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No Sharks in the Med and Other Stories
Prior to the first American Publication of Brian Lumley's ground-breaking, dead waking, best-selling Necroscope ® in 1988--the first novel in a long-lived, much-loved series--this British author had for twenty years been earning an envious reputation writing short stories, novellas, and a series of novels set against H. P. Lovecraft's cosmic Cthulhu Mythos backdrop. In addition and for a further twenty years Lumley's non-Mythos Fantasy, SF, and Horror stories have been appearing on a regular basis in some of the world's most famous publications; for example The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, and Weird Tales, along with anthologies such as Karl Edward Wagner's Year's Best Horror Stories, Charles L. Grant's Final Shadows, and Kirby McCauley's Frights, among others.
With his multiple-award-winning literary career now spanning over four decades, Lumley continues to write his superior fictions, examples of which from each of those decades can be found in this current collection, where Weird Tales itself is represented by no less than five stories!
And so, to complete a trilogy of volumes begun with the Lovecraft-inspired The Taint and Other Novellas, and followed by Haggopian and Other Stories, Subterranean Press is now proud to offer No Sharks in the Med and Other Stories, a handpicked collection of Brian Lumley s best macabre tales...
With his multiple-award-winning literary career now spanning over four decades, Lumley continues to write his superior fictions, examples of which from each of those decades can be found in this current collection, where Weird Tales itself is represented by no less than five stories!
And so, to complete a trilogy of volumes begun with the Lovecraft-inspired The Taint and Other Novellas, and followed by Haggopian and Other Stories, Subterranean Press is now proud to offer No Sharks in the Med and Other Stories, a handpicked collection of Brian Lumley s best macabre tales...
343 pages, Paperback
First published August 30, 2012
14 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
About the author
Brian Lumley
444 books1,359 followersBrian Lumley was born near Newcastle. In 22 years as a Military Policeman he served in many of the Cold War hotspots, including Berlin, as well as Cyprus in partition days. He reached the rank of Sergeant-Major before retiring to Devon to write full-time, and his work was first published in 1970. The vampire series, 'Necroscope', has been translated into ten languages and sold over a million copies worldwide.
He was awarded the World Fantasy Life Achievement Award in 2010.
He was awarded the World Fantasy Life Achievement Award in 2010.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 10, 2019
i am so, so, so thankful to the narrator, Joshua Saxton, for the copy of this audio book . If it had not been for him, i doubt i would have ever gave Brian Lumley another chance and that would have been one of the worst mistakes i could make.
This is another great collection of Lumley's short stories. He continues to impress me with his superb writing and imagination. My favorite was the one about the waiting places. sorry, i tried to go back to find the name of it but i got aggravated before i discovered it.
Joshua Saxton narrates this and he is quickly becoming one of my top 5 favorite readers. He does a wide range of accents and each one is flawless. I enjoying listening to him very much.
* i requested this audio book and have left this review voluntarily.*
This is another great collection of Lumley's short stories. He continues to impress me with his superb writing and imagination. My favorite was the one about the waiting places. sorry, i tried to go back to find the name of it but i got aggravated before i discovered it.
Joshua Saxton narrates this and he is quickly becoming one of my top 5 favorite readers. He does a wide range of accents and each one is flawless. I enjoying listening to him very much.
* i requested this audio book and have left this review voluntarily.*
December 31, 2017
I read no sharks in the Med in a different book. It was a different cover anyhow. Many moons ago. No sharks in the med is a good horror story. Think twice of going off with strangers when on holiday in the Greek Islands. Lots of flies in this story.🐯👍
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2019
I like this guy Lumley. I dig the narrator Joshua Saxon too. These guys are a perfect fit together.
The peeping eyeball, androgynous Friday, the walleyed rapey bros, bar hopping hunchbacks, Wiley Smiley’s rock throwing contest, geriatric farmer fruiting bodies and nasty Grecian water worms.
Yep. Quite a collection of stories and themes. Well done. 3.5+ Stars
*Thanks to Joshua, btw, for the complimentary audio copy. The honest review I have left voluntarily.
The peeping eyeball, androgynous Friday, the walleyed rapey bros, bar hopping hunchbacks, Wiley Smiley’s rock throwing contest, geriatric farmer fruiting bodies and nasty Grecian water worms.
Yep. Quite a collection of stories and themes. Well done. 3.5+ Stars
*Thanks to Joshua, btw, for the complimentary audio copy. The honest review I have left voluntarily.
June 12, 2024
Συλλογή διηγημάτων τρόμου με κάποιες (καλοδεχούμενες) ενέσεις χιούμορ, που όμως συνολικά ήταν κατώτερη των προσδοκιών (μου), με μόλις εν τρίτο νεφρού (ή μισό συκώτι) από τις αγαπημένες εκδόσεις Subterranean Press που ωθούν συστηματικά στην πορνεία τους αναγνώστες με την τιμολογιακή πολιτική τους.
Fruiting Bodies ⭐⭐⭐
Ένας άντρας επισκέπτεται τα μέρη των προγόνων του, συναντά ένα τελευταίο κάτοικο της περιοχής που του δείχνει τον «καρκίνο του ξύλου» που μαστίζει την περιοχή, περνάνε μια μέρα μαζί και μετά φεύγει, υποσχόμενος να επιστρέψει.
Περνάει ο καιρός, ξεχνιέται, μέχρι που λαμβάνει μαντάτα ότι η μάνα του αρρώστη και στα καπάκια ότι πέθανε. Παίρνει λοιπόν μια μπουκάλα ουίσκι και πούρα να πάει να ξαναδει το γέρο.
Φτάνει εκεί και τρώει φρίκες. The end. Καλογραμμένο, ευχάριστο στην ανάγνωση, αλλά δε σε ανατινάζιε, ούτε προκαλεί ανατριχίλες νιοστού βαθμού. Ίσως πρέπει να το διαβάσει κανείς με φακό κάτω από τα σεντόνια, αλλά πάνε δεκαετίες που βγήκα από την εφηβεία.
The Sun, the Sea, and the Silent Scream ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Μάλλον εμπνευσμένο από τις χειρότερες ever διακοπές του Lumley σε ελληνικό νησί, το διήγημα αυτό είναι η ιστορία (τρόμου) δύο τουριστών, που φτάνουν χαρούμενοι για τις διακοπές τους στο νησί Μάκαλος και καταλήγουν στα ρουμς του λετ, τσίμερ φρέι «Ντιμίτριος», όπου ένας σκοτεινός τύπος (ο ίδιος ο Ντιμίτριος) ρίχνει παλλόμενες γλίτσες, γυρίνους του τρόμου, προνύμφες του αίσχους (ή ό,τι τέλοπάντων) στις δεξαμενές του νερού και μακελλεύει γεροντοκόρες και συγγενείς.
Πέρα από την υπερβολή, μου θύμισε δικές μου διακοπές σε ελληνικό νησί (ευτυχώς απέδρασα ζωντανός και χωρίς τα ψυχολογικά τραύματα των ηρώων της ιστορίας), έχει ζόφο, υπόγειο τρόμο, ανθρώπινη τρέλα και αρκετές δόσεις ανατριχίλας. Και έχει και ταβέρνα, φέημους γκρηκ μουζάκα, τσατσίκι, γκρηκ σάλαντ και retsina (για λαϊκό τσατσά ούτε λόγος, τρέχανε να γλιτώσουν τη ζωή τους).
The Picnickers ⭐⭐
Ένας χαροκαμένος θείος, γύφτοι και βαρδούλακες. Μία που το διάβασα, μία που το άφησα να ξεχαστεί. Απορώ με τους εκστασιασμένους. Εκτός κι αν μιλάει ο παράγοντας ρατσισμός εδώ :p (μία τα βάζει με τους Έλληνες στο The Sun, the Sea, and the Silent Scream, μία με τους γύφτοι εδωδανά, περιμένω να δω και εβραίους για να κλείσει η τριάδα).
The Viaduct ⭐⭐⭐
Δύο παιδιά προσβάλλουν τον ηλίθιο του χωριού και το μετανιώνουν πικρά.
Εξαιρετική ατμόσφαιρα τρόμου που κλιμακώνεται, ξεκινώντας από μια άδολα χαρούμενη μέρα πετάγματος πετρών στο νερό, με κατάληξη ένα επιμηκυμένο κρεσέντο αγωνίας και τρόμου. Αν εξαιρέσει κανείς ότι ο ηλίθιος του χωριού είναι μάλλον και στρατηγική ιδιοφυΐα, δεν έχει να του προσάψεις κάτι άλλο.
The Luststone ⭐⭐
Περίεργη ιστορία… Ούτε σαφή γραμμή ακολουθεί, αλλάζει χαρακτήρες στα μισά και συνεχίζει, αλογομούρηδες βιαστές (που βιάζουν μόνο όταν χάνουν στα αλογάκια), αρχαία οστά, μηχανόβιοι τσαμπουκάδες, καθίκια που ξεμοναχιάζουν κοπέλες, αδελφοί με έντονο αίσθημα τιμής και προστασίας των αδελφάδων τους… Όχι ακριβώς άσχημο, απλώς αλλοπρόσαλλο και περίεργο.
The Whisperer ⭐⭐
Ένας μυστηριώδης τύπος κάνει τον πρωταγωνιστή να χάσει το μυαλό του. Δεν ξέρεις τι ακριβώς συμβαίνει και δεν σου αρέσει και πολύ σαν ανάγνωσμα.
No sharks in the Med ⭐⭐
Πάλι οι καταστροφικές διακοπές του Lumley στην Ελλάδα δίνουν σάρκα και οστά (όχι απαραίτητα συνδεδεμένα) σε ένα διήγημα. Ούζο, βιαστές και δολοφόνοι Έλληνες, φοβία για τη θάλασσα. Έχει την τυπική αδυναμία των θρίλερ «α, αυτός ο τύπος δείχνει επικίνδυνος και σαλεμένος, ας τον αφήσουμε να μας πάει κάπου».
The Pit-Yakker ⭐⭐
Οι ηδονοβλεπτικές πρακτικές (λέγε με «μπανιστήρι) τιμωρούνται με ΘΑΝΑΤΟ! Αργό, τρομακτικό θάνατο. Ένας ηλίθιος γίνεται η αιτία να χωρίσει ένα ζευγάρι επειδή τους παίρνει μάτι και το μετανιώνει πικρά. Αδύνατον να σε τραβήξει σαν ιστορία, εκτός κι αν έχεις αντίστοιχη εμπειρία και βαρέσεις ξερωγώ ταύτιση. Με ηδονοβλεψία, θέλω να πω, όχι με αργό και μαρτυρικό θάνατο.
The Place of Waiting ⭐⭐
Ένας τύπος έχει τον αψόφαντο και ταλαιπωρεί κόσμο για να πάρουν τη θέση του. Προβλέψιμο, βαρετό και χωρίς κάποια πρωτοτυπία.
The Man Who Killed Kew Gardens ⭐⭐
Ο τρόμος ήρθε από το διάστημα. Με ένα μετεωρίτη. Όχι, όχι για τους δεινόσαβρες (sic), για τον άνθρωπο (η αποδέλοιπη πανίδα να πάει να γ…, ο Ολυμπιακός και το Αιγάλεω να κερδάνε…). Μεταλλαγμένα μανιτάρια, αγγούργια που εκρήγνυνται, η φύση (χλωρίδα κυρίως, αν και οι μύκητες είναι περίεργη μεσοβέζικη κατάσταση) αφυπνίζεται και μας πάει Κλερμοντφεράντζα. Άθλιο, συχνά στα όρια του αστείου, με εκφράσεις τύπου «and then, oh, the horror» (τις οποίες συγχωρούμε μόνο στον αγράμματο Πόε που λέγεται Λαβκραφτ) που όχι μόνο δεν προκαλούν ανατριχίλες στο θεατή, αλλά του προσβάλλουν και τη νοημόσύνη. Επίσης, μπορεί να εκληφθεί ως ξέπλυμα των εταιριών με τα μεταλλαγμένα, αλλά δε θα το έφτανα τόσο μακριά :p
My Thing Friday ⭐⭐🌙
Διαστημικός «τρόμος» (τρομακτικός όσο ένα άσπρο κουνέλι με ένα χαρτάκι που γράφει «μπου!» κολλημένο στο κεφάλι του). Ο άνθρωπος ταξιδεύει στα αστέρια και συναντά μια άλλη γη. Εκεί διαπιστώνει πώς είναι να μην είσαι κυρίαρχος του πλανήτη σου, ή έστω, apex predator και οι ντόπιες μορφές ζωής τον κάνουν αλοιφή για κάλλους, ξενιστή, το πουτανάκι τους, γενικώς ό,τι θέλουν. Μέτριο, προβλέψιμο, κλισέ, αλλά όχι πραγματικά κακό.
The Disapproval of Jeremy Cleave ⭐⭐⭐🌙
Παρανοϊκή ιστορία χιουμοριστικού τρόμου, με τον πεθαμένο σύζυγο να παρακολουθεί και να στριμώχνει τη χήρα και τον εραστή με το προσθετικό του πόδι και το γυάλινο μάτι του. Απολαυστικό, σύντομο, ευχάριστο σα σφηνάκι.
Fruiting Bodies ⭐⭐⭐
Ένας άντρας επισκέπτεται τα μέρη των προγόνων του, συναντά ένα τελευταίο κάτοικο της περιοχής που του δείχνει τον «καρκίνο του ξύλου» που μαστίζει την περιοχή, περνάνε μια μέρα μαζί και μετά φεύγει, υποσχόμενος να επιστρέψει.
Περνάει ο καιρός, ξεχνιέται, μέχρι που λαμβάνει μαντάτα ότι η μάνα του αρρώστη και στα καπάκια ότι πέθανε. Παίρνει λοιπόν μια μπουκάλα ουίσκι και πούρα να πάει να ξαναδει το γέρο.
Φτάνει εκεί και τρώει φρίκες. The end. Καλογραμμένο, ευχάριστο στην ανάγνωση, αλλά δε σε ανατινάζιε, ούτε προκαλεί ανατριχίλες νιοστού βαθμού. Ίσως πρέπει να το διαβάσει κανείς με φακό κάτω από τα σεντόνια, αλλά πάνε δεκαετίες που βγήκα από την εφηβεία.
The Sun, the Sea, and the Silent Scream ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Μάλλον εμπνευσμένο από τις χειρότερες ever διακοπές του Lumley σε ελληνικό νησί, το διήγημα αυτό είναι η ιστορία (τρόμου) δύο τουριστών, που φτάνουν χαρούμενοι για τις διακοπές τους στο νησί Μάκαλος και καταλήγουν στα ρουμς του λετ, τσίμερ φρέι «Ντιμίτριος», όπου ένας σκοτεινός τύπος (ο ίδιος ο Ντιμίτριος) ρίχνει παλλόμενες γλίτσες, γυρίνους του τρόμου, προνύμφες του αίσχους (ή ό,τι τέλοπάντων) στις δεξαμενές του νερού και μακελλεύει γεροντοκόρες και συγγενείς.
Πέρα από την υπερβολή, μου θύμισε δικές μου διακοπές σε ελληνικό νησί (ευτυχώς απέδρασα ζωντανός και χωρίς τα ψυχολογικά τραύματα των ηρώων της ιστορίας), έχει ζόφο, υπόγειο τρόμο, ανθρώπινη τρέλα και αρκετές δόσεις ανατριχίλας. Και έχει και ταβέρνα, φέημους γκρηκ μουζάκα, τσατσίκι, γκρηκ σάλαντ και retsina (για λαϊκό τσατσά ούτε λόγος, τρέχανε να γλιτώσουν τη ζωή τους).
The Picnickers ⭐⭐
Ένας χαροκαμένος θείος, γύφτοι και βαρδούλακες. Μία που το διάβασα, μία που το άφησα να ξεχαστεί. Απορώ με τους εκστασιασμένους. Εκτός κι αν μιλάει ο παράγοντας ρατσισμός εδώ :p (μία τα βάζει με τους Έλληνες στο The Sun, the Sea, and the Silent Scream, μία με τους γύφτοι εδωδανά, περιμένω να δω και εβραίους για να κλείσει η τριάδα).
The Viaduct ⭐⭐⭐
Δύο παιδιά προσβάλλουν τον ηλίθιο του χωριού και το μετανιώνουν πικρά.
Εξαιρετική ατμόσφαιρα τρόμου που κλιμακώνεται, ξεκινώντας από μια άδολα χαρούμενη μέρα πετάγματος πετρών στο νερό, με κατάληξη ένα επιμηκυμένο κρεσέντο αγωνίας και τρόμου. Αν εξαιρέσει κανείς ότι ο ηλίθιος του χωριού είναι μάλλον και στρατηγική ιδιοφυΐα, δεν έχει να του προσάψεις κάτι άλλο.
The Luststone ⭐⭐
Περίεργη ιστορία… Ούτε σαφή γραμμή ακολουθεί, αλλάζει χαρακτήρες στα μισά και συνεχίζει, αλογομούρηδες βιαστές (που βιάζουν μόνο όταν χάνουν στα αλογάκια), αρχαία οστά, μηχανόβιοι τσαμπουκάδες, καθίκια που ξεμοναχιάζουν κοπέλες, αδελφοί με έντονο αίσθημα τιμής και προστασίας των αδελφάδων τους… Όχι ακριβώς άσχημο, απλώς αλλοπρόσαλλο και περίεργο.
The Whisperer ⭐⭐
Ένας μυστηριώδης τύπος κάνει τον πρωταγωνιστή να χάσει το μυαλό του. Δεν ξέρεις τι ακριβώς συμβαίνει και δεν σου αρέσει και πολύ σαν ανάγνωσμα.
No sharks in the Med ⭐⭐
Πάλι οι καταστροφικές διακοπές του Lumley στην Ελλάδα δίνουν σάρκα και οστά (όχι απαραίτητα συνδεδεμένα) σε ένα διήγημα. Ούζο, βιαστές και δολοφόνοι Έλληνες, φοβία για τη θάλασσα. Έχει την τυπική αδυναμία των θρίλερ «α, αυτός ο τύπος δείχνει επικίνδυνος και σαλεμένος, ας τον αφήσουμε να μας πάει κάπου».
The Pit-Yakker ⭐⭐
Οι ηδονοβλεπτικές πρακτικές (λέγε με «μπανιστήρι) τιμωρούνται με ΘΑΝΑΤΟ! Αργό, τρομακτικό θάνατο. Ένας ηλίθιος γίνεται η αιτία να χωρίσει ένα ζευγάρι επειδή τους παίρνει μάτι και το μετανιώνει πικρά. Αδύνατον να σε τραβήξει σαν ιστορία, εκτός κι αν έχεις αντίστοιχη εμπειρία και βαρέσεις ξερωγώ ταύτιση. Με ηδονοβλεψία, θέλω να πω, όχι με αργό και μαρτυρικό θάνατο.
The Place of Waiting ⭐⭐
Ένας τύπος έχει τον αψόφαντο και ταλαιπωρεί κόσμο για να πάρουν τη θέση του. Προβλέψιμο, βαρετό και χωρίς κάποια πρωτοτυπία.
The Man Who Killed Kew Gardens ⭐⭐
Ο τρόμος ήρθε από το διάστημα. Με ένα μετεωρίτη. Όχι, όχι για τους δεινόσαβρες (sic), για τον άνθρωπο (η αποδέλοιπη πανίδα να πάει να γ…, ο Ολυμπιακός και το Αιγάλεω να κερδάνε…). Μεταλλαγμένα μανιτάρια, αγγούργια που εκρήγνυνται, η φύση (χλωρίδα κυρίως, αν και οι μύκητες είναι περίεργη μεσοβέζικη κατάσταση) αφυπνίζεται και μας πάει Κλερμοντφεράντζα. Άθλιο, συχνά στα όρια του αστείου, με εκφράσεις τύπου «and then, oh, the horror» (τις οποίες συγχωρούμε μόνο στον αγράμματο Πόε που λέγεται Λαβκραφτ) που όχι μόνο δεν προκαλούν ανατριχίλες στο θεατή, αλλά του προσβάλλουν και τη νοημόσύνη. Επίσης, μπορεί να εκληφθεί ως ξέπλυμα των εταιριών με τα μεταλλαγμένα, αλλά δε θα το έφτανα τόσο μακριά :p
My Thing Friday ⭐⭐🌙
Διαστημικός «τρόμος» (τρομακτικός όσο ένα άσπρο κουνέλι με ένα χαρτάκι που γράφει «μπου!» κολλημένο στο κεφάλι του). Ο άνθρωπος ταξιδεύει στα αστέρια και συναντά μια άλλη γη. Εκεί διαπιστώνει πώς είναι να μην είσαι κυρίαρχος του πλανήτη σου, ή έστω, apex predator και οι ντόπιες μορφές ζωής τον κάνουν αλοιφή για κάλλους, ξενιστή, το πουτανάκι τους, γενικώς ό,τι θέλουν. Μέτριο, προβλέψιμο, κλισέ, αλλά όχι πραγματικά κακό.
The Disapproval of Jeremy Cleave ⭐⭐⭐🌙
Παρανοϊκή ιστορία χιουμοριστικού τρόμου, με τον πεθαμένο σύζυγο να παρακολουθεί και να στριμώχνει τη χήρα και τον εραστή με το προσθετικό του πόδι και το γυάλινο μάτι του. Απολαυστικό, σύντομο, ευχάριστο σα σφηνάκι.
December 6, 2016
Only one question for Brian Lumley: Can you show us on the doll where Greece touched you?
December 6, 2019
Here is a collection of the macabre that runs the gamut of horror, from supernatural to psychological to Sci-fi to dark fantasy.
The two things they all have in common is brilliant characterization and a high creep-out factor.
Joshua Saxon offers brilliant audio narration that sets the tone of each story wonderfully. As with his previous work, his one weakness is that the female voices are left somewhat wanting, though to be fair that is a fairly common problem.
Elsewise, his voices are varied and distinct and brilliantly crafted. His accents are damned impressive. So much so that, in the one story where he drops the British accent in favor of the American, I almost wondered if it had switched to a different narrator!
His vocal inflections are excellent and his tempo shifts, while subtle, are very effective.
As is my wont, I'll forgo a discussion of what each story is about. I'm sure you can find other reviews that do this.
First, as was the standard at the time these were written, most of these stories start off rather slowly while providing a lot of excellent characterization to help get to know the characters.
There are a couple of exceptions, but most of the stories are told in first person POV, which I'm not normally fond of. But here it works exceptionally well with the subject matter.
Each character throughout the stories has a unique personality and view of the world that makes their voice compelling and interesting to read.
Similarly, each of the stories deals with its macabre subject in a different way that keeps them fun and engaging.
Although most occur in a world that feels much like the real world, there are a couple of exceptions, such as in "My Thing Friday" which takes place on an alien world.
The world building in these instances is every bit as intricate as the character building and I couldn't help but be fascinated by them.
Apart from things you have to expect in stories that were written in decades past, my only real complaint is there are one or two stories that were a touch predictable.
Most of the stories end in a twist, or at least a shock. And in the main, those shocks and twists are pulled off very well.
If you enjoy Lumley's style, or are simply a fan of short horror fiction in general, you can't go wrong with this collection.
The two things they all have in common is brilliant characterization and a high creep-out factor.
Joshua Saxon offers brilliant audio narration that sets the tone of each story wonderfully. As with his previous work, his one weakness is that the female voices are left somewhat wanting, though to be fair that is a fairly common problem.
Elsewise, his voices are varied and distinct and brilliantly crafted. His accents are damned impressive. So much so that, in the one story where he drops the British accent in favor of the American, I almost wondered if it had switched to a different narrator!
His vocal inflections are excellent and his tempo shifts, while subtle, are very effective.
As is my wont, I'll forgo a discussion of what each story is about. I'm sure you can find other reviews that do this.
First, as was the standard at the time these were written, most of these stories start off rather slowly while providing a lot of excellent characterization to help get to know the characters.
There are a couple of exceptions, but most of the stories are told in first person POV, which I'm not normally fond of. But here it works exceptionally well with the subject matter.
Each character throughout the stories has a unique personality and view of the world that makes their voice compelling and interesting to read.
Similarly, each of the stories deals with its macabre subject in a different way that keeps them fun and engaging.
Although most occur in a world that feels much like the real world, there are a couple of exceptions, such as in "My Thing Friday" which takes place on an alien world.
The world building in these instances is every bit as intricate as the character building and I couldn't help but be fascinated by them.
Apart from things you have to expect in stories that were written in decades past, my only real complaint is there are one or two stories that were a touch predictable.
Most of the stories end in a twist, or at least a shock. And in the main, those shocks and twists are pulled off very well.
If you enjoy Lumley's style, or are simply a fan of short horror fiction in general, you can't go wrong with this collection.
January 25, 2026
I got this book as it had been ages since I've read any Lumley, and this is one of the few I still didn't own. I didn't check the contents to see that it contained several (if not all) short stories I've read in other collections. However, though I recognized some of them (including "The Picknickers" which I was happy to reread as I think it's one of Lumley's best stories), for the most part it's been so long since I (may have) encountered them previously that they mostly read like new. And I had forgotten just how much I enjoy Lumley's writing, so even if I'd read much of this before, it was a great read.
September 12, 2019
I loved Brian Lumley's Necroscope series back when I read it 25 years ago. Like most books we read when younger, I wonder if I'd still enjoy it today, but I'll probably never put that to the test. That being said, when I got a chance to listen to the audio of a collection of his short stories, I happily jumped at it, and I liked it, but certainly didn't love it. Why? Well, the stories, apart from maybe half of them, didn't really grab me. This can be a problem with short story collections though, especially when they span many years like this one. But don't be totally put off. This is, of course, my subjective opinion, and there are some "fun" stories (it's horror) in there. Also, I've learned (re-learned?) that the BL is a terrific writer, and his ability to evoke imagery or describe human behaviour is worth the price of admission alone. The absolute best thing abut the audiobook was the narrator, who seemed to be custom made for this genre.
September 13, 2019
Where to start? I loved the stories! I loved the narrator! He definitely added to the overall suspense factor of these creepy stories. This is the second audiobook I’ve listened to by Joshua Saxon (in combo with the Brain Lumley) and wow! They are great together! Mr. Saxon does such an amazing job! I swear he is the best male narrator I’ve come across. And for me, my top male narrators consisted of RC Bray, Travis Baldree, and James Anderson Foster. Move over RC Bray! When he read the second to the last story using his American accent, it just slays me with how natural he sounds (not that he doesn’t sound natural with the other accents he uses, because he does)! His voice was made for narrating.
Fruiting Bodies 4/5 This was a very interesting story; I just had a hard time getting into the beginning of it.
The Sun, the Sea, and the Screaming 5/5 This was a very disturbing and made-you-feel-itchy kind of story. Question: why would they kill the fish when they were told not to eat them?
The Picnickers 5/5 I’ve listened to this one in “Cover of Vampires” and still loved it!
The Viaduct 5/5 There was so much tension in this story!
The Last Stone 5/5 The love stone part sounded familiar to me. I might have read or listened to another story that had similarities to the love stone idea, but… I don’t know what it was about the following line, but the fact Mr. Saxon said it so nonchalantly, yeah… it just went really well with how Mr. Lumley wrote the character: “Betting on the races was one of his hobbies, another of his hobbies was rape.”
The Whisperer 4/5 This was a good story until the final few minutes when the main character had the realization or whatever you want to call it and knew who the stinky, little man was. It went over my head! I couldn’t figure out who he was. AHHH!!!
No Sharks in the Med 5/5 Overall, I loved this story but didn’t understand why the main characters would have gone anywhere with Spiros(?) after all the red flags and weirdness that surrounded him. There were also some lines in this story that stood out to me in a negative way. It really made me want to see the actual writing because I swear there were tense issues (past/present) and just questionable phrasing. For example: “Spiros must release Gwen to keep his balance.” Or “Breathing heavily, Jeff and Gwen tried to catch up. Failed miserable.”
The Pit Raker 3/5 I just couldn’t get into this story.
The Place of Waiting 5/5
The Man Who Killed Hugh Gardens 5/5 This was such an easy to imagine, yet very creepy story!
My Thing Friday 5/5, American accent A+ The way Mr. Saxon narrated this was different but went so well with what the character was going through. It reminded me of Matt Damon and his recordings from The Martian.
The Disapproval of Jeremy Cleve 5/5
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Fruiting Bodies 4/5 This was a very interesting story; I just had a hard time getting into the beginning of it.
The Sun, the Sea, and the Screaming 5/5 This was a very disturbing and made-you-feel-itchy kind of story. Question: why would they kill the fish when they were told not to eat them?
The Picnickers 5/5 I’ve listened to this one in “Cover of Vampires” and still loved it!
The Viaduct 5/5 There was so much tension in this story!
The Last Stone 5/5 The love stone part sounded familiar to me. I might have read or listened to another story that had similarities to the love stone idea, but… I don’t know what it was about the following line, but the fact Mr. Saxon said it so nonchalantly, yeah… it just went really well with how Mr. Lumley wrote the character: “Betting on the races was one of his hobbies, another of his hobbies was rape.”
The Whisperer 4/5 This was a good story until the final few minutes when the main character had the realization or whatever you want to call it and knew who the stinky, little man was. It went over my head! I couldn’t figure out who he was. AHHH!!!
No Sharks in the Med 5/5 Overall, I loved this story but didn’t understand why the main characters would have gone anywhere with Spiros(?) after all the red flags and weirdness that surrounded him. There were also some lines in this story that stood out to me in a negative way. It really made me want to see the actual writing because I swear there were tense issues (past/present) and just questionable phrasing. For example: “Spiros must release Gwen to keep his balance.” Or “Breathing heavily, Jeff and Gwen tried to catch up. Failed miserable.”
The Pit Raker 3/5 I just couldn’t get into this story.
The Place of Waiting 5/5
The Man Who Killed Hugh Gardens 5/5 This was such an easy to imagine, yet very creepy story!
My Thing Friday 5/5, American accent A+ The way Mr. Saxon narrated this was different but went so well with what the character was going through. It reminded me of Matt Damon and his recordings from The Martian.
The Disapproval of Jeremy Cleve 5/5
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2019
This is a solid and enjoyable collection of short stories. Brian often sets his fiction within Lovecraft's mythos, these however are set outside of that but Lovecraft's influence is still strongly felt... there's even a hint of Lovecraft's xenophobia that is mostly directed towards the Greek, I assume he had a bad holiday there!
October 12, 2020
(stories i didnt comment on, were commented/read from other collections)
Fruiting Bodies
Amazing prose/atmosphere/story! Brought to mind Collins and Germinal by Zola! A tourist and a hermit, spend a day in town that used to be but is no more. Reminiscing, nostalgia and desertion fill each page, as the old man talks and the young man listens. Everything goes ‘’smoothly’’, the young man leaves but when he returns the ending goes on a twist.
The Viaduct
A touching story of a daring game between two very young boys that bring in mind books like Hack Finn and Tom Sawer. Edgy ending, great feelings of nostalgia.
The Whisperer
Meh. A mysterious stranger makes a man slowly lose his mind. Nice prose but nothing that we haven’t seen before.
No Sharks in the Med
The sea, the sun and the silent scream part2. Creepy Greek predators at Achladi! Liked it a lot, not only for the setting but also for the protagonist fear of the sea which is something we have in common and I see rarely in horror stories.
The Pit-Yakker
It could have been Americana but it iz kinda ‘’scary-dickensian’’! Simple yet powerful.
The Place of Waiting
Fruiting bodies part2. Nice warm feelin, nice creepy moments but nothing special or new.
The Man Who Killed Kew Gardens
Lumleys scifi- I know by now- is… weird! Space fungi, space leech vampires, fluid time and space… In this one, all the flora is intelligent and attacks those who want to it it… Mmmmk?
My Thing Friday
A space traveller lands in another Earth but the aliens there are far more civilized than he would think. Cute little story…
The Disapproval of Jeremy Cleave
I really appreciated the fact that it waz a satire of the horror genre. If an author of Lumley s level take a hit of fun in a genre he devoted his life, all authors must take lessons in him and get off their high horse…
Fruiting Bodies
Amazing prose/atmosphere/story! Brought to mind Collins and Germinal by Zola! A tourist and a hermit, spend a day in town that used to be but is no more. Reminiscing, nostalgia and desertion fill each page, as the old man talks and the young man listens. Everything goes ‘’smoothly’’, the young man leaves but when he returns the ending goes on a twist.
The Viaduct
A touching story of a daring game between two very young boys that bring in mind books like Hack Finn and Tom Sawer. Edgy ending, great feelings of nostalgia.
The Whisperer
Meh. A mysterious stranger makes a man slowly lose his mind. Nice prose but nothing that we haven’t seen before.
No Sharks in the Med
The sea, the sun and the silent scream part2. Creepy Greek predators at Achladi! Liked it a lot, not only for the setting but also for the protagonist fear of the sea which is something we have in common and I see rarely in horror stories.
The Pit-Yakker
It could have been Americana but it iz kinda ‘’scary-dickensian’’! Simple yet powerful.
The Place of Waiting
Fruiting bodies part2. Nice warm feelin, nice creepy moments but nothing special or new.
The Man Who Killed Kew Gardens
Lumleys scifi- I know by now- is… weird! Space fungi, space leech vampires, fluid time and space… In this one, all the flora is intelligent and attacks those who want to it it… Mmmmk?
My Thing Friday
A space traveller lands in another Earth but the aliens there are far more civilized than he would think. Cute little story…
The Disapproval of Jeremy Cleave
I really appreciated the fact that it waz a satire of the horror genre. If an author of Lumley s level take a hit of fun in a genre he devoted his life, all authors must take lessons in him and get off their high horse…
September 5, 2019
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Excellent variety of stories included! There was horror and sci-fi galore! Very enjoyable collection of short stories for almost all tastes of the macabre and sci-fi fan! I felt heavy influences of H.P. Lovecraft throughout. Great! Four stars overall.
Narration was well done and flowing throughout. I would recommend this one to horror lovers and sci fi fans alike!
Excellent variety of stories included! There was horror and sci-fi galore! Very enjoyable collection of short stories for almost all tastes of the macabre and sci-fi fan! I felt heavy influences of H.P. Lovecraft throughout. Great! Four stars overall.
Narration was well done and flowing throughout. I would recommend this one to horror lovers and sci fi fans alike!
September 4, 2019
After listening to a free audible copy of coven of vampires and absolutely loving it I requested a review copy of this one from the same narrator and it was just as good! This is another diverse and very well written collection of short stories and every one of them was great, also amazing narration!
February 20, 2017
Stories of good quality with enough original elements incorporated to make for a fast and compelling read.
After reading this I will not be planning any Greek vacations anytime soon.....it kind of makes me wonder if Lumley had a bad vacation there and has decided to make it the location of nightmares ever since, just to get some revenge. Attention resorts: treat your author guests well, or they will spend much time savaging your tourist appeal and frightening off your source of revenue.
After reading this I will not be planning any Greek vacations anytime soon.....it kind of makes me wonder if Lumley had a bad vacation there and has decided to make it the location of nightmares ever since, just to get some revenge. Attention resorts: treat your author guests well, or they will spend much time savaging your tourist appeal and frightening off your source of revenue.
September 13, 2022
I had read Lumley's coven of Vampires short collection, so I knew Lumley was effective at short weird. He has a very spare way of writing which I appreciate. He can build tension or foreboding or eeriness with apparent ease.
Only a couple in this set I didn't connect with.
Fruiting Bodies 4/5
Solid, semi solid, musty, or is that mouldy. The seasidetown is slowly being reclaimed by the sea, slowly but surely. And this strange old miner, what is his deal. Something is a bit, off.
The Sun, the Sea, and the Screaming 4/5
Idyllic Greek setting with a few pasty British tourists. What is that ghastly thing attached to that fish. What are those bites infesting that man. Are they moving under his skin. What.
The Picknickers 2/5
The Viaduct 2/5
The Last Stone 3.5/5
Ancient fertility gods are released when an old stone is unearthed. A murderer gets caught in the chaos.
The Whisperer 2/5
No Sharks in the Med: 3.5/5
This one had quite a strong setup but the conclusion didn't really grab me. Even with this quite simple story, there are multiple threads which still draw together in the conclusion. I'd have preferred something a big more outlandish in the close though. A newly wed couple goes to an idyllic Greek island and find some local problems.
The Pit Raker: 3.5/5
Young people having exploratory new experiences which seems so trouble free despite the hard working class life of the towns inhabitants. Solid writing but the conclusion again went in a direction that then sticks the knife in, without any real reason. Maybe that is its strength, really. Jealousy or just evil? Not all bad things make sense. Senseless violence.
The Place of Waiting 3.5/5
An evocative setting of the misty moorlands, Inhabited by various kinds ghosts and characters.
The Man Who Killed Hugh Gardens 3/5
Colour out of space hommage, strange fungus from a meteorite wipes out humanity, slowly, but surely.
My Thing Friday 3/5
A guy has a castaway experience on a unknown planet. Things get weird, and bad. Evolution finds a way.
The Disapproval of Jeremy Cleve 3/5
Frantic bedlam to close it up.
Only a couple in this set I didn't connect with.
Fruiting Bodies 4/5
Solid, semi solid, musty, or is that mouldy. The seasidetown is slowly being reclaimed by the sea, slowly but surely. And this strange old miner, what is his deal. Something is a bit, off.
The Sun, the Sea, and the Screaming 4/5
Idyllic Greek setting with a few pasty British tourists. What is that ghastly thing attached to that fish. What are those bites infesting that man. Are they moving under his skin. What.
The Picknickers 2/5
The Viaduct 2/5
The Last Stone 3.5/5
Ancient fertility gods are released when an old stone is unearthed. A murderer gets caught in the chaos.
The Whisperer 2/5
No Sharks in the Med: 3.5/5
This one had quite a strong setup but the conclusion didn't really grab me. Even with this quite simple story, there are multiple threads which still draw together in the conclusion. I'd have preferred something a big more outlandish in the close though. A newly wed couple goes to an idyllic Greek island and find some local problems.
The Pit Raker: 3.5/5
Young people having exploratory new experiences which seems so trouble free despite the hard working class life of the towns inhabitants. Solid writing but the conclusion again went in a direction that then sticks the knife in, without any real reason. Maybe that is its strength, really. Jealousy or just evil? Not all bad things make sense. Senseless violence.
The Place of Waiting 3.5/5
An evocative setting of the misty moorlands, Inhabited by various kinds ghosts and characters.
The Man Who Killed Hugh Gardens 3/5
Colour out of space hommage, strange fungus from a meteorite wipes out humanity, slowly, but surely.
My Thing Friday 3/5
A guy has a castaway experience on a unknown planet. Things get weird, and bad. Evolution finds a way.
The Disapproval of Jeremy Cleve 3/5
Frantic bedlam to close it up.
August 26, 2019
This was a really good collection of short stories. May favorite tales were "No Sharks in the Med", "The Sun, the Sea, and the Silent Scream", and The Man Who Killed Kew Gardens". The latter being my favorite. There were so many varieties here, so much good stuff. I love horror, but somehow I have never really read anything from Brian Lumley until lately. I always meant to, but never pulled the trigger. This collection and "A Coven of Vampires" has won me over and I plan on indulging quite a bit more. The narration of the tales was spot on as well. Joshua Saxon did great bringing the right emotion to each situation. Great job.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review
January 7, 2020
Audible:This is an excellent collection of creepy stories!Some keep you thinking long after you finish listening to it. Joshua Saxon was a fine narrator.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.'
September 29, 2021
A fantastic collection of what Lumley considers his "Best of" non mythos stories, including stories featured in Wierd Tales, that prove Lumley is more than just Lovecraft pastiches. This collection will leave you with goosebumps.
December 13, 2017
Not a huge fan of Brian Lumley, but these shortstories were actually rather good!
September 16, 2018
An outstanding collection of Cthulhu-free macabre tales.
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