Lee Cushing's Blog - Posts Tagged "thriller"
Pack Hunters
One of the things I'm planning for my next book, Pack Hunters, is basically throwing out pretty all the accepted folklore (Most of which is false anyway) concerning werewolves. Gone completely will be the vulnerability to silver which didn't exist until the 19th century and a few new elements are going to be added.
Lee Cushing
Lee Cushing
Sapphire & Steel - Assignment 1 - Part 1
All irregularities will be handled by the forces controlling each dimension. Transuranic heavy elements may not be used where there is life. Medium atomic weights are available: Gold, Lead, Copper, Jet, Diamond, Radium, Sapphire, Silver and Steel. Sapphire and Steel have been assigned.
Sapphire & Steel was originally created as a children’s series, something which is most evident in the opening story, as two children, Rob (Steven O’Shea) and Helen (Tamasin Bridge), are the people in need of help from the mysterious “time detectives”.
Production limitations (an incredibly low budget) helped to shape the tone of all S&S‘s serials. Small casts (with usually only a handful of main speaking roles), a handful of sets (only one of the six serials featured any location filming) and very limited special effects tended to be the order of the day.
The unsettling feel of this opening story is quickly established. The location is a large, comfortable and old-fashioned house. Whilst Rob is downstairs doing his homework, his mother and father are upstairs, reading nursery rhymes to their young daughter Helen.
The snatches of nursery rhymes used as incidental music is an indicator that the rhymes are designed to have a sinister, rather than comforting, air. The feeling of unease can also be seen on Rob’s face downstairs – he doesn’t know why he feels his way, he just does.
The fact that we don’t see the faces of Rob and Helen’s parents is a deliberate move, it helps to make their brief appearance another discordant element. When they vanish – after reading a nursery rhyme – Robert attempts to take charge (phoning for the police) although his constant reassurances to Helen that everything will be all right seems to be as much for his benefit as hers.
Shaun O’Riordan’s direction has a few notable moments, especially a long tracking shot – which moves from Helen, alone and frightened in the kitchen, down the corridor and to the front door.
The events so far have primed us for the arrival of Sapphire (Joanna Lumley) and Steel (David McCallum) and their first appearance is a memorable one. They adopt patterns of behaviour which will become familiar – Steel is brusque and business-like, whilst Sapphire is friendly and amusing.
The mystery of their arrival, as well as the fact that Steel knows Rob’s full name, is never answered – rightly so, since part of the tone of S&S depends on the fact that the title characters are inscrutable and unknowable. But although Steel regards the presence of Rob and Helen as little more than an irritation, Sapphire attempts to explain what’s happened and why they’re here.
There is a corridor and the corridor is time. It surrounds all things and it passes through all things. Oh you can’t see it. Only sometimes, and it’s dangerous. You cannot enter into time, but sometimes … time can try to enter into the present. Break in. Burst through and take things. Take people. The corridor is very strong; it has to be. But sometimes, in some places, it becomes weakened. Like fabric, worn fabric. And when there is pressure put upon the fabric….
Sapphire is rather more playful and frivolous in this episode than she’d later become. She changes dresses and hairstyles in the wink of an eye several times, something which impresses Rob no end (who’s already a little in love with her). But Steel’s on hand to bring the conversation down, telling Rob about the dangers in the house. “There are things – creatures, if you like – from the very beginnings of time, and the very end of time. And these creatures have access to the corridor. They’re forever… moving along it. Searching… looking… trying to find a way in. They’re always searching, always looking …”
(Archive Television Musings)
Sapphire & Steel was originally created as a children’s series, something which is most evident in the opening story, as two children, Rob (Steven O’Shea) and Helen (Tamasin Bridge), are the people in need of help from the mysterious “time detectives”.
Production limitations (an incredibly low budget) helped to shape the tone of all S&S‘s serials. Small casts (with usually only a handful of main speaking roles), a handful of sets (only one of the six serials featured any location filming) and very limited special effects tended to be the order of the day.
The unsettling feel of this opening story is quickly established. The location is a large, comfortable and old-fashioned house. Whilst Rob is downstairs doing his homework, his mother and father are upstairs, reading nursery rhymes to their young daughter Helen.
The snatches of nursery rhymes used as incidental music is an indicator that the rhymes are designed to have a sinister, rather than comforting, air. The feeling of unease can also be seen on Rob’s face downstairs – he doesn’t know why he feels his way, he just does.
The fact that we don’t see the faces of Rob and Helen’s parents is a deliberate move, it helps to make their brief appearance another discordant element. When they vanish – after reading a nursery rhyme – Robert attempts to take charge (phoning for the police) although his constant reassurances to Helen that everything will be all right seems to be as much for his benefit as hers.
Shaun O’Riordan’s direction has a few notable moments, especially a long tracking shot – which moves from Helen, alone and frightened in the kitchen, down the corridor and to the front door.
The events so far have primed us for the arrival of Sapphire (Joanna Lumley) and Steel (David McCallum) and their first appearance is a memorable one. They adopt patterns of behaviour which will become familiar – Steel is brusque and business-like, whilst Sapphire is friendly and amusing.
The mystery of their arrival, as well as the fact that Steel knows Rob’s full name, is never answered – rightly so, since part of the tone of S&S depends on the fact that the title characters are inscrutable and unknowable. But although Steel regards the presence of Rob and Helen as little more than an irritation, Sapphire attempts to explain what’s happened and why they’re here.
There is a corridor and the corridor is time. It surrounds all things and it passes through all things. Oh you can’t see it. Only sometimes, and it’s dangerous. You cannot enter into time, but sometimes … time can try to enter into the present. Break in. Burst through and take things. Take people. The corridor is very strong; it has to be. But sometimes, in some places, it becomes weakened. Like fabric, worn fabric. And when there is pressure put upon the fabric….
Sapphire is rather more playful and frivolous in this episode than she’d later become. She changes dresses and hairstyles in the wink of an eye several times, something which impresses Rob no end (who’s already a little in love with her). But Steel’s on hand to bring the conversation down, telling Rob about the dangers in the house. “There are things – creatures, if you like – from the very beginnings of time, and the very end of time. And these creatures have access to the corridor. They’re forever… moving along it. Searching… looking… trying to find a way in. They’re always searching, always looking …”
(Archive Television Musings)
Billy Summers Review
Billy Summers
Stephen King continues to be a prolific source of storytelling, now a half-century from his debut with "Carrie," showing no signs of slowing down. His novel 'Billy Summers' captivates readers from start to finish.
Billy, a principled hitman who targets only the villainous, is ready for his final job before retirement. The payoff is substantial, promising a secluded life on a distant beach. However, things don't go as planned. His assignment is six months away, so he assumes a false identity in 'Red Bluff'—a place reminiscent of Memphis or Louisville—blending into the mundane until it's time to strike. The narrative builds tension masterfully to what seems like an early climax, but that's merely a third of the way through, as my Kindle app indicated.
The story takes a turn when Billy, remaining incognito post-hit under a new alias, encounters a pivotal character—a young woman left for dead after a brutal assault. Unable to ignore her plight, he takes her in. The evolution of their bond and the resolution of the hit's aftermath occupy the remainder of the tale. It's an enthralling journey from the first page to the last, another five-star tale from Stephen King—highly recommended.
Stephen King continues to be a prolific source of storytelling, now a half-century from his debut with "Carrie," showing no signs of slowing down. His novel 'Billy Summers' captivates readers from start to finish.
Billy, a principled hitman who targets only the villainous, is ready for his final job before retirement. The payoff is substantial, promising a secluded life on a distant beach. However, things don't go as planned. His assignment is six months away, so he assumes a false identity in 'Red Bluff'—a place reminiscent of Memphis or Louisville—blending into the mundane until it's time to strike. The narrative builds tension masterfully to what seems like an early climax, but that's merely a third of the way through, as my Kindle app indicated.
The story takes a turn when Billy, remaining incognito post-hit under a new alias, encounters a pivotal character—a young woman left for dead after a brutal assault. Unable to ignore her plight, he takes her in. The evolution of their bond and the resolution of the hit's aftermath occupy the remainder of the tale. It's an enthralling journey from the first page to the last, another five-star tale from Stephen King—highly recommended.
Supernatural - Witches Canyon
The second novel for Supernatural follows the Winchesters as they leave the hustle and bustle of New York behind and head to a remote location in Arizona. This novel directly follows the events of 'Supernatural: Nevermore,' but aside from a brief mention of a character from the previous novel in the introductory chapter, the two books are not otherwise linked.
Without giving away the plot, Sam and Dean get a-up a string of gruesome murders that happen every forty years in a small Arizona town, so the Winchester brothers decide to check it out. They show up just in time for first murder, and as the bodies start piling up, Sam and Dean have to figure out who's behind it and how to put a stop to it.
A great novel. It was an easy read with a well-paced plot. My one criticism would be that after all the build-up, the ending felt rushed and somewhat abrupt. The characterization of Sam and Dean was mostly true to their portrayal in the series. One of the strengths of the book was the dialogue, especially between them, which was convincing enough that it was easy to imagine the actors' voices speaking the lines. Additionally, there were a few brief flashbacks to the brothers' childhood that provided some background. Supporting characters, even those who were soon to become victims, were well-described and more than just ciphers.
In terms of TV tie-in novels, I would classify this as one of the superior examples.
Without giving away the plot, Sam and Dean get a-up a string of gruesome murders that happen every forty years in a small Arizona town, so the Winchester brothers decide to check it out. They show up just in time for first murder, and as the bodies start piling up, Sam and Dean have to figure out who's behind it and how to put a stop to it.
A great novel. It was an easy read with a well-paced plot. My one criticism would be that after all the build-up, the ending felt rushed and somewhat abrupt. The characterization of Sam and Dean was mostly true to their portrayal in the series. One of the strengths of the book was the dialogue, especially between them, which was convincing enough that it was easy to imagine the actors' voices speaking the lines. Additionally, there were a few brief flashbacks to the brothers' childhood that provided some background. Supporting characters, even those who were soon to become victims, were well-described and more than just ciphers.
In terms of TV tie-in novels, I would classify this as one of the superior examples.
Billy Summers by Stephen King
Many readers who approached this book with broad-minded expectations have been quite disappointed.
While it is readable, the split into parts does not help; the story within the story, which could have been a brilliant ploy, has not fully succeeded.
The beginning suggests a multiplication of the protagonist's personality, but this is soon abandoned. The secondary characters are kept too far from the background, and some sections are very "American" and even respectable.
The second part of the novel is more, but the event dynamics are weak, hasty, and poorly executed despite the length of the pages.
While it is readable, the split into parts does not help; the story within the story, which could have been a brilliant ploy, has not fully succeeded.
The beginning suggests a multiplication of the protagonist's personality, but this is soon abandoned. The secondary characters are kept too far from the background, and some sections are very "American" and even respectable.
The second part of the novel is more, but the event dynamics are weak, hasty, and poorly executed despite the length of the pages.
