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Shades of Evil
An evil force able to assume any shape, animal or human, emerges from a grass-choked Florida lake
- GenresHorror
307 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 1982
3 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Hugh B. Cave
248 books34 followersHugh Barnett Cave was a prolific writer of pulp fiction who also excelled in other genres.
Sources differ as to when Cave sold his first story: some say it was while he still attended Brookline High School, others cite "Island Ordeal", written at age 19 in 1929 while still working for the vanity press.
In his early career he contributed to such pulp magazines as Astounding, Black Mask, and Weird Tales. By his own estimate, in the 1930s alone, he published roughly 800 short stories in nearly 100 periodicals under a number of pseudonyms. Of particular interest during this time was his series featuring an independent gentleman of courageous action and questionable morals called simply The Eel. These adventures appeared in the late 1930s and early 40s under the pen name Justin Case. Cave was also one of the most successful contributors to the weird menace or "shudder pulps" of the 1930s.
In 1943, drawing on his experience as a war reporter, he authored one of his most highly regarded novels, Long Were the Nights, telling of the first PT boats at Guadalcanal. He also wrote a number of other books on the war in the Pacific during this period.
During his post-war sojourn in Haiti, he became so familiar with the religion of Voodoo that he published Haiti: High Road to Adventure, a nonfiction work critically acclaimed as the "best report on voodoo in English." His Caribbean experiences led to his best-selling Voodoo-themed novel, The Cross On The Drum (1959), an interracial story in which a white Christian missionary falls in love with a black Voodoo priest's sister.
During this midpoint in his career Cave advanced his writing to the "slick" magazines, including Collier's, Family Circle, Ladies' Home Journal, Redbook, and the Saturday Evening Post. It was in this latter publication, in 1959, that "The Mission," his most popular short story, appeared—subsequently issued in hardcover by Doubleday, reprinted in textbooks, and translated into a number of languages.
But his career took a dip in the early 1970s. According to The Guardian, with the golden era of pulp fiction now in the past, Cave's "only regular market was writing romance for women's magazines." He was rediscovered, however, by Karl Edward Wagner, who published Murgunstrumm and Others, a horror story collection that won Cave the 1978 World Fantasy Award. Other collections followed and Cave also published new horror fiction.
His later career included the publication in the late 1970s and early 1980s of four successful fantasy novels: Legion of the Dead (1979), The Nebulon Horror (1980), The Evil (1981), and Shades of Evil (1982). Two other notable late works are Lucifer's Eye (1991) and The Mountains of Madness (2004). Moreover, Cave took naturally to the Internet, championing the e-book to such an extent that electronic versions of his stories can readily be purchased online.
Over his entire career he wrote more than 1,000 short stories in nearly all genres (though he is best remembered for his horror and crime pieces), approximately forty novels, and a notable body of nonfiction. He received the Phoenix Award as well as lifetime achievement awards from the International Horror Guild, the Horror Writers Association, and the World Fantasy Convention. (From Wikipedia.)
Used the pseudonyms John Starr and Justin Case
Sources differ as to when Cave sold his first story: some say it was while he still attended Brookline High School, others cite "Island Ordeal", written at age 19 in 1929 while still working for the vanity press.
In his early career he contributed to such pulp magazines as Astounding, Black Mask, and Weird Tales. By his own estimate, in the 1930s alone, he published roughly 800 short stories in nearly 100 periodicals under a number of pseudonyms. Of particular interest during this time was his series featuring an independent gentleman of courageous action and questionable morals called simply The Eel. These adventures appeared in the late 1930s and early 40s under the pen name Justin Case. Cave was also one of the most successful contributors to the weird menace or "shudder pulps" of the 1930s.
In 1943, drawing on his experience as a war reporter, he authored one of his most highly regarded novels, Long Were the Nights, telling of the first PT boats at Guadalcanal. He also wrote a number of other books on the war in the Pacific during this period.
During his post-war sojourn in Haiti, he became so familiar with the religion of Voodoo that he published Haiti: High Road to Adventure, a nonfiction work critically acclaimed as the "best report on voodoo in English." His Caribbean experiences led to his best-selling Voodoo-themed novel, The Cross On The Drum (1959), an interracial story in which a white Christian missionary falls in love with a black Voodoo priest's sister.
During this midpoint in his career Cave advanced his writing to the "slick" magazines, including Collier's, Family Circle, Ladies' Home Journal, Redbook, and the Saturday Evening Post. It was in this latter publication, in 1959, that "The Mission," his most popular short story, appeared—subsequently issued in hardcover by Doubleday, reprinted in textbooks, and translated into a number of languages.
But his career took a dip in the early 1970s. According to The Guardian, with the golden era of pulp fiction now in the past, Cave's "only regular market was writing romance for women's magazines." He was rediscovered, however, by Karl Edward Wagner, who published Murgunstrumm and Others, a horror story collection that won Cave the 1978 World Fantasy Award. Other collections followed and Cave also published new horror fiction.
His later career included the publication in the late 1970s and early 1980s of four successful fantasy novels: Legion of the Dead (1979), The Nebulon Horror (1980), The Evil (1981), and Shades of Evil (1982). Two other notable late works are Lucifer's Eye (1991) and The Mountains of Madness (2004). Moreover, Cave took naturally to the Internet, championing the e-book to such an extent that electronic versions of his stories can readily be purchased online.
Over his entire career he wrote more than 1,000 short stories in nearly all genres (though he is best remembered for his horror and crime pieces), approximately forty novels, and a notable body of nonfiction. He received the Phoenix Award as well as lifetime achievement awards from the International Horror Guild, the Horror Writers Association, and the World Fantasy Convention. (From Wikipedia.)
Used the pseudonyms John Starr and Justin Case
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 24, 2021
There is something coming from the lake. It looks like a foggy blob at first but then coalesces into the shape of a human woman. First, two large dogs are found dead but later, residents of the nearby condominium complex start to be killed. Will Platt is an author of occult stories who lives in the complex and he feels there is some connection to his soon-to-be ex-wife as well as a recent trip to Jamaica. Certainly, voodoo has something to do with it.
Hugh B. Cave was a prolific pulpster, selling over 800 stories during the 1920’s and 30’s in just about every genre imaginable. He was probably known best for his horror and weird menace stories, and this novel is a good example of that. This novel is told in three parts with the first and third taking place in Florida near the aforementioned lake while the third is a flashback to the island of Jamaica. Interestingly, the author, after a stint in WW2 as a war correspondent, moved to Jamaica and managed a coffee plantation while continuing his writing career. This has resulted in accurate and insightful descriptions of the island and its inhabitants in this novel.
I’ve never been a big fan of voodoo in novels and there is a lot of that here, as well as other occult practices that I am not familiar with (obeah and bocorism?). I guess it is not surprising considering the author’s time in Haiti resulted in his publishing Haiti Highroad to Adventure, a nonfiction work that some claim is the "best report on voodoo in English." The man knew his subject. Many of the main characters in this novel not only believe in the associated powers but seem to take it for granted that others do too. And they do! Nobody ever really questions the occult nature of the mysterious apparition, and easily buy into the premise. I found the horror elements to be somewhat subdued by today’s standards, but it does focus on the fear and apprehension aspects rather than any kind of gore and blood splatter.
I was surprised to find out the novel reads much more like a modern horror story than a pulp story. Like something from Dean Koontz or John Saul might write.
Hugh B. Cave was a prolific pulpster, selling over 800 stories during the 1920’s and 30’s in just about every genre imaginable. He was probably known best for his horror and weird menace stories, and this novel is a good example of that. This novel is told in three parts with the first and third taking place in Florida near the aforementioned lake while the third is a flashback to the island of Jamaica. Interestingly, the author, after a stint in WW2 as a war correspondent, moved to Jamaica and managed a coffee plantation while continuing his writing career. This has resulted in accurate and insightful descriptions of the island and its inhabitants in this novel.
I’ve never been a big fan of voodoo in novels and there is a lot of that here, as well as other occult practices that I am not familiar with (obeah and bocorism?). I guess it is not surprising considering the author’s time in Haiti resulted in his publishing Haiti Highroad to Adventure, a nonfiction work that some claim is the "best report on voodoo in English." The man knew his subject. Many of the main characters in this novel not only believe in the associated powers but seem to take it for granted that others do too. And they do! Nobody ever really questions the occult nature of the mysterious apparition, and easily buy into the premise. I found the horror elements to be somewhat subdued by today’s standards, but it does focus on the fear and apprehension aspects rather than any kind of gore and blood splatter.
I was surprised to find out the novel reads much more like a modern horror story than a pulp story. Like something from Dean Koontz or John Saul might write.
April 20, 2022
{1982} Shades of Evil by Hugh B Cave. Huge big cave. There actually is a huge big cave in this too. And yes I realize the redundancy in my dumb joke. This starts off in Florida at a condominium on a pond for a elderly people. There is a bit of friskyness going on and we have the main character jerking off in the shower on page 8. Interesting start. There is a misty creature coming up out of the lake and spookin around. Old couple see it. So does another tenant who's out looking for a giant gator he thought he saw in the swamp pond. Two of the neighbors dogs are found scared to death the next day. Main character guy is a writer. He has a missing wife. She was really into obeah which is like a Haitian version of evil voodoo. She learned it on their trip to Haiti- pre story. A lady dies the same way the dogs did and now the cops are there. They question writer guy cause he's fishy with the whole missing wife thing. Afterwards writer guy meets new lady and they fall in love immediately. More deaths around the condo. More sightings of ghostly swirl. The beginning reminded me of one of the fun episodes of the X Files.
The whole middle part of the book is a flashback to when writer was in Jamaica trying to help his friend find a missing U.N. farmer guy. Wife shows up cause she wants more voodoo lessons. I really loved this part of the book. The setting. The mystery. The characters. All super good. The third act was back at del boco vista. The ghost is getting closer to finding writer. He gets the Jamaican gang back together for the showcase showdown. This was great! I loved it all. I even finally got a killer Alligator. X files, voodoo, killer lady of the lake, Alligator, mystery. Everything I could possibly want. Plus that reflective cover!
The whole middle part of the book is a flashback to when writer was in Jamaica trying to help his friend find a missing U.N. farmer guy. Wife shows up cause she wants more voodoo lessons. I really loved this part of the book. The setting. The mystery. The characters. All super good. The third act was back at del boco vista. The ghost is getting closer to finding writer. He gets the Jamaican gang back together for the showcase showdown. This was great! I loved it all. I even finally got a killer Alligator. X files, voodoo, killer lady of the lake, Alligator, mystery. Everything I could possibly want. Plus that reflective cover!
December 28, 2024
Hugh B. Cave’s Shades of Evil delivers an intriguing blend of supernatural suspense and mystery. Set in a picturesque yet eerie lakeside condominium community, the novel excels in creating a creeping sense of dread. However, the pacing and character development keep it from being exceptional.
🚨 Spoilers Ahead! 🚨
The story begins with strange occurrences at Heron Lake: panicked ducks, a mysterious figure rising from the water, and the unexplained deaths of two Great Danes. These chilling events set the stage for an atmospheric tale of paranoia and fear among the condo’s eclectic residents. At its core, the book explores the clash between the mundane and the supernatural as neighbors speculate about the "lake thing" and grapple with their own secrets.
Cave’s strength lies in his vivid descriptions, which make the lake and its surroundings feel alive and menaced. However, the characters often fall into predictable archetypes, and their interactions occasionally feel repetitive. The Ellstroms’ and Haydn Clay’s accounts of the ghostly figure provide genuine chills, but the resolution lacks the punch needed to tie all the threads together.
The tense moment when Connie Abbott encounters the misty figure on the road stands out. Her palpable fear and the ambiguity of the “thing” create an unforgettable sequence.
“Some things, once they rise from the depths, can’t be put back.”
While the novel’s eerie atmosphere and supernatural elements are engaging, the story’s pace drags in parts, and some plotlines are left unresolved. The promise of a deeper connection between the lake’s mystery and the characters’ personal lives feels underdeveloped.
Overall, Shades of Evil is a solid read for fans of slow-burn thrillers with a touch of the macabre. It doesn’t quite reach its full potential, but it’s worth exploring for its haunting setting and suspenseful moments.
#ShadesOfEvil #HughBCave #SupernaturalSuspense #LakeMystery #AtmosphericThriller
🚨 Spoilers Ahead! 🚨
The story begins with strange occurrences at Heron Lake: panicked ducks, a mysterious figure rising from the water, and the unexplained deaths of two Great Danes. These chilling events set the stage for an atmospheric tale of paranoia and fear among the condo’s eclectic residents. At its core, the book explores the clash between the mundane and the supernatural as neighbors speculate about the "lake thing" and grapple with their own secrets.
Cave’s strength lies in his vivid descriptions, which make the lake and its surroundings feel alive and menaced. However, the characters often fall into predictable archetypes, and their interactions occasionally feel repetitive. The Ellstroms’ and Haydn Clay’s accounts of the ghostly figure provide genuine chills, but the resolution lacks the punch needed to tie all the threads together.
The tense moment when Connie Abbott encounters the misty figure on the road stands out. Her palpable fear and the ambiguity of the “thing” create an unforgettable sequence.
“Some things, once they rise from the depths, can’t be put back.”
While the novel’s eerie atmosphere and supernatural elements are engaging, the story’s pace drags in parts, and some plotlines are left unresolved. The promise of a deeper connection between the lake’s mystery and the characters’ personal lives feels underdeveloped.
Overall, Shades of Evil is a solid read for fans of slow-burn thrillers with a touch of the macabre. It doesn’t quite reach its full potential, but it’s worth exploring for its haunting setting and suspenseful moments.
#ShadesOfEvil #HughBCave #SupernaturalSuspense #LakeMystery #AtmosphericThriller
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2022
I loved his short story Murgenstrum or whatever and I found this at the library so figured I'd check it out. Pretty boring and longer than necessary and not scary at all lol. But I finished it.
June 19, 2012
Not Cave’s best novel by any means, entertaining at times but lacking good flow and characterization. Poor logic and not everything was fully explained to my satisfaction, but I still love Hugh Cave and will read the rest of his stuff on my shelf.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews