Saturday 7 July 2012

URBAN FANTASY REVIEW: The Forbidden - F R Tallis

Release Date: 22/06/12

SYNOPSIS:

When ambitious Doctor Paul Clement takes a job at the mission hospital on Saint Sebastien, he has dreams of discovering cures for tropical diseases. What he finds is a place where the black arts are just a way of life. After witnessing the ritualistic murder of a young man, said to be one of the living dead, he is forbidden to speak of what he has seen. On returning to Paris, Clement's attention turns to studying the nervous system and resuscitation. He is told of patients who have apparently died, been brought back to life, and whilst suspended between life and death, experience what they believe to be heaven. Clement attempts a daring experiment in order to confirm these extraordinary reports, but the outcome is wholly unexpected. Could it be that when he is resuscitated, he brings something back with him - an ancient evil, so powerful that it can never be destroyed? Is the good doctor slowly succumbing to madness, or has he really passed through the gates of hell?


REVIEW:

I’m used to Franks’ writing style from his crime stories and whilst this was a departure into a new genre for him, its one that worked incredibly well as his vivid writing style brought out not only the gore and horror but translated the whole plotline into something I just couldn’t get go of.

Add to this a wonderfully woven tapestry of intrigue to accompany the darker aspects as well as some cracking emotional twists and all in this story was one that proves he not only has a future in the genre but that he has the skill to thrill and chill in spades. Great stuff all in and a tale that will definitely stay with me for quite some time.



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