Double Edge

by Dennis Etchison

"One hell of a fiction writer." — Stephen King

Jenny and Lee Marlow are Hollywood writers. After years of research, they have finally solved the infamous Lizzie Borden case. But now Jenny's sanity — and her survival — are at stake, as the killings begin again. Is someone copying the bloody crimes of a century ago...or is the axe-murderess alive in modern-day Los Angeles?

This terrifying novel offers a brilliant solution to America's most famous unsolved murders, leading to a blood-drenched climax of horror and suspense.

"The most original living horror writer in America. In both subject matter and style, he has forged a contemporary horror milieu as new and daring as the film nightmares of David Cronenberg." — The Viking-Penguin Encyclopedia of Horror and the Supernatural

Genres: Horror

190 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 2, 1996

About the author

aka Jack Martin.

Dennis William Etchison was an American writer and editor of fantasy and horror fiction. He is a multi-award winner, having won the British Fantasy Award three times for fiction, and the World Fantasy Award for anthologies he edited.

Reviews

[Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dennis Etchison may have been an outstanding editor, but as a writer of novels, he stunk. This is the third novel of his I've read, and while the threat and horror feels more solid here than in the other two books, there still isn't much to elicit any fear or dread. It falls into the "Who's the killer?" trope, without giving it anything new or original.

The plot (such as it is) revolves around a couple trying to get their docu-drama about Lizzie Borden green-lit for television. There are also some murders happening, along with a New Age-y seance of sorts, and it's a mess. The characters don't feel realized, the plot wanders, and there's no atmosphere. I think Etchison was trying for atmosphere by being overly descriptive, but it doesn't gel.

The weird thing is I like Etchison's style. It's succinct and direct, but the story he's telling with that style doesn't connect. His style is the only thing saving this book from a one-star review, but even then, I wouldn't recommend it, even to fans of horror.

[Tony Baker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Decent little thriller marred by a terrible ending. Also, it does nothing with the Hollywood commentary or the Lizzie Borden connection. Also also... possibly the worst use of a red herring I've ever seen.

[Rob · Rating 1 out of 5]

Etchison is considered one of the horror field's best editors.....so I expected this book to be somewhat brilliant. Not so. One of the worst books I've read in years.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because I wanted to see what the novel's theory for the Lizzie Borden murders would be. The theory, and the novel as a whole, were good, but nothing spectacular.