The Pickman Papers

by Robert Poyton

It is 1826, and the august members of the Pickman Club gather for their Annual Dinner. As is usual, members are asked to share any recent strange or singular experiences with the group. And so, dinner done, the assembled gather round the fireplace as each, in turn, narrates their tale. Here are those stories, collated by one who was there, presented for your interest and enjoyment. But be warned! The tales within reveal many disturbing secrets about our world and the things that lay beyond and, in some cases, beneath it. Read then, if you will, of beings of the outer cosmos, and of the peculiar traditions of decaying, seaside towns. Learn of cursed family artefacts and the dangers of experimenting with exotic drugs. And hearken to the chilling reality revealed by the digging of the Thames Tunnel... The door to the Pickman Club is open.....
Contents THE PICKMANITES THE AMAZING THOTH - Miguel Fliguer THE DARK CLIFFS OF BLACK VEN -Lee Clark Zumpe GOODBYE, CRUEL WORLD - Mike Slater THE HUNTERS OF THE HIGHWAY - Tim Mendees EVENTS IN THE CITY OF NORWICH - Tony Bradbury A SINISTER INTERLUDE - Gavin Chappell THE ACCOUNT OF MALCOM CONRAD, - B Harlan Crawford THE FEASTER FROM AFAR - Glynn Owen Barrass THE SHADOW OVER THE SEPULCHRE - John DeLaughter SHADWELL'S TALE - Russell Smeaton THE FITZWYRM LEGACY - John Houlihan THE TRUTH ABOUT DOTHEBOYS - Shelley de Cruz KING OF TIDES - Robert Poyton BIOGRAPHIES

346 pages, Paperback

Published May 31, 2023

Reviews

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

Saw the recommendation on social media, grabbed it on Amazon, and now I am struggling to finish it after the first 4-5 stories thoroughly put me off. Poor pacing - most of the stories feel terribly rushed, and do not create the lingering sense of dread one associates with Mythos writing - coupled with some questionable tropes and cliches dominate the writing thus far, and I think this one will be on my coffee table for an uncomfortably long time before I finish it.

[Barry Bridgerton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended via Amazon marketplace. Glad I picked (pickman pun?) it up. Couldn't see much connection between Robert Pickman from the original Lovecraft story, but otherwise a nice collection of writers I've never heard of.