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Rohmer, Sax - Satin And Sand

Dick Cartaret slows his vehicle to a crawl, so thick is the London fog that night. Without warning, a girl throws herself into his car; she is the most beautiful, most exquisite girl Dick has ever seen. “Hurry!” she begs, “Don’t let them catch me!”

At that point, Dick is drawn into the inescapable web of Sumuru.

Sumuru is Rohmer’s femme fatale version of Fu Manchu. She is seemingly all powerful, unstoppable, the control behind wide ranging organization.

She is hardly an original, however. A decade earlier, L. T. Meade hurled Madame Koluchy, than Madame Sara against decent society. Each was more wicked, and more human. A decade before those two was Ayesha, H, Rider Haggard’s ageless queen. Peer further, Cleopatra, Asherah, Lilith.

Satin And Sand is a fun read, brisk page turner, although Sumuru, in comparison with the earlier females, strikes me as omnipotent. Resistance is futile.

I’ve currently been interested in the period of Romanticism lately, and I decided to read Rafael Sabatini’s “Scaramouche.” I’m about 100 pages in, but it’s been a great read, and one that’s left me highly entertained so far.

Le Fanu, Sheridan - A Little Fuchsia Book Of Fears

“Little” book makes a good sampler, a nice introduction to Le Fanu. Also fine for the veteran fan desiring a quick freshener.

“The Drunkard’s Dream” is a warning about the evils of drink. Reading this, I wondered – then as now – whether a souse would read this one, let alone heed.

Another cautionary tale, “Laura Silver Bell”, finds our heroine warned about handsome strangers. Or the modern equivalent, what I tell young girls, “don’t trust boys.”

So, would you make a deal with the devil? Under what circumstances? For what terms?
Luck has turned her face away from the young lord. Wealth squandered, forced to sell off assets, including the dogs, including some of the prize racehorses!
Nevertheless, he is offered a proposal that will turn misfortune around in a flash. “Sir Dominick’s Bargain” unrolls the tribulations, the coaxing temptation, as well as the contract.

Various (Editor: Pardoe, Rosemary) - Ghost & Scholars Book Follies And Grottoes

Logical companion to G&S Book Of Mazes.
A baker’s dozen here, primarily follies. Some cursed, some haunted. From malevolent to melancholy.

The older couple with more money than sound judgment. Actually, a LOT of money. Lord Elphinstone spares no expense in restoring the Highland estate. Nor does he refuse his wife’s vision of one restoration. “Lady Elphinstone’s Folly” yields a surprise answer to lofty expectation.

“Branke’s Folly” is an ugly thing, mostly hidden, thankfully, from the landowner Strickland’s view. Not from his antagonistic neighbor’s sight, however. The Colonel, one of those disreputable bullies, wants to acquire the folly in order to demolish it. Acquire by any means necessary, and “no” is not an option.

Predating radar, the acoustic mirror was used to hear incoming sounds, aircraft. One, however, seems to retain stray sounds. Echoes. Revealing fragments of the stories lives of RAF pilots during World War II. John Howard’s “When I Heard My Days Before Me” is a thoughtful, aching glance over the shoulder, and is an ideal closer for this collection.

Wilkinson, Charles - The Harmony Of The Stares

A strong grouping of musically themed works.

During a local recital, Philippa notices her pianist is not the usual Nigel. The replacement, a somewhat furtive sort, is intense and perhaps better suited to her voice. Tracking him down, however, proves difficult in “The True Accompanist”.

Amersham, the second oboist, is delighted to learn he will solo in the premier of a newly composed work. Pity that the first-chair oboist disappeared like that. In “The Oboists” – well – no cause in airing unpleasantness here.

Rules, restrictions, obligations. The bane of neighborhood associations and villages. And for individualistic souls who forego norms, there are always reprisals. “The Festival Of Conformity” makes one wonder why Trevidge ever moved to the village in the first place.

After he disposed of his manservant, Windrell had to deal with the inquisitive neighbors. As well as the flooding, the rising river levels that keep forcing locals onto his higher ground. What comes “Walking In From The West” adds to his anxiety. This story features a touch of SciFi.

For me, most of these stories are more accessible than previous Wilkinson I have read. Could be I am simply grasping him better.

Nolan, William F. - The Winchester Horror

Old-fashioned potboiler that Nolan could pen half asleep.
A midnight séance in the famous house rouses long dead Sarah Winchester. From that point on, trespassers in the home receive brutal deaths.
Meanwhile, psychic investigator Kincaid accepts the request of a police officer friend to hunt for his missing sister, herself heavily drawn to psychic truths and realities.
The novella switches back and forth, from Winchester House to Kincaid.
Any reader will foretell the inevitable encounter between dwelling and seeker.
Fast moving yarn which proudly shows its Pulp roots.
One to read with a smile, before tucking back into the shelves.

Engstrom, Elizabeth - Nightmare Flower

I should have liked this collection; I wanted to like this collection. But I couldn’t, for a number of reasons.
The stories, by and large, have a remote, cool tone, as if each narrator was disengaged. Consequently, I never felt sympathetic with characters, let alone their activities.

Two titles, “Nightwind” and “Rain”, pits characters against elemental weather, although I wondered, what was the point of each?

I won’t kick other tales, wasting your time and mine.

The last, longest, and finest, is the novella “Project Stone”. This seems more a conspiracy thriller than horror yarn. An anxiety ridden urbanite finds refuge in a gated desert enclave. Peace of mind comes with a price, of which she contentedly ignores. This feels like a very 90’s take, akin to an “X-Files” episode from that period.

Valencourt books are always affordable and worth a look, but, for me, this was wet powder.

Friedman, Stephen - The House At The Edge Of The Dark

Out walking in Prague, our narrator finds a phone on a bench.
Sound advice is to ignore the device and stroll on.
Instead, he picks it up, scrolls through images, even forwards one to himself.
That is of a house he has passed dozens of times. Why had the owner taken a photo of it? If they were so curious, maybe he should be.
And so, down the dark end of the street he walks.
A short curio, not lacking merit. I find Friedman has a wonderful pattern of sentencing that young writers would be wise to study.
The novelette itself resembles a trap, a snare, grim and effective.

The ebook Shadow Slave

Weatherer, Dan - Tainted Isle

Novel written as a series of journal entries from the late Victorian era to the “end of all that” and the onslaught of the Great War.
Young man, Solomon Whyte, is a budding supernatural investigator, although he categorizes his occupation as paranormal work.
“Paranormal” strikes me as a modernism, and is not the only one in this collection of pastiche adventures.
Duly noted, and yet the stories have their moments, especially the first clutch.
“The Dressmaker’s Mannequin” is a perfumed dream, vivid upon awakening, elusive soon after.
Unlike so many investigators, Whyte is fallible, faltering throughout the narrative. Mistakes, poor decisions, mistiming matters. Rather refreshing.
This is a nice collection, with haunting black and white illustrations scattered through the pages.
In addition, this seems suitable for young readers.

Tidhar, Lavie - The Big Blind

Her expression impassive, Claire studies the others round the table.
After a late night of card playing, gambling for small stakes, she returns home quietly. Donates her winnings, creeps to her chamber, dons her habit.
Day job, Sister Claire, convent nun.
I had grabbed this from a recent stack, ignored the cover art, and thus this turn came as a surprise. I mean, a poker playing nun?
Midway through this short novel, I must confess how much I was enjoying it. I started replaying scenes and moments as if this were already a film adaptation. Like those rollicking Irish comedies between 1995 and 2005.
The book itself is an effective crowd pleaser, whether or not you know a call from a flop from a river.
Entertaining beach read – which I mean as a compliment.

Crisp, Quentin S. - Erith

He needs to go to the Erith office in order to sort his housing allowance.
The train may well stop there, maybe the bus. Neither schedule lists Erith.
Oh, yes, he does ask. Answers are vague.
Why can’t he simply visit his own council branch? Procedure. One follows procedure. Period.

A flow of journeys, along with varying perceptions of the route. The narrator’s view, filtering his own anxieties with the theatrical dress he overlays on Erith itself.

For me, Mr. Crisp can be daunting, and my method has always been to simply read. Read, keep turning pages until I match step with his rhythm.
Now and then you may feel you are in Aickman territory. You are not. Crisp’s voice is distinctive.
Erith shifts from anxious, to comical, to suppressed frustration with each page.

The Ebook Shadow Slave

White, Edward Lucas - Little Green Book Of Grue

I won’t go into “Lukundoo” which every Horror reader will have in at least one collection.

Early on, there is an auto accident in “The House Of Nightmare”. I had to remind myself of the 1906 publication. Roadworthy motor cars were still very new. The house where our driver seeks shelter has seen better days and is in dilapidated condition. The story itself seems even older than the manse, and you will predict every plot turn.

“A Picture Puzzle” concerns the stolen child, a precious daughter. So much has passed, however, that her case has gone cold. Parents clutch hope, and find distraction when a most peculiar puzzle box arrives unannounced.

“Amina” is a desert adventure, while “The Song Of The Sirens” is a seafaring yarn, moving slowly across the waves until it reaches uncharted territory in the Indian Ocean, somewhere off Madagascar.
Sea spray yields to blissful terror, to melodies bewitching. Think lotus eaters.

Little Green Grue is a well rounded, well chosen collection. Credit editor Kelly Laymon (yes, related to Richard) for selecting and sequencing. This is probably my favorite of this years crop of little books.

Valentine, Mark - Time, A Falconer: A Study Of Sarban

Labor of love from Mr. Valentine will be a trove for ardent fans of Sarban, a curio for the casual.

Sarban”s (John William Wall) life, long experience and success in the diplomatic corps, along with sundry relationships. The latter seems a mixed selection of suppressed longings and misspent alliances. Compared with his civil service, his personal life is somewhat shrouded.

Most readers will delve into his literary progress, which launched almost happenstance. But of this wife’s prodding, there may well have been no Sarban.

The book flows nicely and is enlightening. One wishes Sarban had written more, yet writing is largely an unrewarding task.
Kudos to Mr. Valentine for a biography that yields more than expected.

Raised Eyebrows: My Years Inside Groucho’s House by Steve Stoliar. I’m a little over halfway done with it and I’m really liking it.
It’s about a guy who’s a huge fan of comedian Groucho Marx that ended up working for him as a secretary the last few years of Groucho’s life. Parts of it are funny and parts of it are depressing because of what he had to deal with in his later years. They’re making it into a movie, and based on what I’ve read of it so far it should be an interesting movie.

Kirk, Richard A - Magpie’s Ladder

And the ladder is long, extending into the Darkling Lands, realm of Mr. Magpie, a puzzling character who Lily senses she ought to avoid, focus on her work, her marriage, and yet she is drawn.
Nor is Magpie as harmless as he seemed, as Lily discovers to her despair. The title story is one of bitter experience, the price of education that leaves a scar.
George has been with the firm for ages. From the previous chairman to his son. The is not enough pay, so he boosts his revenue with a little … well … counterfeiting has such a connotation, doesn’t it? He is caught, although in “The Engrosser” he is given an option. Descend to the basement – no, deeper than that – and find out what is going on down there.
“Elephant Bridge” floats downstream with weathered Aunt Justine and young Gillian. Very far, down to where the bridge is, the structure that allegedly contains hundreds of wooden drawers. The old are seldom curious, but the young, oh, how insatiable their inquisitiveness.
A collection that goes into secrets, although answers are not forthcoming and rarely satisfy. On the plus side, this packed with Kirk’s illustrations. Readers of Clive Barker, Caitlín Kiernan, China Miéville, Thomas Ligotti will recognize his style immediately.

Files, Gemma - In Our Endlessness, Our End

Award winning, and generous collection of restless stories.

“Bulbs” is the first of interviews. Bronwyn has gone off-grid. Completely. Possibly because of her apartment, something about the electro-magnetic field, something slightly beyond.

On glance, “The Puppet Motel” frays the already knotty relationship. The one grown stale, soured. Loren, at least, has an option. The short term rental property belonging to a friend. Between occupants, she cleans it and is allowed sleeping privileges – although sleep seems impossible.

In “Come Closer” the scourge draws ever nearer. Devouring homes, then squatting them back out afterward. Akin to a toxic workplace, cancerous love affair, or simply the ravages of time. Escape is a narrow opening.

“Cut Frame” is another set of interviews. The gem is for film buffs, fans of any troubled Horror production. For followers of fated stars who trail a curse in their wake. Exploitation fans, dial in.

Writers and their crutches. Superstitions. Oh, the exercises, the clichéd workshop exercises. In “Venio” matters proceed one step too many, until participants realize – well, too bad for them.

“Look Up” is rural horror, folk horror. The family curse that lingers across generations. And how about those family reunions? Especially with relatives you have never met? You know, second cousin three times removed. Fortunately there are always souls desperate for family.

Again, this is a thick, hearty collection. Best read carefully, too. The paper is thin, and creases and tears easily.
An oversight, there is no listing of where these tales first appeared. If they are all original to this volume, there is no listing of that either.

Just finished Black Amazon of Mars by the late great Leigh Brackett.

Nothing groundbreaking or thought provoking, but really fun and pulpy all the way through. The oldest piece of fiction I’ve read (save for snippets of The Odyssey and Inferno) is The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury, so perhaps I need more experience to gauge this correctly, but Black Amazon feels way ahead of its time.

Next up is Superman: For All Seasons by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale.

Moore, F Frankfort - Secret of the Court: A Romance Of Life And Death

A “lost adventure” novel. Short novel, at that.
After being attacked and left for dead by bandits, Major Hampden is rescued by an old army comrade, Rodney Sefton.
While recuperating, he learns secrets of immortality, although there may be perils.
Meanwhile, his fiancé, missing him, marries his brother.
This first half of the book, rollicks along, despite random speechifying.
The second half returns to England, a death, and mysteries that would not fool a child.
Bit of a letdown there.
Moore, by the way, was Bram Stoker’s brother-in-law.
The edition I read had the illustrations, so hunt down that one.
Referenced in Swan River’s Green Book #20

Sinclair, Iain - Agents Of Oblivion

Four section “travelogue” (using this definition very loosely), referencing four emissaries:
Blackwood, Machen, Ballard, Lovecraft.
I freely confess that the first section, with its nod to Algernon Blackwood, flummoxed me completely. I simply could not get into the rhythm of this. Mind you, I struggle a fair amount with Blackwood’s own stories.
Entering the Machen section, I was on surer footing, or at least I was beginning to grasp Sinclair’s cadence. Dense writing here, every sentence a compact prose poem. Not to be rushed, even if I could, but a heady flood of images, observations and thoughts to savor.
The journey with/to/acknowledging J G Ballard I enjoyed most, perhaps because this veers closest to our own period. The signposts were more familiar. Foolishly, I hoped I understood Sinclair.
Not so. With the HPL adventure toward the mountains, I felt unmoored again. In many ways, this section is also a dream quest.
To be direct, this is not a book that yields easily. I imagine a second reading might prove rewarding. Finding the time, though, oh for the time.

Lloyd, Rebecca - Woolfy And Scrapo

Ecstasy and terror, quiet anxiety and pompous declarations. Speculations, adventures, and the follies of brothers Woolfy and Scrapo.
Brothers in that they are a pair of black woolen gloves.
The duo are more innocent than ignorant.
Much of the world at large, as well as humans close at hand, baffles them. Not that such stops them from theorizing, guessing and making wild misassumptions.
This book avoids preciousness simply because of its utter charm.
There are illustrations, and you could probably read this aloud to your child, depending on their disposition.
A winner!

I’m kind of reading two books at the same time. I’m re-reading Dune since the second movie is coming out this year. Really looking forward to that movie.

I’m also reading the novelization for Revenge of the Sith. So far it has a very different feel from the movie. Almost all of the dialogue is different and it goes more in-depth on the story, characters and their motivations.