Gilded Needles

1882: Black Lena is the queen of the Black Triangle, one of New York's most dangerous neighborhoods. But her ring of all-female pickpockets, fences and prostitutes comes under threat when the infamous Judge James Stallworth leads a brutal crusade to cleanse the area and crush Lena's criminal empire. After two of her own are killed, Lena bides her time and designs the most ruthless revenge.

While this one isn't what I expected for my horror challenge, it is an excellent familial crime drama. Lena Shanks is the mother of abortionist Daisy and mute Louisa, and grandmother to twins Rob and Ella. Judge Stallworth is father to Helen, Marian, Edward and Benjamin, father-in-law to Marian's Duncan, and grandfather to Edwin and Edith. Finally, show more there's mistress Maggie Kizer, reporter Simeon Lightner, lesbian boxer Annie Leech, charitable Mrs. General Taunton, as well as several other fearless women. The large, interlocking cast could've easily been a hot mess, but "Gilded Needles" is one of the most engaging works of fiction that I've read in a long time.

The success of this story can be attributed to McDowell's thoughtful structure and succinct dialogue. It consistently demonstrates how one well-placed line can say more than an entire paragraph. The characters set the scene by interacting with their environment, without flowery narration. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙮𝙚𝙨, 𝙞𝙩'𝙨 𝙋𝙊𝙇𝙄𝙏𝙄𝘾𝘼𝙇. Judge Stallworth's barely concealed ambition, combined with Marian's ineffective arm-chair lady's committee that "treats the matter as an amusing scandal," ultimately clashes with Helen, who believes that "evil is made only by circumstance." That poverty must be alleviated with direct, empathetic engagement to end the vicious cycle.

But is that enough for Lena? The violence is well timed, shocking, but not gratuitous. In the end, you are not meant to cheer for Lena, and you won't, but you'll be satisfied in spite of yourself. show less

It may seem counterintuitive but some of the best horror I’ve read has no supernatural elements in it at all. Michael McDowell’s Gilded Needles is just such a book. The Alabama native applied his mastery of the Southern Gothic genre with all of its genteel depravity, racism political machination and wretched poverty, and applied it to the most unlikely setting, Manhattan.

Set in the New York City in 1882, it is an eminently believable story of hatred and revenge pitting two families, the staid and respectable Stallworths of Grammercy Park and the Shankses, a matriarchal clan living in Dickensian squalor in the tenements of the notorious Black Triangle district. In setting out to cleanse the city of corruption, Judge James Stallworth show more sets his sights on what he sees as a family of criminal masterminds, unwittingly setting off a chilling campaign of revenge that threatens to destroy all that he has worked so hard to create. The result is a fascinating and ultimately horrifying tale made all the more frightening for its lack of imaginary monsters.

Horror is a difficult genre to write. The author must have an instinct for just what it is that makes the hair stand up on the back of the neck. He also needs to know how to pace the plot in order to maintain the highest possible level of tension all the way through to the end. Nothing can kill a reader’s buzz faster than a horror novel with an intriguing premise that falls flat at the finish. This is the third McDowell book that I have read and he hasn’t let me down yet.

I first read The Elementals a couple years back and was totally enthralled and shortly after led a group reading of Cold Moon Over Babylon. It wasn't until recently that I learned that his was the pen behind such classic movies as Beetlejuice and Nightmare Before Christmas. He also wrote episodes for many anthology series such as Tales from the Darkside, Amazing Stories, Tales from the Crypt, and Alfred Hitchcock Presents. In short, McDowell played a significant role in shaping my love of dark fiction. In the golden age of horror, few authors could tap into that glorious creepiness that is Southern Gothic as well as McDowell. His passing at age 49 was a severe blow to the genre.

I would like to thank R.C. Bray for his excellent narration of this wonderful book and the fine folks at Valancourt Books who gave me the opportunity to read and review this book. If they ever need another book reviewed, they need only ask.

*The review was based on an Audible audiorecording obtained at no cost from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review. While this does take any ‘not worth what I paid for it’ statements out of my review, it otherwise has no impact on the content of my review.

FYI: On a 5-point scale I assign stars based on my assessment of what the book needs in the way of improvements:
*5 Stars – Nothing at all. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
*4 Stars – It could stand for a few tweaks here and there but it’s pretty good as it is.
*3 Stars – A solid C grade. Some serious rewriting would be needed in order for this book to be considered great or memorable.
*2 Stars – This book needs a lot of work. A good start would be to change the plot, the character development, the writing style and the ending.
*1 Star – The only thing that would improve this book is a good bonfire. show less

4.5 stars!

This book was SO MUCH fun! Set in the early 1880's in the city of New York in a district called The Black Triangle,(where crime runs rampant and poverty reigns), McDowell brings the city and this district vividly to life. Abortions, prostitution and gambling are just a few of the dark deeds that are common here.

Black Lena Shanks and family run their all female criminal empire here without interference from police or anyone else. That is until the The Tribune decides to run a series of articles about the Triangle in a supposed effort to clean up the district. (Said effort being mostly a publicity stunt designed to better the Stallworth family's standing in the community.)

At the heart of it, this is a tale of revenge. Black Lena show more Shanks runs her small empire in the Triangle until Judge Stallworth sentences 3 members of her "family" to death. From that point on, Black Lena is set on seeking revenge. When the Stallworth family members each receive an engraved invitation to their own funeral, the diabolical plans of Black Lena are slowly unveiled and woe to anyone that gets in her way.

Mr. McDowell's descriptions of the poverty and living conditions in the Black Triangle were harsh and unflinching. There's nothing supernatural going on in this book, as there is in so many other McDowell stories. The horrors here are all too human. I thought I would miss that supernatural element, but I didn't. In fact, I think this book shines as yet another example of McDowell's understanding of human nature. His observations are always spot on-sometimes cutting, sometimes humorous, but always witty and true. I found these observations even more entertaining than the supernatural stuff that McDowell did so well.

I have come to adore this author over the last year or so. It's easy to see why he was so popular among horror lovers in his day and I think it's easy for new fans like me to fall in love with his work now. He's written screenplays for popular movies, (Beetlejuice, The Nightmare Before Christmas), and those movies were great, but for me it's his novels that speak the loudest. His style, his descriptions, his observations-those are the things that make McDowell one of the greatest horror writers of his time, and even in this time. Maybe even of ALL time. I'm happy to debate the subject with you.

This revenge novel was excellent and I give it my highest recommendation! show less

McDowell is more widely known for his horror/supernatural novels, but Gilded Needles is a definite change of pace for this author. While it's not a horror novel per se, it is definitely dark and especially horrific. I love dark fiction -- this one not only satisfied my itch for a good read, but also left me begging for a happy ending, something quite unusual for me. Whether there is one or not is for the reader to discover, but I will say that I think I forgot to breathe through the last quarter of this novel. Valancourt continues to amaze me with the excellent titles they are bringing back, and this one is no exception. One more thing -- I have this fascination for 19th century fiction known as "city mysteries," and McDowell has show more definitely captured that particular flavor in this book. Super, super book; recommended for those who enjoy gritty tales of revenge. show less

McDowell, like McCammon, is a novelist from Alabama. I try to show support to local writers, so I started reading his books for this reason, and have been thrilled to find that I love his work.

"Guilded needles" is not only a great story, but a fabulous glimpse of New York in the 1880s. I had just finished Pinboroughs Mayhem and Muder, which is set in London 1880s, so thought this was the perfect time to read this and continue my journey through this time period.....and a delightfully dark journey it has been.

Although, I personally would not consider this a true horror story, it is certainly a morose tale. Other reviews include synopsis and character info, so I will forego those details. This is a powerful story of corruption, revenge, show more poverty, wealth, the soul wrenching darkness that pervaded large Cities in this period of history and the harshness of daily life for all, regardless of social status or income bracket. A definite future reread for me. Well done McDowall! show less

Gilded Needles
By: Michael McDowell
Narrated by: R.C. Bray
This book has so many aspects to it that make it terrific and dark at the same time. The author sure knows how to set the atmosphere to dark and deadly! The story revolves around an area of New York that is crime ridden by the poor in 1882.. It also revolves around two main families. One poor and on the wrong side of the law and the other well off and upstanding citizens but has the power to make the law or control punishments.
It's very intriguing and I love how each character is so well developed! There are a lot of characters but they are easy to follow due to the strong development. The plot is unpredictable and the ending was excellent! Definitely going in my favorites show more list!
With R.C. Bray narrating it was a sure to be a success! Excellent job as usual! show less

A wonderful McDowell book, as usual. Set in 1880s New York, it's the story of evil Lena Shanks, head of a family of thieves and thugs... but is she evil? We have in the other hand, good, righteous judge Stallworth, a man who always has the law no matter what... but is he good?
This is the story of the clash of two families and how one slowly and strategically destroys the other. Shocking, to say the least, and a marvel of plotting. An unforgettable book.