December 7th, 2017 |
Published in
Dark Tales, Horror, traditional gothic
Dark Elixir
3 smouldering supernatural stories in the vein of traditional Gothic
The Compound blends steampunk with horror when 6 young people are subjected to a terrible experiment that ensures an unfamiliar horrors.
When the Bilsleigh family in House Hunters flee the city for a better life everything seems perfect until they unearth a mysterious object, setting off a series of catastrophic events.
Changeling, a darkly wicked Christmas horror story, where nothing is as it seems.
Dark Elixir distinguishes as a more varied compilation of stories from Voice in the Mirror by blending more mixed genres.
Voice in the Mirror includes 3 tales of haunting and possession. Each protagonist is a male. Dark Elixir explores more varied territory. The Compound hosts a female protagonist: Charlotte one of the victims of a horrific scientific experiment. The Changeling is an ensemble cast of family members who are confronted with dreadful truths about themselves. House Hunters features a middle aged professional male and father who is already dealing with family crisis when his children open Pandora’s Box.
July 22nd, 2015 |
Published in
Amazon reviews, Creative non-fiction, Dark Tales, film, Reviews, Social Issues, Writer and Research
Essential Classic of a creative non-fiction that exploits the best elements of fiction and a compelling read Read the rest of this entry »
July 10th, 2015 |
Published in
Dark Tales, facebook friends, historical fiction, Reviews, Self Publishing, Social Issues, Thriller, Writer and Research
I often mention in my posts that part of my research as an author involves reading the works of other writers including other Indi authors. Read the rest of this entry »
June 22nd, 2015 |
Published in
American Gothic, Dark Tales, Horror, Reviews, Self Publishing, Writer and Research
Lovecraft’s own writing inspires horror writers to strive to write intelligent, thoughtful and well-crafted stories that don’t simply rely on gimmicks and cheap shocks. In his own words:
Read the rest of this entry »
June 15th, 2015 |
Published in
American Gothic, Dark Tales, science fiction, Self Publishing, Writer and Research
Finders Keepers
I enjoyed Mr Mercedes very much, and am glad to say that Finders Keepers is even better. The story moves at a rapid pace, yet at the same time it is a slow-burning gradual intensifying of tension and threat. The inevitable confrontation between Morris and Pete is signalled early in the story and we watch with fascination as the complexities of plot and situation draw them closer and closer. The sub-plots and stories within stories are meticulously constructed and mesh seamlessly with the novel’s overall trajectory. That we are already familiar with Bill, Holly and Jerome helps, as there is no need to establish these characters. The other two protagonists in this ensemble cast are finely created. Morris Bellamy is less demented than Brady Hartfield in Mr Mercedes, and for me this makes him more contradictory and thus more interesting. King has cleverly imbued Morris with some characteristics such as his love of literature which will resonate with readers, however perversely it is manifested by him. Pete Saubers is another of those adolescent males that King creates wonderfully and who is sorely tested by circumstances beyond his control, and yet for which he is, or feels, somehow responsible. Minor characters, particularly Morris’ former friend Andy, are similarly well articulated. Obsession, redemption, responsibility, fate; although there is nothing supernatural in Finders Keepers (although barely hinted at in a few brief encounters with Brady) the novel has a grim, Gothic atmosphere. Read it in a day
June 8th, 2015 |
Published in
American Gothic, Dark Tales, film, historical fiction, Horror, Reviews, Thriller, Writer and Research
Film – The Raven
Film director, James Mc Teigue, draws thematically on the poem The Raven and the poet’s life. The poem depicts the narrator lamenting over lost love, where the raven is a messenger from the land of the dead and a symbol of death. Even though the narrator is haunted by the lover and death, the poem asserts that although death conquers life it doesn’t destroy love. This theme is embodied in the film where the fictitious Poe is prepared to surrender his life for his lover.
The film deviates from the poem and the facts of Poe’s life. Unlike, the poem, the film is a hybrid genre of historical fiction, Gothic horror, thriller and crime story. Laced with violence and gore, the film is not recommended for young viewers or the faint hearted. Mc Teigue’s thriller relies on a number of the Poe’s gruesome tales where a deranged fan sets about to re-enact some of Poe’s most grisly tales. He must be stopped before he works his way through Poe’s entire compilation of stories. This is a compelling and chilling thriller that sustains suspense throughout keeping viewers on edge until its grim finale.
