Scratch

Here you will find older scratches, musings and other detritus that once were located on the front pages, but have now faded.

Filed away here to collect dust and cobwwwebs in perpetuity, links may break, facts may change and data may corrupt.

On occasion I may come down here to tidy, but for the most, I prefer to leave the past where it lies.

Others

James Herbert

Nicholas Dismas is a Private Investigator like no other. He carries a secret about himself to which not even he has the answer. He is hired to find a baby taken at birth and his investigation leads him to a mysterious place called 'Perfect Rest.' It is supposed to be a home for the elderly, but there is a lot more to this place than meets the eye. Here Dismas will discover the dark secret of the Others. And in an astonishing and spectacular finale he will resolve the enigma of his own existence. As chilling, as memorable and as timely as only James Herbert can be, Others will join the classics for which he is remembered with fear.

A damned soul is offered a chance at redemption, and before you can say 'what conditions' a deformed PI is hitting the streets of Brighton, investigating the case of a missing baby who died at birth. Facing predjudice, exploitation and dealing with inner demons, metaphorical and literal, his investigation takes him to the Perfect Rest Retirement home where his investigation take a turn for the worse.

Whilst there are touches of the supernatural throughout, this remains almost as a backdrop leaving the subject matter firmly grounded in reality. The fact that the themes and issues do not stray too far from the feasible only emphasises the brutality and evilness that man is capable of. This is further highlighted by the juxtaposition of Dismas and Constance's relationship, from their initial meeting through to the final page. It written with a warmth and care that shows the potential of each and every one of us.

A very good read, so much so that it was the first book in years to have given me nightmares.

26 Apr 2005 8:13 | (0) comments | Books