Stitch

by Mark Morris

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Genres: Horror, Fiction

528 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Librarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Mark Morris became a full-time writer in 1988 on the Enterprise Allowance Scheme, and a year later saw the release of his first novel, Toady. He has since published a further sixteen novels, among which are Stitch, The Immaculate, The Secret of Anatomy, Fiddleback, The Deluge and four books in the popular Doctor Who range.

His short stories, novellas, articles and reviews have appeared in a wide variety of anthologies and magazines, and he is editor of the highly-acclaimed Cinema Macabre, a book of fifty horror movie essays by genre luminaries, for which he won the 2007 British Fantasy Award.

His most recently published or forthcoming work includes a novella entitled It Sustains for Earthling Publications, a Torchwood novel entitled Bay of the Dead, several Doctor Who audios for Big Finish Productions, a follow-up volume to Cinema Macabre entitled Cinema Futura and a new short story collection, Long Shadows, Nightmare Light.

Reviews

[Jack Tripper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been going through some of my old horror magazines, and I keep coming across statements referring to Mark Morris as "the next big thing" or "the new Clive Barker." Too bad the horror-fiction market crashed not too long after the author hit the scene, or else those magazines may have been right. I have no reservations in calling Stitch, Morris' second novel (not his fourth like another review here states), a masterpiece of horror.

It follows the lives of various British college freshman, all living on campus, and Morris is great at capturing the university atmosphere, complete with all the minor trials and tribulations that seem so important to us when we're young. But soon these new students have real problems to face, when friends of theirs mysteriously go missing, or have their personalities drastically altered. Annie and her new boyfriend Ian suspect Dan Latcher, founder of the new, shady student organization, The Crack, is behind all of it. Annie has seen Latcher's strange powers first hand, at a small "magic show" that she'd witnessed, where Latcher went far beyond simple magic tricks. Too bad no one believes her but Ian, and he only hesitantly. Together they try to get to the bottom of all the weirdness.

What's immediately apparent while reading is that Mark Morris is a fine writer, and he knows horror. The thing that stood out to me most in Stitch, my first Morris read other than a short story over 20 years ago, is the stellar characterization. There are quite a few POV characters here, and all of them felt completely real to me, and I had no trouble sympathizing with their plight, which is key for me in horror novels. Secondly, this novel has more than a handful of absolutely terrifying moments, some of which are brutally disturbing and realistic, others that are almost mind-blowingly surreal.

There's one 30 or 40 page flashback section near the beginning that at first seems entirely disconnected from the main narrative, and it would have made a superb short story or novelette in it's own right. It's extremely unsettling, gut-wrenching even, and totally riveting. I must warn you that it does contain a rather violent sexual assault that was hard for me to get through, and I almost set the book down for good at that point. I'm so very glad I didn't.

The combination here of the traditional-style horror boom-era BFN (Big Fat Novel) with periodic reality-bending, hallucinatory weirdness kept me absorbed the entire time, and at no point during its 518 pages did I feel it starting to drag, a rarity for me when it comes to BFNs in horror. Very few authors are able to maintain the unease and dread for that long, imo, but Mark Morris just keeps throwing new and unique terrors into the mix, and the story never becomes stagnant, only more and more enveloping.

A must-read for horror-fiction fans.

5 Stars

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a novel by Morris, and definitely one of the better Dell Abyss publications I have read so far. Stitch is set largely on a Uni campus in Maybury, England, featuring mainly students as characters. While the story takes place in just a few weeks, Morris manages to pack quite a bit into this relatively short time span. Stitch reads as something of a mystery thriller alongside with supernatural horror. That stated, this is a difficult book to review without spoilers.

Our main protagonist, Ian Raven, is a 'fresher' at Uni, but at age 25 he is something of an anomaly. Giving up his boring job in the civil service, he has decided to pursue his dream of being a teacher. Another character featured is Dan Latcher, a fourth year student, who starts the novel waiting in a pub for some mates but ends up meeting Mr. Stitch, and that ends up changing his life completely.

Morris begins the tale with newly arriving students, including Ian, checking in to the Uni, getting their dorm assignments and so forth. This rather innocuous start serves almost as a breather before things start getting weird. On the first day at Uni, Ian and some new pals attend the student group fair, where all types of extracurricular events are on offer. Ian's new 'girlfriend' Annie and her roomie Steph, a vivacious redhead, come across Dan there, who is handing out cards for 'The Crack', which will hold an event the next day. Their curiosity stoked, they attend, but this will also change their lives...

Besides the incoming new students, Morris takes us on a rather long digression in the first section (there are five) where he introduces a child known only by his nickname (Mally), who one day becomes the victim of nasty sexual abuse. What is the connection between Mally and the Uni? You know there is one, but Morris takes his time here and that serves to introduce the mystery aspect into the story.

Morris writes well and the characters feel pretty real and developed, but the pacing of the story is a bit erratic, especially at the start. Stitch is also a rather complicated tale, with a wide range of side characters and story arcs. Lots of 'wow' elements to the story for sure, and some interesting existential speculations emerge, especially toward the end. All in all, quite a ride and I am looking forward to finding his first novel The Horror Club. 4 solid stars!

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cover that I have, rather than the cool, freaky Dell/Abyss version pictured, could be the artwork for a Scandinavian power-metal album and makes this book look like some fantasy story involving wizards and dragons- which it isn't- but the consolation is that the back cover features, from something called Fear magazine, one of the best blurbs for a horror novel I've ever read: "A big, blusteringly red-faced, glowering novel of neo-religious cults, bizarre sex and rarely plumbed levels of almost impenetrable blackness...the essence of true horror." And I could just leave it at that...but it would probably help to say something more specific about Mark Morris's Stitch (1990). After all, I know that there are some approaches to horror, even if very well-done, that just aren't for me, and people reading this might feel the same way, unsure about whether to give the book a go. So to put it briefly: the story, set on a college campus in England, starts with a shy student named Dan who meets a talkative older man in a campus pub one night; but there is something about the guy that is just...off. Dan due to his politeness has a very hard time shaking this dude's company, the scene ends on an ambiguous note...and soon afterwards, Dan has reappeared as the leader of a mysterious student organization called The Crack, which seems to be changing some of the students. Altering them in very disturbing ways. Let's leave the plot specifics there. Suffice to say that I tend to like a bit of subtlety in horror, a nod to realism, some good characters; I need to be seduced into believing the supernatural stuff rather than being thrown into a hell dimension on page one, and so the characterization and pacing in this novel were ideal for me. The early meeting between Dan and the older man is in itself a small masterpiece of awkwardness and foreboding, setting the stage for a dread-inducing atmosphere that only deepens and intensifies for 500 pages. For some reason I really tend to like college campuses as settings as well, and this is probably the kind of story I'd have enjoyed even if it weren't as well-written as it is; but the rare mixture of that craftsmanship with Morris's dark, wild imagination ended up being genuinely thrilling. If I had any notion to give this a 4 rather than a 5, it would probably be because, despite the inscrutable nature of the threat the college students find themselves facing, there is something a little conventional in the story's structure. As in a lot of King's novels, discernible battle lines are drawn pretty early on- there are essentially good characters and an evil they're going to have to go up against. And unfortunately I think the ending, though richly imagined and appropriately horrific, follows through on that conventionality- it's a bit derivative of King and his weakness for Biblical showdowns, in this case a big climactic set-piece featuring a battle between good and evil "energies" that apparently underlie our universe, the good energy channeled through one of our main characters. Still, the characters and the writing were so solid throughout, and the story was executed with such imagination and malevolence, that any disappointment I'm left feeling over the ending is pretty negligible. The fact that Mark Morris in his photo at the back of the book (circa 1990) looks barely old enough to shave only added to my admiration, even if it also caused me great jealousy and emotional distress. Overall I'd have to call this a hell of a horror novel, definitely one of the best I've ever read.

[Cody | CodysBookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stitch, the second novel by author Mark Morris, seems to have really fallen under the radar over the years — even for an Abyss Paperback title. I don’t see this one discussed much online at all, which is a shame. Coming in at over 500 pages, this is a tome filled with everything horror readers could want: gruesome murders, suspense, cosmic horror, Magic, properly developed characters . . . this novel is truly the whole package! It even includes healthy doses of splatterpunk without going too far as to alienate those who do not care for hardcore horror.

This novel is primarily set on a college campus, and that also ups the score for me. I am a sucker for horror stories set in high schools or colleges; I find kid and young adult characters are somehow more intriguing than adults in horror fiction. Maybe it is because they are more ‘open’ to the horrors facing them; they do not try to write it off, or ignore it. Don’t get me wrong, there are several noteworthy adult characters in this novel too! And the author does an excellent job of fleshing them out, making them stand apart from one another while taking care to assure the reader they could be real people.

If I had to complain about anything in this book, I’d have to go with the insta-love that happens between two of the main characters. This book takes place over the span of a week or so, and in that time two young people meet, begin dating, and are already declaring their love to one another. No, that just isn’t realistic. Not at all. That is the single glaring flaw in what is one of the better horror novels I’ve read in some time. Luckily this book can be found for cheap on the used boo market. I recommend it!

[Kelsi - Slime and Slashers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is filled with some of the best horror imagery I've ever read! Morris' ideas are wild, creative, and intriguing! I honestly can't even fathom how he came up with some of the weird descriptions and scenarios that are in this book (and in his other book that I've read - Toady).

This book is really dark, but it's filled with tons of action and lots of characters too! I thoroughly enjoyed this! If you're looking to discover an extremely talented but underrated horror author, then check out Mark Morris' work!

[Phrique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another daunting book that I conquered & very much enjoyed! I’ve been a Mark Morris fan since I read a short story of his in an anthology a while back. Then I got this one and took a look @ the thiccness (500+ pages) & was like 👀. Dove in blind and what a wild ride this was. There are big dark academia vibes, the setting being almost entirely on a very British college campus as a group of freshman come across an extremely bizarre “occult” club. A number of students in this club (turned cult) start coming up missing & the deeper their friends dig trying to find them, the more grotesque & bizarre things start to happen. Morris writes some of the most vivid imagery I’ve come across, but when it’s combined with the surreal world he’s built in this…it’s like a hallucinatory fever dream at moments. His body horror is outstanding, a gift and a curse. His description of some poor bumpkin waking up with the clap had me on the greasiest face journey I’ve ever had for about 5 pages. 😖 This book was WILD, so it of course had an equally WILD ending. The transition from Barker to sci-fi lost me at times, but after some deliberation I got back on track. I still love his prose and his character development, I’m excited to read more from him. I have his other book “Toady,” which I want to get to asap.

[Stephen McQuiggan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A touch of Herbert in the set pieces, a dash of Barker in the surrealism, a soupcon of Hutson in the sexual ambivalence, and a large chunk of Morris's own originality. Loved this book a lot - especially the section dealing with 'Larry's' childhood bullying and abuse - but I'm knocking a point off because of the rather disappointing, and slightly ridiculous, ending. If you like old school British horror, and some damn fine prose, this is well worth checking out.

[Addy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was fantastic in the beginning and had a really interesting twist towards the middle but then it fell incredibly flat...hate it when that happens. I was definitely expecting something more. But for nostalgia’s sake I can’t resist a book that takes place on a college campus:) Sadly this could have been a 5 Star book but Ive resigned to give it a 4.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written horror story. I loved that we got real character development from Annie and Ian. They are freshmen at a university and when Annie’s roommate falls under the spell of the mysterious Dan Latcher, Annie is determined to help her.

This book was interesting and creepy. We don’t know exactly what Stitch is up to until the very end. I thought the final battle a little silly, but before that was a great story.

[Walter · Rating 2 out of 5]

The novel starts and just keeps starting until the whiplash ending and you feel cheated out of the novel experience.

[Dreadlocksmile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back in 1991 the author Mark Morris released his forth novel ‘Stitch’ through Piatkus Books (his first two novels were released under the pseudo name J. M. Morris; ‘Fiddleback’ & ‘The Lonely Places’). Drawing upon his dark imagination, Morris’ novel ‘Stitch’ delivers a nasty tale of a bizarre magical force that empowers its victims that become part of it’s cult. From the start of the novel, Morris weaves a graphic and at time disturbing tale that keeps a fast pace throughout. From the outset, the reader explores the lives of various characters who’s stories will all eventually all come together to create this harrowing adventure into the depraved world of this powerful force.

The novel is well written, with scenes that will feed your imagination with the horrific nature that is described in great detail. Morris has managed to encapsulate the mental torment and the desperate atmosphere that the individuals undergo within the novel. Based predominantly within the student halls of residence for the first years studying at a university, the book dwells on the uncertainty and nervous feelings that surround the characters.

As the novel builds towards the dramatic climax, Morris’ imagination delivers vivid and bizarre turn of events, that make up this creepy tale. Shocking in places, the book is not for the faint hearted or easily offended, but will be enjoyed by fans of the modern horror genre. If you like Clive Barker’s early horror work, then you’ll love this book. Highly recommended! The book runs for a total of 423 pages.

[Iain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great old-school British horror. Mark Morris does not appear to write short books and this has all the labyrinthine intrigue and evolving horror of the genre's heyday. The setting is a university campus, and the characters are portrayed in sympathetic, amusing and also ruthless detail. Plenty of gore and human horror but well-balanced with a fascinating plot.

I've discovered these books relatively late on ... next one please!

[Anthony Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first read this when it was originally published back in 1990 and had vague recollections of being a bit disappointed with it. I feel the same way now and for the same reason; this feels like two books forced into one leaving it less than the sum of its parts.
Of the two storylines I would have much preferred that the emphasis had been on the cult of the Crack and its mysterious leader Stitch. It's weird that he provides the novel's title as he barely features in it. Instead, the majority of the book focuses on the slasher/serial killer storyline, complete with red herrings which is a lot less interesting.
The two storylines do converge but it feels as if they've been forced together and it really weakens the ending. I still think the story of the cult could have carried the novel in its own as the sections in which it features really are horrific.

[Kelly Grice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Passable but nothing outstanding. Ian quits his humdrum job and enrols at university. There he meets Annie a shrinking violet. They along with Annie’s obnoxious roommate Steph decide to attend a club fair, where the girls join one called The Crack, run by Dan Latcher. Soon Steph is beguiled with Dan and disappears and murders are happening around the local village and campus.
A mysterious figure called stitch is behind it all. An otherworldly figure. The usual supernatural events occur. Mutilations, dark forces, soul stealing yawn.
Written in 1990 it is rather dated now especially smoking inside. Politics and everyday life. Using call boxes etc. It’s nothing to write home about and wouldn’t make me want to read this book twice. Okay to read on a winters day but if the weather is nice go out instead.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is some evil going on at a University near Newcastle. What is Dan Latcher's role? What about Pelegrine Stitch? Why are students changed after attending a magic show organized by The Crack? Can Ian and Annie stop the change happening with their friends. Besides there are murders at the campus. Many murders. What about the teachers? The author comes up with a fine bunch of horror ideas and motifs weaving them together into a page turning novel. I couldn't put this one down. This was a very good book with an absolutely creepy flair. Highly recommended!

[Sedna Dragon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was such a shocking book that was very horrific and bizarre. It was a very adult horror fantasy that is not for the faint of heart nor should it be for anyone who wants to avoid perverse scenes.

[Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's a ridiculous amount of description in this novel, and a lot of it feels excessive to me. It's not that it's overly violent or gratuitous in its description of horror, but Morris spends a lot of time telling us what's happening in any given scene. It's a lengthy novel (518 pages of small-ish type), and I feel like it could have been cut significantly if the author had been more succinct with his descriptions.

Barring that, the story isn't that remarkable. I've seen some positive reviews, but the story eluded me. It's about a college town that descends into madness when an entity begins to take over. I'm not 100% sure where the entity came from, or what its motivations are, but its goal is to create chaos. That chaos is a little cliched -- wallflowers become charismatic con men, prudish women become nymphomaniacs, bubbly characters become introspective cult members -- and it never struck me as anything scary or disturbing. Morris never delves into splatterpunk or gratuitous violence, but neither does he work with any subtlety. It just falls flat.

I did buy into the relationship of the two protagonists, but it wasn't enough to carry the entire story, and it wasn't so convincing that it kept me reading to see what happened. The book was more a slog, and when I had a spare hour to finish it and strike it from my list, I took it. Maybe I missed the point of the book, but it didn't do enough for me to recommend it.

[Debra]

Stephen King endorsed the entire Dell Abyss Horror line. Here is his blurb:

"Thank you for introducing me to the remarkable line of novels currently being issued under Dell's Abyss imprint. I have given a great many blurbs over the last twelve years or so, but this one marks two firsts: first unsolicited blurb (I called you) and the first time I have blurbed a whole line of books. In terms of quality, production, and plain old story-telling reliability (that's the bottom line, isn't it), Dell's new line is amazingly satisfying...a rare and wonderful bargain for readers. I hope to be looking into the Abyss for a long time to come."

[Steven Koch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy Mark Morris, and though this book started off a bit slow, and was about 500 pages, once it got going, I was not disappointed by the heffty servings of horror, gore and sex. Most enjoyable.

[Cnelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been 20 years since I read this, but I remember it being scarier than any Stephen King book I was reading in those days.

[Fishface · Rating 3 out of 5]

Totally messed up book! Crazy story takes you places you never really wanted to go. Better than average horror novel.