Black Ashes

by Noel Scanlon

In a story set against the backdrop of mysterious India, Bob Roberts and his family are tormented by the malevolent force that possesses Bank House and find themselves in a deadly struggle for their sanity and survival

Genres: Horror

222 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Noel Scanlon is an Irish writer living in the wonderfully scenic West of Ireland.

Though he always wanted to write he started off with a career in international banking in the Middle East and India over a period of twenty years.

After graduating from MECAS, the British Foreign office Arabic language and culture institute in Shemlan, Lebanon, he lived in Dubai, Sharjah, Bahrain, Aden, Mukalla in the Hadhramut, the Oman and other parts of the Gulf where through his work he became acquainted with a number of the Gulf Sheikhs, in particular Sultan Qaboos of Muscat and Oman.

Though he was mostly in the Middle East he also lived in India in Bombay, Calcutta, and Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh.

All of these places provided him with the settings for his novels.

Because he didn't find banking fulfilling on account of always having had a compulsion to write, he gave up banking and went to live in a cottage in Achill, in the west of Ireland.

After many years in Achill Island in the West of Ireland, he now lives in Newport, Co Mayo.

Reviews

[Bandit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tis the month to read scary stories, this one sorta kinda fit the bill, a slow burning atmospheric tale of things goings off the rails for a well to do family of a British banker in India. Their luxurious accommodations appear to be haunted and there's an evil cult. And, of course, the always uncomfortable general ambiance of not fitting in in a distinctly foreign land. This book is probably something like 3 decades old and the descriptions of India come across in a very much colonial, patronizing vein. Then again, the descriptions here are the best part of the book (because it's certainly not the characters) and frankly aren't that wildly off either, the dirt, the poverty, the climate, the juxtaposition of the supposed spiritual utopia for the young and the actual desperate conditions as perceived by the rest...it all works well to create a sort of subtly evil sort of mood. Other than that it's a very much middle of the road obscure relatively quick sort of read that Endeavor Press seems to specialize in.

[Mrs Susan J Bociek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unnerving

What starts out as a bit of an adventure soon becomes a nightmare as Paul, Dierdre and Monica start a new chapter of their lives in India. Unseen forces are at work while Monica tries to find new friends, Paul sorts out the problems at the bank left by his predecessor and Dierdre barely hangs on to her sanity. Religion, mysticism, spirits and drugs......all very scary.

[Aparna J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

Overall, a highly enjoyable book. The author has done excellent research on Indian culture and penned an excellent story that keeps you glued until the end.
Brilliant combination of supernatural elements with thrill.

[Tootie Houston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh

The book sounded better than it was. It was interesting to see the interactions between white people and the. Indians.