Book Review: The Small Hand by Susan Hill!

This is how it's
done, people!

Back to ghost stories and few do it better than the English. I bought this book once in Lisbon's FNAC store and it has been sitting on my book shelf for some time already. After I finished a popular science book that was frankly disappointing, I treated myself to this one.

I was sorry I came to the end.

'The Small Hand' by celebrated author Susan Hill opens on the night when antiques dealer Adam Snow gets lost in the English countryside and finds a large, decrepit house. Staring at it and walking around it's garden he feels the strange sensation of a small hand slipping in his. Afterwards he is plagued by overwhelming urges to throw himself in harm's way, something his brother also experienced during his mental breakdown. He therefore turns to his brother for help and finds out the horrible truth about the house and it's dramatic past.

What is there to say? The author has been lauded and praised already! All I can say is that this is a must read for anyone serious about writing. On the strength of a simple sensation the author weaves a story of great suspense. She doesn't linger in flowery descriptions, but simply (and very elegantly) tells the story. The style evokes the atmosphere of 19th century British literature, but the events are very modern. It's a testament that brooding, atmospheric ghost stories can still happen today.

All I can say is: this is how it's done, people!

Author website

Arterial Red by Brian B. Baker

Bloody retribution!

Boy, are you in for a treat!

From the flashing lights of ol' Las Vegas, comes today's dark and bloody story of retribution, punishment and death. Author (and bartender) Brain B. Baker kindly permitted me to publish this on Floating Robes for everyone to enjoy.

After weeks of watching the house, the vampire Vincent finally decides to enter. He knows three people live in the house, but the eight-year old boy is the only one he cares about. He can hear him, hear him praying. And he can smell him, smell the dried blood on his skin from where his father hit him... If Vincent can find the father, he will dine tonight...

Told with a truly poetic swing, Brain B. Baker weaves an electrifying story of the worst in human nature and diabolical justice. The choice the young boy faces is equally chilling and understood. Vincent the Vampire is a wonderful devilish protagonist from whom, personally, I'd like to read more.

Keep an eye out for Mr. Baker!

Brian Baker's website

Open publication - Free publishing

Book Review: The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafon!

Perfect example of
story-telling!

This one was given to me by my wife on a trip to her family in Portugal. I kept it in my bookcase for a special occasion and our vacation this summer seemed to be just the thing. I read it in one week cover to cover. 

It's that good.

The story starts when the family of Max Carver moves from the city to a small village on the Mediteranean coast. The old and creaky house which they move into is scary enough and the small collection of home movies they find adds to the mystery, along with a garden full of tall, stone figures. Together with his new-found friend and his sister he slowly uncovers the drama that befell the former owners of the house. 

'The Prince of Mist' was originally published as a 'young adult'-book. It's written in short, terse sentences which makes it run like clockwork and there's not a word too many. The characters of the Max, his sister and his friend are very well rounded. Max's father is great as an eccentric watchmaker and dreamer. The story itself is a perfect whole with no loose ends to frustrate over. 

This is a perfect example of excellent story-telling.

I had never heard of the writer or the book, but a quick look at Wikipedia told me this book has been around since 1993 and has won several prizes and awards. All I can say is, it has earned everyone of them.

The only mystery here is why nobody has turned this into a movie... yet...

Author Website

Free Story: Tourist Trap by Robin Lythgoe

Girls wanting to walk up to the ancient
ruin, are not to be trusted!

In response to my little 'call to arms' to writers came this little gem by Robin Lythgoe. Writing in a flowing, warm prose she tells the story of a young man who falls in love with a beautiful girl. When one night she asks him to come up to the ancient ruin and meet the rest of her family, he finds out she's not all she seems to be.

Robin Lythgoe has been making up stories even before she could write! She dictated her first story to her older sister. As a child she's read every book she could get her hands on. Today she writes fantasy, dark fantasy and even dabbles in horror as this story testifies. Her novelette 'In the Mirror' is now available through Smashwords and Nook.

Please enjoy!

Marcel

Robin Lythgoe's Blog

Open publication - Free publishing

Your story here? Please e-mail me at floatingrobes@gmail.com!

WTF Movie of the Week: Resolution!

Ahem, a moment of silence, please...

...

Small budget, hand-held
camera, true indie!

Every now and again we come across a movie trailer or a book cover that looks so promising that we can't keep thinking about it. Our every nerve and synapse is aching to know what this is all about and how this movie is going to end. Where is the writer going with this enormously cool idea?!

Such is the case with Resolution by Justin Benson & Aaron Moorehead. It's the story about Michael who chains up his best buddy Chris in a deserted mountain cabin in an attempt to rid him of his drug addiction. Pretty soon, though, a mysterious stranger starts stalking the cabin in search of a 'story'. They two have no idea what this man is on about. But after a couple of days they start receiving small packages with photographs and film footage and the truth becomes painfully clear.

Hand-held camera and hardly any budget can make for some pretty lousy watching. But seeing the trailer, I have to agree that I'm very anxious to see how this turns out! Let me know if you agree.

Resolution Facebook Page

Marcel