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Post by vaughan on Jul 17, 2009 13:36:53 GMT
Leisure Horror - 1989 - 362 Pages Hm, I couldn't even find a picture on the net for this one, sorry about that. Margo was a pretty good read, although for me it was a little different. You see, in this book there are no "normal people", everyone is either a witch, a Demon, or Death itself. This makes it feel more like a fantasy novel than anything else. The plot revolves around a few elements - first there is Margo herself. Margo is a recluse, she only have Jared for company. Despite being more than 60 years old she appears to people as though she stopped aging at 30. Jared is her lover, sent by her husband to look after her immediately after their wedding (yup). The tranquility of their reclusive lifestyle is torn asunder by the arrival of three children, nieces and nephews of Margo. It is clear from the beginning that Margo, Jared, and the children are all satanists. The children have arrived because of an impending ceremony, a ceremony that will reveal which of the children is, in fact, taking over from Death himself, taking their place next to Satan. But which of the children is it? And why is Jared so afraid of them? And on their trip to Philadelphia, the kids had been followed by another strange man, a man whose appearance changes from view to view.... We won't get started on the murders in the village (22 when the book starts), and the zombies that shuffle around the woods.... As I say, this was a different kind of story for me. Without someone you can relate too you're at the mercy of your imagination. Fortunately Dana Reed writes fairly well, and Margo is a very sympathetic character. I have one other Dana Reed book, and after this I'd have liked to jump right into it. However, I've made myself the promise that I wouldn't run through any particular author in a rush, spreading out their work. As far as Margo goes, it was a satisfying read. However, there is no real sex (except of the kind that states "they kissed and held each other... then it was morning...) and Ms. Reed doesn't have the heart, it seems, to get down and dirty with the gore either. Anyhow, decent. ps: Does anyone read anything in this forum, or is it just that the books I'm finding aren't well considered?
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Post by Steve on Jul 19, 2009 15:37:57 GMT
ps: Does anyone read anything in this forum, or is it just that the books I'm finding aren't well considered? If you mean does anyone read these posts, yeah, I'm sure a few people do and, if they're anything like me, I'm sure they appreciate them. Can't say whether or not the books you're posting about are well considered or not because I'd never heard of most of them before I read your reviews - which makes them all the more interesting as far as I'm concerned. If it's any comfort to you, I Googled Dana Reed after reading your post to see what else she'd written and will be looking out for her name in future wherever tatty old paperbacks are sold. Cheers.
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Post by vaughan on Jul 19, 2009 17:01:16 GMT
Cheers, Steve. Yeah, I was feeling lonely. Beggars can't be choosers, and these are just titles that have found their way into local secondhand shops. I guess that's part of the fun of it. Must hook my scanner up.....
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Post by killercrab on Jul 19, 2009 23:06:09 GMT
This place tends to go through phases - sometimes it's active - other times not a peep ( as you've found). If you enjoy writing up something about the books you're reading - more power to you. Wish I could summon the energy...
cheers
ade
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Post by mattofthespurs on Jul 20, 2009 8:57:35 GMT
I do read everything on here. Sorry for the lack of comments but my knowledge and expertise is not at the same level as much of you chaps and therefore I tend to go by the old axiom "Better you keep you're mouth shut and let people think you are a fool than open it and remove all doubt."
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Post by vaughan on Jul 20, 2009 12:03:51 GMT
Thanks for that, mattofthespurs.
Let me assure you, you're not the least knowledgeable here, not by a long mark. I know a few "big" names (GNS, Herbert, Masterton etc.) but that's about it. And for more than 20 years I didn't read a single novel - not one! It was all work work work.
Now the economy has seen to that (with a thud), so as a way to keep sane I'm indulging myself and revisiting horror titles. I didn't know I missed them as much as I actually did!
The books I'm reading aren't from some arcane knowledge of horror authors of titles - they're what I find in local secondhand book stores. If the cover is good, I tend to grab it and give it a try. I've had rewards and disappointments (as noted in my threads), but it's all good. I say - dig in!
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Post by bushwick on Jul 20, 2009 19:20:22 GMT
I read just about everything on here, or at least skim it. Sometimes I have periods of relative silence but am always about. Everything that's put up here in the way of reviews, cover scans etc is well worth it from an archiving point of view even if it doesn't generate much response, I reckon.
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Post by andydecker on Jun 13, 2023 10:28:57 GMT
Dana Reed - Margo (Leisure Books, 1989, 362 pages)
Cover found on the net. Thanks to the original scanner.
Another fine Leisure cover.
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