Cabal and it didn't make me "love" Barker. Part of what annoys me most in his works I've read is over-the-top and lovingly-detailed graphic horror. Blood and guts everywhere--a slasher film in print. I really prefer most of horror be the subtle nuances of Shirley Jackson or Poe. That said, I do mostly enjoy Stephen King, Simmons, and Koontz. who are often graphic in their stories. So what is it specifically about Barker? For me, most of his heroes, as well as his villains, are somewhat sadistic, the women (especially if they are "heroes") are never described as much better than female dogs in heat, and the sheer volume of blood is unnerving. I didn't get through the other stories in the volume, although I may come back to them at a future date.

However, Dead Beat by Jim Butcher, with professional wizard Harry Dresden dealing with his vampire brother, the undead (in lots of shapes and sizes), the White Council, Quuen Mab, and his slobbery dog, Mouse, all in the days leading up to Halloween in Chicago, was a fun romp and change of pace. It's been a while since I read a Dresden story, and this one was delightful.

Next week, The Historian for the third or fourth attempt at this vampire novel.

Gogs, for Morrell in the spooky/horror vein, I highly recommend The Totem a different take on the werewolf story, or his short fiction collection, Nightscape. For spy/type thriller, try Assumed Identity or the series beginning with The Brotherhood of the Rose.

Props, sorry about the Barker - he doesn't seem to click with as many folks. I did like The Historian but it's not for everybody.

That's okay, BDB. Like I said earlier, Barker is "hot or cold" for me. This was not a favorite. However, I did start The Historian again, and this time may be the charm. Of course, there's been a positive plethora of vampire books and stories between my readings, and it may just be that I'm more open to it at this point. Thanks!

I finished I'll be Watching You last night. I was unsure, well into this book, whether I was going to like it. That is not a comment on the quality of the writing, merely on how it fit with my reading tastes. I didn't think I liked where it was going, and so I moved forward a bit reluctantly in my reading of it.

Well, somewhere along the line it drew me in and didn't let me go. This was a really clever tale of suspense, full of dark twists. It is a violent story, that's the nature of the tale, but I didn't think that the descriptions of the violence were overdone -- though the crimes were quite unpleasant. (But, then, is murder ever pleasant?)

I thought the characters got a little soap-boxy about women's issues -- abuse, society's pressures upon women to be beautiful -- and some of that dialogue didn't feel quite natural to me, but de Lint put his money where their mouths were, so to speak, and SHOWED us the damage and the issues his characters were talking about.

This was not my typical kind of Halloween read, but it certainly had its own kind of horror.

I wrapped up October reading Stephen King's Kindle Single Mile 81. Creepy and gross. Not his best work but a fun read on Halloween nonetheless. He really writes amazing 'tween' boys.

5. Starship Troopers - Robert A. Heinlein

3.5/5

6. Scavenger - David Morrell

2.5/5

7. Moonheart - Charles de Lint

Mixed opinions on this one. I will start with an observation: The book started as a light read which would possibly graze the supernatural, but mid-way metamorphosed into a dark, twisted tale. There was a lot of Indian stuff which didn't make much sense to me, nor could I find much value addition with the extended chapters on the same. While on the whole I liked the book, there were quite a few loose ends, including the conclusion itself.

3/5

On a side note, I finally read RIP VAN WINKLE, an entertaining little story.

During October I read The Magicians by Lev Grossman, which left me very disappointed. It's referred to as Harry Potter for adults, but I felt more like it was a rip-off of Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and Chronicles of Narnia. I chose it for my book club to read and they didn't like it either. Bummer.

I also read Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane. I thought it was going to be scary but it was an excellent mystery.

I enjoyed this thread and seeing what everyone else was reading in October!

Shutter Island is one of my favorite Lehanes. Glad you enjoyed the thread, Arggghhh.

Book #47, I’ll Be Watching You by Charles DeLint

My Review on the book's home page:

Every time Rachel Sorensen starts a new job or moves into a new apartment, her abusive ex-husband finds her and she has to escape all over again. But one night, as he waits for her, someone else is watching Rachel at the same time. When the stranger saves Rachel once and for all, she doesn’t realize that she’s in more danger than ever.

Abuse is a difficult subject. The issues of power and control are complicated and hard to translate for outsiders. In I’ll Be Watching You, Charles DeLint steps out of his typical urban fantasy genre and tells a frighteningly real story of abuse and obsession. DeLint takes great care in reflecting the mindset of an abused woman trying to break free. But his take on the internal workings of the abuser’s mind sets the story apart from most writers who confront the subject. The typical composition of such books is built around the singular perspective of the victim, with the abuser as a dark and incomprehensible force who keeps coming until he is destroyed in some way. And while DeLint’s abuser is eventually destroyed, the writer doesn’t only feature him as seen by the victim or by other outsiders. DeLint steps into his fractured mind and displays his warped sense of the world. When Rachel’s abusive husband is dealt with, DeLint expands his exploration of the abusive mind with Rachel’s new tormentor.

Fans of DeLint’s more popular urban fantasy may not enjoy this diversion into the world of the real, but it shows his diversity and flexibility.

The only quibble I had with the book was the superhuman capabilities DeLint endowed his villain with. It was hard to believe someone with such obsessive qualities would be able to so completely compartmentalize their life and function successfully while decompensating at the same time. The effect is to back the hard won realism out of the story.

Bottom Line: DeLint shows off a rare understanding of the abuse and succeeds well outside his genre of urban fantasy.

4 bones!!!!


By the way, I may start a new thread to pick up here where I didn't finish the Halloween reads. I may also add one or two other to the TBR list I have now. I started Stephen King's new one and got sucked in right away. I owe a review for Cabal and may post it here.....or not. We'll just have to see.

I just finished The Terror by Dan Simmons. This was my favorite of those I read this year for the Halloween group read. I was especially interested in this book because I have always wanted to know more about the quest for the Northwest Passage. I really liked the ending of the book. I did think, however, that it was a little long. And at the beginning the changes in time back and forth were a little confusing to keep straight, but I can see why he approached the book this way in the beginning. This was the first book by Simmons that I have ever read, and now I will be sure to read others.

Thanks so much for putting this group read together. :)

#174 Where do you stand with respect to your Halloween reading, how many still left of the original count of 13?

Glad you liked The Terror so much, billiejean. That's one I have to get to still. And in answer to your question, Piyush....In addition to the The Terror, I still have to get to Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, 7 Steps to Midnight, Scavenger, and Odd Thomas. But as I said, I wasn't taken by force to read the new King before I get to the rest.

Blackdogbooks' Halloween remainers, loners, and other reading is here.