Blood Dreams

by Jack MacLane

When Hubert Carton, a meticulous cold blooded murderer plagued by chronic headaches, and Larry, a ten-year-old haunted by nightmares featuring people who then die in real life, meet, a ghastly terror is unleashed

Genres: Horror

352 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1989

About the author

A pseudonym used by Bill Crider.

Reviews

[Karl]

Bill Crider (July 28, 1941 – February 12, 2018)

Published under the pseudonym "Jack MacLane")

"Keepers of the Beast" (Zebra, 1988)
"Goodnight, Moom" (Zebra, 1989)
"Blood Dreams" (Zebra, 1989)
"Rest in Peace" (Zebra, 1990)
"Just before Dark" (Zebra, 1990)

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack MacLane (AKA Bill Crider when not slumming with Zebra) wrote a handful of horror novels in the late 80s, early 90s, and after Blood Dreams I will be checking the rest out. From the start of Blood Dreams, you know where this is going to go. MacLane introduces our main antagonist, Hubert Carton, in the opening lines of the book:

Hubert Carton killed things.
He liked to. It was what he did best, better than anything else.
Oh, he didn't kill professionally, nothing like that. It was more of a hobby, something he did for fun.
And the things he killed didn't have to be people, though naturally, he preferred people

So, we have a sociopathic killer on the one hand, and then our main protagonist, little Larry, who has always been plagued with prophetic nightmares of blood and death. Although Larry never remembers the dreams the next day, the people he dreamt of do in fact die sooner rather than later. After his father died (Larry dreamed it a few days before), his mom Jane finally decides to go back to her hometown of Willow Creek, Texas, from Houston; at least she still has her parent's old house to life in there.

You know these two will hook up sooner or later as they both now live in Willow Creek. What makes this a cut above standard Zebra fare resides in the quality of the writing and pacing. MacLane oscillates POVs between Larry and Hubert adroitly, first giving us some background on both before moving toward the main event. Really fun and fast read; I started this and blew through it in one sitting. Awesome cover with the embossed body emerging from a pool of blood! Not a literary masterpiece, but recommended for vintage horror fans. 3.5 stars, rounding up!!

[DJMikeG · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a just okay novel by Bill Crider aka Jack MacLane. I didn't like it as much as the other books I've read by him. It has a great beginning and a fast moving and suspenseful ending, but the middle section drones on for quite awhile and not much happens in it. Crider's writing is good, with just enough strange little touches to keep even the boring parts interesting. Not his best work, but not a waste of time, either.

[Cassie Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book! For those of you who have read it, probably thought it to be a tad bit gory! I doubt you will find this on store shelves because it was published in 1989 and is out of print, but if you do come across this book I highly recommend that you read it. I love the way he describes every little detail, even if it is somewhat bloody! =)

[Remi VL · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/ Serial killer has dreams of a kid who is dreaming of the serial killer. Solid premise, decent writing, breezy read.

[Michael Prosser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow wow wow! I like this type of novel a fantastic type of cheesy horror story that is a little bit gruesome but with very good cliches in it. I will admit it’s not everyone’s cup of tea it’s not modern I don’t know what it was like reading this in the 1990’s as it was published in 1989 but I can tell you it would have been up there!!!!
I’m not one for telling on here about what the story reviews is about because I believe solely in the blurb it is what it’s about, like literally and more so much more. Basically it’s a cheap cheesy horror to get your teeth into whilst waiting to read IT by Stephen King that’s all I can say give it a try might be for you or might not be

Peace out!!

[Javril Bracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably one of the best books I’ve ever read! I saw it on the table at the farmers market and gave it go! The characters were awesome and the storyline had me on the edge of my seat the entire time reading it!

[Philip · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun fast paced read and I enjoyed how quickly this progressed. I love the character of Ab Collins and was rooting for him all the way. Definitely a fun read and it checked off a lot of satisfaction boxes. The ending was great and suspenseful. Enjoy

[Heather4Ever · Rating 3 out of 5]

NAPOLEON NO :sob: :sob: