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Let There Be Dark
Writer Matt Hardison turns his favorite childhood story--a tale about a carnival spook that steals people's shadows--into a bestseller, forgetting that repeating the legend brings the Shadowstealer to life
345 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 15, 2020
Gosh, what a scary story. Matt writes a story about 'The Shadowstealer'. It becomes a bestseller. When Matt and his wife return to the town of his childhood the past catches up with him. Who is Matt's real father? What about the mysterious fair and the watertower? And what about the evil entity? The characters described here are very well crafted. The story itself is carefully told (okay, sometimes a bit long winded and too detailed) but the philosophical concept behind 'The Shadowstealer' is quite interesting and stunning. Do our friends stand a chance against evil as old as the world? Can they overcome this deadly threat? The author is an absolute master storyteller. He slowly evolves his tale of absolute terror and keeps your attention on the pages. A real horror classic. Absolutely recommended!
November 11, 2018
You feel a slight tingling on your neck. Someone or something is right behind you, you feel it. But whatever you do, don't turn around, or you're toast. Even just being aware of this information is enough to get you killed by the Shadowstealer, which you will know is right behind you if you don't see your shadow when it should be right in front of you. It can only get you if you've heard the legend. Good thing almost nobody knows about it, that is until Matt Hardison decides to write a novel inspired by his childhood memories of his great aunt's stories about the creature. And the book's about to become a bestseller, with a possible big-budget Spielberg film in the works.
Seemingly everyone in Matt's small hometown in northern Georgia has been reading it, kids and adults alike. Those who haven't at least know the basic story. People soon start to go missing, or come under control of the Shadowstealer, a shadow-like demon who forces them to commit terrible acts to themselves and others, and terror soon grips the town. It's up to Matt, his young son, his new wife Cathy, his circle of friends including the town sheriff (I liked picturing the dude from Stranger Things in the role), and some neighborhood kids to figure out a way to kill the monster, which is growing stronger as the story spreads among the townspeople.
"Maybe you called something into existence. Invoked it, only not from Storyworld or never-never land, but from the deepest, most terrifying layer of human unconsciousness. The thing in our nightmares that is always just behind the next door, or over our shoulder--always before it was nameless, without form, without color. What if you somehow allowed it to surface, to come into consciousness, to be seen, and named, and spoken about? Maybe what has gotten loose is something that has been buried deep in the human mind for thousands an thousands of years. Only now, it's out there."
It alternates between the various character's POVs and, like Harris' previous (and only other) novel, Deliver Us from Evil (1988), they were all very well-drawn and sympathetic, kids and adults alike. The writing once again is well above-average for the era, reminding me quite a bit of early King due to the somewhat "folksy" charm of his style, with a number of freaky and disturbing-as-hell scenes. But, again like the previous novel, things got a bit too silly for me towards the end, with a lot of religious symbolism and Biblical passages strewn about.
Still, I was absorbed nearly the whole time, and the only thing I'm disappointed about is that there's no more Allen Lee Harris to read*. He's definitely been one of the better discoveries from the horror boom-era I've had in recent years.
4.0 Stars.
*Other than the political non-fiction he writes these days under the name Lee Harris (thanks for that info, Eric).
Seemingly everyone in Matt's small hometown in northern Georgia has been reading it, kids and adults alike. Those who haven't at least know the basic story. People soon start to go missing, or come under control of the Shadowstealer, a shadow-like demon who forces them to commit terrible acts to themselves and others, and terror soon grips the town. It's up to Matt, his young son, his new wife Cathy, his circle of friends including the town sheriff (I liked picturing the dude from Stranger Things in the role), and some neighborhood kids to figure out a way to kill the monster, which is growing stronger as the story spreads among the townspeople.
"Maybe you called something into existence. Invoked it, only not from Storyworld or never-never land, but from the deepest, most terrifying layer of human unconsciousness. The thing in our nightmares that is always just behind the next door, or over our shoulder--always before it was nameless, without form, without color. What if you somehow allowed it to surface, to come into consciousness, to be seen, and named, and spoken about? Maybe what has gotten loose is something that has been buried deep in the human mind for thousands an thousands of years. Only now, it's out there."
It alternates between the various character's POVs and, like Harris' previous (and only other) novel, Deliver Us from Evil (1988), they were all very well-drawn and sympathetic, kids and adults alike. The writing once again is well above-average for the era, reminding me quite a bit of early King due to the somewhat "folksy" charm of his style, with a number of freaky and disturbing-as-hell scenes. But, again like the previous novel, things got a bit too silly for me towards the end, with a lot of religious symbolism and Biblical passages strewn about.
Still, I was absorbed nearly the whole time, and the only thing I'm disappointed about is that there's no more Allen Lee Harris to read*. He's definitely been one of the better discoveries from the horror boom-era I've had in recent years.
4.0 Stars.
*Other than the political non-fiction he writes these days under the name Lee Harris (thanks for that info, Eric).
May 16, 2024
Let There be Dark definitely had it moments, but Harris committed two cardinal sins in the Book of Phil: 1. The main protagonist, Matt, writes horror novels, and 2. Harris takes a creepy, small town story and transforms it into a cosmic clash between Good and Evil along biblical lines.
This started out creepily enough, with vibes from the old The Tingler film. In the film, the Tingler, an alien parasite, feeds on fear. Shameless stealing the following synopsis of the film from Wikipedia:
Here, rather than an alien parasite, something called the 'Shadow Stealer' makes its presence known by a tingling on the neck; if you turn your head to look at it, it 'gets' you. The more people that believe in the Shadow Stealer, the stronger it gets. Now, Matt had an idea for a story, something he heard from his crazy great aunt one day, that concerned the shadow stealer. Matt eventually (long story) managed to get the story published as a book and it becomes a sensation, with even talk of it becoming a major motion picture (directed by Spielberg no less!). Well, just about then strange things start happening in the little, North Georgia town...
Harris writes well, as evidenced between this and his first novel Deliver Us From Evil. Further, he does create a very unsettling atmosphere, leading down a road that just gets creepier and creepier. While some may bemoan the time the novel spend developing the cast of characters, and this does slow down the pacing at first, I really enjoyed this part, and made the novel (for me) come alive. So, I first tried to ignore Harris' first Sin (Matt as an author) and went with the tale. Unfortunately, at about the midway point it became clear Harris desired to commit the other sin mentioned above. This took the wind out of my sails and made what could have been a great read into 'OK' territory. Maybe I am just burned out on Christian tales of good and evil, but so it goes. 3 dark stars!
This started out creepily enough, with vibes from the old The Tingler film. In the film, the Tingler, an alien parasite, feeds on fear. Shameless stealing the following synopsis of the film from Wikipedia:
A pathologist, Dr. Warren Chapin, discovers that the tingling of the spine in states of extreme fear is due to the growth of a creature that every human being seems to have, called a "tingler," a parasite attached to the human spine. It curls up, feeds, and grows stronger when its host is afraid, effectively crushing the person's spine if curled up long enough. The host can weaken the creature and stop its curling by screaming.
Here, rather than an alien parasite, something called the 'Shadow Stealer' makes its presence known by a tingling on the neck; if you turn your head to look at it, it 'gets' you. The more people that believe in the Shadow Stealer, the stronger it gets. Now, Matt had an idea for a story, something he heard from his crazy great aunt one day, that concerned the shadow stealer. Matt eventually (long story) managed to get the story published as a book and it becomes a sensation, with even talk of it becoming a major motion picture (directed by Spielberg no less!). Well, just about then strange things start happening in the little, North Georgia town...
Harris writes well, as evidenced between this and his first novel Deliver Us From Evil. Further, he does create a very unsettling atmosphere, leading down a road that just gets creepier and creepier. While some may bemoan the time the novel spend developing the cast of characters, and this does slow down the pacing at first, I really enjoyed this part, and made the novel (for me) come alive. So, I first tried to ignore Harris' first Sin (Matt as an author) and went with the tale. Unfortunately, at about the midway point it became clear Harris desired to commit the other sin mentioned above. This took the wind out of my sails and made what could have been a great read into 'OK' territory. Maybe I am just burned out on Christian tales of good and evil, but so it goes. 3 dark stars!
September 30, 2019
Let There Be More!
Folks, if you are a fan of Horror, this is one of those occasional rewards you hope for when browsing odd titles on Kindle or your local used bookstores. This is a real forgotten gem that deserves more recognition.
Ironically, the power of remembering forgotten stories is a major theme of this rather lengthy and meaty novel. The religious, mythological, psychological, and philosophical elements that propel this theme forward are all blended together well and makes this an intellectually stimulating read without it coming across as pretentious. I was genuinely fascinated by the concepts behind the main antagonistic force, which cannot be described in such simple terms like "evil" or "monster."
Likewise, the characters are some of the most complex I've seen from novels of this genre and time-period. They are very well fleshed out and believable. There are no good guys or bad guys, and some characters who start out unlikable or forgettable end up redeeming themselves by the end, and vice versa.
In addition, the layers of explored questions regarding human experience are just as rich. The impact of racism and homophobia on human suffering, the transformative nature of horror on the self, and how the brain is designed to forget and suppress trauma memories as a protective mechanism are all explored in this brilliant melding of Jungian concepts and Greco-Roman mythology.
And finally, the moods and tone of the novel is also complex, with Southern Charm as sweet as sun-brewed iced tea, to well-placed comic relief, to Hitchcockian tension and suspense, to some of the most delectable horrors ever put to pen.
And let's face it--you want to know about the horrors, right? Well, this book scared me. And it shocked me. All to a degree I haven't enjoyed from the genre in a few years. Because it feels like a slow-burning small-town evil story, you don't expect it to go to the depths of no-limits horror where it does. Make no mistake, this is not for the faint of heart.
I don't know much about the author. It seems he wrote only one other book. That's a shame, because there is some real talent here. But like the main protagonist in this novel, perhaps it's best that he not publish anymore. I am not sure my heart could handle it...
Folks, if you are a fan of Horror, this is one of those occasional rewards you hope for when browsing odd titles on Kindle or your local used bookstores. This is a real forgotten gem that deserves more recognition.
Ironically, the power of remembering forgotten stories is a major theme of this rather lengthy and meaty novel. The religious, mythological, psychological, and philosophical elements that propel this theme forward are all blended together well and makes this an intellectually stimulating read without it coming across as pretentious. I was genuinely fascinated by the concepts behind the main antagonistic force, which cannot be described in such simple terms like "evil" or "monster."
Likewise, the characters are some of the most complex I've seen from novels of this genre and time-period. They are very well fleshed out and believable. There are no good guys or bad guys, and some characters who start out unlikable or forgettable end up redeeming themselves by the end, and vice versa.
In addition, the layers of explored questions regarding human experience are just as rich. The impact of racism and homophobia on human suffering, the transformative nature of horror on the self, and how the brain is designed to forget and suppress trauma memories as a protective mechanism are all explored in this brilliant melding of Jungian concepts and Greco-Roman mythology.
And finally, the moods and tone of the novel is also complex, with Southern Charm as sweet as sun-brewed iced tea, to well-placed comic relief, to Hitchcockian tension and suspense, to some of the most delectable horrors ever put to pen.
And let's face it--you want to know about the horrors, right? Well, this book scared me. And it shocked me. All to a degree I haven't enjoyed from the genre in a few years. Because it feels like a slow-burning small-town evil story, you don't expect it to go to the depths of no-limits horror where it does. Make no mistake, this is not for the faint of heart.
I don't know much about the author. It seems he wrote only one other book. That's a shame, because there is some real talent here. But like the main protagonist in this novel, perhaps it's best that he not publish anymore. I am not sure my heart could handle it...
November 9, 2012
This book looks fairly unassuming, with notable exception of the fact that the author's previous book has been nominated for Bram Stoker. But the plot sounded intriguing, so I tried it and was very pleasantly surprised. This was a genuinely good and scary horror novel, which one doesn't come across all that often. Great descriptions and strong characters moved along a well paced narrative with an original back story. The backwardness of the backwoodness was laid on a bit heavy at times, but it didn't detract from the book overall. The book gives a whole new meaning of being afraid of one's shadow. There is no information on the author in the book or online and it doesn't look like he's had any other books published after this one, but it is worth tracking down for any horror fan. Highly recommended.
December 5, 2018
Took me long enough to finish this book but i had to (no spoilers i just had to). The story is interesting while the pace was up and down. I have to admit I’m still confused whether i loved it or not as much.
Matt and Tommy are childhood friends, Matt has all the imagination and wants to tell stories. When they hear a scary story Matt knows that someday he’ll write it. And so he does, the book makes him a star but it comes with a price.
The everlasting battle between light and darkness.
3.5 stars for now
Matt and Tommy are childhood friends, Matt has all the imagination and wants to tell stories. When they hear a scary story Matt knows that someday he’ll write it. And so he does, the book makes him a star but it comes with a price.
The everlasting battle between light and darkness.
3.5 stars for now
Read
March 3, 2021DNF
I listened to over 3 hours of this book and it after the initial set up of the tale of the shadow stealer, NOTHING HAPPENED. No scary stuff.
I listened to over 3 hours of this book and it after the initial set up of the tale of the shadow stealer, NOTHING HAPPENED. No scary stuff.
February 13, 2020
3.5 stars. The book doesn't hold back the supernatural element early and I appreciate that.
Though I will say that the book goes out of its way to say that God is ashamed of deformities et al, and as someone who's disabled, that kinda depressed me.
Though I will say that the book goes out of its way to say that God is ashamed of deformities et al, and as someone who's disabled, that kinda depressed me.
May 30, 2018
I stumbled upon this book completely by accident while browsing the selection of used books at a local store. I'd never heard of the author before, but I was in the market for something different and this sounded promising. Thankfully, I wasn't disappointed.
The premise here is that author Matt Hardison has released a runaway bestselling novel, the plot of which is based on a story he and his best friend Tommy overheard from his eccentric Aunt when they were children. This story, now recreated in Matt's novel, involved a carnival spook called "The Shadowstealer", a malevolent creature that comes to life when its story is told and gains power the more people believe in it. Matt thought the story was just an urban legend, and only realizes his error when it is too late. The story was real, and now that his book is a runaway success, people far and wide have learned to fear The Shadowstealer, releasing the horrific creature upon the world and giving it terrifying power.
A big part of what makes Let There Be Dark work is that its antagonist draws upon the elements of a good urban legend, creeping through the pages like a good campfire tale. It comes to life when its story is told; its power is based upon people believing in it; it follows its unsuspecting victim by hiding in their own shadow, its presence announced only by a tingle at the back of the neck. Then, finally, it can't take hold of its victim until they look at it. It's the kind of tale we may have heard as kids at summer camp, huddled around a flickering campfire, casting suspicious glances at our own shadow in spite of ourselves.
The novel starts off fairly tame, building up its cast of characters and their various quirks before things really begin to escalate. The Georgia setting and the characters who reside there can seem a bit off-putting, even heavy-handed perhaps, to someone who isn't familiar with it. Having family in Georgia myself I didn't find it too distracting, though opinions on the matter are likely to vary. The villain itself takes its time establishing itself, but once it finally gains strength the stops are pulled, and the novel escalates into a bloody flurry of possession and misuse of power tools.
Despite the villain's seemingly hokey carnival spook origins, the story behind The Shadowstealer itself actually had a surprising amount of depth that I frankly hadn't expected. By the end of the novel, the reader is given not only a better understanding of what this creature is, but why it came to be, and ultimately what it wants. When it comes to horror the inclusion of such information isn't always a good thing -- sometimes understanding something makes us less afraid of it -- but in this case I thought the extra story made this particular creature more interesting than it would have been otherwise.
So, if you're ever browsing used books looking for something good like I was and you are lucky enough to come across a copy of Let There Be Dark, give it a chance. I was pleasantly surprised, and if you like a good spooky story that isn't afraid to use a weed eater in unintended way, I'm sure you will be too.
The premise here is that author Matt Hardison has released a runaway bestselling novel, the plot of which is based on a story he and his best friend Tommy overheard from his eccentric Aunt when they were children. This story, now recreated in Matt's novel, involved a carnival spook called "The Shadowstealer", a malevolent creature that comes to life when its story is told and gains power the more people believe in it. Matt thought the story was just an urban legend, and only realizes his error when it is too late. The story was real, and now that his book is a runaway success, people far and wide have learned to fear The Shadowstealer, releasing the horrific creature upon the world and giving it terrifying power.
A big part of what makes Let There Be Dark work is that its antagonist draws upon the elements of a good urban legend, creeping through the pages like a good campfire tale. It comes to life when its story is told; its power is based upon people believing in it; it follows its unsuspecting victim by hiding in their own shadow, its presence announced only by a tingle at the back of the neck. Then, finally, it can't take hold of its victim until they look at it. It's the kind of tale we may have heard as kids at summer camp, huddled around a flickering campfire, casting suspicious glances at our own shadow in spite of ourselves.
The novel starts off fairly tame, building up its cast of characters and their various quirks before things really begin to escalate. The Georgia setting and the characters who reside there can seem a bit off-putting, even heavy-handed perhaps, to someone who isn't familiar with it. Having family in Georgia myself I didn't find it too distracting, though opinions on the matter are likely to vary. The villain itself takes its time establishing itself, but once it finally gains strength the stops are pulled, and the novel escalates into a bloody flurry of possession and misuse of power tools.
Despite the villain's seemingly hokey carnival spook origins, the story behind The Shadowstealer itself actually had a surprising amount of depth that I frankly hadn't expected. By the end of the novel, the reader is given not only a better understanding of what this creature is, but why it came to be, and ultimately what it wants. When it comes to horror the inclusion of such information isn't always a good thing -- sometimes understanding something makes us less afraid of it -- but in this case I thought the extra story made this particular creature more interesting than it would have been otherwise.
So, if you're ever browsing used books looking for something good like I was and you are lucky enough to come across a copy of Let There Be Dark, give it a chance. I was pleasantly surprised, and if you like a good spooky story that isn't afraid to use a weed eater in unintended way, I'm sure you will be too.
September 8, 2019
Audible:This was a good book.I enjoyed it.I was waiting for some horror,and it finally came! Ancient words told by mouth are brought back to haunt us when written down. Jeffrey Lynn Hutchins was a fine narrator.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.'
October 16, 2020
Me encanta este autor, lástima que solo tenga dos obras publicadas. Diluye la frontera entre realidad y ficción de forma perfecta; crea ambientes acogedores y desagradables al mismo tiempo. Consigue recrear mitos y arquetipos dándoles un toque de originalidad, en este caso el del Diablo y la maldad.
June 6, 2021
This was good. The characters were well thought out. The story kept my attention and gave me the creeps a couple of times. I would recommend it to those who enjoy a good creepy story.
I enjoyed this story. The characters were well thought out. It creeper me out a couple of times. Good read.
I enjoyed this story. The characters were well thought out. It creeper me out a couple of times. Good read.
November 2, 2019
I was disappointed in this. Just has it gets to the end it gets good.
I had the audio version and the first 5 hours were just character issues that I felt didn't help the story and weren't even needed. This book could have been quite interesting if the author focused on the shadow stealer and Matt's freaky birth.
For me just too much pointless information that wasn't needed.
I had the audio version and the first 5 hours were just character issues that I felt didn't help the story and weren't even needed. This book could have been quite interesting if the author focused on the shadow stealer and Matt's freaky birth.
For me just too much pointless information that wasn't needed.
November 30, 2018
Fantastic!
The book was a bit slow to start but like a shadow at dusk it creeps into your head until you put it down. Great horror that will keep you up at night.
The book was a bit slow to start but like a shadow at dusk it creeps into your head until you put it down. Great horror that will keep you up at night.
December 16, 2022
Really good. Starts slow, but Harris has built a world as rich as a Stephen King novel and suspenseful scenes in that feel inescapable. After all, how is one supposed to escape their own shadow?
May 2, 2021
I DNF'ed it,because the writing is really hard to read and pacing off.
There was a talking cat with no explaination that why the cat can talk. There's a lot of characters were making stupid mistakes. People should burn the copies of that stupid books, because I think it will might be their a**es from that shadowstealer creature.
I even thought it was stupid that the one of the main character Matt proposed to the girl after they just met. I hate they left the kids alone with a monster to see frame and forture because of the movie. If they finds out that everybody will be f**k after everyone had seen the movie adaption of it.
The main reason that why I had DNF'ed is there was a ton of homophobic references,because this side character got raped by his "best friend" and his "best friend" is a totally a**hole,but his "best friend" ended up to calling him a bad slang for gay after he accused him for raped and everyone started made fun of him after his "best friend" had said sh*t to them like that. I even made me uncomfortable when I was reading this. Why someone who wanted to have a "best friend" like that? I don't want to have a totally a**hole and creep as a "best friend",because I shouldn't be friend with him anymore if he did that to me.
Everything's wrong with this book and it made me feels uncomfortable when I was reading it.
Sorry.
There was a talking cat with no explaination that why the cat can talk. There's a lot of characters were making stupid mistakes. People should burn the copies of that stupid books, because I think it will might be their a**es from that shadowstealer creature.
I even thought it was stupid that the one of the main character Matt proposed to the girl after they just met. I hate they left the kids alone with a monster to see frame and forture because of the movie. If they finds out that everybody will be f**k after everyone had seen the movie adaption of it.
The main reason that why I had DNF'ed is there was a ton of homophobic references,because this side character got raped by his "best friend" and his "best friend" is a totally a**hole,but his "best friend" ended up to calling him a bad slang for gay after he accused him for raped and everyone started made fun of him after his "best friend" had said sh*t to them like that. I even made me uncomfortable when I was reading this. Why someone who wanted to have a "best friend" like that? I don't want to have a totally a**hole and creep as a "best friend",because I shouldn't be friend with him anymore if he did that to me.
Everything's wrong with this book and it made me feels uncomfortable when I was reading it.
Sorry.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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