Marc has selected Haunted by James Herbert for this month's discussion.

From Publishers Weekly
"My advice to you is to leave this house. No good will come of your investigation," says Nanny Tess to David Ash, paranormal investigator, in this disappointing horror tale. An associate of the Psychical Research Institute, Ash visits Edbrook, a lonely mansion in the British countryside, at the behest of the Mariell siblings--Christina, Robert and Simon--playful, immature children in grown-up bodies, and their aunt, Nanny Tess, all of whom have seen ghosts and strange sights aplenty in their ancestral home. Ash, who has a reputation as a skeptic and debunker, wonders if a deliberate attempt to discredit him is taking place (or is his incipient alcoholism catching up with him?) when he follows a ghostly figure through the grounds to a small garden pond. He is pushed, held underwater--and sees a pale figure with open arms. . . . What are the ghastly secrets of Edbrook's history? Of Ash's?

As Autumn approaches, it's a great time for a spooky story. Enjoy the book!

Okay, I'm on to it already. I have three books on the go, one is last months catch up, one is this months book 'haunted' and the other a book that's in the middle of a saga I've been reading for a month or so. I am in heaven!

It's not too big a book, it's actually something you could read while having another book on the go. It's a little over 200 pages

i should have it before monday

It's the second time I've read this book and I have to say it's better than the film.

It's a story surrounding the character of David Ash. David is a Psychical reserchers passing from his meeting at Edbrook house.

In this story David is thrown into the position of 'village sleuth' as he tries to solve the mystery of the ghosts that cause the severe haunting of the old resident. Is it the ghost of his sister who drowned as the two children played when they were much younger? Is it all in the mind? David searches for answers to his own enigma

I didn't find the book as frightening as the film, but then the film veered so mucyh from the book you can't really compare the two.

To me, James Hebert is a mild version of Stephen King. He doesn't take things to the extreme in the same way but there are difinitely hues of his influence.

If you like horror but in short, sharp busts then this is the kind of book for you.

I had a hard time getting hold of the book. It's out of publication in the USA, and my local used-book store didn't have it. I finally found an inexpensive paperback copy through Barnes and Noble's second-hand seller's ervice, and it was delivered Saturday (although I didn;t get it out of the mail box until Sunday). I just started reading it. So far, so good.

Just a bit of trivia... Here's a review of the film version from www.rottentomatoes.com :

Yeah, I came across that at Amazon uk and deliberated over it. I may indeed purchase a copy just to see how it compares to the book

I've watched the film and didn't enjoy it, the book is much better. I shall stary talking about it a bit later on in the month, I'll let other people finish it first

I've just finished and i have to say i liked it but was expectig a bit more.

SPOILERS

The problem was, i knew what is going on at the very beginning - as soon as David Ash saw Charlotte it reminded me of this movie with Nicole Kidman, i guess the title was something like "The Others"? And so i was not surprised that all the siblings are dead. And that was the element that disturbed me - i wanted something to surprise me... The fact that Ash's sister was "involved" was scary and left kind of distaste: she was a little girl and was described as evil not only after death but also before. And how exactly did Edith die? She went there to help David, she was prepared to see something terrible - Aunt Tess said something about heart (+pills mentioned before)... But wasn't it supposed to be showed?
Although there were some things that didn't convince me i generally liked the story and the idea. I prefer King but maybe will read some of Herbert too

With Herbert books tend to run to sequence a little although not in the same way as King's. With Herbert's it is recommended we all start with 'Rats' according to some fan site Marc was reading.

Although the books do not run in the same methodical method, parts of each book are mentioned or is a slight follow on from another. I shall as Marc in what order we are supposed to read them in if he can remember for anyone wishing to read more

Have to say though Durga, the book is better than the film. The film is not true to the book but bears a resemlence. I too prefer King for horror.
I did like James Herbert's 'Haunted' I think it's the second time I've read it. He has an easier style to follow, the books are not as thick and the print not quite as small as King's but the story line lacked in many ways for me.

Maybe more 'cliff edges'? more deeper suspense and more shocking discoveries? but I suppose it you like your horror not too horrific then this is the perfect happy medium A thoroughly enjoyable book but lacking in manay ways would be how I summed it up.

My first thought on finishing the book was, "Wow! That was fun!" And it was! Haunted is a good old fashioned ghost story with just enough "present day" to "kick it up a notch." I haven't seen the movie Durga mentioned so I was kept guessing throughout the story. I especially liked the juxtaposition of Ashe's memories of the drowning of his sister and the later, unanticipated by me, revelation of her ghost's participation in her brother's torment.

I would like have a deeper exploration of the relationship between Ash and Kate, or not to mention it at all. Herbert seem to be trying to tell us something about Ash and Kate, then he just drops the subject. Maybe there will be more in an upcoming novel?

I could live without the final confrontation between Ash and the ghosts at the train station. OK, let the ghosts be watching the departing train from the platform, but that last attack inside of the train was just hokie and completely unnecessary. That sort of 'ghost pops out of the closet" device is old and over-done.

All in all I enjoyed the book. I don't want to compare it to a Stephen King novel because they are totally different (judging only by only this one of Herbert's novels). King is far more "in your face' with his scary stories, while Haunted was much more subtle. Haunted has convinced me to tru another of Herbert's books. Any suggestions?

Durga, it's your turn to select a book. Please choose one for October and PMl me the title and description please. I'll start a new thread for it shortly.

Yes, Liz, we have almost his full collection here and can quite categorically recommend 'Rats' to start with. Since what happens in 'Rats' is used as follow on's in his other books it's a very good place to start.

Other than that I would recommend 'Portent'

I will choose the book and PM You tomorrow - i want to check if it should be available to all of us

Thank you! Now to order them!

Excellent!

I too haven't seen the film Durga mentioned so I was quite surprised when I found out that things weren't quite as they first seemed at the beginning of the book. As you say Liz he seems to just drop the subject of Ash and Kate but I think maybe they will be mentioned in other novels.
I would not compare it with Stephen King either. As you know I'm a big King fan and James Herbert makes a nice change from his style now and then.
It's a great ghost story and the house is just the kind of place that Derek Acorah would visit
The other James Herbert books I own are 'The Magic Cottage','Portent', 'The Secret of Crickley Hall', 'The Ghost of Sleath' and 'Domain'. I have yet to read the rest of them and I think 'The Haunted' makes for a great introduction

Durga has selected a book for October: http://literaturesociety.freeforums.org ... -t768.html