Saturday 24 October 2015

THE SICKNESS by Dylan J Morgan

4 out of 5 stars

On Amazon UK  HERE
On Amazon.com HERE

Reviewed by me as part of Rosie Amber's Review Team



First of all I have to say what a terrific cover this book has!

James Harris is a divorced, part time dad, living on a run down London estate.  He has a warm, close relationship with his wayward, punky daughter, Ruth - which goes a long way to make up for the horror of his childhood and the breakdown of his marriage.  But something's happening in the isolated village of Nash, where he grew up, and a phone call from his sister moves him to return....


Dylan Morgan is so adept at writing the underlying sinister atmosphere of the one horse town or small, 'Straw Dogs' type village - he did the American version in his excellent 'Flesh', which I read earlier this year.  Travelling through Nash, I felt the silence, the claustrophobia, the despair, from the depressing mood of the sparsely populated pub, to the darkness of his former family home; there almost seems to be a sepia tone over the whole book.



This book is subtly rather than in-your-face creepy, at least at first, and the story unfolds at a steady pace, the supernatural element and details about James's dreadful childhood being released gradually, building up to an explosive end; this is a writer who totally 'gets' suspense.  The characters are so well drawn, even the minor ones, particularly Ruth's creepy stepfather.  I loved Ruth, she's a great kid, tough and ballsy but with a sometimes most mature outlook, and James is very likable, too.  


Definitely recommended for all lovers of supernatural horror.

FLESH by Dylan J Morgan reviewed HERE



THE DEAD LANDS by Dylan J Morgan reviewed HERE



HOSTS by Dylan J Morgan reviewed HERE


10 comments:

  1. I must put this on my list! Thanks Terry :)

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    1. I look forward to hearing what you think of it!

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  2. Think I'd be far too scared to read this, I need to sleep at night!

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    1. Ah, great if you like horror, but you have to like it in the first place, I suppose! I will try anything Dylan Morgan writes, though.

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  3. Sounds like a goodie Terry and I agree with you on the cover - haven't read any of Morgan's books yet but I think I should do.

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    1. Not quite sure if they'd be your sort of thing - mind you, I didn't think The Dead Lands (his best, I think) would be, and it blew me away!!! That's the one to go for, if you do try him.

      I loved Flesh too, but suspect it might be too grim for you!

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  4. I love horror and I've been wondering about this book. Thanks, Terry.

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    1. If horror's your thing, you should like this, Olga - I've read several of Dylan's books, he's one of my favourite self pub writers.

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  5. Terry; thanks so much for taking the time to read and review the book. I appreciate that so much, and I'm glad you liked it. Thanks also for the kind words, I'm humbled to know that I'm one of your favorite self pub authors.

    Cathy, Georgia, and Olga; thanks for your interest in the book. If you do read it then I hope you all enjoy it, and I'd love to know what you think of it.

    Maybe even Rosie might read it--during the day, of course.

    :-)

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  6. I love this author's writing so thanks for this Terry. Will check this out.

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