While Herbert is known primarily for his horror and fantasy novels, he has also ventured into other genres. Some of his books have elements of mystery, romance, and even thriller. So, whether you're a fan of these genres or general fiction, you're likely to find a James Herbert book that suits your taste. Cabell, Craig (2003). James Herbert: Devil in the Dark. United Kingdom: John Blake Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84358-059-1. Williamson, J.N., ed. (1988). The Best of Masques. New York City: Berkley Books. ISBN 978-0-425-10693-8. Jones, Stephen, ed. (1992). James Herbert: By Horror Haunted. London: Hodder & Stoughton. ISBN 978-0-450-53810-0.

I don’t think this book was James Herbert’s best, but it also wasn’t exactly terrible. It’s just that when he has a big hit, his books are next level and better than anything that most other authors can come up with. When he doesn’t connect, they’re just pretty average. But I kind of like that, because it makes his skill level seem more attainable and doesn’t leave me feeling as though I’ll never be anywhere near the writer that he is. Herbert's own interjections as the storyteller are a slightly irritating mis-step but the story is decent enough. Some of the creature descriptions veer too far into silliness, undermining any threat or fear they might hold.Some readers may also enjoy the various conspiracy theories that Herbert weaves into the mythology of Comraich Castle, although some – specifically a riff on the murder of David Kelly – are in fairly bad taste. True events are fair game for fiction, but only if the author has something to contribute to our understanding of the event in question. Here the true-life cameos are window-dressing at best, and cheap revenge fantasies at worst. Breakfast", about a woman who continues with her chores after Armageddon, was originally a chapter of Domain that was excised from some editions of the novel. In: Masterton 1989 and Jones 1992. Herbert's final novel has an eerie political edge. Ash imagines Princess Diana and her secret son as well as Lord Lucan, Colonel Gaddafi and Robert Maxwell living together in a Scottish castle. [15] The story is not too gory but it is gross in places and very far-fetched. The story is dark and twisted but delivered in a humorous tongue-in-cheek style.

Sometimes the very thing that grabs a reader's attention (in terms of an author's style), is the same thing that can get a little annoying after a while - similar scenarios, use of language etc. And when that happens, sometimes it's best to just leave that particular writer alone for a while and spread your readery wings further afield. This is a shame, because when Herbert finally gets to the meat of the story there’s some genuine entertainment to be had. A mid-novel set-piece involving, variously, killer flies, a Serbian war criminal, a crashed lift and dungeon full of lunatics, is fantastic pulpy fun. As is the apocalyptic climax, in which at least one of Herbert’s myriad sub-plots finally pays off in spectacular fashion. It is safe to say that Herbert hasn’t lost his deft touch with a set-piece, but the nature of the story doesn’t allow him many opportunities to really cut loose the way he used to. The book seems to get going but then it doesn’t and there are too many lose ends which were slightly frustrating. There are very clever elements to this book and I think whilst Herbert fans will love it, it will also appeal to readers who may have never read his works before but just enjoy a good scary book. There is no denying there are themes and characters in the book that have been explored before, but Herbert has twisted new angles for every one and ventures down new avenues, some extremely surprising, to keep the book fresh. Herbert released a new novel virtually every year from 1974 to 1988, wrote six novels during the 1990s and released three new works in the 2000s. "I am very insecure about being a writer", he stated in the book Faces of Fear. "I don't understand why I am so successful. And the longer I stay that way, the better it's going to be, because that's what keeps me on the edge, striving if you like."Herbert's lastet horror novel is a turgid affair. It concerns Jonathan Childes, a schoolteacher with a psychic talent, who can occasionally see through the eyes of a certain lunatic during the Continue reading » Nobody True continues the theme of life after death, being narrated by a ghost whose investigation of his own death results in the destruction of his illusions about his life. Herbert described Creed as his Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein. The character Joe Creed is a cynical, sleazy paparazzo who is drawn into a plot involving fed-up and underappreciated monsters.

Spark, Alasdair (1993). "Horrible Writing: the Early Fiction of James Herbert". In Bloom, Clive (ed.). Creepers: British Horror & Fantasy in the Twentieth Century. London: Pluto Press. pp.147–160. ISBN 9780745306650. We have a paparazzo named Creed that is generally disliked. He is greedy, selfish and obnoxious. Thing is, you are rooting for him anyway. Mr. Herbert created a deeply flawed, but likable protagonist. Must Read Horror Articles 30 October 2023 Welcome to Must Read Horror, where we search the internet… I’ve just finished reading Ash and I have to agree with this review. I was left feeling disappointed. Halloween's Child" was an original story first published in the Daily Mail. In Etchison 1991a& 1991b and Jones 1992.Etchison, Dennis, ed. (1991b). The Complete Masters of Darkness. United States: Underwood-Miller. ISBN 978-0-88733-116-9.