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Post by franklinmarsh on Jul 15, 2015 7:14:06 GMT
Marcus Gold - The Man With A Hole In His Head
Really enjoyed this story. And Ritzy Jacobs is a cracker of a name.
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Post by franklinmarsh on Jul 15, 2015 12:01:06 GMT
Ian C. Strachan - Starlight Casts No Shadow
Strange sci-fi atmos, displaced in time and space. The explanation brings us thumping back into the Pan universe (specifically the Second). Hee! Good 'un.
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Post by franklinmarsh on Jul 16, 2015 11:17:47 GMT
Craig Herbertson - Leibniz’s Last Puzzle Paul Finch - Hangman Wanted: Apply In Writing
Yipes! Reversal of Book 7 - from which I enjoyed Craig's story, and thought Paul's magnificent. Here it's the other way round. PF's Hangman is an efficient Tale Of The Unexpected, whereas Craig has gone all metaphysical - amazing stuff, especially the sundered camp, the mirrors and chess references, and the protagonist who tells the story - his plus-fours marking him out as very AC.Awith Reggie Oliver, the Devil is in the detail. Book Five is shaping up nicely.
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Post by franklinmarsh on Jul 16, 2015 20:31:45 GMT
Rosalie Parker - In The Garden David A. Riley - Their Own Mad Demons Raymond Vaughn - Winter Break John Llewellyn Probert - De Vermis Infestis
I can't help it. I just have to read a book from front to back, even an anthology. Occasionally I'll dip in, but usually I have to go from A to B. Not quite sure how much of an art there is to ordering the stories in a collection, but, although 7 seemed great the whole way through and 5 isn't quite to that standard, it's fascinating how the stories are moving from one to another in 5.
In The Garden wouldn't be out of place in an early Pan. I kind of saw what was going to happen (indeed, if this was to be a horror story, there was only one outcome) but the journey was admirable. Although I loathe gardening, I quite enjoyed the build-up. Carol Klein meets Lucrezia Borgia.
After this quiet interlude with a nastyish twist, along comes David to punch you in the face, and kick you in the balls, and then take you somewhere really horrifying. Two small-time borderline crims get sent on a dodgy job by a scrap-metal dealer, which unfortunately involves the hardest, most fearsome gang in town. Things do not go well. One desperado has to abandon his pal, and then things get infinitely worse. This is grim and suspenseful even before the supernatural kicks in. Good stuff, with some nice touches. Nobby fleeing his girlfriend's flat at 3 am and noticing the lift is ascending...
Winter Break is a two page morality tale. Not a lot there, obviously, but what there is is spot on.
I was a bit taken aback by Lord P's tragic tale in 7, and have only just started De Vermis Infestis but already feel at home. There's a cat called Boggis, and, if you're of a certain mindset (which I am) this has arguably one of the greatest opening sentences in horror short fiction. Huzzah!
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Post by franklinmarsh on Jul 17, 2015 9:20:22 GMT
John Llewellyn Probert - De Vermis Infestis Richard Staines - No Such Thing As A Friendly
Well, JLP's story proved to be excellent, not least because of the character Ralph Peterson. An ordinary name dressed up in a bright yellow cravat and a magenta velvet jacket with a carnation. He also drinks campari and soda and trades in old por...I mean antique erotica.
Now to Richard Staines...Chas (as with Bernard Bought The Farm in Vol 7) is taking an awful chance here. So un-politically correct as to make Bernard Manning look like Ben Elton, Staines' obscure career took off as Gregory Pendennis' went down the toilet although both men enjoyed huge public success alongside critical disdain (as well as both thinking Attila The Hun a limp-wristed liberal). To use some more redundant comparisons, Staines made Dennis Wheatley look like Karl Marx, Guy N Smith look like M R James and Richard Allen look like William Shakespeare. The story here is one of his milder essays but like anything out of step with what is currently modish, it's an excellent time capsule, not only confirming end of Empire, but also the start of the decline of England's world-class status as a footballing nation. Vince Kemble's sour "At least we got a better result than Sir Alf and his bloody England A Team" signposts the end of the gentlemen's game, and Mad Mickey Clinch's frustrated violence would soon be transferred to the terraces as the 1970s hove into view. And yes, there's a bit of genuine if obvious horror in it.
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Post by franklinmarsh on Jul 19, 2015 12:26:25 GMT
Anna Taborska - Schrodinger’s Human David Williamson - The Chameleon Man John Llewellyn Probert - Two For Dinner
And a boffo triple whammy to finish on, which actually makes me glad I read these in order. For some stupid reason I had the impression Ms Taborska was an exponent of quiet horror. Boy, was I ever wrong! People disturbed by animal cruelty had better avoid this like the plague, although Schrodinger is the perfect angel of vengeance for all maltreated animals. Meat cleaver too.
Mr Williamson's tale seems a variation on The Elephant Man and most exhilarating it was too, with a great finish.
JLP elevates cheek to 11 with his second yarn, dedicated to Herbert Van Thal, referencing a certain 30 volume collection of horror stories, mentioning Charles Birkin and Martin Waddell in passing, and to cap it all, the villain wears a black velvet jacket. Back of the net!
Not quite as satisfying as 7 but a blummin' good adventure.
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Post by dem bones on Jul 19, 2015 16:37:30 GMT
Now to Richard Staines...Chas (as with Bernard Bought The Farm in Vol 7) is taking an awful chance here. So un-politically correct as to make Bernard Manning look like Ben Elton, Staines' obscure career took off as Gregory Pendennis' went down the toilet although both men enjoyed huge public success alongside critical disdain (as well as both thinking Attila The Hun a limp-wristed liberal). To use some more redundant comparisons, Staines made Dennis Wheatley look like Karl Marx, Guy N Smith look like M R James and Richard Allen look like William Shakespeare. The story here is one of his milder essays but like anything out of step with what is currently modish, it's an excellent time capsule, not only confirming end of Empire, but also the start of the decline of England's world-class status as a footballing nation. Vince Kemble's sour "At least we got a better result than Sir Alf and his bloody England A Team" signposts the end of the gentlemen's game, and Mad Mickey Clinch's frustrated violence would soon be transferred to the terraces as the 1970s hove into view. And yes, there's a bit of genuine if obvious horror in it. Yeah, this was a very different Richard Staines to the one Vault had been accustomed to via Bloodbath For Ethel, Lobster Holocaust, My Wife Was Satan's Slut & Co., so am guessing it was written before his Bushwacker 'golden years'. Vol 7 was a blast. I need to keep the momentum going. The Reggie Oliver opener was such a change from the tale in the Seventh. Were those main characters based on anybody? Llewellyn-Bowen? There was so much detail in it. Not sure about that, but am almost certain that the site of the 'Old Essex Music Hall' is now home to Whites Gentleman's Club #5 was my all-time favourite 'Black Book' until the next one came along. And the one after that. And ...
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Post by Craig Herbertson on Jul 31, 2015 20:14:43 GMT
Craig Herbertson - Leibniz’s Last Puzzle Paul Finch - Hangman Wanted: Apply In Writing Yipes! Reversal of Book 7 - from which I enjoyed Craig's story, and thought Paul's magnificent. Here it's the other way round. PF's Hangman is an efficient Tale Of The Unexpected, whereas Craig has gone all metaphysical - amazing stuff, especially the sundered camp, the mirrors and chess references, and the protagonist who tells the story - his plus-fours marking him out as very AC.Awith Reggie Oliver, the Devil is in the detail. Book Five is shaping up nicely. I might have to frame this Franklin. Any remote comparison with Paul Finch is a winner and this is astonishing praise. Must admit I was very proud of the story even if I hardly understand what's going on it myself.
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Post by franklinmarsh on Jul 31, 2015 20:39:01 GMT
You're more than welcome Craig. I'm really enjoying a reacquaintance with the Black Books, and Leibnitz's Last Puzzle,The Couch and the ending/title of Spanish Suite were absolutely cracking.
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Post by Craig Herbertson on Aug 1, 2015 15:21:13 GMT
You're more than welcome Craig. I'm really enjoying a reacquaintance with the Black Books, and Leibnitz's Last Puzzle,The Couch and the ending/title of Spanish Suite were absolutely cracking. Cheers Franklin. I've been critcised for tagging the ending on to Spanish Suite but it was the basic premise of the whole thing.
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