the djinn - grahma masterson

[benedictjjones]

my copy of this is a 'star' if i had a scanner i'd attempt a cover scan but i don't s someone else might be able to help with that.

"it began with a curious investigation of an ancient Arabian jar and the strange legends of sorcery it symbolised...."

harry erskine (professional clairvoyant) attends the funeral of his godfather (who had worked in the middle east and has all sorts of odd artifacts). his godfather had apparantly cut his own face off during his suicide... and there's a strange jar that harry remembers from childhood that has been locked in the old houses tower...

not a bad one this, but not too great either.

[H_P_Saucecraft]

Here's the cover:

Les Edwards

[benedictjjones]

^thats the baby!

i was waiting for multiple cover posts before i spotted mine

[H_P_Saucecraft]

If you need a better scan, this is a good site: dontbetonit.tripod.com/ (obviously ask first, sorry don't want to come across as patronising, as I'm sure you do ask, but I'm just avoiding any possible trouble)

Includes scans for various editions of Masterton's books including the djinn (the copy on there is in better condition than mine). Some of the early ones are certainly pulpy, some great artists.

Dave

[vaughan]

I read this over the last couple of days.

I first read the book many moons ago, back when it was first published in paperback, although to be honest the only thing that stuck in my mind was the cover art.

So, having read it again, what do I make of it?

Well, the strangest thing for me was that the lead character is a bit of a joker. He's always making witty asides and never truly seems to take things very seriously. This keeps the book light and breezy, and for ruined chance that there might be some real tension of scares.

Still, one assumes Masterton knew what he was doing, and this was all part of his intention.

Once we get to Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves bit.... well, it seemed to familiar for me to really get wrapped in it. There is, however, a nice incantation sequence at the end, with a twist or two - those worked well.

I don't want it to come across as though I had a problem with this book, because I truly didn't. But given the leads temperament, it's never really going to be horrifying or terribly exciting.

So - my memory tells me it's a cracking horror novel - my current thoughts are that it's a fairly lightweight - if enjoyable - entry.

[andydecker]

Graham Masterton - The Djinn (Star Books, 1977, 210 pages)

Cover: Les Edwards

This edition Pinnacle Books, 1977:

Cover: Edward Soykal

Covers found on the net. Thanks to the original scanners.

One has to love the American blurb. It is horror so it is all the same. But congratulations to the expensive double cover.