Stephen Laws - Ghost Train

[andydecker]

Stephen Laws - Ghost Train (Souvenir Press, 1980, hc, posted edition NEL, 1997, 375 pages)

Jon Blake

Stephen Laws, a British writer, wrote a couple of horror novels in the mid 80s to the end of the 90s, with titles like The Wyrm. He changed publishers a few times, and NEL reprinted his novels with the artwork of Jon Blake. Wonderful, evocative artwork which maybe  promises more than is on the page. Ghost Train was his first novel.

[dem bones]

Stephen Laws - Ghost Train (Sphere, 1987)

Nick Bantock

Blurb:

Loathsome. An unspeakable abomination. A horror buried so deep in his psyche he can remember not a single detail of what it has done to him. He stands in the railway station and shudders uncontrollably.
The dreams at night. The Ghost Train Man back again after all those years. Robbie with the noose around his neck still, so dead, so cold. Childhood nightmares resurrected after the incident on the train.
Approaching the platform now, ticket in hand. Go on urges one voice; Go back cries another. Mind spinning, people staring. The feeling of choking earth fills his mouth but he must fight his way on board and confront the demons that are lurking there …

[bluetomb]

I think I read an earlier NEL edition of this, I definitely read a few Laws with those lovely Jon Blake covers but not this one. I don't remember much, but I did really like the explanation of what's wrong with the line, and still do. Also still like the baddie's name, which Laws seemed to take from maths, but I still like it. Was creeped out by a nasty little girl with a stone inside a snowball too I think. Good stuff, an auspicious debut.