Horror Novels
THE MANITOU
(1975)
A harrowing story of the reincarnation of a red Indian Medicine Man in modern day New York. The book features the first appearance of the rogue psychic, Harry Erskine, who, with the help of medicine man, Singing Rock enters into battle against the shaman, Misquamacus.
Fast-paced and brimming with Indian legends. Despite the fact that this is Masterton's first novel it's still a surprisingly shocking tale. Told in the first person narrative.
THE DJINN
(1977)
An Arabian spirit (The Djinn of the title), trapped inside an ancient jar, is released from its prison - with predictably disastrous results. Harry Erskine, rogue psychic (who also appears in the Manitou books) investigates.
Typical early Masterton - slim, fast-moving, occasionally horrific and often fun. Erskine is an eccentric character who adds much to an otherwise sleight tale. The first-person narrative ensures a fast read.
THE SPHINX
(1978)
Gene Keiller, a young politician with a reputation to enforce finds his world shattered when he meets a beautiful woman at a party; a woman with a terrifying and secret past.
The Sphinx details a horrifying legacy connected to ancient Egypt, brought to life by Masterton in typically violent fashion. Like most of his early books, it's slim, fast paced, brutal and complemented by Egyptian legends.
CHARNEL HOUSE
(1978)
Is Seymour Wallis crazy? Most people seem to think so. Retired engineer Seymour is going around telling people that his house is breathing; that he can hear someone, or something's heartbeat within the walls. Private Detective, John Hyatt is sceptical but takes up the challenge to investigate - and promptly wishes he hadn't. Hyatt has to deal with an ancient malevolent force intent on making its return to a modern world.
Within a couple of hundred pages Masterton displays a detailed knowledge of Indian folklore and mythology, a theme which runs through several of his horror novels.
THE DEVILS OF D-DAY
(1979)
In an attempt to uncover the truth behind the devastating mayhem wrecked by 13 black tanks erupting through enemy lines in 1944, one man sets out for Normandy - and unwittingly releases an age-old horror on modern-day civilisation.
A novel full of the author's favourite things: demons, angels, myths, history and Nazis. Considering its length (180 pages) it's surprisingly gripping and well written. The final confrontation between good and evil is a stunner.
REVENGE OF THE MANITOU
(1979)
No one believed little Toby Fenner when he described the man in the wardrobe. A man whose face seemed to grow from the very wood. But by then, things had gone too far. Misquamacus has found a way to return, and this time he won't be beaten so easily.
Revenge of the Manitou is the follow-up to The Manitou, which once again features Harry Erskine, Singing Rock, and a host of Indian stories creating a spine-tingling sequel with some disturbingly horrific passages.
THE HELL CANDIDATE.
(as by Thomas Luke)
(1981)
Masterton's occult thriller focuses on electoral candidate, Hunter Peale in his run-up election for the presidency of the United States. No one thinks Peale has a chance - until it's discovered he's entered into a terrifying pact with none other than the Devil.
The Hell Candidate is an atmospheric chiller with a political background, that features a novel slant on the Faust legend. A gripping, and at times, brutal read.
THE HEIRLOOM
(1981)
An antique chair comes into a family's possession. But they soon discover that this is no ordinary heirloom. All manner of strange things begin to occur, including shifts in the fabric of time itself...
In the vein of The Wells Of Hell and The Devils Of D-Day, The Heirloom, whilst not breaking any boundaries in terms of originality, is both highly entertaining and often very scary. Typical of Masterton's early novels: a narrative-driven tale, free of complex subplots.
THE WELLS OF HELL
(1981)
The Lovecraft-ian theme of this novel concerns an ancient dreamer whose hideous spawn pollute the water supply of a normal family. 'Something had changed an innocent child into a loathsome, soulless monster, a nightmare vision from the bowels of hell...'
One of the author's most absurd books, featuring all manner of bizarre creatures (and multiple tidal waves which spring from nowhere!). Highly entertaining and often horrific early Masterton.
TENGU
(1983)
Tengu is an occult thriller that grabs the reader by the throat from the first page and holds on until the very last word. A violent thriller, the plot centres around the destruction of America by the Japanese seeking revenge for Hiroshima, in the shape of the Tengu - described as the most evil of the seven Black Kami, and the devil of remorseless destruction. A fast, intense read, one not easily forgotten.
THE PARIAH
(1983)
Granitehead, Massachusetts is the setting for this occult chiller. In the bay, just a little off-shore lies the wreck of the David Dark. Three hundred years of ice-cold currents have preserved its timbers and pacified the demon sealed within its hold. But the people of Granitehead are about to receive a culture shock because the power of the demon enables the dead to walk the earth, in search of the Pariah...
One of Masterton's most popular horror novels with a particularly disturbing scene in which the main character makes love to the ghost of his wife.
FAMILY PORTRAIT
(1985)
A favourite amongst fans. The story of a corrupt family who have achieved immortality via a magic ritual which allows their souls to remain trapped forever within an ancient painting.
Influenced by Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray, this is a powerful book full of grotesque imagery. It examines a highly decadent family, completely without conscience, who, amongst their many misdemeanours, regularly flay their victims alive. Typical of Masterton's later novels - well written, multi-layered and extremely
graphic.
DEATH TRANCE
(1986)
A man's family is hideously butchered in order to teach him a business lesson he will never forget. Desperate to contact his dead family he contacts an Indonesian priest who introduces him to the death trance. But by visiting the realm of the dead he doesn't just risk his own life - but the souls of his loved ones too...
By turns eerie and horrific, Death Trance is also one of Masterton's most moving novels as the reader is shown the lengths to which a bereaved person will go to contact his deceased family. Quite a journey - both physically and spiritually.
NIGHT WARRIORS
(1986)
The Night Warriors are a group of ordinary people who face extraordinary challenges. By entering people's dreams they confront evil head-on - which, in this case, presents itself in the form of legendary devil, Yaomauitl whom they must defeat to save the waking world from wide-scale catastrophe.
Often compared to its cinematic equivalent, the Nightmare On Elm Street series, this was the first novel to include fantasy alongside the horror - a resoundingly successful move, succeeding at virtually every level. Exciting and imaginative - and, at times, extremely gruesome. Followed by two sequels.
DEATH DREAM
(1988)
The second book in the Night Warriors series. This time the Warriors take on the might of The Shadow Creature whose wrath is about to erupt from the world of dreams and into the waking world.
Death Dream is the equal to Night Warriors in every way. Tense action and visual imagination - mixing the world of the mundane with a parallel fantasy world - make this an absorbing read.
