Night Shoot, by David Sodergren

Paperbacks and Pugs, 2019

ISBN: 9781718170278

Available: paperback, Kindle  ( Amazon.com )

For readers who want excitement, action, blood and organs splashed around the pages (where appropriate, of course), and some occasional humor to keep the story from total darkness, Sodergren is a must read: both this book, and his outstanding debut, 2018’s The Forgotten Island.

The story centers around a group of mediocre film students who gather in an old, Gothic-style mansion on the cliffs of Scotland to make a horror film.  The mansion belongs to the director’s uncle, who always leaves and locks it at 8PM, not returning till morning. Filming is a disaster, so the foolish students, forced to leave at the 8PM deadline, break back in to attempt to complete the filming in a lengthy overnight shoot.  

Of course, there is a reason they were not supposed to be in the house, and they soon find out why, in a suitably bloody fashion.  

Although the basic plot (last person standing) is common enough, it still works when the author knows how to write in an exciting, fast-paced fashion, and that’s something Sodergren does extremely well.  His writing style is what’s been referred to as “tight but loose”, with well-written prose, and doesn’t take itself too seriously.  There is always room for pop culture asides and dark humor in the writing, but it doesn’t detract from the story, or turn it into a comedy.  Think early Stephen King, and you get the idea.  In this case, the humor is in how the author portrays the film crew.  They regard themselves as true artists, but he portrays them as buffoons.  Considering that a lot of people do regard Hollywood and actors in general as foolish,  that’s a narrative a lot of people will relate to and enjoy.  The dialogue works perfectly: just what is needed for the story, with no wasted time on lengthy pontifications.  

Of course, this IS a horror novel, and it throws in plenty of creative, gore-drenched events, but it never goes over the top.  The blood and guts is just part of the story, not the overall focus of the story. This isn’t quite hardcore splat, although it’s getting into the neighborhood.  One selling point of his books is the endings: very satisfying, but NOT what you expect.  Final note: bonus points to the author for using Coldplay as the butt of one of the jokes in the book.  No band deserves it more.  Recommended. (the book, not Coldplay!)

• Reviewed by Murray Samuelson