Archive for the "reviews" Category

Carnacki The Ghost Finder Wiliam Hope Hogdson The Dennis Wheatley Library of the Occult

Introduction by Wheatley outlining the short life and tragic ending of Hodgson. He did his bit in WW1 and was killed going back for more, despite being badly wounded and having a good excuse for passing the baton. Wheatley doesn’t mention that, like R E Howard, Hodgson was a bodybuilder. Wheatley does draw attention to […]

Phantasmagoria issue #17 2020/21

Speaking as something of a hermit who knows very little about the world beyond my immediate bubble I was somewhat stunned by Phantasmagoria. I’ll dive right in. A well balanced and empathetic editorial from Trever Kennedy presages a cornucopia of stuff. So much stuff I have to bunch the original artwork into one comment – […]

Swords & Sorceries: Tales of Heroic Fantasy presented by David A. Riley. Illustrated by Jim Pitts

A good buffet has something for everyone. Similarly, a good anthology treads the delicate balance of achieving a consistent feel while rewarding the reader with a mix of tales. “Swords & Sorceries: Tales of Heroic Fantasy” achieves this balance as one would expect from a veteran editor. David Riley has previously expressed his fondness for […]

TERROR TALES OF THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS

Nominated for awards, crammed full of award winning authors, the Terror Tales series, edited by Paul Finch and published by Gray Friar Press, is now on its eighth volume: TERROR TALES OF THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS. Happily I’m in it along with several other Scottish authors whose work I enjoy and admire.  The “Terror Tales”  series […]

The Heaven Maker and other Gruesome Tales

A very pleasing review by Stewart Horn of the BFS. http://matthewscottbaker.com/blog/2015/05/book-review-the-heaven-maker-and-other-gruesome-tales-by-craig-herbertson/ ‘The title story is probably the highlight: a grand epic told in a few short chapters about a man trying to rescue his wife from Hell. Reminiscent of Machen’s ‘Great God Pan’ in tone.’ ‘Overall, a satisfying read. A well written mix of the […]

E.R.Burroughs, R.E. Howard, Leigh Brackett, Lin Carter or George R.R. Martin and a bit of pseudo sexism?

The winners are in each category: Story teller E.R.Burrroughs R.E. Howard Leigh Brackett Lin Carter George R.R. Martin (modern) Ability to inspire, to thrill and excite R.E. Howard E.R.Burrroughs Leigh Brackett Lin Carter George R.R. Martin (modern) Consistency in plot, writing Leigh Brackett George R.R. Martin R.E. Howard Lin Carter E.R.Burrroughs (modern) I don’t want […]

David A. Riley The Return

Mr. Fosset, making a brief appearance in this work by David A. Riley says “Dark, bleak, nihilistic stuff. Not the kind of thing to take to bed for a good night’s sleep.” Admirably summarizing this new work by a veteran author who many horror aficionados will have encountered in the legendary Pan Horror series and […]

Filthy Creations #7 review

Filthy Creations #7, edited and illustrated by author and illustrator, Rog Pile begins with The Wicket Man by Franklin Marsh a peculiarly English tale of a game of cricket gone spectacularly bizarre. As always Franklin Marsh drives with enthusiasm and humour to a dark but incredibly funny conclusion. The Architect’s Table by Penni McLaren Walker […]

The Ninth Black Book of Horror – Encouraging review

  Very encouraging review of The Ninth Black Book of Horror here http://matthewscottbaker.com/blog/category/uncategorized/

TERROR TALES OF THE COTSWOLDS: Paul Finch

As one would expect from a cast of award winning authors and new contenders to that title, this offering from the Terror Tales series edited by Paul Finch is well worth a look. Beginning with Alison Littlewood, who sets the superior tone of most of the collection, we have ‘In The Quiet And In The […]