The Hunter From the Woods by Robert McCammon

Having read Robert McCammon’s outstanding WWII/adventure/thriller/werewolf/spy novel The Wolf's Hour earlier this month I knew I had to find and read the “sequel” as soon as possible.  The character of Michael Gallatin and his story was just so rich with possibilities that I was thrilled to discover there was another book.  And, still, to this day, I have yet to read a disappointing book by Robert McCammon.

This book is not another novel, however. It is a collection of 6 stories, all very much connected to one another (as well as with the original novel) but each depicting a different episode in Michael’s intriguing life.  Essentially all six stories fill in his background, mostly taking place during the war itself and just prior to the current events of the first novel. The second story here, ‘The Man From London’ is fairly short but serves to illustrate how Michael is recruited by the British Secret Service for his unique talents. Three of the stories are fairly long, novellas really, and were easily my favorites due to the depth that the longer form allows the author to take the plot and the character. In addition, the answer to a burning, unanswered question from the original novel is answered in the last story of this book.

A definite must-read for McCammon fans. 

The Wolf's Hour by Robert R. McCammon

Robert McCammon has always provided me with great entertainment and this time around was no exception.  This is primarily a World War II spy novel wherein Michael Gallatin is on a mission to support the allied D-Day invasion by preventing a Nazi gas warfare scheme.  It’s a clever plot filled with adrenaline-charged action at every turn.  On its own, it would be a very nice thriller but the fact that Michael is also a werewolf makes this one a keeper.

In the hands of a lesser author I would be concerned that combining a werewolf story with a WWII spy novel would come across as hokey at best.  But in McCammon’s hands, it reads superbly.  Michael’s werewolf origin story is told through a series of lengthy flashback sections that not only stand on their own but provide some excellent emotional scenes that tie in well to the events of the spy story. It all works well together and despite its length (over 600 paperback small print pages in my copy) I polished it off quickly, fully absorbed every step of the way.

This is a stand-alone novel but thankfully, McCammon provided some additional material for us in the form of inter-linked short stories collected in a volume entitled, The Hunter from the Woods.  I made room on my shelves for that one as well just as soon as I closed the cover on this book. 

Swan Song by Robert McCammon

I've been wanting to get to this one ever since I "discovered" Robert McCammon's more recent historical fiction novels, starting with "Speaks the Nightbird". I knew from that novel and its sequels that he was an outstanding writer in general and had a gift for subtle horror.  I also knew his past career included some highly regarded full-on horror novels and after sampling "Mystery Walk" I realized this would be an author that would make my "completest" list (i.e. I have a burning hunger to read everything they've ever written, including their grocery shopping lists).

So this novel is a post-apocalyptic novel, huge in scope (and page count ~ 950 pages).  Nuclear war wipes out most of the world's population and survivors are forced to, well...try and survive.  Inevitably, this novel is compared to Stephen King's "The Stand" and fans will argue over which is better.  I choose not to argue with myself over that issue; nothing wrong with putting both up on that highest of pedestals.  But one can also make comparisons to just about any other post-apocalyptic novel or even such classic works as "Lord of the Flies".  

The novel is filled with unique characters, many of them playing tiny supporting roles that turn out to be vital to the overall tapestry.  The handful of major characters are each fascinating figures and whether or not they are fulfilling a "good" or "evil" role, the reader can still empathize with them. Many times we're not sure exactly who is a "good" character and who isn't, while at other times, it's crystal clear.  In fact, trying to determine where individual characters lie on the Jedi/Sith index is half the fun.

The novel covers the gamut of emotions.  At times the violence is raw, brutal, and horrific while at other times we're treated to the amazing beauty of characters' souls. At still other times, there are elements of the supernatural that enter the plot, elements of spiritual powers and faith against the force of evil.  The plot weaves brilliantly among different points of view, and, despite its length, I never felt it was too long or that the story dragged.  The ending is incredibly satisfying and after reading that last page, I felt like I had been holding my breath for the last hour and could finally release.  It's that kind of reading experience.

If you enjoy post-apocalyptic novels or end-of-the-world novels, then this is a must-read.  If you enjoy McCammon's writing in general, then this is a must read as it is considered one of his best.  For me, it's one more notch in my McCammon belt and I am so so happy that there are still many left to read.

Stinger by Robert R. McCammon

An alien spaceship crashes near a small Texas border town, its occupant a bounty hunter on the trail of another alien of a different species who has recently escaped from a prison planet.  That certainly sounds more like science fiction than horror but the way Robert McCammon unfolds this plot is pure horror.  Trust me.  The nature of the bounty-hunter alien (nicknamed “Stinger”) is a scorpion-like, mucus producing, monster with the ability to rapidly replicate allies using spare machine parts and captured human bodies.  In effect it can build its own army in its effort to capture its quarry.  Awesome!

Most of the novel is devoted to developing the many characters of the small town of Inferno.  It’s a town that is on its last legs due to the local copper mine being played out so all of the citizens are being forced to close up shop, finish their last few days of the school year, and prepare to move elsewhere.   There is a wide variety of characters in this town, from all walks of life.  The town also suffers from a racial divide due to its proximity to Mexico and a perception that illegals are taking local jobs.  But a common enemy can bring even the most viral enemies to work together and begin to understand one another a little better.  My only quibble with this novel is that there may have been too many characters.  That served to lengthen the novel a bit and slow down the build-up to the action sequences.

A UFO/alien/horror story can be pretty standard fare but in the hands of this author, it truly shines.  I first discovered Robert McCammon through his historical mystery novel, "Speaks the Nightbird", a novel that was so impressive that it made my all-time favorite list.  Subsequent novels in that series did not disappoint.  But I also knew his roots lay in the horror genre so I sampled his masterpiece, "Swan Song" and was, once again blown away by the quality of his writing.  So now he is on my list of must-read-everything-he-has-ever-written-including-his-grocery-list authors.

Usher's Passing by Robert R. McCammon

For my Halloween read this year, I chose an author that I can always count on for a great read (not just a great horror read but a great read in general).  This one certainly fulfilled my hopes and expectations.

For those that remember the plot of Edgar Allan Poe’s "The Fall of the House of Usher" (and if it’s been a while, I suggest you review a plot synopsis at the very least), Roderick Usher suffers from a condition that is part hypochondria and part acute anxiety that is triggered by sensory overload.  He also believes the house he lives in to be alive, and that this sentience arises from the arrangement of the masonry and vegetation surrounding it.

These themes play out in all their intriguing and horrific glory in this “sequel” novel.  Rix Usher is a descendant of the Usher clan and he has reluctantly returned to Usherland, a huge compound worthy of the family behind the enormously rich and powerful Usher Armaments Company. Along with his brother and sister, they await the imminent passing of the current patriarch, Walen Usher. While the brother and sister vie for selection as the heir to the company leadership, Rix, a former best-selling horror author is struggling to recapture that magic and wants to turn his focus toward writing a family history. 

I really enjoyed how the author shows us how Rix uncovers the history of his family.  While Rix researches old letters, journals, newspaper clippings etc. from the secretive family archives, we get to live those scenes and learn of all five prior generations, all the way back to Roderick.  While lots of juicy details and intrigue are uncovered, it all becomes a complex puzzle as we continue to learn about more pieces throughout the book.  Along with all of that is an assortment of supporting characters, many of which are…a little odd.  

The horror aspects through the first 3/4ths of the book are pretty much confined to odd happenings such as some disappearing children, rumors of “The Pumpkin Man” and his giant black panther pet in the woods, references to the King of the Mountain, etc.  Also, we get to witness the real-life horror that can happen when greedy siblings compete for untold wealth. McCammon masterfully builds the suspense and the horror until it explodes in truly scary fashion.  The horror combines aspects of traditional haunted house scariness, witchcraft-style magic and bestial attacks. He weaves in the historical themes from Poe’s original story along with the historical puzzle pieces we’ve learned through Rix’s research. It is, indeed, a complex structure but McCammon pulls it off, just as I had hoped.

A great choice for reading late at night and into the wee hours of an October morning.  But I recommend leaving the lights on.