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666 Charing Cross Road
In a Manhattan gallery, a strange, undead woman who’s been lost for centuries, is found in a basement and becomes the centrepiece of Shelley’s new museum show. Nicknamed Bessie, the Scottish Bride, she is an overnight celebrity as Christmas approaches.
From the dusty vaults beneath the famed bookshops in Charing Cross Road, Shelley’s bibliophile aunt Liza receives crumbling volumes by post, while her friend Jack prefers brand-new books and his brand-new lover. When a small leather-bound book of spells arrives, Liza finds it repellent. But its arcane magic brings Bessie to life, and enthrals Shelley’s posh boyfriend Daniel – literally. It contains the quintessence of evil in the form of a dark bloodstain marking several pages: vampire blood.
As Daniel’s power grows, everyone’s lives are infected. Soon the vicious vampire infestation rife in NYC threatens to spread to London – and only the Scottish Bride and her new friends can stop it…
From the dusty vaults beneath the famed bookshops in Charing Cross Road, Shelley’s bibliophile aunt Liza receives crumbling volumes by post, while her friend Jack prefers brand-new books and his brand-new lover. When a small leather-bound book of spells arrives, Liza finds it repellent. But its arcane magic brings Bessie to life, and enthrals Shelley’s posh boyfriend Daniel – literally. It contains the quintessence of evil in the form of a dark bloodstain marking several pages: vampire blood.
As Daniel’s power grows, everyone’s lives are infected. Soon the vicious vampire infestation rife in NYC threatens to spread to London – and only the Scottish Bride and her new friends can stop it…
390 pages, Paperback
First published October 27, 2011
2 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
October 15, 2020
(3.5) Apart from Dracula, my only previous experience of vampire novels was Deborah Harkness’s books. My first book from Paul Magrs ended up being a great choice because it’s pretty lighthearted and as much about the love of books as it is about supernatural fantasy – think of a cross between Jasper Fforde and Neil Gaiman. The title is a tongue-in-cheek nod to Helene Hanff’s memoir, 84 Charing Cross Road. Like Hanff, Aunt Liza sends letters and money to a London bookstore in exchange for books that suit her tastes. A publisher’s reader in New York City, Liza has to read new stuff for work but not-so-secretly prefers old books, especially about the paranormal – a love she shares with her gay bookseller friend, Jack.
One day the bookstore (actual address: 66b) sends a gruesome treasure, a grimoire soaked in vampire blood. In the wrong hands, it returns the vampiric spirit to life and sets off a chain reaction as each victim bites and infects others. I couldn’t help but think of the pandemic; indeed, Magrs uses the word “disease” at one point. Vampirism always has erotic overtones, though, making it seem more like an STD. As it happens, the vampires’ New York leader is Liza’s niece Shelley’s boyfriend, Daniel. Meanwhile, the star exhibit at the Museum of Outsider Art where Shelley works, a Scottish Bride effigy nicknamed Bessie, has come to life. Bessie leads Liza and Jack to London in the fight against Daniel and his kind.
Set between Halloween and Christmas, this is a pacy and quick-witted story that is easy to follow even as it gets more complicated and adds in ever more secondary characters. Hints about Liza’s past experience of the supernatural and an open ending leave room for a prequel or sequel. There were a few melodramatic moments and I wasn’t always convinced by Liza’s New Yawk accent. (I also wanted to stick up for Liza and another character about her age, Consuela – Magrs often refers to one or both as “the old woman,” when in the context they can’t be far past 60!) But these are minor niggles about a book that was so much fun to read. I’ll try something else by Magrs, probably Exchange and/or one fromthe Brenda and Effie series – who could resist that premise of the Bride of Frankenstein running a B&B in Whitby?
Originally published on my blog, Bookish Beck.
One day the bookstore (actual address: 66b) sends a gruesome treasure, a grimoire soaked in vampire blood. In the wrong hands, it returns the vampiric spirit to life and sets off a chain reaction as each victim bites and infects others. I couldn’t help but think of the pandemic; indeed, Magrs uses the word “disease” at one point. Vampirism always has erotic overtones, though, making it seem more like an STD. As it happens, the vampires’ New York leader is Liza’s niece Shelley’s boyfriend, Daniel. Meanwhile, the star exhibit at the Museum of Outsider Art where Shelley works, a Scottish Bride effigy nicknamed Bessie, has come to life. Bessie leads Liza and Jack to London in the fight against Daniel and his kind.
Set between Halloween and Christmas, this is a pacy and quick-witted story that is easy to follow even as it gets more complicated and adds in ever more secondary characters. Hints about Liza’s past experience of the supernatural and an open ending leave room for a prequel or sequel. There were a few melodramatic moments and I wasn’t always convinced by Liza’s New Yawk accent. (I also wanted to stick up for Liza and another character about her age, Consuela – Magrs often refers to one or both as “the old woman,” when in the context they can’t be far past 60!) But these are minor niggles about a book that was so much fun to read. I’ll try something else by Magrs, probably Exchange and/or one fromthe Brenda and Effie series – who could resist that premise of the Bride of Frankenstein running a B&B in Whitby?
Originally published on my blog, Bookish Beck.
September 20, 2012
A slight piss-take on the memoir 84 Charing Cross Road about the relationship between an old lady in the US and a bookshop in London. Anyway, this one is about how a demon living in a grimoire is released into NYC and the havoc that is wreaked when it unleashes vampires and zombies. It was quite a light novel and I do enjoy Magrs writing but I much prefer his Brenda series.
October 4, 2011
This is the first book I have read by Paul Magrs, and I have to say I hope this is not indicative of his other works. The book is advertised as a fun frolic through the busy cities of New York and London, but in actual fact is one of the slowest books I have read in a long time.
My impression was that this book was supposed to be a charming comedy, that was a light-hearted peek into the paranormal world. Yet as the book went on it actually started to really depress me, as there was nothing remotely funny or even ironic in the plot. All there seemed to be were characters moaning about their relationships After a very slow build up and just over one hundred long pages, there was a slight jump in the action and I thought maybe this is it, maybe the author was just taking his time to get into the story... only for it to go downhill rapidly again and resume it's slow trawl to the finish line.
The writing style really wasn't as contemporary as it could have been, and contain parts did make me cringe slightly. Some sentences were also overly descriptive, the one that I remember most clearly being; "Snow was falling. Gently, remorselessly, unexpectedly". This just didn't flow very well for me.
Although I read many paranormal books, I can't say that I will be seeking out other novels by this author, the style is just to slow and dry for me. I kept thinking it might get better in the next chapter... only to reach the end of the book still hoping to crack a smile.
My impression was that this book was supposed to be a charming comedy, that was a light-hearted peek into the paranormal world. Yet as the book went on it actually started to really depress me, as there was nothing remotely funny or even ironic in the plot. All there seemed to be were characters moaning about their relationships After a very slow build up and just over one hundred long pages, there was a slight jump in the action and I thought maybe this is it, maybe the author was just taking his time to get into the story... only for it to go downhill rapidly again and resume it's slow trawl to the finish line.
The writing style really wasn't as contemporary as it could have been, and contain parts did make me cringe slightly. Some sentences were also overly descriptive, the one that I remember most clearly being; "Snow was falling. Gently, remorselessly, unexpectedly". This just didn't flow very well for me.
Although I read many paranormal books, I can't say that I will be seeking out other novels by this author, the style is just to slow and dry for me. I kept thinking it might get better in the next chapter... only to reach the end of the book still hoping to crack a smile.
April 15, 2012
I had high hopes for this, cause reviews I read, sadly they were not filled. Book takes place at twho cities, first at NY and then London.
Magrs writing style just didn't hit me and besides occationally bits of good wits, I found the american part of the book slow paced and even boring. When characters arrive to London the story immidiately gets better and more intresting, but eventually get's killed by stupidity of the main characters. If you really have years of experience to hunt and kill evil creatures, surely you'd be little more suspicious about people being bitten by ancient vampire entity than Liza turns out to be? I don't give credits for her niece either, being simple minded, easily fooled girlfriens wannabe of Daniel, the main evil of the book. Only character who has at least some sense in his head seem to be Jack, gay friend of theirs.
I don't know, the plot just seemed to bounc one place to another, never really taking a deasent stand at any corner as it probably should have to make more sense.
Magrs writing style just didn't hit me and besides occationally bits of good wits, I found the american part of the book slow paced and even boring. When characters arrive to London the story immidiately gets better and more intresting, but eventually get's killed by stupidity of the main characters. If you really have years of experience to hunt and kill evil creatures, surely you'd be little more suspicious about people being bitten by ancient vampire entity than Liza turns out to be? I don't give credits for her niece either, being simple minded, easily fooled girlfriens wannabe of Daniel, the main evil of the book. Only character who has at least some sense in his head seem to be Jack, gay friend of theirs.
I don't know, the plot just seemed to bounc one place to another, never really taking a deasent stand at any corner as it probably should have to make more sense.
November 7, 2012
Hmmm. I really wanted to like this book, and managed to get all the way through it, but I don't think I would read either it, or anything else by this author again. I can't decide whether the authors writing style is deliberately sparce and tongue in cheek, or if his writing talents stopped developing at age 12. Shame really, good idea poorly executed.
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December 25, 2022666 Charing Cross Road marks a slight departure for Paul Magrs. Actually, not a departure, more a branching off to a parallel road because if you’ve read any of his Brenda & Effie mysteries you’ll be away instantly. There is a new cast and a new country but it definitely has Magrs’s signatures all over it; feisty old women, a mystery and potential ‘end of the world’ events.
I always associate a Paul’s tales with layers of intertextuality, which can be a blessing and curse, as it’s a joy for informed readers and can become a sense of missing something if you’ve not read any of the associated works. But if you haven’t read Paul Magrs or his favourite stories you’re quite safe this time form that sense of missing out. Though if you’re a fan you might be expecting a bit more teasing and knowing winks.
It’s a hard balance to pull off as this could feel like Paul Magrs-lite especially as Paul is big on following through on consequences, as you’ll know if you’re read the Brend & Effie books. So having a blank slate and without those safety net associations it might not work.
Not to worry though as one of Paul’s other strengths is larger-than-life, emotionally diverse, characters and his cast of good guys Liza, Jack, Shelly and Bessie versus Daniel (Shelly’s boyfriend), and his growing army of vampires, play off each other like a damn good soap opera. Now to me this is proper paranormal romance though we won’t linger on that phrase.
I think what I really like about Paul’s writing is that the characters all feel alive even Daniel who turns from a not that nice stiff-upper-lipped Brit to a not very nice vampire but Shelly’s feelings for him and his actions as well as how he’s portrayed give him a proper villainous appeal. So much appeal that Shelly is still enthralled with him for most of the book.
I also like the speed and turns that Jack’s and his new-at-the-start-of-the-book boyfriend Riccardo’s relationship takes. It’s not all a positive portrayal but is telling and revealing. Though the star of the show is Liza, who not only is the catalyst for events, she is also the one that rolls up her leaves to tackle them. And I like her best of all because her past only gets hinted it at and gives her a lot of potential for other ‘adventures.’
Paul Magrs manages to bring something new to the vampire romance sub-genre focusing more on the must-stop-the-bad-boyfriend-from-taking-over-world element and less on the seduction into evil. Though several keys moments resolve around that seduction.
It wouldn’t be a Magr’s tale without plenty of humour and teasing and as usual, I think, he gets it spot on. Especially one key moment that involves the phrase “well fuck that for a game of soldiers!’ it being completely unexpected and having me giggling for ages.
I want to say this the same but different even if that does sound like a criticism. It’s not a wild departure from the kind of thing I’ve come to expect which is where the sameness comes from but it is different enough for them not to be Effie, Brenda and Robert with new close and new hair.
In fact it would be quite easy for the Liza, Shelly, Jack, Effie Brenda and Robert all to meet up and for their worlds to blend easily together (especially as two of them may have a very special connection) and if you had a dinning room scene you’d be able to tell at once who was talking from a transcript with their names left off.
The greatest compliment you can pay to a book I think is want to come back and see the characters again. And although it’s complete I can quite easily see them getting together easily to save the world again.
I always associate a Paul’s tales with layers of intertextuality, which can be a blessing and curse, as it’s a joy for informed readers and can become a sense of missing something if you’ve not read any of the associated works. But if you haven’t read Paul Magrs or his favourite stories you’re quite safe this time form that sense of missing out. Though if you’re a fan you might be expecting a bit more teasing and knowing winks.
It’s a hard balance to pull off as this could feel like Paul Magrs-lite especially as Paul is big on following through on consequences, as you’ll know if you’re read the Brend & Effie books. So having a blank slate and without those safety net associations it might not work.
Not to worry though as one of Paul’s other strengths is larger-than-life, emotionally diverse, characters and his cast of good guys Liza, Jack, Shelly and Bessie versus Daniel (Shelly’s boyfriend), and his growing army of vampires, play off each other like a damn good soap opera. Now to me this is proper paranormal romance though we won’t linger on that phrase.
I think what I really like about Paul’s writing is that the characters all feel alive even Daniel who turns from a not that nice stiff-upper-lipped Brit to a not very nice vampire but Shelly’s feelings for him and his actions as well as how he’s portrayed give him a proper villainous appeal. So much appeal that Shelly is still enthralled with him for most of the book.
I also like the speed and turns that Jack’s and his new-at-the-start-of-the-book boyfriend Riccardo’s relationship takes. It’s not all a positive portrayal but is telling and revealing. Though the star of the show is Liza, who not only is the catalyst for events, she is also the one that rolls up her leaves to tackle them. And I like her best of all because her past only gets hinted it at and gives her a lot of potential for other ‘adventures.’
Paul Magrs manages to bring something new to the vampire romance sub-genre focusing more on the must-stop-the-bad-boyfriend-from-taking-over-world element and less on the seduction into evil. Though several keys moments resolve around that seduction.
It wouldn’t be a Magr’s tale without plenty of humour and teasing and as usual, I think, he gets it spot on. Especially one key moment that involves the phrase “well fuck that for a game of soldiers!’ it being completely unexpected and having me giggling for ages.
I want to say this the same but different even if that does sound like a criticism. It’s not a wild departure from the kind of thing I’ve come to expect which is where the sameness comes from but it is different enough for them not to be Effie, Brenda and Robert with new close and new hair.
In fact it would be quite easy for the Liza, Shelly, Jack, Effie Brenda and Robert all to meet up and for their worlds to blend easily together (especially as two of them may have a very special connection) and if you had a dinning room scene you’d be able to tell at once who was talking from a transcript with their names left off.
The greatest compliment you can pay to a book I think is want to come back and see the characters again. And although it’s complete I can quite easily see them getting together easily to save the world again.
August 16, 2019
Paul Magrs is fast becoming one of my favourite writers, there seems to be no end to his rich imagination, 666 Charing Cross Road carries on that tradition. The book is filled with characters who are on the surface ordinary, yet once you get to know them they become bizarre and strange. He seems to have a fondness for the same things that I do, this novel features a book shop, 666 Charing Cross Road, which specialises in gawdy and lewd paperbacks of the 1960’s and 70’s, as well as esoteric and occult reference works.
This is the first of his works that I have read that is not one of his Brenda and Effie mysteries, but forgive me if I’m wrong here, I got a strange sense of deja vu reading this. It features a character called Bessie, who is also known as the Scottish Bride, a strange effigy come alive and washed ashore in the USA after being cast into the sea by superstitious people who saw her as an abomination against nature because she was “created” not born. Surely she isn’t related to a certain owner of a Whitby bed and breakfast? And the novel is set at Christmas, and there are references to elves, and all the things associated with that time of year, and the Christmas celebrations seem to be dragging on into New Years like they are never going to end? It’s almost like being stuck st a certain Whitby hotel. And then there’s the vampire plot, welll if I had to put a name to who could have come up with that, then.... Nah I think I’m reading too much into stuff.
This is the first of his works that I have read that is not one of his Brenda and Effie mysteries, but forgive me if I’m wrong here, I got a strange sense of deja vu reading this. It features a character called Bessie, who is also known as the Scottish Bride, a strange effigy come alive and washed ashore in the USA after being cast into the sea by superstitious people who saw her as an abomination against nature because she was “created” not born. Surely she isn’t related to a certain owner of a Whitby bed and breakfast? And the novel is set at Christmas, and there are references to elves, and all the things associated with that time of year, and the Christmas celebrations seem to be dragging on into New Years like they are never going to end? It’s almost like being stuck st a certain Whitby hotel. And then there’s the vampire plot, welll if I had to put a name to who could have come up with that, then.... Nah I think I’m reading too much into stuff.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2012
Liza Bathory loves books. The older, more gothic and mysterious, the better. Her niece's boyfriend, Daniel also likes old books, but this will never endear him to Liza. She just doesn't like Shelley's man. She likes him even less when she learns that Shelley is rushing things and has moved in with him on the Upper West Side, giving up her own shitty apartment. If this relationship fails, which Liza is sure it will, then where will Shelley go? To Liza's own little sanctuary on the Upper East Side. At least Liza has her young gay friend Jack. Sure the bookstore he works at is no longer the type of olde thyme bookstore that Liza loves, instead selling all the hip and sexy vampire fiction you can shake a stake at, but he knows Liza's tastes and helps her to find the books she wants.
That's where the trouble starts. Jack sees a little ad in the paper for a bookshop in London, 666 Charing Cross Road, which specializes in what Liza loves, gothic, mysterious, macabre, old vintage paperbacks with lurid covers. They have no phone or website and do their sales only by correspondence, Liza is in heaven. Her first selection of books is beyond her wildest dreams, Fox Soames rarities, paperbacks of the most lurid nature, even if it turns out their address is the more prosaic 66b Charing Cross Road. The second package leaves something to be desired. Mr. Wright, the proprietor, has sent Liza a grimoire stained in blood. The book exudes evil, and Liza should know, she spent a great deal of her past fighting vampires and demons, but that's all done and now she just reads and edits books.
On Thanksgiving when she takes the book to Daniel's for dinner with her niece, Jack and his new boyfriend, Ricardo, a chain of events is set in motion that no one could have seen coming. Liza berates herself later that she should have, given her past, but who could have known? Shelley is stressed but still crowing over the discovery of a weird effigy her and Daniel are showing in their Museum of Outsider Art that has the whole town talking. The weird "Scottish Bride" or Bessie, as she comes to be called, is bringing patrons to the museum for the first time. The effigy has a strange life to it, almost as if she where once alive.
Then all hell breaks loose. Liza gives Daniel the grimoire to just get it away from her and he ends up possessed by the book and becoming a vampire King, who turns Jack's boyfriend, Ricardo. Than Bessie comes to life and shows up at Liza's apartment. Soon all of New York is overrun with Vampires and Bessie is convinced that she was brought back to life to help vanquish them. If they can return the book now in Daniel's possession from whence it came, perhaps they have a chance at stopping the evil, or perhaps they might spread this evil to two continents.
This is the book that first alerted me to Paul Magrs. I am a Helene Hanff devote. I liked her most famous book, 64, Charing Cross Road, but I adored her followup, The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street and her collection of radio spots for the BBC Woman's Hour. She is, in my mind, New York. Therefore, if you where to pick someone that exuded the book world to be a protagonist in a new series set in New York, I don't think you could do better than to model the lead on Helene Hanff. It also helps that for some reason, despite Helene being played by Anne Bancroft in the movie adaptation of 64, Charing Cross Road, I have actually always pictured her more as Ruth Gordon. The Ruth Gordon most known for the macabre Harold and Maude and of course Rosemary's Baby, is eerily the perfect combination of who Helene Hanff was and what Paul's book is about. Old New York dame, who happens to be an ex vampire slayer, demon hunter and witch defending the world against evil.
For me, the book was a leisurely stroll through the holiday season in New York with impending evil. They didn't really feel like they where pushing to solve the problem, but doing a lot more thinking and then, when push came to shove, solved it all in a flurry of action that left quite a few loose ends, that, while giving the book resolution, also left it open ended enough so that more books could come. I don't know if it was my mood or the writing style, but it felt like a book where you read a little every night and think on it versus pushing through till the end. I like reading this kind of book. It's a less demanding book and more of a nice calm that you lose yourself in. I know, it's weird thinking of vampires and demons as calm, right?
There was a part of me though that felt this had maybe a few too many similarities to Paul's much loved Brenda and Effie series. We have the sweet intentioned gay side kick with the otherworldly boyfriend, the lady made up of spare parts, who really is this world's Brenda, the elderly witch, and than the younger female sidekick with man troubles. Yes, there's much much more than this, but the basic character traits where eerily similar. But I could forgive this all because I loved the parody of modern literature and the hatred Liza has to the modern vampire literati, Moira Sable, who is basically a Laurell K. Hamilton type that goes for sex and blood versus real ability to write. Paul nails the parody of current literature trends with Fangtasm. He also perfectly captured the previous era of literature with Liza, and I can't tell you how amused I was with every little nod and wink to Helene Hanff and her life. Her wacky neighbors and all!
That's where the trouble starts. Jack sees a little ad in the paper for a bookshop in London, 666 Charing Cross Road, which specializes in what Liza loves, gothic, mysterious, macabre, old vintage paperbacks with lurid covers. They have no phone or website and do their sales only by correspondence, Liza is in heaven. Her first selection of books is beyond her wildest dreams, Fox Soames rarities, paperbacks of the most lurid nature, even if it turns out their address is the more prosaic 66b Charing Cross Road. The second package leaves something to be desired. Mr. Wright, the proprietor, has sent Liza a grimoire stained in blood. The book exudes evil, and Liza should know, she spent a great deal of her past fighting vampires and demons, but that's all done and now she just reads and edits books.
On Thanksgiving when she takes the book to Daniel's for dinner with her niece, Jack and his new boyfriend, Ricardo, a chain of events is set in motion that no one could have seen coming. Liza berates herself later that she should have, given her past, but who could have known? Shelley is stressed but still crowing over the discovery of a weird effigy her and Daniel are showing in their Museum of Outsider Art that has the whole town talking. The weird "Scottish Bride" or Bessie, as she comes to be called, is bringing patrons to the museum for the first time. The effigy has a strange life to it, almost as if she where once alive.
Then all hell breaks loose. Liza gives Daniel the grimoire to just get it away from her and he ends up possessed by the book and becoming a vampire King, who turns Jack's boyfriend, Ricardo. Than Bessie comes to life and shows up at Liza's apartment. Soon all of New York is overrun with Vampires and Bessie is convinced that she was brought back to life to help vanquish them. If they can return the book now in Daniel's possession from whence it came, perhaps they have a chance at stopping the evil, or perhaps they might spread this evil to two continents.
This is the book that first alerted me to Paul Magrs. I am a Helene Hanff devote. I liked her most famous book, 64, Charing Cross Road, but I adored her followup, The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street and her collection of radio spots for the BBC Woman's Hour. She is, in my mind, New York. Therefore, if you where to pick someone that exuded the book world to be a protagonist in a new series set in New York, I don't think you could do better than to model the lead on Helene Hanff. It also helps that for some reason, despite Helene being played by Anne Bancroft in the movie adaptation of 64, Charing Cross Road, I have actually always pictured her more as Ruth Gordon. The Ruth Gordon most known for the macabre Harold and Maude and of course Rosemary's Baby, is eerily the perfect combination of who Helene Hanff was and what Paul's book is about. Old New York dame, who happens to be an ex vampire slayer, demon hunter and witch defending the world against evil.
For me, the book was a leisurely stroll through the holiday season in New York with impending evil. They didn't really feel like they where pushing to solve the problem, but doing a lot more thinking and then, when push came to shove, solved it all in a flurry of action that left quite a few loose ends, that, while giving the book resolution, also left it open ended enough so that more books could come. I don't know if it was my mood or the writing style, but it felt like a book where you read a little every night and think on it versus pushing through till the end. I like reading this kind of book. It's a less demanding book and more of a nice calm that you lose yourself in. I know, it's weird thinking of vampires and demons as calm, right?
There was a part of me though that felt this had maybe a few too many similarities to Paul's much loved Brenda and Effie series. We have the sweet intentioned gay side kick with the otherworldly boyfriend, the lady made up of spare parts, who really is this world's Brenda, the elderly witch, and than the younger female sidekick with man troubles. Yes, there's much much more than this, but the basic character traits where eerily similar. But I could forgive this all because I loved the parody of modern literature and the hatred Liza has to the modern vampire literati, Moira Sable, who is basically a Laurell K. Hamilton type that goes for sex and blood versus real ability to write. Paul nails the parody of current literature trends with Fangtasm. He also perfectly captured the previous era of literature with Liza, and I can't tell you how amused I was with every little nod and wink to Helene Hanff and her life. Her wacky neighbors and all!
February 3, 2018
It’s a fairly childish tale but it’s not for kids. It’s a bit odd in that regard.
I enjoyed reading it but it wasn’t a gripping page turner.
It was fun and was unbelievably easy to read. Likeable characters and a bit of a silly saga is sometimes exactly what you need.
I enjoyed reading it but it wasn’t a gripping page turner.
It was fun and was unbelievably easy to read. Likeable characters and a bit of a silly saga is sometimes exactly what you need.
August 28, 2019
This was an interesting book. I enjoyed it, but it's not one where I wished for more time when i had to stop reading & go back to work. The action picked up in the second half of the book, but the ending fell a little flat.
July 17, 2022
A great story - I loved how Liza's past was slowly revealed, and the admiration Shelley had for her. I want there to be a prequel to this, where we see Liza in her younger years and follow the adventures then, too!
Read it, it's great fun 😁
Read it, it's great fun 😁
Read
February 28, 2022Should probably relisten at some point because I couldn’t really get myself to concentrate on what was going on so I missed a lot
September 19, 2015
I have been a big fan of Magrs’ writing ever since I read his ‘Brenda & Effie’ paranormal mystery series. Magrs writing style is quirky, with an old fashioned touch, articulate and descriptive. “666 Charing Cross Road” has all of these qualities.
New Yorker, Elizabeth Bathory, loves books, especially the supernatural kind and when her friend, Jack, gives her the address of a book shop in London who specialises in old out of print books in her favourite genres, she begins to write to the owner and order herself a selection of paranormal romances and vampire fiction.
One day she unexpectedly receives an ancient book, which is cursed with a demon. Having dealt with many vamps and other supernatural creatures in her past, Liza instantly knows that there’s something decidedly evil about the book and wants to be rid of it.
Shelley, Liza’s niece, is a curator for an unconventional art gallery and is dating her boss Daniel. When Daniel sets his eyes on the grimoire he wants it and asks to examine it in more details, so reluctantly, as Liza dislikes this man intensely and thinks her niece can do so much better, allows him to take it. Unfortunately, the demon possesses Daniel after he invites the demon in and all hell breaks loose.
Unfortunately, “666 Charing Cross Road” started off very slowly, which made it difficult to get into. It also has many plot twists and turns that made my head spin a little, as well as numerous characters, but due to the clever writing I knew exactly what was going on and who was who. There isn’t much depth to the characters either and I felt as though I was watching their lives from afar. I much prefer to be immersed in my characters lives so I did feel slightly detached from them.
There are lots of supernatural creatures such as vampires, zombies, demons, and in particular, Betsy, an effigy of a woman who comes to life after many years to find that she’s been brought back to life by the very grimoire everyone wants to destroy.
I found Betsy fun and different, I enjoyed that she was quite prepared to beat Daniel to a pulp if he hurt Shelley. There was one specific scene that had me giggling. But because she has been 'dead' for a long time her voice was taking time to return. The way Magrs used this in Betsy's dialogue was funny at first, but when she didn't get any better it became irritating and started to grate on my nerves. I just wanted her to talk normally!
I was also hoping for something more from Elizabeth Bathory, with such a name I thought that there would be a big reveal at the end. Unfortunately there wasn’t – although she casts a few spells and implies that she has had dealings with vampires in her past, no other details were given, which was a little disappointing.
VERDICT:
Although “666 Charing Cross Road” isn't the strongest novel I've read by Magrs asI found the pace to be too slow, which made the story drag, it's still another wonderfully written story, with clever prose, fabulously idiosyncratic characters and intriguing, original plot.
New Yorker, Elizabeth Bathory, loves books, especially the supernatural kind and when her friend, Jack, gives her the address of a book shop in London who specialises in old out of print books in her favourite genres, she begins to write to the owner and order herself a selection of paranormal romances and vampire fiction.
One day she unexpectedly receives an ancient book, which is cursed with a demon. Having dealt with many vamps and other supernatural creatures in her past, Liza instantly knows that there’s something decidedly evil about the book and wants to be rid of it.
Shelley, Liza’s niece, is a curator for an unconventional art gallery and is dating her boss Daniel. When Daniel sets his eyes on the grimoire he wants it and asks to examine it in more details, so reluctantly, as Liza dislikes this man intensely and thinks her niece can do so much better, allows him to take it. Unfortunately, the demon possesses Daniel after he invites the demon in and all hell breaks loose.
Unfortunately, “666 Charing Cross Road” started off very slowly, which made it difficult to get into. It also has many plot twists and turns that made my head spin a little, as well as numerous characters, but due to the clever writing I knew exactly what was going on and who was who. There isn’t much depth to the characters either and I felt as though I was watching their lives from afar. I much prefer to be immersed in my characters lives so I did feel slightly detached from them.
There are lots of supernatural creatures such as vampires, zombies, demons, and in particular, Betsy, an effigy of a woman who comes to life after many years to find that she’s been brought back to life by the very grimoire everyone wants to destroy.
I found Betsy fun and different, I enjoyed that she was quite prepared to beat Daniel to a pulp if he hurt Shelley. There was one specific scene that had me giggling. But because she has been 'dead' for a long time her voice was taking time to return. The way Magrs used this in Betsy's dialogue was funny at first, but when she didn't get any better it became irritating and started to grate on my nerves. I just wanted her to talk normally!
I was also hoping for something more from Elizabeth Bathory, with such a name I thought that there would be a big reveal at the end. Unfortunately there wasn’t – although she casts a few spells and implies that she has had dealings with vampires in her past, no other details were given, which was a little disappointing.
VERDICT:
Although “666 Charing Cross Road” isn't the strongest novel I've read by Magrs asI found the pace to be too slow, which made the story drag, it's still another wonderfully written story, with clever prose, fabulously idiosyncratic characters and intriguing, original plot.
February 23, 2017
I've been a fan of Paul Magrs and his whimsical, inventive writing for quite a while now. While I'm more knowledgeable about his incredible Brenda & Effie series and Iris Wildthyme adventures, I'm not averse to checking out his other work.
This book has been on my radar for quite a while and recently I was able to purchase a copy and devour it within a couple of commuting journeys.
Another winner from Magrs! 666 Charing Cross Road (or should that be 66b?) is full of Magrs trademark bohemian characters, witty one-liners and horrifying yet entertaining plot threads.
When a grimoire (a book of magic spells) is sent to New Yorker Liza Bathory by an old London bookshop, it becomes the catalyst for death, loss, adventure and the introduction of a bride of the Scottish persuasion. I don't want to spoil the story so I just urge you to read it at your earliest convenience.
My only disappointment was that there were a few questions raised by the end of the story that were not answered, with regards to Bessie's family and Mr Danby's backstory. I wonder/hope the author writes a follow-up one day.
This book has been on my radar for quite a while and recently I was able to purchase a copy and devour it within a couple of commuting journeys.
Another winner from Magrs! 666 Charing Cross Road (or should that be 66b?) is full of Magrs trademark bohemian characters, witty one-liners and horrifying yet entertaining plot threads.
When a grimoire (a book of magic spells) is sent to New Yorker Liza Bathory by an old London bookshop, it becomes the catalyst for death, loss, adventure and the introduction of a bride of the Scottish persuasion. I don't want to spoil the story so I just urge you to read it at your earliest convenience.
My only disappointment was that there were a few questions raised by the end of the story that were not answered, with regards to Bessie's family and Mr Danby's backstory. I wonder/hope the author writes a follow-up one day.
December 28, 2013
I have read another of this author's books, and he does a good job writing slightly off-center paranormal fiction. I enjoyed most of this book.
The book is a vampire story - that's not a spoiler, it's right in the jacket description - but it's a bit unusual as there's very little of the typical, romantic, gauzy stuff you usually get. In fact, the story plays creepy and disturbing pretty much all the way through. But even so, there is the cheeky, quintessentially British gallows humour that only the British can do well on offer throughout the "end of the world is careening down the road at us at ninety miles an hour" stuff that goes on throughout this book. The humour definitely adds to the enjoyment of the story.
I also really liked the author's pacing. He gets you all whipped up and in a froth about the horrible things that are happening, and then he just shifts into seemingly mundane relationship stuff, or family stuff, or just "stuff" stuff and gives you a moment to catch your breath. But only a moment, because the monsters definitely have the upper hand throughout much of this book . . . or, do they?
The characters, as in other books by this author are VERY unique. They are full of pluck and weirdness and determination, whether they are working for good or for evil, and the cleverness in the way they are written really engages a reader with their story.
The plot is also very creative and I enjoyed it. The tone of this book is definitely more dark than your typical paranormal fiction, and although the ending left open the potential for continuing the story, this book did have a proper ending for this story, a big plus for me.
I would recommend this to readers of paranormal fiction who are more interested in a cleverly-conceived plot and interesting characters doing interesting - if potentially world-ending - things. There is no sex in this book, nor is there anything more than the most mild violence described. Even the small amounts of romance takes a backseat to the plot and the story about the battle between good and evil, and the twists and turns that battle takes.
The book is a vampire story - that's not a spoiler, it's right in the jacket description - but it's a bit unusual as there's very little of the typical, romantic, gauzy stuff you usually get. In fact, the story plays creepy and disturbing pretty much all the way through. But even so, there is the cheeky, quintessentially British gallows humour that only the British can do well on offer throughout the "end of the world is careening down the road at us at ninety miles an hour" stuff that goes on throughout this book. The humour definitely adds to the enjoyment of the story.
I also really liked the author's pacing. He gets you all whipped up and in a froth about the horrible things that are happening, and then he just shifts into seemingly mundane relationship stuff, or family stuff, or just "stuff" stuff and gives you a moment to catch your breath. But only a moment, because the monsters definitely have the upper hand throughout much of this book . . . or, do they?
The characters, as in other books by this author are VERY unique. They are full of pluck and weirdness and determination, whether they are working for good or for evil, and the cleverness in the way they are written really engages a reader with their story.
The plot is also very creative and I enjoyed it. The tone of this book is definitely more dark than your typical paranormal fiction, and although the ending left open the potential for continuing the story, this book did have a proper ending for this story, a big plus for me.
I would recommend this to readers of paranormal fiction who are more interested in a cleverly-conceived plot and interesting characters doing interesting - if potentially world-ending - things. There is no sex in this book, nor is there anything more than the most mild violence described. Even the small amounts of romance takes a backseat to the plot and the story about the battle between good and evil, and the twists and turns that battle takes.
April 15, 2012
It all starts with a book. Liza prefers her books old and fusty but she must make do with the shiny editions at Fangtasm, her local fantasy and mystery bookstore. But when bookseller Jack sees a classified for a bookshop at 666 Charing Cross Road, she writes to them begging for some new old reading material. Amongst the paperbacks with lurid covers she received a slightly moldy tome that fills her with dread. Her beagle, Rufus, knows it's trouble but he's only a dog and everyone just thinks he's in a funny mood.
Meanwhile, Shelley has discovered an ancient effigy in the basement of the New York Museum of Outsider Art. She's busy arranging an exhibition around the strangely alluring and smelly artifact but her boyfriend, Daniel, is acting a bit odd. He's quite obsessed with her Aunt Liza's latest book and is turning into a bit of a jerk.
I quite liked the bookish nature of the characters and the war between old and new books could probably mirror the ongoing debate around paper versus digital. Although books are at the centre of the story, it's mostly a bit of fantasy fun, fighting evil and romances doomed to failure. It sort of felt like a cosy mystery with an edge (sex and blood included) and I'd be interested in reading Paul Magrs' Whitby based series.
The prologue is the same text as chapter 11 which I found a bit odd. I'm used to the storyline starting in the past and working its way up to the present as in the prologue but to repeat the text seems a bit odd. It does give you a deja vu feeling as you read, I can imagine more so if you're not reading in one sitting.
Meanwhile, Shelley has discovered an ancient effigy in the basement of the New York Museum of Outsider Art. She's busy arranging an exhibition around the strangely alluring and smelly artifact but her boyfriend, Daniel, is acting a bit odd. He's quite obsessed with her Aunt Liza's latest book and is turning into a bit of a jerk.
I quite liked the bookish nature of the characters and the war between old and new books could probably mirror the ongoing debate around paper versus digital. Although books are at the centre of the story, it's mostly a bit of fantasy fun, fighting evil and romances doomed to failure. It sort of felt like a cosy mystery with an edge (sex and blood included) and I'd be interested in reading Paul Magrs' Whitby based series.
The prologue is the same text as chapter 11 which I found a bit odd. I'm used to the storyline starting in the past and working its way up to the present as in the prologue but to repeat the text seems a bit odd. It does give you a deja vu feeling as you read, I can imagine more so if you're not reading in one sitting.
December 30, 2011
Article first published as Book Review: 666 Charing Cross Road by Paul Magrs on Blogcritics.
666 Charing Cross Road is a light hearted take on the gothic and supernatural. The action is split between London and New York, and starts in Manhattan. Shelley works in a museum, and is dating her boss, Daniel. He's stuck up, but she puts that down to him being a posh Englishman. Things are going reasonably well until Shelley's aunt Liza gets in touch with a weird old bookshop on London's Charing Cross Road and starts ordering spooky tomes. Soon, a dusty leather book arrives which Liza finds repellent, and her dog even more so. Daniel, however, is fascinated by it.
Liza soon realises it's stained with vampire blood and carries an evil entity, but it's too late. Daniel calls forth the power into himself, and at the same time it gives life to Bessie - one of the artefacts in the museum. It seems the newly-powerful Daniel and Bessie are mortal enemies. Daniel's aim is to infect the whole of New York, and beyond, whereas Bessie is determined to put a stop to the evil curse. But she can only do it with the help of her human friends. And so off to London they go...
This is a real page turner. It's all quite tongue in cheek and yet has elements of supernatural myths and legends which really make you think. 666 Charing Cross Road is a good fun, engaging vampire novel with a difference. I'll definitely be looking out for more from this author.
666 Charing Cross Road is a light hearted take on the gothic and supernatural. The action is split between London and New York, and starts in Manhattan. Shelley works in a museum, and is dating her boss, Daniel. He's stuck up, but she puts that down to him being a posh Englishman. Things are going reasonably well until Shelley's aunt Liza gets in touch with a weird old bookshop on London's Charing Cross Road and starts ordering spooky tomes. Soon, a dusty leather book arrives which Liza finds repellent, and her dog even more so. Daniel, however, is fascinated by it.
Liza soon realises it's stained with vampire blood and carries an evil entity, but it's too late. Daniel calls forth the power into himself, and at the same time it gives life to Bessie - one of the artefacts in the museum. It seems the newly-powerful Daniel and Bessie are mortal enemies. Daniel's aim is to infect the whole of New York, and beyond, whereas Bessie is determined to put a stop to the evil curse. But she can only do it with the help of her human friends. And so off to London they go...
This is a real page turner. It's all quite tongue in cheek and yet has elements of supernatural myths and legends which really make you think. 666 Charing Cross Road is a good fun, engaging vampire novel with a difference. I'll definitely be looking out for more from this author.
January 5, 2012
I was lucky enough to win this from Book Chick City's blog which I follow avidly. I was surprised when the book arrived as it was a large paperback, it was the size of a hardback.
I started reading this only 2 days ago and nearly finished it in one sessions I just couldnt put it down. Shelley is your run of the mill New Yorker working in a museum albeit a rather different one to the norm. The centrepiece of her show is somewhat unusual and rather lifelike although also rather scarecrow in appearance. The story is centred around this 'effigy' and the book Shelley's aunt gets from a very unusual book store in London. Shelleys boyfriend Daniel is attracted to the book and even though it is coated in some blood like substance he has to have it. This is where the problems begin, I was surprised that the infection of so many people was astoundingly quick and the help that Bessie (the effigy) gives them is great. I found myself laughing in places especially when they went through the customs in London and found the bag with Bessie in was missing,(typical). I really enjoyed this book and some of the old stories of vampires was dispelled and there was a new 'take' on them.Oh I almost forgot then there is Shellys friend Jack who takes up with a new boyfriend and ends up with him and his mother living with him. He is also drawn into the story and his new 'family' are quite friendly with Daniel. Great book.
I started reading this only 2 days ago and nearly finished it in one sessions I just couldnt put it down. Shelley is your run of the mill New Yorker working in a museum albeit a rather different one to the norm. The centrepiece of her show is somewhat unusual and rather lifelike although also rather scarecrow in appearance. The story is centred around this 'effigy' and the book Shelley's aunt gets from a very unusual book store in London. Shelleys boyfriend Daniel is attracted to the book and even though it is coated in some blood like substance he has to have it. This is where the problems begin, I was surprised that the infection of so many people was astoundingly quick and the help that Bessie (the effigy) gives them is great. I found myself laughing in places especially when they went through the customs in London and found the bag with Bessie in was missing,(typical). I really enjoyed this book and some of the old stories of vampires was dispelled and there was a new 'take' on them.Oh I almost forgot then there is Shellys friend Jack who takes up with a new boyfriend and ends up with him and his mother living with him. He is also drawn into the story and his new 'family' are quite friendly with Daniel. Great book.
January 1, 2012
Shelley works in the Museum of Outsider Art in Manhattan for her English boss Daniel. He is also her priggish boyfriend. One of the museum pieces is a doll made of twigs and is nicknamed Bessie. Their lives are all changed when her madcap Aunt Liza receives a book from a rare bookshop in England.
Aunt Liza loves reading the kind of rare Gothic books that can't be found anywhere else. At first she is pleased with the books she receives from this weird bookshop until She receives the 'Grimoire'. The book has pages stuck together with blood and her dog immediately hates it. She realizes it is possessed by an evil spirit so she tries to get rid of it by giving it to her niece. Daniel is fascinated by the book. He soon starts acting strangely after taking possession of the book, he starts listening to old Bauhaus records and having strange new friends around. Then the mysterious doll in the museum also comes to life from the books magical powers and is the mortal enemy of Daniel.
It is up to Shelley's Aunt Liza and friend Jack to save New York but the only way they can do this is to go back to the bookshop in England to find more magic books that may help.
This is the first book I have read by this author. It was great to read a different quite humorous book about vampires and the supernatural and I would like to read some more of his books.
Aunt Liza loves reading the kind of rare Gothic books that can't be found anywhere else. At first she is pleased with the books she receives from this weird bookshop until She receives the 'Grimoire'. The book has pages stuck together with blood and her dog immediately hates it. She realizes it is possessed by an evil spirit so she tries to get rid of it by giving it to her niece. Daniel is fascinated by the book. He soon starts acting strangely after taking possession of the book, he starts listening to old Bauhaus records and having strange new friends around. Then the mysterious doll in the museum also comes to life from the books magical powers and is the mortal enemy of Daniel.
It is up to Shelley's Aunt Liza and friend Jack to save New York but the only way they can do this is to go back to the bookshop in England to find more magic books that may help.
This is the first book I have read by this author. It was great to read a different quite humorous book about vampires and the supernatural and I would like to read some more of his books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2015
I really liked this book. I thought it was really different to anything I have read before. Shelley works in a shop that does museum show pieces in Manhattan and one day she stumbles upon a oddly lifelike dress makers dummy which she puts into her museum centre piece. Shelley's aunt is into vampires/ghost/supernatural stories, has dabbled in white arts and is a book reviewer for a living. Liza believes that the dummy Shelley has found is more likely to be a mummy from ancient times. Liza is told about a place in England 666 Charing Cross road having found lots of old supernatural books that it is selling. So Liza decides that she would like some of them as she had been looking for books like this for years. Correspondence backwards and forwards Liza is given a little leather book that is covered in blood. Liza finds it repellent but Daniel Shelley's boyfriend is taken by the book in an oddly hypnotic way and so Liza decides to give the book to him. Not knowing that doing so will lead to deadly consequences.
I really liked this book. I have never read a vampire book quite like this before. I found that I like. The unusual twist to this book and I thought this book was witty, funny, and extremely enjoyable. I'm really happy I picked this book up from the library.
I really liked this book. I have never read a vampire book quite like this before. I found that I like. The unusual twist to this book and I thought this book was witty, funny, and extremely enjoyable. I'm really happy I picked this book up from the library.
May 1, 2025
The style is buoyant and surreal with Magrs’ usual delightful sense of the weird and the wonderful, but the length of the novel means suspension of disbelief becomes stretched a little too far this time.
March 4, 2012
Bookshop assistant Jack befriends an eccentric book critic Liza, and also meets a sexy new bloke Ricardo. While Liza's niece Shelley, unearths a strange effigy of a Scottish Bride at the museum she works, and falls for Daniel, the distant museum curator.
Liza's love of supernatural tales leads Jack puts her in touch with the proprietor of 666 Charing Cross Road, who starts sending Liza parcels of rare books. Things are going well until one of Liza's parcels contains a grimoire soaked in blood.
Daniel performs a ritual from the grimoire, brings forth an old evil and things start going down hill for them all after that...
Another spooky tale from Paul Magrs, told with his usual humour. We get drawn into the lives of these quirky characters just in time for them to experience the adventure of a lifetime. One involving vampires, mysterious bookshops, strange companions and a lot of danger.
If you're a fan of Magrs' Brenda & Effie books then you'll also love this, and start seeing connections between the characters.
Liza's love of supernatural tales leads Jack puts her in touch with the proprietor of 666 Charing Cross Road, who starts sending Liza parcels of rare books. Things are going well until one of Liza's parcels contains a grimoire soaked in blood.
Daniel performs a ritual from the grimoire, brings forth an old evil and things start going down hill for them all after that...
Another spooky tale from Paul Magrs, told with his usual humour. We get drawn into the lives of these quirky characters just in time for them to experience the adventure of a lifetime. One involving vampires, mysterious bookshops, strange companions and a lot of danger.
If you're a fan of Magrs' Brenda & Effie books then you'll also love this, and start seeing connections between the characters.
June 9, 2012
I read this book after seeing it pop up in the news feed after someone else had read it. I was a little unsure about it as I generally steer clear of vampires, werewolves and the like. But I was presently surprised!
This book is split between New York and London and follows a girl who works in a museum, her aunt who loves strange books about the paranormal and her boyfriend who is originally from London. With a museum and a book shop being large parts of the story I was hooked early on!
The story centres around the girl's aunt receiving a grimoire after making an order via post for some books from a strange little book shop on Charing Cross Road. This book triggers strange things happening, including an effigy coming to life and vampires trying to take over New York.
The book was fast paced, funny and really enjoyable. I borrowed this book from the library and enjoyed it so much that I then bought the paperback version from Amazon!
Highly recommended as a fun read for those who don't mind mild fantasy and like to steer clear of paranormal romance.
This book is split between New York and London and follows a girl who works in a museum, her aunt who loves strange books about the paranormal and her boyfriend who is originally from London. With a museum and a book shop being large parts of the story I was hooked early on!
The story centres around the girl's aunt receiving a grimoire after making an order via post for some books from a strange little book shop on Charing Cross Road. This book triggers strange things happening, including an effigy coming to life and vampires trying to take over New York.
The book was fast paced, funny and really enjoyable. I borrowed this book from the library and enjoyed it so much that I then bought the paperback version from Amazon!
Highly recommended as a fun read for those who don't mind mild fantasy and like to steer clear of paranormal romance.
April 24, 2012
I thought this book would be something I would really enjoy, and at first I did. By the time I decided it wasn’t living up to expectations I’d read almost half and felt obliged to carry on and finish it. It tells the tale of Shelley and Daniel, who work together at a museum where Shelley displays the Scottish Bride, an old effigy in her Women and Madness themed exhibition.
Shelley’s aunt Liza Bathory corresponds with a London book shop, who send her an old grimoire, which brings the Bride to life and also has a strange effect on Daniel, who is taken over by the spirit of a vampire. And so good and evil must do battle if the world is to be saved from being turned into the undead.
It all just got a bit too silly in the end. Maybe it was the writing style that didn’t appeal to me? I’m not too sure really, but for some reason the book just didn’t make the impression I thought it might.
Shelley’s aunt Liza Bathory corresponds with a London book shop, who send her an old grimoire, which brings the Bride to life and also has a strange effect on Daniel, who is taken over by the spirit of a vampire. And so good and evil must do battle if the world is to be saved from being turned into the undead.
It all just got a bit too silly in the end. Maybe it was the writing style that didn’t appeal to me? I’m not too sure really, but for some reason the book just didn’t make the impression I thought it might.
May 10, 2012
I gave up at the end of Chapter Five. The premise was good enough, but the prose didn't engage me in the slightest. None of the characters "popped" off the page at all. After five chapters I felt I didn't know Shelley or Liza at all. They were as dull as dirty glass. Liza's viewpoint scenes swung from boring common or garden prose to a passable attempt at a New York accent and back again, which was jarring. I couldn't find any reason to care about the characters. The prose was repetitious, too.
I flicked forward to the end out of curiosity. If I can read a scene about someone trapped underground with an undead army, her only ally a centuries old Scottish Bride (who spoke like thissssssssss arrrrrrrrrrrrrr), and still feel bored, I don't want to invest any more of my time in reading the book.
I flicked forward to the end out of curiosity. If I can read a scene about someone trapped underground with an undead army, her only ally a centuries old Scottish Bride (who spoke like thissssssssss arrrrrrrrrrrrrr), and still feel bored, I don't want to invest any more of my time in reading the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2012
I found this a frustrating read. It had so many of the things I like: a creepy underground bookshop, a quirky undead being, lurking vampires, and tomes of ancient magic. But why do we have to wade through the daily lives of some very dull New Yorkers to get there? All that strolling around SoHo wondering about relationships made for a very slow start. And then the plotting felt timid too.
This was either a book of dark magic that was too quotidian or a light-hearted gothic romp which didn’t have quite enough humour. And yet undead, twiggy-fingered Bessie! And the shop at 66b Charing Cross Road! And the spirit of Mr M in the blood-caked grimoire! Surely there was so much more that could have been done with these brilliant creations?
Two stars off for unrealised potential. Thanks for the rest though.
This was either a book of dark magic that was too quotidian or a light-hearted gothic romp which didn’t have quite enough humour. And yet undead, twiggy-fingered Bessie! And the shop at 66b Charing Cross Road! And the spirit of Mr M in the blood-caked grimoire! Surely there was so much more that could have been done with these brilliant creations?
Two stars off for unrealised potential. Thanks for the rest though.
February 26, 2012
Two thirds of the way in and it's all characterisation and no plot. Scenes end on damp squibs as the characters mull over what they will do, might do, should do, but don't actually do. Too many times the plot is stalled because Magrs keeps reining his characters back, and they seem constantly surprised over things the reader was informed of several chapters ago. If this is meant to be the first of a new series then sorry but I won't be buying any more.
Heartily sick of it now.
Finally finished, thank god. If you like Carry On films where the actors bumble about, ad-libbing and with little direction, then this is the book for you. I prefer a more professional production, so I'm afraid it wasn't the book for me.
Heartily sick of it now.
Finally finished, thank god. If you like Carry On films where the actors bumble about, ad-libbing and with little direction, then this is the book for you. I prefer a more professional production, so I'm afraid it wasn't the book for me.
October 30, 2012
A rather disappointing new novel from Paul Magrs. We have new characters in Liza and Bessie who are a rehash of his Brenda and Effie characters so I didn't see the point. There's a joke about 666 and 66b Charring Cross Road getting mixed up, but then at other points they seem interchangable which doesn't make sense. Didn't like the American setting - one of the things I love about Magrs is his British locations. We do move to Charing Cross Road London for the climax, but the majority is set in America and wasn't that interesting. The story was a bit dull and it didn't seem to have as may of the literary in jokes and references of his other works. Also the ending was a bit of an anticlimax. Over all disappointing.Hopefully we'll be back on form with the next one.
March 21, 2012
A stand alone novel from Magrs that I felt it was a little darker than his Brenda & Effie books but certainly in the same Gothic territory.
I enjoy Magrs style and especially how comfortable he is writing older female characters. Liza was a delight and I wanted to learn more about her history, which could probably spawn a series of its own.
He also pokes some fun at the paranormal romance genre. Of course without ruffling any identifiable egos.
The ending does allow for a sequel, so who knows we may see some of the characters taking on the Forces of Darkness again.
I enjoy Magrs style and especially how comfortable he is writing older female characters. Liza was a delight and I wanted to learn more about her history, which could probably spawn a series of its own.
He also pokes some fun at the paranormal romance genre. Of course without ruffling any identifiable egos.
The ending does allow for a sequel, so who knows we may see some of the characters taking on the Forces of Darkness again.
May 25, 2012
This had a prologue which was in effect a plot spoiler and then the beginning part of the book explained how the prologue came about. Unfortunately, this plot structure doesn't work too well for me. I just wanted to know what happened next. Once the plot got past the point of the prologue it picked up, but up to then it plodded along as far as I was concerned. Overall I enjoyed it, but I think he's written better (e.g. any of the books set in Whitby).
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