Tick Tock by Dean Koontz

Tommy Phan has carved out a nice career as a detective novelist, so much so that he has just quit his reporter day job. His family immigrated to the US from Vietnam when Tommy was a young child, and he is all about pursuing the American Dream. But when a mysterious package arrives on his doorstop containing a strange little cloth doll, he wonders who sent it. Wonder turns to fear and terror when the doll comes to life, attacks him, and continually morphs into a larger and more gruesome demon. Worse, all Tommy’s attacks and attempts to stop it, kill it or even just harm it, fail. His only clue in all this is a phrase that has mysteriously appeared on his computer: “Deadline is dawn”. 

Tick Tock.

Every time I start to read a Dean Koontz book, I hesitate, knowing I am taking a risk. While some of my best reading experiences in the horror genre are due to his work, I’ve also suffered a great deal of wasted opportunities. Over the first 100 pages of this novel, I was preparing, unfortunately, to log this one in the later category. It’s a simple set-up for a horror tale but Koontz can drag out a scene with the best of them and this was getting old real fast.

But then, the whole thing gets turned on its head. It turns into a screw-ball comedy. You heard that right. Perhaps the setup I’ve described lends one to conclude that’s what has been planned all along. Regardless, the character of Del (short for Deliverance Payne) enters the plot and all is cool thereafter. She provides the zaniness, the pizazz, the aggravating nonchalance that is required for a screwball horror comedy to work. She’s a waitress who is also an heiress to a fortune. Tommy is the bumbling, unbeliever who must tolerate Del’s wild philosophies and uncanny abilities to do everything from hotwire a car to pilot a helicopter. This isn’t a laugh-out-loud funny book but her antics (and her mother’s) certainly brought a smile to my face, and eventually to Tommy’s as well.

In the end, I’m glad I stuck with this one. It’s not Koontz’ masterpiece but it turned out to be a pretty nice fun read.

Reincarnal & Other Dark Tales by Max Allen Collins

I’ve read a fair number of Max Allan Collin’s crime and/or mystery novels and always enjoyed them but this is the first time I realized he wrote some horror as well, so naturally, I had to jump on this collection. Included here are 8 stories plus two radio play scripts. I enjoyed every one of them, an unusual thing for an anthology of any stripe. 

Several of these are MAC’s take on traditional horror stories. There’s a couple of vampire tales, a Frankenstein’s monster type of story, a werewolf story and at least two haunted house yarns. But the author brings a unique perspective to each of the stories, dropping clues along the way as to which traditional story you’re reading. For example, the Frankenstein story isn’t a mad scientist creating a creature from dead body parts, exactly, but rather about a mob kingpin. There are other tales here as well, not tied into any previous works. Some tend towards hard core horror while others have a definite sense of humor about them. Most of them offer explicit sexual content so be aware of that before diving in.

All these stories were previously published as contributions to previous anthologies, mostly in the 1990s. All are pretty quick reads and thoroughly enjoyable.  Here are the stories included:

- “Reincarnal” - 1994
- “The Night of Their Lives” – 1995
- “A Good Head on his Shoulders” – 1993
- “Wolf” – 1999
- “Not a Creature Was Stirring” – 1990, revised in 2020
- “Open House” – 2011
- “Traces of Red” – 1995
- “Rock ‘n’ Roll Will Never Die” – 1994
- “Interstate 666” – 1997
- “House of Blood” Radio Play – 2012
- “Mercy” Radio Play - 2012

I, The Jury by Mickey Spillane

“I want you to hear every word I say. I want you to tell it to everyone you know. And when you tell it, tell it strong, because I mean every word of it. There are ten thousand mugs that hate me and you know it. They hate me because if they mess with me I shoot their damn heads off. I’ve done it and I’ll do it again.”

Mike Hammer, hard-hitting, tough-talking private eye has been around the block a few times and has earned a certain reputation.  A reputation for taking care of business using lethal force if needed.  When his best friend is found dead, the same best friend who had literally given an arm for him during the war, Hammer is out for blood, and a promise to kill the bastard that did it.

About time I started the Mike Hammer series by Mickey Spillane.  I’ve sort of been avoiding it because I have an awful lot of series going right now and, as usual, I was worried I would start this one and get drawn into a bunch more must-reads. But I am also reading a collection of short stories right now and the next one happens to be one of the Mickey Spillane/Max Alan Collins stories that is continuing the Mike Hammer series.  And I wanted to be sure I had read the first Hammer book in case it was in any way an origin story.

It wasn’t.  Not really.  Mike Hammer is introduced in mid-career with many a case behind him already.  I understand there is a chronology to the books and short stories but I’m not sure at this point if any of them really need to be read in order. Nevertheless, I’m glad to have finally gotten to this classic of the hard-boiled genre.  Besides Hammer, himself, we also get to meet the ongoing characters of his secretary Velda and his friend Pat Chambers, Captain of Homicide NYPD.  The story itself was nicely absorbing, filled with the expected violent action and dangerous dames.  I figured out the culprit fairly early on but not necessarily the how and the why.

So, here I  am, with a newly stoked need to read another 20-plus novels.  Bummer.

The Singing Sword (The Camulod Chronicles) by Jack Whyte

The second book in the “Camulod Chronicles” picks up shortly after the events of the first book, The Skystone.  It continues the tale of Caius Britannicus and Publius Varrus (both great grandfathers of the future King Arthur of Briton) as they continue to build the colony of Camulod during the turn of the 5th century AD, when Rome was pulling out of Briton and leaving the Brits, the Celts, and other assorted peoples to deal with various invading groups such as the Saxons and the Northmen.

I love the way this series is a truly accurate historical novel series, at this point at least, that also just happens to be related to the Arthurian legends.  As the colony of Camulod gets established, we get to see major historical events and influences unfold.  For example, due to the need for mobility in responding to threats, the art of warfare using horses is advanced.  Rome was never known for its cavalry but now there is a need for well-trained warriors on horses.  A breeding program is introduced to increase the size of the horses, the stirrup is introduced, and the swords are lengthened to allow use from horseback.  All of these developments are actual historical occurrences.  We also get to witness the first rough efforts to convert a Senate-like council meeting where elitism prevails to a newer style of local government in the form of a round circle of chairs where all have an equal voice.  I think we all know where this will lead to in an Arthurian sense.

But more importantly, this is a well-told tale.  Just as in the first novel, this is a first person account by Publius Varrus, a former legionnaire, partly crippled through a battle injury, and now a master blacksmith.  One might correctly guess from the title that he is the eventual crafter of Excalibur.  His first person point of view lends a great perspective on bringing these great events down to the individual level and allowing the everyday life of families, lovers, builders, etc. to be as personal and emotional for the reader as it is for him.  Great and satisfying personal achievements are matched by great loss and even tragedy.  It is rare when a fictional novel brings a tear to my eye but this one managed to do it.

All of these great historical shifts in thinking and technique take many years.  The first two novels cover most of Caius and Publius’s long lives but it is inevitable that we move on.  I’m excited for the third book in the series The Eagles' Brood where I understand that Publius’s grandson takes over the first person account.  His name is Caius Merlyn Britannicus, first cousin of Uther Pendragon. 

The Avenger #1 - Justice, Inc. by Kenneth Robeson (Paul Ernst)

This first novel in the Avenger series tells the origin story of Richard Benson, a man who, prior to the events of this book, had earned his fortune by being a professional adventurer; i.e. discovering rubber in South America, leading native armies in Java, making aerial maps in the Congo, mining amethysts in Australia and emeralds in Brazil, etc.  But at the beginning of this novel, just when Benson is planning on settling down, his ideal life is brutally shaken when his wife and young daughter are killed, inexplicably disappearing from an airplane on which he himself is also a passenger.

The sheer shock and stress of that experience lands Benson in a hospital and changes him forever.  His face becomes paralyzed while both his skin and hair have turned white, his facial flesh becoming malleable, like clay.  His quest to chase down the crime ring behind his tragic loss forms the basis for this novel.  During the story he also recruits the first two members of what will become “Justice Inc.”: Fergus "Mac" MacMurdie and Algernon Heathcote "Smitty" Smith.  

While these books bear the author house name of “Kenneth Robeson”, this book along with most of the original Avenger stories was written by Paul Ernst.  It was originally published in the September 1939 edition of the pulp magazine “The Avenger”, published by Street & Smith.  Reportedly this series of pulp novels grew out of a wave of magazine cancellations in the late 1930s and recognition that a new hero was needed; a hero that combined the styles and features of previous best sellers Doc Savage and The Shadow.

For me, while I did enjoy the story, it felt a little disjointed.  I’ve read a lot of Doc Savage and did notice many similarities including Benson’s aversion to outright killing the bad guys.  It is also evident that he is building a team of aides and that he enjoys using gadgets in his work.  Of course Benson is a physical hero with incredible strength and intelligence.  The plastic, malleable state of his facial features is pretty bizarre, I must say.  It allows him to reshape his facial features into a likeness of any person, his features remaining in sculpted form "until they are carefully put back into place".  It’s a cool ability I suppose but weird.  Something I would expect in the comics from a bad guy but I suppose the pulps of this era weren’t much different.  I need to remember that those kinds of comics had just gotten started with Superman having just debuted in Action Comics #1, (cover-dated June 1938), so all those weird bad guy characters were still to come.

All in all, I’m glad I finally got around to this series and this character.  He’s been on my list a long time and I somehow managed to acquire the complete set of paperback books from Popular Library so I’ll be reading more.  Looking forward to seeing how he progresses and especially to meet the new members of his team as they are introduced.

Man on the Tightrope by Neil Patterson

In post-World War II Czechoslovakia, a circus owner/operator named Cernik is frustrated by his country’s now-Communist government and is determined to escape to Austria.  After being interrogated by the state security enforcers, Cernik’s plans are forced into a faster-than-planned timeline.  He must contend with spies for the state, competing circuses, a beautiful but perhaps unfaithful wife, and a willful daughter in order to bring the plan to fruition and bring his entire circus across the border.

This book really is a lost treasure. I picked it up along with a batch of extremely cheap pulp-era paperbacks, and based purely on the cover art, I wasn’t expecting all that much. Happily, I was pleasantly surprised.  I also hadn’t realized that it is based on a true story.  It first appeared as the magazine novel, "International Incident" and was based on the actual escape of the Circus Brumbach from East Germany in 1950. The author, Neil Patterson (James Edmund Neil Patterson), was a well-regarded Scottish writer and among his works is the Academy Award for best adapted screenplay (1959’s "Room at the Top").  This book, too, was turned into a movie a year following publication.

It’s a pretty quick read and it kept me engaged throughout.  I would recommend it to others except it might be very difficult to obtain. It reads like an adventure novel of daring escape and after reading it, I am interested to chase down the movie as well.  Although you know how that goes…

Six-Gun Poker by Ron Goulart

Prolific author Ron Goulart has used many pen names over the years, including Kenneth Robeson (12 books in The Avenger series), Con Steffanson (Alex Raymond’s Flash Gordon books), and many others. In addition, he’s done a lot of comic book writing for such series as Vampirella and Phantom. He’s even the ghost author behind William Shatner’s “TekWar” series. But it was as “Zeke Masters” that he compiled a series of 31 western novels featuring the likable card shark and faro banker, “Faro Blake”.

This eleventh book in the series opens with Blake in the small town of Simsville Colorado, breaking in a new case keeper by the name of Jim Higginson to assist him in running his faro games. But when they have an extraordinarily successful night against a gang leader named Joshua, the gang chooses to regain their losses by torturing both Blake and young Higginson for the location of the hidden cash. Higginson gives up the location but does not survive the torture. This launches Blake on a vendetta to regain his earnings and destroy the gang. He is aided by Higginson’s sister as Blake infiltrates the gang by assuming the guise of a notorious bank robber and safe cracker. Of course, things don’t go as planned, especially when the real bank robber shows up, but watching Blake get out of all the precarious predicaments is half the fun.

This book is packed full of western action, adventurous escapades, exciting gun play, and a fair amount of sexual shenanigans, fulfilling its mission as an “adult western.” The prose is lean and the plot moves along at a rapid pace, keeping me turning the pages. At times it feels like the author’s comic book experience shines through here as well. Faro Blake proves to be a welcome protagonist; easy to ride in his boots even if he makes different choices than I would.

Spearhead by Franklin M. Davis, Jr.

March 3rd, 1945 finds Major Van Lawrence newly assigned to command of a tank-infantry team which would spearhead the drive across the Rhine. His primary problem, other than the well-defended terrain ahead, is that he is replacing a popular commander and the unit sees him as a HQ weenie who’s green to actual combat. Chief among his detractors is his second in command, Captain Bradlow, who is jealous that he wasn’t picked for the job. Added to the mix of key characters is the general in charge and an extremely competent first sergeant who practically sleeps with the rule book. And finally, to complicate Major Lawrence’s immediate future just a little more, there is a beautiful lady reporter tagging along because of course there is.

The first half of the novel is devoted to Major Lawrence getting his feet wet in his new position and gaining the trust of his men. He must do this quickly because orders to attack the town across the river and its two German divisions would be in effect in just 24 hours. The attack itself takes up most of the second half of the book and includes some riveting accounts. An interesting ethical dilemma crops up in the form of an historic church which Eisenhower himself has placed on the protected list. Captain Bradlow, however is convinced its spires present a major threat in the form of sniper locations. To attack it or not to attack it becomes a key choice. 

When Franklin M. Davis, Jr. wrote this novel, he was a Lt Colonel in the US Army, having served in Europe in WWII. He was with the 3rd Armored Division in the Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns and would ultimately attain the rank of Major General. His firsthand knowledge of armor tactics and small unit combat leadership is evident in the story. Of course, such experience doesn’t necessarily translate to good story-telling but in this case, Davis does a fine job. The novel is a quick easy read but thoroughly enjoyable. He wrote several other works of fiction as well as some history books; I would certainly read him again if given the chance.

The Nemesis From Terra by Leigh Brackett

Rick Urquhart is attempting to evade “The Company”, a rather ruthless mining conglomerate that wields much power on Mars. Tension has been building between rebellious Martians and humans who work for The Company. Rick encounters a Martian who prophesizes that Rick will ultimately rule the planet. Unfortunately, The Company catches Rick and sends him back to labor in the mines once again.  From there the story takes off in a series of adventures involving his escape, a Martian-rights activist/love interest, travel to the Martian North Pole to meet with the “Thinkers”, overcoming several power-hungry bad guys, capture by the Martians, and ultimately rising to become the Martian’s greatest hope for success.

That’s a lot of plot to cover in one not-so-big book.  It is typical of 1940’s Science Fiction however which tended to be long on plot and short on world or character building. I’ve long wanted to try Leigh Brackett, well known as a prolific author of science fiction short stories and novels from the pulp era as well as a screen writer (to include work on the script for “The Empire Strikes Back”).  Much of her work is of the “planetary adventure” or “planetary romance” variety and this one sort of falls into that category.  This is actually her first full length science fiction novel, first published under the title “Shadow Over Mars” in 1944 in the pulp magazine, “Startling Stories”.

I enjoyed reading this quite a bit even though it was a bit rough around the edges.  Apparently, the style of this one is reflective of her previous work on a crime-noir novel and is darker than most of her later work which reportedly morphed into a more fluid style.  Often referred to as the "Queen of Space Opera", she wrote in what was the consensus Mars world of science fiction from the 1930s to the 1950s, so world-building as we know it today was not as necessary.  Everybody knew that Mars was a marginally habitable desert world, populated by ancient, decadent and mostly humanoid races. I do prefer more substantial characterization though rather than just names attached to interesting alien species as we see in this novel.  

All-in-all, I’m glad I read this one, even if it isn’t a perfect representative sample of her work.  I do plan to read more of her stuff as there is certainly enough here to bring me back.

Soul Eater by Dana Brookins

Outside the village of Edgar Falls, in the abutting Pellam Woods, a house is being built.  A mansion, really, being assembled piece by piece. A reconstruction at the behest of a person or persons unknown.  Not much happens in Edgar Falls and since the factory, the town’s major employer, is getting close to shutting down, the town’s populace is enjoying the mystery of who is building this mansion. But soon bad things start to happen. Personalities change, horrible house fires kill occupants, and more. Twelve-year-old Bobby Topin senses the house is behind these terrible events and is somehow controlling people to do its bidding.

This book was originally published in 1985 and was reprinted in 2018 as part of an effort to resurrect forgotten horror “classics”. Yes, this is essentially a haunted house story, but unlike any I’ve read before.  While I enjoyed the setup of the story as well as parts of the unfolding plot, I think the novel really ran into trouble by overloading us with way too many characters and their individual subplots.  I really didn’t need to know every single townsperson and what their individual problems and life complications were.  More than once, I lost track of the main plot thread and wondered where the story was going. 

The final chapters brought everything back in line and the final payoff was OK, if a little bit predictable. No attempt was made to reveal the nature of the house and its evil. I had to be content with an “it was just evil” sort of explanation.  

The Skystone (The Camulod Chronicles) by Jack Whyte

This book is the first novel in the “Camulod” series, a nine book set that encompasses the Arthurian mythos from a historical perspective rather than a “fantasy” perspective.  I had been reluctant to begin, even though I had heard plenty of good things about the entire series.  This was mostly due to the fact that I have read numerous Arthurian accounts, many of them relatively recently, and was unsure of starting yet another one.

So glad I did give it a try though!  Right from the beginning it reminded me of perhaps my favorite Arthurian series, Bernard Cornwell’s "Warlord Chronicles".  That is to say, this book started out with gritty warfare told from the perspective of the Roman warriors on the front lines, down in the dirt and mud, fighting for their legates, their legionnaires, and for the glory of Rome.  The story begins in the final days of the Roman Empire in Briton (~375 AD – 425 AD) and involves several flashback sequences that help establish the two major characters for the novel, Publius Varrus and Caius Brittanicus, both solid Roman soldiers.  A career-ending injury to Publius leads to major changes and we quickly pull back from the day-to-day soldiering and begin to see the larger picture of what everyday life was like for citizens in Roman Briton during that era.  By the end of the book we get to experience even larger issues as we live through what amounts to the abandonment of Briton by the Roman Empire, just after the overrunning of Hadrian’s Wall and the final shake-up of emperors.

  The story is told from Publius’ first person POV as he transforms his life from soldier to blacksmith.  There is not a clue that we are in the Arthurian world throughout the first half of the book…it’s pure historical fiction.  And excellent historical fiction it is.  Well-rounded characters I came to care about and worthy goals I hoped they could achieve.  Publius’ quest for Skystones (meteor rocks) is the central driving force but it is not until the second half of the book that we get some clues that this is taking place several generations before Arthur and the gang’s appearance.  It is fascinating to read how terms such as dragon's nests, the Lady of the Lake and the Pendragon clan are introduced via perfectly natural non-fantasy methods.  No magic what-so-ever in this book.

I suspect this entire series will be a fascinating read.  I expect we will see Whyte continue to incorporate traditional Arthurian names, places and events as well as the names of various historical figures that have been suggested as being the possible basis for the original King Arthur legend. This implies, of course, that Whyte's version of history is the true story that has become distorted over time to become the legend and stories of magic that we know today.  It should be a great ride.