Having never read a James Herbert before I didn't really know what to expect other than what the blurb on the author gives away at the front - Britain's No 1 writer of chiller fiction apparently. Cool. I chose it as my next read pretty much because it's a nice skinny little book of 228 pages as opposed to the mammoth 700 odd pages of my last read.
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The story follows David Ash, a 'ghost-hunter' who works for a paranormal research institute in London. He receives a letter inviting him to Edbrook House to investigate the paranormal activity being witnessed by it's residents. Ash doesn't believe in ghosts, and spends most of his time disproving their presence... something which seems to be fairly common in his line of work. Although, the reason for his non-belief lies locked in his past... And so he goes to Edbrook, with all his wizzy gadgets and ghost-disproving equipment fully convinced that he'll find the true source of reality creating the 'ghosts' within. But nothing can prepare him for the horrifying secret he will unearth within it's walls.... mwah ha ha ha!!
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And so it was a nice little weekend read... like a weekend break away in the country where you can just chill out (no pun intended!) rather than a full blown two week jaunt to some far off destination to see all the sights. That's all this book is really... just a nice easy read... no meaningful subtext, no hidden messages... no major character assassinations. It's good. Not all books need to have deep and meaningful metaphors hidden within or leave you with a sense of awe. But that's not to say it doesn't have substance - it does for sure, and I can see why Herbert's books are so popular. However, since the book was written in the 80's you have to make allowances for the passing of time and some parts of the book couldn't help but raise an unintentional smile from me. Such as the part when Ash orders a pint of bitter and a shot of vodka from the country bar, hands over two pound coins and receives change; and the way he only needs a single 10p piece (you remember the old skool ones?) to make a non-local call back to London. Ah, those were the days.... lol. But it's worth a read for sure if you've a weekend free. I wouldn't say it chills you to the core with it's spookiness though so no need to be scared :)
