Wednesday 18 December 2013

URBAN FANTASY REVIEW: A Stir of Echoes - Richard Matheson


Release Date: 29/08/13
Publisher:  Tor

SYNOPSIS:

Madness is only a step away ...Tom Wallace is happy with his suburban lot. Until an evening of casual entertainment turns reality into nightmare. Tom sees himself as a pragmatist, and when his brother-in-law challenges him to undergo hypnotism, he obliges to prove a point. So no one is more surprised that Tom when it works. But this cheap parlour trick unlocked something that now threatens his sanity, way of life and marriage. Suddenly he can sense his neighbours' darkest desires, and some are dark indeed. When shadows from the past and glimpses of the future are revealed to him, Tom tries to deny what's happening. But as his existence becomes increasingly unbearable, the biggest revelation of all awaits -- a message from beyond the grave.


REVIEW:

Having heard about Richard’s passing earlier in the year, I found myself wanting some nostalgic reading. After all I loved the tales he wove within the Twilight Zone, and I’ve also enjoyed other books that the author had written, but for me, having really enjoyed the Kevin Bacon film “ A Stir of Echoes”, I’d never taken the time to sit back and read the tale that inspired it.

So without as a tribute to the author, I finally decided to bite the bullet and get round to it. Its wonderfully written, has some great prose and whilst showing its age, it does entertain the reader as they weave their way throughout this cracking story. Back this up with some wonderful turns of phrase, great dialogue and a wonderful arc all round makes this something special to savour.

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