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Book Review: The Secret of Goldenrod by Jane O’Reilly

The Secret of Goldenrod by Jane O’Reilly

Carolrhoda Books, October 2016

ISBN-13: 978-1512401356

Available: Preorder (hardback, Kindle edition)

Goldenrod is an isolated mansion from the turn of the century, abandoned for many years. 11 year old Trina is temporarily living in the house as her father, an itinerant master carpenter, restores it so that it can be sold. Goldenrod’s original owner was also the founder of New Royal, the tiny town nearby. The residents are certain that Goldenrod is haunted, and has cursed them with bad luck, and Trina is nearly convinced, herself, by the strange sounds and slamming doors.

When Trina discovers a hidden playroom, with a talking doll, she becomes curious about Annie, the little girl who lived, and died, in the house, when it was occupied. Trina decides to explore the mystery of the family that lived in the house, and ends up discovering that there is much more to Goldenrod, and New Royal, than meets the eye.

The Secret of Goldenrod is atmospheric and character-driven. O’Reilly does her best to portray the residents of New Royal as discrete individuals, and for the most part, she succeeds. Despite the talking doll, Trina is not a stereotypical girly girl– she helps her father with the restoration, takes initiative in challenging situations, and is both independent and creative. The story’s slow pace may frustrate readers who are looking for rapid action. While it takes place over a relatively short period of time (surprisingly short, since the story takes place over a period of no more than two months, and the house is almost completely restored by the end) the book is long, and the story feels very drawn out, with one small event following another, and many conversations with the doll, although the pace picks up significantly near the end. While it didn’t bother me, there are an astonishing number of coincidences, as well– items and people found at just the right time to nudge Trina closer to the answers she’s seeking.

The house is certainly a character, although it’s not clear whether it actually is haunted, and a talking doll definitely provides a touch of the supernatural, but this is not really a scary book. While there are some scary moments, it is not O’Reilly’s intent to evoke fear. Rather, she explores what it means to reunite a family and community, and to really find a home. O’Reilly writes beautifully, and it is a pleasure to read the story of Trina, her father, and Goldenrod, as they find a comfortable place in the community, but the kid looking for a fast-paced, thrilling adventure will need to look elsewhere. Recommended for general children’s collections for grades 4-8.

 

Posted on September 9, 2016 by , Reply

Book Review: Sherlock Holmes and the Servants of Hell by Paul Kane

Sherlock Holmes and the Servants of Hell by Paul Kane

Rebellion/Solaris, 2016

ISBN: 9781781084557

Available: Paperback, Kindle edition

 

Sherlock Holmes and Cenobites sound like a combination that would be truly awful together, but I have to say, Sherlock Holmes and the Servants of Hell blew my assumptions out of the water. With an introduction by Barbie Wilde, I was put at ease.

The book opens with a man solving the Lament Configuration. That man is Sherlock Holmes.

It’s 1895. Moriarty is declared dead, and Holmes miraculously survives the tumble off the cliff in his final adventure. Holmes and Watson are engaged by Laurence and Juliet Cotton, newlyweds with a strained relationship, to investigate the disappearance of Laurence’s brother, Francis. Their investigation leads them to look into a series of unusual missing persons’ cases, in which the missing parties vanish in impossible ways. One man disappears from a locked room, the only traces left behind being the faint scent of vanilla.

This is just the beginning of an investigation that will draw the pair into contact with an organization whispered about and known only as ‘The Order of the Gash.’ Clues lead the sleuth and the doctor to an underground club that services the most depraved of the upper crust of society, a sinister asylum in France, and the underworld of London. They encounter shady operators, meet old acquaintances in the strangest of circumstances, enter a world of depravity and pain, and make dangerous associates—the Cenobites, from hell.

Kane, previously editor of the tribute anthology Hellbound Hearts, clearly has a familiarity with and love of the Hellraiser universe. In this book, in addition to new Cenobites, Kane includes storylines and characters from Barker’s novella The Hellbound Heart, as well as the Hellraiser films.  I was pleasantly surprised to also find an authentic Holmes feel and pacing that shows a familiarity with the characters and style of Holmes’ stories. Kane was able to keep with the atmosphere and period sensibilities of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s style while still creating the feel of Clive Barker’s world of Cenobites–  and he makes it work. Recommended. Reader’s advisory note: Fans of both Sherlock Holmes and Hellraiser should enjoy this. Other horror/Holmes crossover titles include Sherlock Holmes: The London Terrors and others by William Meikle, and Gaslight Arcanum, edited by Kim Newman and Kevin Cockle.

Contains: mentions of body horror, allusions to sexual activity and gore

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker


Posted on August 31, 2016 by , Reply

Book Review: The Final Transmission by Brian F.H. Clement

The Final Transmission by Brian F.H. Clement
Damnation Books, 2013
ISBN: 978-1629291109
Available: paperback, ebook

The Final Transmission is what I call a kitchen sink book. The story follows occult detective Benoit Michaud as he investigates the deaths of a group of cultists and their victim, and the consequences of those deaths. The first-time author has thrown all his ideas and flights of fancy into this brief novel. As a result it is cluttered, creating a surreal blur of frantic scenes. In this case, that works to his advantage, to heighten the sense of urgency and set a relentless pace that will keep the reader glued to the narrative.

Equal parts horror, science fiction, and detective novel, the story defies easy classification, and that is part of its charm. With a rich, diverse cast, anchored by Detective Michaud, Clement does an excellent job of creating unique voices and near-cinematic exposition that lends to the overall atmosphere of fear and dread.

While there are missteps, this is a fine first novel and one I would suggest without reservation, especially if occult detectives are your cup of tea. Recommended.

Contains: occultism, adult situations, violence

Reviewed by Bob Freeman

 

Posted on May 4, 2015 by , Reply
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