The X-Files: Whirlwind

The X-Files #2

by Charles L. Grant

Serial killers come in all shapes and sizes, but this one is particularly puzzling.There's no pattern to the mutilated bodies that have been showing up in Albuquerque: both sexes, all races, ages, ethnic groups. There is no evidence of rape or ritual. Only one thing connects the victims. They were the victims of a natural disaster. One of the most unnatural natural disasters imaginable, leading to a most painful, most certain and most hideous death....

Mulder and Scully, FBI: the agency maverick and the female agent assigned to keep him in line. Their job: investigate the eerie unsolved mysteries the Bureau wants handled quietly, but quickly, before the public finds out what's really out there. And panics. The cases filed under "X."

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Mystery, Horror, Fantasy, Paranormal, Thriller

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Charles Lewis Grant was a novelist and short story writer specializing in what he called "dark fantasy" and "quiet horror." He also wrote under the pseudonyms of Geoffrey Marsh, Lionel Fenn, Simon Lake, Felicia Andrews, and Deborah Lewis.

Grant won a World Fantasy Award for his novella collection Nightmare Seasons, a Nebula Award in 1976 for his short story "A Crowd of Shadows", and another Nebula Award in 1978 for his novella "A Glow of Candles, a Unicorn's Eye," the latter telling of an actor's dilemma in a post-literate future. Grant also edited the award winning Shadows anthology, running eleven volumes from 1978-1991. Contributors include Stephen King, Ramsey Campbell, R.A. Lafferty, Avram Davidson, and Steve Rasnic and Melanie Tem. Grant was a former Executive Secretary and Eastern Regional Director of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America and president of the Horror Writers Association.

Reviews

[David B · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the first X-Files novel I have read. I didn't expect deathless prose, but neither did I expect the writing to be quite so poor nor the plot to be so mediocre. This would make for a very average episode were it to be filmed for television. When I read a novel based on a television series, I want to see a story that puts the characters in situations that we can't see on the tube, be it for budget considerations, mature story content, or whatever. I haven't read anything alse by Charles Grant, but I understand that he has a reputation as a horror writer of some quality. If so, he must have cranked this one out in a hurry for the paycheck.

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a pretty good X-Files adventure. It was published way back between the second and third seasons of the original show, before the back story became too convoluted and compacted, and it can be read and enjoyed and understood as a spooky suspense procedural even if you don't know what brand of cigarettes or what happened to rat boy. As I said about Grant's other X-book, Goblins, it's like a monster-of-the-week episode with perhaps a few more characters introduced than necessary, but Mulder and Scully ring true and that's really all you need. It lacks the moody quiet atmosphere and subtly rounded edges of Grant's long dark original novels but delivers if you're looking for a quick, fun X-File read. I liked Goblins better, because some of the Native American backstory and New Mexico background here didn't seem quite as authentic, and because it seems to recycle some of the material I'd previously read in Grant's novel Bloodwind. Still, it's good for fans who want to believe that the truth is out there...

[Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave Goblins a four-star rating because it surprised me. I'm rating Whirlwind three stars because it didn't.

Grant's style works as well in Goblins as it does here, but I'm always uncomfortable reading horror novels about Native American magic written by white dudes. Had this been written by Stephen Graham Jones, I would take the use of the magic as an homage, with a ring of authenticity due to his heritage; here, it feels exploitative, and I can't trust what's an homage and what's just a white dude playing around with his misunderstanding of another culture. Given that Grant has written another Native American-magic horror novel that had the finesse of a chainsaw, I'm prone to fall on the side of "misunderstanding".

I'm also bothered by the fact that the central element of the novel -- the Sangre Viento, or blood wind -- is something Grant has used before in another novel, namely The Bloodwind. It's different enough (at the very least, I don't recall it being a Native American construct), but it's odd that he's reusing it in a novel written over ten years later. Did he think people wouldn't make the connection because readers would be reading this for the X-Files connection, not his name?

I enjoyed the story well enough, and I was startled with certain elements of the story and how perfectly they fit, but those two issues kept me from giving it more than three stars; in fact, they threatened to lower my rating a notch. This is more like 2.5 stars, rounded up.

[Luke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well that book was one big "MEH!" Like it's a lot of not really much happening 😕 the beginning pulls you in with a murder mystery and then it just drops you like a stone with none of that X Files magic or mulder & scully magic, none of it is there, its almost as if the author forgot he was writing X-Files and then had to quickly add them to the plot and make it fit around them as nothing really happens, it's more talking then action and I was honestly bored, i kept reading in hope for that magic to appear but it never did 🤕 what a bummer

2/5 Stars GoodReads ⭐⭐

10/100 GingerPoints 🧯

[Quentin Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was good. I enjoyed it a little more than Goblin, the first book in the series. In this one people are being skinned alive on a Native American reservation, and it looks like a job for Mulder and Scully. So far these X-Files novels have been pretty good. Each one would have made a great episode of the series.

[Dollie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scully and Mulder are dispatched to Albuquerque, NM, because several bodies have shown up there. They’ve all been killed the same way, but there's no connections between victims that they can find. It’s up to Dana and Fox to figure out what’s going on. Upon arrival at the town where the victims lived, they find the sheriff to be uncooperative, as well as the Konochine Indians, who live on the mesa, one of which is an ex-con, who served time for murder and is a suspect. People continue to die, and Mulder suspects the Konochine elders. Before it's all over, Scully and Mulder are running for their own lives. This was my first X-Files book and I liked it. It was a good mystery.

[Joseph Spuckler · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ok read, but missing the Mulder Scully magic

[Batsap · Rating 2 out of 5]

A quick time-waster for the undiscerning X-Files fan.

If you are a fan of the X-Files, then I would recommend the Kevin J. Anderson novels or the Topps graphic novels rather than this. Mulder and Scully are as shallowly written as the rest of the characters in this poorly written novel. In fact, if it wasn't for the names, I think the two agents could have been anyone.

The plot itself was also disappointing - the blurb made it sound a lot more exciting than it actually was. I felt no sympathy for the murder victims and the description of the murders themselves were banal and repetitive. The mystery surrounding the deaths unfolded clumsily, tending to frustrate rather than intrigue. It wasn't even redeemed by the ending, which to me felt rushed to the point of not making a whole lot of sense.

[Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was more enjoyable than Goblins. There was still a bit too much filler for my liking but I enjoyed that X-Files mythology come alive again.

I would have loved to have seen The X-Files writing gods Glen Morgan and James Wong turn this into a classic X-Files episode.

[Robyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've never read a book based on a TV show before, so I wasn't really sure what to expect here. Over all, it was a pretty good read, it was fairly exciting and the final twenty pages or so were really gripping. The main "mystery" of the plot would have been better if it hadn't been so obvious as early on as it was, (the title made it a total giveaway, as well) and I left this novel feeling like it needed one more really good twist. However, the author writes the both Mulder and Scully well, and it's the characterization in the X-Files that has been instrumental in garnering it such a rabid fanbase, myself included. I felt that the story telling could have gone much deeper, and the mystery could have been something scarier, but I definitely came away with the feeling that I had watched an episode, though a rather middle of the road one.
While this is my first "made from TV" novel, I think the impression it left was on the whole, favorable. I enjoyed this book, and wouldn't mind at all reading more from the author.

[Monse · Rating 2 out of 5]

¿Cómo me puedo tomar del todo en serio un libro que en su versión traducida bautiza a uno de sus personajes con el nombre "Velador"? Ese detalle, sumados a otros, como el hecho de que Grant retrata a los latinos como meros estereotipos, hicieron que no disfrutara demasiado con la lectura de este libro.
Scully y Mulder vuelven otra vez a verse extraños con las caracterizaciones que hace el escritor. Pero por suerte esta vez no tenemos que soportar otra pareja de agentes que no vienen al caso, aunque si desfilan por el libro bastantes personajes que están ahí para hacer relleno o... morir.

[Shabbeer Hassan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Picked up from the library discard pile, this X-Files book takes a headlong dive into the balmy world of Mulder and Scully. The plot is lacklustre and the dyanmic alien hunting duo look very tired in their characterisations. With all said and done, it goes back into the library's discard pile.

My Rating - 1/5

[Bronte · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading an X Files story rather than watching it, the different perspective was interesting! But this would have made a pretty mediocre episode had it been one. I’ll have to keep an eye out in charity shops for more of these with different storylines.

[Graff Fuller · Rating 4 out of 5]

The X-Files 03 Whirlwind by Charles L. Grant

3.75 Stars

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense

Medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Again, I have to say...that I've only watched one or two episodes of The X-Files...over the eleven year run. The appointment style viewing wasn't the best way to watch TV show...when you are working two/three jobs...starting a family.

Now that it is on Hulu (which we do not have), I may be able to see it...when they give a free week of watching shows...to help boost sales. I will definitely binge the show. Promise.

This story is very interesting. I love Fox Mulder more than Dan Scully, but they are working a balancing act, for he's a dreamer, and she's keeping her & his feet on the ground...as best she can.

The spookiness of this story was very interesting, and now I understand the title a lot more...than when I picked up the book.

I enjoyed the process and reveal, and how the story wrapped up. I do hope that the books have a little more depth...moving forward. It has been good, but it hasn't knocked my shoes off.

Next up is The X-Files 03 Ground Zero by Kevin J. Anderson.

[Ryan Murphy · Rating 2 out of 5]

"The sun was white and hot, and the wind blew ceaselessly."

Skinner! I missed him (and any recurring cast at all) in Goblins. Alas, he isn't in the book much. What is in the book are slightly better voices for Mulder and Scully than Goblins had, as Charles Grant settles in with the characters, and with the benefit of more of the show having come along in between. Their banter could still use some work, but improvement is improvement! The plot is unimproved though, simple yet messy, ending with even more loose threads than the previous book. Despite following an almost identical plot structure, it didn't have the same highs. The monster, as it were, was fascinating, tied up in Indigenous mythology that I wanted more of, but alas, it feels wasted on a poor story.

In today's Reptile Report, we have rattlesnakes warming on sun-heated rocks (a joy) in the day and seeking burrows at night, and occasionally taking down cattle (a tragedy), and once having leaves dragged by the wind mistaken for them. A shame that one had to die to make Dugan's necklace.

Decent atmosphere and a good monster are let down by the rest of it, 4/10

[Joaquim Oliveira · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very forgettable plot, I am a huge X-Files fan but I will not get back to this novel for sure . Mulder and Scully were written a bit weird, not all the way we know them from the TV show. I won’t mind if it doesn’t fee 100% as the TV show but it was too far away for my taste .
The antagonist was weak and that made for a boring read for half of the time .

[Nick Morrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good enough for me to give it three stars, but then I am generous. I find that sometimes stories where you have seen characters previously on tv don't live up to what you want. The story was interesting enough to finish it, and the writing was reasonable.

[Peter Manzov · Rating 3 out of 5]

Puh, liest sich wie sich eine Folge der Serie anschaut.

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like these X-Files books. They are pretty entertaining an offer a different perspective into the main characters of Mulder and scully.

[Shaylin Miller · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mulder and Scully are sent on a mission to New Mexico to investigate a series of mysterious, gruesome murders. This wasn't a very eventful novel, but it was a fun and quick read.

[Emily Layden · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's like if middle aged men wrote fan fiction devoid of all chemistry

[Lovro Herbai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ništa posebno, ali ima najknjiževniji opis čovjeka koji pod hitno mora pišati:
Lice mu je oblio znoj. Mjehur ga je pritiskao, tražeći pražnjenje.

[Ricky McConnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for x files fans

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok Lets hope this one sticks as it seems Goodreads is have a few problems of late.
Anyway the book - ok this one is really little better than the first one (Goblins) the book still feels little more than an episode they could not afford or didn't want to make - the characters seem to be different to that of the show - to the point they either feel unfamiliar or just WRONG. Either way the book if read as a standalone and not part of a bigger world is enjoyable enough but not only do you feel that there has been no development but that its not really part of the X-files. Now at this point I want to say that its not a total disappointment, as an episode in a book it is fast paced and you do get to see some of the characters, it is not a disappointment let alone an insult (like some of the Stargate books I have read). So if you are a fan of the series this book is worth reading just brace yourself if it feels a little out of step with the rest of the mythos.

[Sergio · Rating 2 out of 5]

Los capítulos con "monstruo de la semana" eran de mis favoritos en la Expediente X televisiva. Daban pie para algunos de los conceptos más interesantes y originales de toda su emisión y los guionistas podían soltarse el pelo para desarrollar a los personajes más allá de las rígidas tramas principales. Dicho esto, también abrían la posibilidad de que te tragaras lo que venía siendo relleno puro y duro en el que hasta podías notar los bostezos o las prissas por la entrega del escritor a cargo. Eso es más o menos lo que he sentido al leer este libro, con personajes planos apenas esbozados, con situaciones que el autor supongo que consideró trepidantes pero que se resuelven sin chicha ni limoná y un final de los más insulsos que me haya echado a la cara y que para más inri deja cabos sueltos como para hacerte un abrigo. Y no, nunca me creería que esos cabos sueltos están ahí adrede para dejar un aura de misterio.

[Martyn Perry · Rating 3 out of 5]

A crazy spiritual whirlwind is wreaking havoc around New Mexico, stripping humans to little more than muscle and bone in seconds. Sounds exciting and scary right? Unfortunately, the writing just doesn't match up to the premise in this book.

Not as enjoyable or as streamlined as Goblins, the other X-Files book Charles L. Grant wrote. This is still enjoyable stuff, hence the rating, but the theme and overall quality of the mystery, the complete lack of tension throughout the story and some of the mistakes throughout the book (at one point an entire paragraph is printed twice, only with one minor difference between the paragraphs) they all serve to reduce the overall enjoyment.

If you're going to read an X-Files novel, I'd suggest trying Goblins or Ground Zero first, as Whirlwind just doesn't quite match either of those in terms of quality.

[Conan Tigard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charles Grant has done a better job of portraying Mulder and Scully in this book then he did in Goblins. I was pleasantly surprised with the better characterization of the agents in this book.

A lot of the beginning of the story focuses on the people in Arizona and the building of the story. But once the FBI agents arrive, the story starts rolling as more people end up dead. This book is a fairly quick read and quite enjoyable, if you like the television series. Even if you haven't seen the show, it is still a good book to read, especially if you like mysteries of the paranormal.

So, if you love The X-Files as much as I do, and really want to know if the truth is out there, maybe Whirlwind will help you get a little closer to it.

I rated this book a 7½ out of 10.

[Darnia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read this book almost 20 years ago and I used this book as my high-school literature project. The one I can remember that the translation is so aweful, it was hard for me to understand what the story about. But I kept reading it until the last page 'coz I was the massive fans of Mulder-Scully. Maybe I always am :D

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 3 is because it is a campy X-files but as in the first installment, this probably lingers closer to a 2.

The writing and dialog have not improved. Over all plot was rather cookie cutter x-files.

But again as a lifelong X-files fan, I was still entertained. Its campy, and not the best writing.