Gary A. Braunbeck's 'Cedar Hills' books...

Hey all. Just got Gary A. Braunbeck's Far Dark Fields from the Leisure horror book club. It's the only Gary A. Braunbeck book I have so far.

The synopsis sounds pretty good, but I see it's listed as book five in the Cedar Hill series. Is this a series that should be read in order, or is it only loosely connected ala Stephen King's Castle Rock stories?

The synopsis for Far Dark Fields reads almost like it is the culmination of a mythology regarding a creature called Hoopsticks and maybe it is wrapping up the Cedar Hill series.

I never heard of that author. Keep us posted.

I'm interested to know how his Cedar Hill series ties as well. I read Mr. Hands, the 3rd in the series, without knowing it was part of a series. I felt it stood on its own, but now wonder if I should go back and read them in order.

Tim, what did you think of Mr. Hands?

Ah, I just went and ordered the other four books. A single seller had all of 'em on Half.com. $25.00 for four books by an author I haven't read yet. I'm a nut.

Hey James. I liked it for the most part. Braunbeck was able to evoke some pretty heart renching emotions in the first half of the book. The second half turned into an almost cheesy monster story of vengeance. I did like it enough to want to try more. I think I'll start at the beginning though. I've had In Silent Graves on my TBR for over a year.

BTW, In Silent Graves has been sitting in my TBR for so long primarily because I just haven't been in the mood for having my emotions tugged to the extent that the synopsis and some of the reviews indicate. But I did enjoy his writing and I think I'll go ahead and read it (it's been in my hands more than once before I changed my mind).

IN SILENT GRAVES is one of my all-time favorite novels, and yes, it is depressing and dark, but the writing and whole tone is just so different from nearly anything out there.

You can enjoy FAR DARK FIELDS without having read Gary's other Cedar Hill novels, but you'll miss out on a lot of references to past stories (not only from his Leisure novels, but also from his THE COLLECTED CEDAR HILL STORIES volumes one and two---see full list here: http://garybraunbeck.com/bibliography.html).

BTW: If you visit the above link, know that IN SILENT GRAVES was released in the small press first as THE INDIFFERENCE OF HEAVEN.

Nick, thanks for the info.

If I read Far Dark Fields I'll miss some references, but would it spoil any important plot points from the earlier books?

Yes, thank Nick. Now I'm excited again. It's now next in line.

Well, yesterday I got In Silent Graves, Keepers (which has a pretty bad cover), Mr. Hands and Coffin County in the mail.

I guess once I wrap up my cheese-o western (Guns of the Canyonlands), I'll start In Silent Graves. Oh yeah... ARR! I like the pirate speak.