Book Review: An English Ghost Story by Kim Newman

The promise of a sparkling new life for Kim Newman's 'dysfunctional British nuclear family' lures the reader in with teases as to what has led the Naremores to occupy The Hollow - far away from the troubles and influences of their past.

I'm not the first reviewer to mention the similarity to James Herbert's The Magic Cottage, and although I read that book back in 1986, An English Ghost Story instantly evoked very similar emotions in me of delight and fear in equal measure.

It's a credit to the author that his writing can entrance the reader for quite some time before the darkness slowly starts to set in. From then on the writing style subtly changes as we progress - from poetic descriptions to a sharper, staccato delivery which matches the tension.

The house is a metaphor for the story itself. It is not just a place occupied by ghosts and more sinister entities, it is home to diverse personalities with banal and extreme human traits, where strengths and weaknesses are tested - to the limit. Newman toys with the psychology of his characters, as does The Hollow, treating them as playthings in this place where memories are warped and misconceived solutions create more problems than they solve.

Overall, I was enraptured by An English Ghost Story and completely drawn in, making the book difficult to put down. The only reason I haven't given it five stars is that the Naremore characters repeat the justification for their actions a little too often and it feels like the reader is being reminded, just in case we might have forgotten what each of them has been through. But I can overlook this.

4 stars. Highly recommended.

Buy An English Ghost Story by Kim Newman from Amazon

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Heartless and Waiting

This weekend I watched one of the best films I've seen for some time, Heartless. I can't believe Clive Barker didn't write this. 

Terrifying, disturbing, emotional and visceral - set in East London it tells the story of a young man whose face is half-masked with a vivid birthmark that extends to cover part of his upper body. Is the demon he meets real, and are the terrifying creatures he sees in the street watching and waiting? Or are they only in his head? 

To me this has a Donnie Darko feel; you are never sure whether you are watching fantastic horror or the terrifying depths of schizophrenia. Superb, and highly recommended.

New Book for the Wish List

While I was checking Amazon this morning I saw Stephen Jones' latest Best New Horror (22) is all set to be released in October. It's a long wait, I know but like his previous collections and summaries of the year's horror they are a  goldmine of facts and fiction.

Here's Amazon's product description. How can you not put it on your own wish list? Who knows, one day you might be given a mention yourself...

The year’s best, and darkest, tales of terror, showcasing the most outstanding new short stories and novellas by both contemporary masters of the macabre and exciting newcomers. As ever, this acclaimed anthology also offers the most comprehensive annual overview of horror around the world in all its incarnations; a comprehensive necrology of famous names; and a list of indispensable contact addresses for the dedicated horror fan and writer alike. The Mammoth Book of Best New Horror remains the world’s leading annual anthology dedicated solely to presenting the best in contemporary horror fiction.

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Magenta Sweeney, aka Magenta Shaman reminisces on the day - twelve years before - when life finally threw her into the gutter.

***

Magenta's mother Rosa has a hard time dealing with her daughter's fits and trances, her visions and healing hands. A shaman from birth like her errant father, Magenta has always unwittingly terrified Rosa, even though the girl is desperate for her mother's love. No longer able to cope Rosa gives Magenta an ultimatum - find an elixir to cure her baby half-sister's worsening skin disease, or get the hell out and leave them alone.

***

Although the books are solid fiction, Magenta's memory spills out as poetry here. I haven't asked her why.

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Find out more about Magenta's terrifying shamanic journeys by downloading the very first episode in the Magenta Shaman series to your Kindle from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com.

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She’s Leaving Home

Just sixteen,

she’s bouncing off strobe lights

at Slippy’s.

No drink.

No drugs.

Livid pulses flood

her eyes.

Throbbing beat

loving her feet,

she dances -

all ballet and wedgie sandals.

Arms flail.

Fingertips pitch and point

to the flickering

in the dull ceiling.

With clubbers clubbing

all around

Magenta takes the spinning world

by the Minotaur’s horns.

She jumps on his back,

transcends the borders.

Falls fast, eyes wide open

rising and falling in trance.

Touches, pale snatches

at slivers of skin,

the shaman reaps the harvest.

It is morning.

Baby sister cries and squeals.

Magenta grafts

ancient epidermis

as their mother looks on.

For once... for once

all fails.

Her sister is gone

and her mother wants none

of her strangest of skills,

and her father –

missing -

for ever and ever...

it’s too much.

“You’re just like him.

“Get out.”

She walks down Brighton’s streets

alone.

Veils of power

shield Magenta from

the dark and the desperate.

Mourning and lonely

she slips into a damp corner

to sleep.

“My darling.”

Daddy’s voice, always in dreams.

“It’s time.”

The shaman awakes,

money in her pocket,

a typed address on a note,

a key of gold in her hand.

More about Magenta Shaman...
Download the first episode in the series from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

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Milestone looming

Only 5,000 words to go until I'm at the halfway stage. Am aiming for 100,000 words which I'll then rabidly edit and crop once the first draft is typed up. I know I then need to elaborate in many areas, which will bring the word count back up again. I also need to do some final research, and interview local police - offers, anyone?

I typed up a diabolical little number today, which is coming together nicely. He's such a show off.

I had a bit of an epiphany on my original novel today. It's been sitting in the drawer for years now, waiting for the next step. Think I've got it (which will please certain people). Something to move onto once the current one is finished.

The Book

The past is coming back to haunt Alex and the residents of a little Sussex village. Will she go the way of her forebears?

Alex has had the fright of her life but STILL she manages to carry on, and shut it out. She's a freak.

The police have more clues, as a victim remembers a key fact - one that saved their life.

Do you want more...?

40,000 words

Hit the 40,000 mark on the novel today. Perfect for Friday 13th with lots of spooky teasers and a teeny weeny conspiracy going on.

Had a chat with resident spirit this evening. She's feeling a bit shy.

I'm fancying the film 'Paranormal Activity'. Is anyone planning to go see it?

Back on the road...

The novel moves on.

Alex discovers something dodgy that explains a lot - and maybe we start to like her a little.

Meanwhile, a nasty person is getting frustated and frantic - at least one more victim is going to die at this rate. Yet someone is protecting the murderer.
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Feeling very inspired by the hail storms outside and the creeking floorboards inside. A drip of Merlot slips from my lips and slides, slowly down my chin. I watch it stain my dress as it falls. Mmmmnn...

Feardom in Alex's house

All hell has broken loose. Last night's writing episode had me quaking in my (brand-new kinky) boots.

My own house was trembling; knocking. I felt like I was being watched - I'm sure I am.

The novel - happenings

Alex is getting pestered. Her nasty side's getting a good knock on the head. But we're learning who she is and where she came from, the whys and the wherefores.

The police are onto her, but not in a way you might think.

Others are hovering, waiting to be noticed. Some are in the book; some are over my shoulder - vying for space.

More soon...

Fairy Things

There are fairies in my house. I've seen them. They keep peeking at me. They're a lot taller than I expected - maybe that's the domestic fairy. The ones in the wild are definitely diddy.

I wondered today - if I could shape-shift, what would I become? And if I was a good enough shaman to become one creature, then why not another?

*>*>*>*>*>*>>*<<*<*<*<*<*<

Slightly related to the above; although I am 23,000 words into the main novel - oh dear - I now have another on the go. It was meant to be a 5000 word short story but I couldn't get it down to less than 6200. And it ended with a beginning - so it's crying out to be a series.

If you like fantasy horror, bitter revenge and terrifying beasts with deadly, suppurating wounds - then this might appeal. It's called Magenta Shaman.