I've said it before, and I will say it again (right now, in fact) but it has never been a better time to be a fan of horror literature. You know, the books that so many of you out there say you don't like reading anymore? Yes, if you every did want to jump into the world of wondrous imagination and endless scares, via reading, now is the time. There are so many up and coming new authors in this field it is almost overwhelming, and it's wonderful.
One of the more popular figures in this scene is Duncan Ralston. A man who made a big splash a while back with his novella WOOM, which many people find profoundly disturbing (and I have not read).. He also wrote the entire Ghostland series, which is now a game. Well, just last year, he came out with his novel Puzzle House and let me tell you, it's terrific.
Step Into the Puzzle House
The premise is delightfully simple on the surface. Six seemingly random people have been invited to the mansion of world renowned puzzle master Alexei Vasiliev. The man has evidently died and this is the reading of his will. The guests include his ex-wife Joy, whom he often tormented with his escape room shenanigans and who is now a famous movie actress. Then there's the man convicted of murder, his guard, a senator, a professor and a doctor suffering with cancer. There are some conditions. The house itself has been turned into a giant puzzle, with six rooms that will require them to work together and solve each one to make it to the next. Whomever gets to the end, gets all the money.
Of course, the first puzzle for most of them seems sort of fun and don't all that concerning. However, it quickly becomes obvious that the puzzles and rooms are deadly. In fact, each room seems tailored to one of the guests. Finally, it seems like this game was made so no one will actually survive and that each puzzle, each dangers, each death, is geared towards something far more sinister than a house turned into a death trap.
Great Characters and a Fast-Paced Story
Ralston does this terrific job of introducing us to enough characters at the start for us to hang out hats on. Then, he doesn't rest on his laurels, he brings us to the house and draws in more characters. Somehow, he manages to keep the story moving forward, and a pretty blistering pace, while introducing more and more of the back stories of all the people we are trapped in the house with.
This works so well, because it keeps you turning the pages. What are they going to run into next? We ask ourselves that at the end of each chapter, and it serves as a pretty compelling reason to keep reading, turning the pages. There are books that are hard to put down, and this is right up there with the best of those. Ralston manages to leave each chapter wish just enough of a cliffhanger that you can't wait to get back to the book and read more of it.
I have heard that Ralston's novel WOOM is profoundly gross and disturbing. With Puzzle House he manages to scare, show a bit of gore, but not overwhelm the reader. I am not a fan of extreme horror or splatterpunk, so I was glad to see that. Instead, we have a compelling tale, a terrifying conclusion, just enough blood to keep things cringey, and characters we grow to care about. Oh, and you'll never be sure which of those characters will make it through to the next room and get pissed when something bad happens to one of them.
Get On Board the Duncan Ralston Train
I have had the honor of meeting Duncan Ralston and he is a fellow Wicked House Publishing author. He's funny, but also humble and just a great guy. He's the guy we all sort of poke fun at, but he takes it and gives it right back and if you've seen his Grumpy Cat-style photos taken from all over the world you know what you're dealing with. Like most authors of horror, he tells very dark, very disturbing tales, but has a healthy sense of humor and doesn't take himself too seriously.
If you've heard of him and wondered if WOOM was the place the start or maybe you want to start out with something else - I am going to say start with Puzzle House. It will give you a great idea of his writing style and enjoy a hell of a ride. This book is tremendous fun and then ends in a devastating conclusion. You will turn the pages faster and faster as the tension builds and the story reveals itself.
Check out Puzzle House today. You will not be disappointed. As for me, I am kinda itching to experience the entire Ghostland experience.
As for me, you can find all of my tales of horror in all formats at my Amazon store. Plus, my new novel, Newcomers, is ready for Kindle pre-order right now!
コメント