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Patel & Pardoe #3
The Shadow People
Jerry Pardoe and Jamila Patel hunt down a ritualistic cult inspired by Neolithic cannibals in the new chilling horror from Graham Masterton.
Det. Sgt. Jamila Patel and Det. Con. Jerry Pardoe have reluctantly acquired a reputation in the Metropolitan Police for their ability to tackle bizarre and apparently supernatural crimes. Now they have been called back together after three bodies are found in a London basement... bodies which have been taken apart, roasted and eaten.
The markings on the wall suggest this might have been done by some kind of religious cult – and as more people are kidnapped and cannibalised, Patel and Pardoe realise they are dealing with a group of devil-worshippers invoking an ancient god who has not been worshipped since the Neolithic age...
Det. Sgt. Jamila Patel and Det. Con. Jerry Pardoe have reluctantly acquired a reputation in the Metropolitan Police for their ability to tackle bizarre and apparently supernatural crimes. Now they have been called back together after three bodies are found in a London basement... bodies which have been taken apart, roasted and eaten.
The markings on the wall suggest this might have been done by some kind of religious cult – and as more people are kidnapped and cannibalised, Patel and Pardoe realise they are dealing with a group of devil-worshippers invoking an ancient god who has not been worshipped since the Neolithic age...
420 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2022
162 people are currently reading
1309 people want to read
About the author
Graham Masterton
422 books1,967 followersGraham Masterton was born in Edinburgh in 1946. His grandfather was Thomas Thorne Baker, the eminent scientist who invented DayGlo and was the first man to transmit news photographs by wireless. After training as a newspaper reporter, Graham went on to edit the new British men's magazine Mayfair, where he encouraged William Burroughs to develop a series of scientific and philosophical articles which eventually became Burroughs' novel The Wild Boys.
At the age of 24, Graham was appointed executive editor of both Penthouse and Penthouse Forum magazines. At this time he started to write a bestselling series of sex 'how-to' books including How To Drive Your Man Wild In Bed which has sold over 3 million copies worldwide. His latest, Wild Sex For New Lovers is published by Penguin Putnam in January, 2001. He is a regular contributor to Cosmopolitan, Men's Health, Woman, Woman's Own and other mass-market self-improvement magazines.
Graham Masterton's debut as a horror author began with The Manitou in 1976, a chilling tale of a Native American medicine man reborn in the present day to exact his revenge on the white man. It became an instant bestseller and was filmed with Tony Curtis, Susan Strasberg, Burgess Meredith, Michael Ansara, Stella Stevens and Ann Sothern.
Altogether Graham has written more than a hundred novels ranging from thrillers (The Sweetman Curve, Ikon) to disaster novels (Plague, Famine) to historical sagas (Rich and Maiden Voyage - both appeared in the New York Times bestseller list). He has published four collections of short stories, Fortnight of Fear, Flights of Fear, Faces of Fear and Feelings of Fear.
He has also written horror novels for children (House of Bones, Hair-Raiser) and has just finished the fifth volume in a very popular series for young adults, Rook, based on the adventures of an idiosyncratic remedial English teacher in a Los Angeles community college who has the facility to see ghosts.
Since then Graham has published more than 35 horror novels, including Charnel House, which was awarded a Special Edgar by Mystery Writers of America; Mirror, which was awarded a Silver Medal by West Coast Review of Books; and Family Portrait, an update of Oscar Wilde's tale, The Picture of Dorian Gray, which was the only non-French winner of the prestigious Prix Julia Verlanger in France.
He and his wife Wiescka live in a Gothic Victorian mansion high above the River Lee in Cork, Ireland.
At the age of 24, Graham was appointed executive editor of both Penthouse and Penthouse Forum magazines. At this time he started to write a bestselling series of sex 'how-to' books including How To Drive Your Man Wild In Bed which has sold over 3 million copies worldwide. His latest, Wild Sex For New Lovers is published by Penguin Putnam in January, 2001. He is a regular contributor to Cosmopolitan, Men's Health, Woman, Woman's Own and other mass-market self-improvement magazines.
Graham Masterton's debut as a horror author began with The Manitou in 1976, a chilling tale of a Native American medicine man reborn in the present day to exact his revenge on the white man. It became an instant bestseller and was filmed with Tony Curtis, Susan Strasberg, Burgess Meredith, Michael Ansara, Stella Stevens and Ann Sothern.
Altogether Graham has written more than a hundred novels ranging from thrillers (The Sweetman Curve, Ikon) to disaster novels (Plague, Famine) to historical sagas (Rich and Maiden Voyage - both appeared in the New York Times bestseller list). He has published four collections of short stories, Fortnight of Fear, Flights of Fear, Faces of Fear and Feelings of Fear.
He has also written horror novels for children (House of Bones, Hair-Raiser) and has just finished the fifth volume in a very popular series for young adults, Rook, based on the adventures of an idiosyncratic remedial English teacher in a Los Angeles community college who has the facility to see ghosts.
Since then Graham has published more than 35 horror novels, including Charnel House, which was awarded a Special Edgar by Mystery Writers of America; Mirror, which was awarded a Silver Medal by West Coast Review of Books; and Family Portrait, an update of Oscar Wilde's tale, The Picture of Dorian Gray, which was the only non-French winner of the prestigious Prix Julia Verlanger in France.
He and his wife Wiescka live in a Gothic Victorian mansion high above the River Lee in Cork, Ireland.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 268 reviews
February 3, 2022
Holly freaking sheet ( you know the real words! I tried to maintain my politeness ) Okay! Breathing in breathing out! This is absolutely one of the goriest, most graphic, mind blowing, blood freezing and extremely terrifying reading experiences lately I’ve ever had.
I advise you not to read it with heavy stomach. And I warn you this book is not for everyone’s cup of tea! ( this book can only taste like absinthe meets ethyl alcohol so you have to be tough enough to endure those realistically depicted, extra violent crime scenes! )
Do you want me to give you a quick example?
Let’s talk about strikingly shocking, shaking you to the core, making you cry like a whiny baby opening scene:
Two poor demolition workers find themselves at the basement of a creepy building they’d pay to work on. The bbq smell surround the area picks their attention. Could somebody hide in the building? And as they guessed before there are raw meat parts are hanged around. But? Wait a minute. There are also heads! Wow! They are not animal heads. Those semi burned faces in terrified expressions belong to humans as like those body parts! Somebody captured those people, skinned and cooked them! And probably ate them, too.
I already suffer from my churning stomach after I write those sentences above.
This ultra bizarre case bring back two detectives who are specialized to work on unusual, peculiar SPN cases. Unfortunately they are not Winchester brothers who shows their fake FBI IDs or Mulder and Scully who like to have close encounters with the third kind.
But don’t worry, detective sergeant Jamila Patel ( Pakistani, Muslim ) and Det. Con. Jerry Pardoe ( British, agnostic) have great skills, sharp, quick wits and strong stomach to conduct this ultra weird case!
It seems like this case may be a product of bunch of homeless people’s serious psychopathic breakdown! But as they dig deeper they realize this is something so much sinister than that. The murders may be connected to Devil worshippers invoking an ancient god who has been worshipped since Neolithic age.
Well, especially the last chapters were way too much heart throbbing. You shouldn’t choose to read them in the middle of the night, when the lights are turned on as like I did and I ended up punching my husband who was just trying to make quick visit to the loo. ( I confused him with sinister cult member who worships devil ! My bad! )
Overall: I’m still trembling! I liked the quick witted, sarcastic dialogues, intense story building and impressive writing style. I’m looking forward to read more works of the author!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
I advise you not to read it with heavy stomach. And I warn you this book is not for everyone’s cup of tea! ( this book can only taste like absinthe meets ethyl alcohol so you have to be tough enough to endure those realistically depicted, extra violent crime scenes! )
Do you want me to give you a quick example?
Let’s talk about strikingly shocking, shaking you to the core, making you cry like a whiny baby opening scene:
Two poor demolition workers find themselves at the basement of a creepy building they’d pay to work on. The bbq smell surround the area picks their attention. Could somebody hide in the building? And as they guessed before there are raw meat parts are hanged around. But? Wait a minute. There are also heads! Wow! They are not animal heads. Those semi burned faces in terrified expressions belong to humans as like those body parts! Somebody captured those people, skinned and cooked them! And probably ate them, too.
I already suffer from my churning stomach after I write those sentences above.
This ultra bizarre case bring back two detectives who are specialized to work on unusual, peculiar SPN cases. Unfortunately they are not Winchester brothers who shows their fake FBI IDs or Mulder and Scully who like to have close encounters with the third kind.
But don’t worry, detective sergeant Jamila Patel ( Pakistani, Muslim ) and Det. Con. Jerry Pardoe ( British, agnostic) have great skills, sharp, quick wits and strong stomach to conduct this ultra weird case!
It seems like this case may be a product of bunch of homeless people’s serious psychopathic breakdown! But as they dig deeper they realize this is something so much sinister than that. The murders may be connected to Devil worshippers invoking an ancient god who has been worshipped since Neolithic age.
Well, especially the last chapters were way too much heart throbbing. You shouldn’t choose to read them in the middle of the night, when the lights are turned on as like I did and I ended up punching my husband who was just trying to make quick visit to the loo. ( I confused him with sinister cult member who worships devil ! My bad! )
Overall: I’m still trembling! I liked the quick witted, sarcastic dialogues, intense story building and impressive writing style. I’m looking forward to read more works of the author!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
September 28, 2021
Not for the faint at heart! Seriously, this should come with a caution label. This is a gore fest folks! Seriously, Graham Masterton could teach a course titled: Gore fest 101 how to make readers gag while keeping them engaged and turning the pages. Notice my 4 stars??? One could say this was bloody good!
Det. Sgt. Jamila Patel and Det. Con. Jerry Pardoe are the ones who get called in when bizarre and supernatural crimes occur. They tackle the tough stuff, and this case just might take the cake! Three dismantled bodies have been found in a London basement. The bizarre markings on the wall lead them to believe this is the work of a religious cult - but not your run of the mill cult but a cult that has been inspired by a Neolithic cannibal. Yes, you read that correctly these wacked out cult members worship an ancient god and communicate through grunts are cannibals.
Let the blood flowing begin!
This is a gory one that is also high on the creepy and sinister scale. Masterton knows how to write compelling and captivating yet gory tales. There are a couple of scenes where I wanted to cover my eyes. UGH! I can handle blood and guts no problem but there is one thing that grosses me out to the high heavens, and it is in this book A LOT! But I managed to get through it, gagging and wincing as I could not put this book down. Patel and Pardoe are both likeable characters and a few times, I was nervous hoping they would remain safe throughout this book!
Fans of horror and gore will not be disappointed. You need a strong stomach for this one folks. This book is not going to be for everyone.
I enjoyed this heart pounding and captivating book and will be reading more of his books in the future.
Creepy, Sinister, and scary.
Don’t miss this bloody good read!
Thank you to Head of Zeus and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Det. Sgt. Jamila Patel and Det. Con. Jerry Pardoe are the ones who get called in when bizarre and supernatural crimes occur. They tackle the tough stuff, and this case just might take the cake! Three dismantled bodies have been found in a London basement. The bizarre markings on the wall lead them to believe this is the work of a religious cult - but not your run of the mill cult but a cult that has been inspired by a Neolithic cannibal. Yes, you read that correctly these wacked out cult members worship an ancient god and communicate through grunts are cannibals.
Let the blood flowing begin!
This is a gory one that is also high on the creepy and sinister scale. Masterton knows how to write compelling and captivating yet gory tales. There are a couple of scenes where I wanted to cover my eyes. UGH! I can handle blood and guts no problem but there is one thing that grosses me out to the high heavens, and it is in this book A LOT! But I managed to get through it, gagging and wincing as I could not put this book down. Patel and Pardoe are both likeable characters and a few times, I was nervous hoping they would remain safe throughout this book!
Fans of horror and gore will not be disappointed. You need a strong stomach for this one folks. This book is not going to be for everyone.
I enjoyed this heart pounding and captivating book and will be reading more of his books in the future.
Creepy, Sinister, and scary.
Don’t miss this bloody good read!
Thank you to Head of Zeus and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
January 31, 2022
DS Jamila Patel and DC Jerry Pardoe are tasked with apprehending a cult of demon worshiping cannibals. People are being abducted off the streets, even in broad daylight. Majority of them have something in common. Can the two detectives find the answers to bring this cult down before they eat all of London?
Once again, Mastrton brings on the blood and gore. If I have to read a book about homeless cannibals, this is definitely who I would pick up to scratch that itch. I think it will be a moment before I feel the urge to eat anything.
Once again, Mastrton brings on the blood and gore. If I have to read a book about homeless cannibals, this is definitely who I would pick up to scratch that itch. I think it will be a moment before I feel the urge to eat anything.
March 14, 2024
Why is there a mysterious cannibalistic tribe in the midst of London? What about their strange Shadow God they bring "opfers" too? What about Baggy Nell aka as Hedda and a drink called "calla dew"? Graham fires on all cylinders with this creepy page turner. I know the locations he's taking about and liked the historic references to the Blitz and the fictive idea of Goebbel's primitive obedience. The descriptions are nail biting and more horror than you can digest (LOL with reference to human flesh). Graham's evil demon is super uncanny. This book is what horror is all about. Page turning, pulpy, to the point with many nasty details you don't want to read about. Highly recommended part of the Patel & Pardoe series. Loved all three volumes so far and will continue with #4. This is the stuff every horror fan is looking forward to!
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January 30, 2022I am not rating was not for me gore & very dark too gruesome for me plus an occult which is creepy gives me heebee jeebees.
August 28, 2021
London Metropolitan Police Detective Sergeant Jamila Patel and Detective Constable Jerry Pardoe are quite the unusual pairing, always tasked by superiors when a case veers into the outre. Jamila is Pakistani and Muslim; Jerry is English, fond of Cockney phraseology, and distinctly non-religious. Yet in combination they are wildly effective at parsing out occult and/or supernatural crimes, and reading their exploits and investigations.
In THE SHADOW PEOPLE DS Patel and DC Pardoe encounter a bizarre and nearly inexplicable set of cases, which on the surface seem to be the product of homeless squatters and "raging psychopaths," but soon prove to be far worse and degradingly evil.
In THE SHADOW PEOPLE DS Patel and DC Pardoe encounter a bizarre and nearly inexplicable set of cases, which on the surface seem to be the product of homeless squatters and "raging psychopaths," but soon prove to be far worse and degradingly evil.
October 15, 2021
First of all, this book is for readers who like gruesome scene descriptions.
In the story, we meet 2 detectives which are solving strange cases and a satanic cult. The cult is committing barbaric murders ( you can smell the burned skin), who knows why, it didn't seem to me to be well organised.
I did not enjoy any of the characters.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this book.
In the story, we meet 2 detectives which are solving strange cases and a satanic cult. The cult is committing barbaric murders ( you can smell the burned skin), who knows why, it didn't seem to me to be well organised.
I did not enjoy any of the characters.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this book.
January 10, 2022
This is not my first Masterton, and not even my first in this particular series. So here we have the typical Masterton hallmarks of visceral, gruesome violence, set against a bewildering mystery, with a slight infusion of paranormal elements towards the end of the book.
Jerry Pardoe and Jamila Patel are back, and while I thought Pardoe was a bit too much of a stereotypical cockney lad in the previous book, he has a bit more going on here. There's still the slightly forced cockney rhyming slang, but he develops a relationship with another character, which gives his character some much desired weight. Patel is still the more intriguing character, but mostly because she feels more guarded, sometimes even nondescript. I'm starting to wonder if Masterton is just being careful with the character, which is fair enough.
The mystery works pretty well, it can be quite harrowing but keeps going at a good pace. The supernatural elements were the weakest part of the previous book, but are much stronger here.
An interesting entry in the series.
3.5 stars
(Thanks to Head of Zeus for providing me with an ARC through NetGalley)
Jerry Pardoe and Jamila Patel are back, and while I thought Pardoe was a bit too much of a stereotypical cockney lad in the previous book, he has a bit more going on here. There's still the slightly forced cockney rhyming slang, but he develops a relationship with another character, which gives his character some much desired weight. Patel is still the more intriguing character, but mostly because she feels more guarded, sometimes even nondescript. I'm starting to wonder if Masterton is just being careful with the character, which is fair enough.
The mystery works pretty well, it can be quite harrowing but keeps going at a good pace. The supernatural elements were the weakest part of the previous book, but are much stronger here.
An interesting entry in the series.
3.5 stars
(Thanks to Head of Zeus for providing me with an ARC through NetGalley)
March 15, 2022
Graham Masterton’s newest police procedural series has me eager to delve deeper into the dark world he creates. Tapping into some unique cases with perspectives I have not encountered before, Masterton grips the reader and presents something that will keep them up well into the night. When a number of homeless people around Tooting go missing, the authorities take notice, baffled as to where they might have gone. After discovering a large pile of bones, stripped and scorched, people begin to wonder if there is a group who have used the homeless in experiments, or at least feasted upon them. After DC Jerry Pardoe and DS Jamila Patel are called in, it appears that it is a sadistic cult with ties to an ancient deity. Pardoe and Patel will have to work with their colleagues to uncover it all before more bodies disappear. Masterton proves yet again that he is a master of the genre!
A handful of homeless across Tooting go missing, which soon reaches the radar of the local authorities. Where could they have gone, and what could make them depart? While working an unrelated case, some of the local police come upon a collection of bones, scorched and stripped down. While it is not entirely clear immediately, they are soon attributed to the homeless. Indications are that it could be tied to a religious cult, as there are markings close to the bones that are not easily identified.
When the case takes a significant turn, DC Jerry Pardoe and DS Jamila Patel are called in to assist, having worked on some of Tooting’s past complicated cases. While following some of the leads, Pardoe and Patel learn that there are potential ties to an ancient cult with roots in Pakistan, a place Patel knows much about from her family connections. Pardoe follows her lead, but is keen to carve his own niche into the case.
After a few others disappear, Pardoe and Patel speak to some of the locals and discover a young boy who has spent time with the group. He is unable to speak clearly, but rather grunts and appears unable to push out basic words. Is there a drug the group is administering to its captives or could this be a new language the group uses to communicate, protecting itself from others? Pardoe and Patel will have to work every angle to ensure they can locate the group and apprehend them. Trouble is, the ruthlessness of the leaders could lead to significant bloodshed. Masterton dazzles in a dark and sadistic fashion!
Graham Masterton keeps tapping into deeper and more complex ideas related to procedurals, layering history and ethnic references within an already strong narrative. I found myself drawn to the stories from the opening pages of the first novel and have not been able to stop as the series has progressed. There are well-developed characters throughout, shedding light on a number of intriguing perspectives, which educates and entertains the reader in equal measure. Masterton invests a great deal of time and effort to keep the stories unique, tied to historical goings-on, that permit the reader to explore more on the subject, should they wish to do so.
DC Jerry Pardoe and DS Jamila Patel remains constant protoganists with much to prove. They work well together while still providing their own backstories with regular moments of development throughout. Moments of personal growth finds its way into the narrative, including moments of personal connection between the protagonists, but this does not distract from the larger story. Both bring unique skills to the investigation, which offers perspectives that aid in solving the case at hand. The array of characters permits the reader to feel the depth Masterton surely hopes to convey.
Graham Masterton does have some dark and highly graphic ideas that make their way into each of his novels. However, it is not simply for the fear factor, but rather to help add to the impact to the case at hand. The narrative flows with ease, although there are surely moments when the detailed goings-on of the cannibal group forces a slow and meandering description. The characters have been created to pass along a message and Masterton is highly effective in this throughout. Plot twists fuel an already strong story and keep the reader flipping pages well into the night. Masterton offers historical references and social commentary for all to enjoy, forcing a moment to think and synthesise, rather than numbly reading.
Kudos, Mr. Masterton, for this unique reading experience. I am eager to see if you have more to offer for this series. I will have to wait for a time, I suppose.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A handful of homeless across Tooting go missing, which soon reaches the radar of the local authorities. Where could they have gone, and what could make them depart? While working an unrelated case, some of the local police come upon a collection of bones, scorched and stripped down. While it is not entirely clear immediately, they are soon attributed to the homeless. Indications are that it could be tied to a religious cult, as there are markings close to the bones that are not easily identified.
When the case takes a significant turn, DC Jerry Pardoe and DS Jamila Patel are called in to assist, having worked on some of Tooting’s past complicated cases. While following some of the leads, Pardoe and Patel learn that there are potential ties to an ancient cult with roots in Pakistan, a place Patel knows much about from her family connections. Pardoe follows her lead, but is keen to carve his own niche into the case.
After a few others disappear, Pardoe and Patel speak to some of the locals and discover a young boy who has spent time with the group. He is unable to speak clearly, but rather grunts and appears unable to push out basic words. Is there a drug the group is administering to its captives or could this be a new language the group uses to communicate, protecting itself from others? Pardoe and Patel will have to work every angle to ensure they can locate the group and apprehend them. Trouble is, the ruthlessness of the leaders could lead to significant bloodshed. Masterton dazzles in a dark and sadistic fashion!
Graham Masterton keeps tapping into deeper and more complex ideas related to procedurals, layering history and ethnic references within an already strong narrative. I found myself drawn to the stories from the opening pages of the first novel and have not been able to stop as the series has progressed. There are well-developed characters throughout, shedding light on a number of intriguing perspectives, which educates and entertains the reader in equal measure. Masterton invests a great deal of time and effort to keep the stories unique, tied to historical goings-on, that permit the reader to explore more on the subject, should they wish to do so.
DC Jerry Pardoe and DS Jamila Patel remains constant protoganists with much to prove. They work well together while still providing their own backstories with regular moments of development throughout. Moments of personal growth finds its way into the narrative, including moments of personal connection between the protagonists, but this does not distract from the larger story. Both bring unique skills to the investigation, which offers perspectives that aid in solving the case at hand. The array of characters permits the reader to feel the depth Masterton surely hopes to convey.
Graham Masterton does have some dark and highly graphic ideas that make their way into each of his novels. However, it is not simply for the fear factor, but rather to help add to the impact to the case at hand. The narrative flows with ease, although there are surely moments when the detailed goings-on of the cannibal group forces a slow and meandering description. The characters have been created to pass along a message and Masterton is highly effective in this throughout. Plot twists fuel an already strong story and keep the reader flipping pages well into the night. Masterton offers historical references and social commentary for all to enjoy, forcing a moment to think and synthesise, rather than numbly reading.
Kudos, Mr. Masterton, for this unique reading experience. I am eager to see if you have more to offer for this series. I will have to wait for a time, I suppose.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
September 23, 2021
I wanted to love this because i like cult-related story usually, the description are well done and the gore is good welll written, it could be terrifying but then I had a lot of issues regarding the cult member, they were either people of colors, with a mentall illness or anything that goes out of "normality". this book is assume they're white if not said otherwise, i doubt this is on purpose but it does bother me. Female characters were all described by physical appearance and some comments were uncomfortable. I come to the casual transphobia apparently excused because he has a neighbor he likes that is transgender but still calling the transwoman right away "the man in the dress" really puts me off as a trans person. I really struggled to go through it because of all those also the pace was somewhat confusing and who we are supposed to follow not clear but ina way it only confuses you, it was not really well executed
July 9, 2022
One of the worst books I've read in a long time. The premise, plot developments and reveals were beyond ridiculous. Trust me, give this one a hard pass.
February 2, 2022
Graham Masterton has long been one of my all-time favorite genre authors. Though admittedly I’ve not followed his recent work too closely; the man began veering into detective stories, worse yet detective series and so my interest ebbed accordingly. But this novel promises such exciting things – cults, cannibals, subterranean terrors – that it seemed like the right choice to check out if only to see if Masterton still got it. And surprise, surprise, he definitely still does. Way to age properly, like some sort of nightmare wine.
This is actually one of his detective series novels, from somewhere in the middle it seems, and I didn’t even care. The way the book is structured, it doesn’t really seem to require any prior knowledge of this world going in. There are two detectives, a Muslim woman and a white (I think? Is it ever specified?) man in England who headline the team of investigators assigned to a terrifying series of brutal murders. To uncover the truth, they’ll have to descend into the world below the streets of London, the world of abandoned metro tracks and forgotten secrets.
I love that for a book setting, one of my favorite books is set below London’s streets. The cannibal thing…well, it’s pretty brutal even among the famous cannibal fiction. Masterton is certain to remind you throughout this book time and again that though he may be branching out with detective aspect, he is still very much a teller of terrors and a whisperer of visceral nightmares.
There are other things here that are very much Masterton of old, including a killer backstory with a Nazi connection no less and fascinating esoteric religion/mythology angle. And overall, this is just pure fun. Gory AF, but lots of fun.
The writing is dynamic, the characters are likable or interesting or both, Masterton even proves his hip and woke status here and there (way to stay current), and the story is genuinely entertaining. Despite being over 400 pages, it speeds by too. Don’t know why I stayed away from these books for so long. Lesson learned. Fans of the Masterton of old, rejoice, the man is still fun to read. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
This is actually one of his detective series novels, from somewhere in the middle it seems, and I didn’t even care. The way the book is structured, it doesn’t really seem to require any prior knowledge of this world going in. There are two detectives, a Muslim woman and a white (I think? Is it ever specified?) man in England who headline the team of investigators assigned to a terrifying series of brutal murders. To uncover the truth, they’ll have to descend into the world below the streets of London, the world of abandoned metro tracks and forgotten secrets.
I love that for a book setting, one of my favorite books is set below London’s streets. The cannibal thing…well, it’s pretty brutal even among the famous cannibal fiction. Masterton is certain to remind you throughout this book time and again that though he may be branching out with detective aspect, he is still very much a teller of terrors and a whisperer of visceral nightmares.
There are other things here that are very much Masterton of old, including a killer backstory with a Nazi connection no less and fascinating esoteric religion/mythology angle. And overall, this is just pure fun. Gory AF, but lots of fun.
The writing is dynamic, the characters are likable or interesting or both, Masterton even proves his hip and woke status here and there (way to stay current), and the story is genuinely entertaining. Despite being over 400 pages, it speeds by too. Don’t know why I stayed away from these books for so long. Lesson learned. Fans of the Masterton of old, rejoice, the man is still fun to read. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
October 14, 2022
I loved the cover. I typically love horror. But this one was just a bit too much for me. I don't mind books that are so gross I can't eat while reading them but this one was a whole new level.
And because I found this over-the-top gross, I had a really tough time getting in to the plot. I wanted to like Jerry and Jamilla but couldn't concentrate on them long enough because of the long stretches of feeding frenzies breaking it up. The last half had a lot more police work and I liked that more but I just never found my groove in this one. I wish I'd liked it more.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
And because I found this over-the-top gross, I had a really tough time getting in to the plot. I wanted to like Jerry and Jamilla but couldn't concentrate on them long enough because of the long stretches of feeding frenzies breaking it up. The last half had a lot more police work and I liked that more but I just never found my groove in this one. I wish I'd liked it more.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
October 25, 2024
Another good one by Graham Masterton. I recommend this.
September 19, 2021
Thanks so much to NetGalley, Graham Masterson, and Head of Zeus Publishing for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The Shadow People follows friends and coworkers DC Jerry Pardoe and DS Jamila Patel as they work around the clock to track down and stop a ritualistic cult of cannibals. The cops quickly realize that they are dealing with something more primal and must work quickly to stop this insanity.
This book was crazy! I’m going to be honest in telling you that it took me a while to get through the beginning. It just didn’t grab my attention correctly. That being said, the pace of the second half more than makes up for this. I also wasn’t aware that this is part of a series (though it worked great as a standalone novel). The funny thing about this? I own the second book, but it’s still stuck in the TBR of infinite books 🙃
So yeah, I guess the point of this is to tell you that 1.) The Shadow People is an interesting read, even if it may take a second to get into it (at least that’s how it was for me) and 2.) prepare yourself for lots of cannibalism, other heavy themes, and weirdness. This is not a book for everyone.
It’s a 3.5 rounded up to a 4 star read for me. The end more than made up for the pacing in the beginning. Now to go check out the other books in this series…at some point.
The Shadow People follows friends and coworkers DC Jerry Pardoe and DS Jamila Patel as they work around the clock to track down and stop a ritualistic cult of cannibals. The cops quickly realize that they are dealing with something more primal and must work quickly to stop this insanity.
This book was crazy! I’m going to be honest in telling you that it took me a while to get through the beginning. It just didn’t grab my attention correctly. That being said, the pace of the second half more than makes up for this. I also wasn’t aware that this is part of a series (though it worked great as a standalone novel). The funny thing about this? I own the second book, but it’s still stuck in the TBR of infinite books 🙃
So yeah, I guess the point of this is to tell you that 1.) The Shadow People is an interesting read, even if it may take a second to get into it (at least that’s how it was for me) and 2.) prepare yourself for lots of cannibalism, other heavy themes, and weirdness. This is not a book for everyone.
It’s a 3.5 rounded up to a 4 star read for me. The end more than made up for the pacing in the beginning. Now to go check out the other books in this series…at some point.
October 2, 2021
There are chills, there are thrills and a whole lot of spills in this new offering from Graham Masterton.
This book is a gory blood-soaked nightmare that would make Edward Lee do a doubletake. Don't believe me?
The opening chapter features two demolitions workers finding BBQ ribs (of the human variety) and a pile of severed heads in an abandoned building. This book has cannibalism, disembowelment, and human sacrifice. If you're faint of heart (or plan to ever eat again), this book isn't for you. But if you're into extreme horror, pick up this book and read it now!
Not only is there enough grisliness and depravity to satiate even the most bloodthirst hound, Masterton has also written a compelling story. Okay...so devil worshipping cults have been done to death right?! Wrong! You have never read a cult story like this before! I don't want to give away any of the shocks, so just trust me when I say this is a unique telling on an old troupe. There are segments of the book from the victims' perspective, which amplified the horror for me. I loved the inclusion of Muslim culture. The only thing that didn't work for me was some of the dialogue (particularly from Jerry Pardoe). It felt awkward and misplaced. Otherwise, this disturbing and terror-inducing tale was exactly what I wanted.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book is a gory blood-soaked nightmare that would make Edward Lee do a doubletake. Don't believe me?
The opening chapter features two demolitions workers finding BBQ ribs (of the human variety) and a pile of severed heads in an abandoned building. This book has cannibalism, disembowelment, and human sacrifice. If you're faint of heart (or plan to ever eat again), this book isn't for you. But if you're into extreme horror, pick up this book and read it now!
Not only is there enough grisliness and depravity to satiate even the most bloodthirst hound, Masterton has also written a compelling story. Okay...so devil worshipping cults have been done to death right?! Wrong! You have never read a cult story like this before! I don't want to give away any of the shocks, so just trust me when I say this is a unique telling on an old troupe. There are segments of the book from the victims' perspective, which amplified the horror for me. I loved the inclusion of Muslim culture. The only thing that didn't work for me was some of the dialogue (particularly from Jerry Pardoe). It felt awkward and misplaced. Otherwise, this disturbing and terror-inducing tale was exactly what I wanted.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 6, 2023
Had high hopes for this one, it was just ok. I like his earlier work
October 7, 2021
I got a quarter of the way through The Shadow People before sitting to write this review. It's probably the first book in a while which has illicited such mixed feelings from me.
On the one hand, it's gripping, has great pacing, multiple POVs which make the storytelling well rounded, and the plot looks really interesting - I mean who isn't intruiged by a mysterious neolithic cannibalistic cult in South London?
However, and it's a very big however, this book has so many red flags.
The overuse of cockney rhyming slang makes the detectives appear like characteurs and is oddly juxtaposed to the heavy, gory plot line. Imagine the most tense detective scene you can think of and then imagine all detectives speak almost exclusively in rhyming slang. Bit of a mood killer.
I also wonder how intelligible the book would be to audiences unfamiliar with this niche part of the English language. Seems like an odd choice when considering audience diversity .
In that vein, the representation of virtually every minority in this book is atrocious.
Female characters are described almost solely in terms of appearance (from the stereotypical hot, dumb blonde in the office to the sole female detective who's described as having lips that "must want to be kissed"). A potentially trans character is introduced as a "man in a dress" and the surrounding transphobia is justified/brushed off because the officer has a trans neighbour who he likes. To add insult to injury, the cultists are almost exclusively non-white and their c*nnibalistic ways are explained as simply because they're mentally ill.
There are more examples, but I think this brief vignette says it all.
I'm disappointed by this book. It had such amazing potential and the central plot line is very appealing to me as a horror reader with a penchant for cult-based stories but I can't divorce that from the discriminative prose.
Trying to be charitable, one could argue that the MCs are all in the MET police, who are notorious for being discriminative across the board. However, I don't find that convincing since the story would be just as realistic without it and therefore leads me to conclude that it's a direct choice of the author.
Despite it being an arc, I shan't be finishing this book. As a queer, disabled, afab person it'd be a disservice to myself and as someone who's Bookstagram prioritises inclusivity and kindness it'd be a disservice to my followers.
Thank you to @netgalley and Head of Zeus for providing me with this arc.
On the one hand, it's gripping, has great pacing, multiple POVs which make the storytelling well rounded, and the plot looks really interesting - I mean who isn't intruiged by a mysterious neolithic cannibalistic cult in South London?
However, and it's a very big however, this book has so many red flags.
The overuse of cockney rhyming slang makes the detectives appear like characteurs and is oddly juxtaposed to the heavy, gory plot line. Imagine the most tense detective scene you can think of and then imagine all detectives speak almost exclusively in rhyming slang. Bit of a mood killer.
I also wonder how intelligible the book would be to audiences unfamiliar with this niche part of the English language. Seems like an odd choice when considering audience diversity .
In that vein, the representation of virtually every minority in this book is atrocious.
Female characters are described almost solely in terms of appearance (from the stereotypical hot, dumb blonde in the office to the sole female detective who's described as having lips that "must want to be kissed"). A potentially trans character is introduced as a "man in a dress" and the surrounding transphobia is justified/brushed off because the officer has a trans neighbour who he likes. To add insult to injury, the cultists are almost exclusively non-white and their c*nnibalistic ways are explained as simply because they're mentally ill.
There are more examples, but I think this brief vignette says it all.
I'm disappointed by this book. It had such amazing potential and the central plot line is very appealing to me as a horror reader with a penchant for cult-based stories but I can't divorce that from the discriminative prose.
Trying to be charitable, one could argue that the MCs are all in the MET police, who are notorious for being discriminative across the board. However, I don't find that convincing since the story would be just as realistic without it and therefore leads me to conclude that it's a direct choice of the author.
Despite it being an arc, I shan't be finishing this book. As a queer, disabled, afab person it'd be a disservice to myself and as someone who's Bookstagram prioritises inclusivity and kindness it'd be a disservice to my followers.
Thank you to @netgalley and Head of Zeus for providing me with this arc.
September 7, 2021
420 pages
5 stars
DS Jamila Patel and her partner, DC Jerry Pardoe have a reputation for solving the “odd” cases that are sometimes encountered by the Met (Metropolitan Police).
The latest case involves a strange cult of people who are very violent and who have been kidnapping people - then eating them. These people are strong and seem to only communicate through a series of grunts and growl-like verbalizations.
Once Jerry learns this, he wonders if the man they caught stealing art supplies is one of them. Jamila wonders if the creature painted on the walls, a goat-like figure, is an evil demon named Balaa from her home country of Pakistan. But then, many cultures have goat demons.
What follows is a hair raising chase through the tunnels beneath London. People continue to disappear. When some of the cult members are captured, others “rescue” them. More importantly, people continue to die. Jerry suffers a tragic situation.
Graham Masterton is among the premier writers of horror fiction. This book is one of his best. Creating a tense atmosphere from the start of the book, Mr. Masterton has the reader enthralled throughout. The need to keep reading to learn the outcome is very strong. The writing and plotting of the novel is very tight. The transitions are smooth and flawless. I really don’t know how he does it time after time. Mr. Masterton is definitely one of my favorite authors.
I want to thank NetGalley and Head of Zeus for forwarding to me a copy of this remarkable book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed here are solely my own.
5 stars
DS Jamila Patel and her partner, DC Jerry Pardoe have a reputation for solving the “odd” cases that are sometimes encountered by the Met (Metropolitan Police).
The latest case involves a strange cult of people who are very violent and who have been kidnapping people - then eating them. These people are strong and seem to only communicate through a series of grunts and growl-like verbalizations.
Once Jerry learns this, he wonders if the man they caught stealing art supplies is one of them. Jamila wonders if the creature painted on the walls, a goat-like figure, is an evil demon named Balaa from her home country of Pakistan. But then, many cultures have goat demons.
What follows is a hair raising chase through the tunnels beneath London. People continue to disappear. When some of the cult members are captured, others “rescue” them. More importantly, people continue to die. Jerry suffers a tragic situation.
Graham Masterton is among the premier writers of horror fiction. This book is one of his best. Creating a tense atmosphere from the start of the book, Mr. Masterton has the reader enthralled throughout. The need to keep reading to learn the outcome is very strong. The writing and plotting of the novel is very tight. The transitions are smooth and flawless. I really don’t know how he does it time after time. Mr. Masterton is definitely one of my favorite authors.
I want to thank NetGalley and Head of Zeus for forwarding to me a copy of this remarkable book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed here are solely my own.
November 16, 2021
DS Jamila Patel and DC Jerry Pardoe are called to an abandoned carpet factory in London where a demolition team have discovered two shopping trolleys full of barbecued body parts, eek! Further investigation reveals a wall painting of an elongated figure with a horned goat's head and a naked human body.
Patel and Pardoe link the grisly discovery to a sacrificial cannibalistic cult operating out of derelict buildings. People are being snatched off the streets, dismembered, cooked and eaten. Will Patel and Pardoe be able to put a stop to their ghastly dinnertime antics or will they be next on the menu?
This is Patel and Pardoe's third investigation, and what a great story it is! I've been reading Masterton's horror novels since the mid-1980s and he's my go-to guy for anything demonic and chilling.
This book is extremely gory with body parts being hacked off, roasted and consumed with gusto. It's all very yucky but WOW, it's imaginative, original and exceptionally weird ('weird' in a good way!). I loved the lighter moments of British humour which nicely counterbalanced the more macabre scenes.
Definitely not for the easily creeped out or faint-hearted, this is a super read and a fantastic addition to the series. Masterton is at the top of his game.
Patel and Pardoe link the grisly discovery to a sacrificial cannibalistic cult operating out of derelict buildings. People are being snatched off the streets, dismembered, cooked and eaten. Will Patel and Pardoe be able to put a stop to their ghastly dinnertime antics or will they be next on the menu?
This is Patel and Pardoe's third investigation, and what a great story it is! I've been reading Masterton's horror novels since the mid-1980s and he's my go-to guy for anything demonic and chilling.
This book is extremely gory with body parts being hacked off, roasted and consumed with gusto. It's all very yucky but WOW, it's imaginative, original and exceptionally weird ('weird' in a good way!). I loved the lighter moments of British humour which nicely counterbalanced the more macabre scenes.
Definitely not for the easily creeped out or faint-hearted, this is a super read and a fantastic addition to the series. Masterton is at the top of his game.
November 16, 2021
The Shadow People by Graham Masterton
I give this book 4.5 stars
An abandoned London factory. The place is empty... except for a gruesome pile of scorched human heads.
Arcane markings on the factory wall lead to a terrifying cult in thrall to a Neolithic god.
Now Londoners are being abducted off the city streets.Can Patel and Pardoe save the next victim from this hideous fate? Or will they themselves become a human sacrifice?
This first class horror is not going to be everyone’s cup of tea (cannibalism) but l loved it and have added the first 2 in the series promptly to my list.
A chilling,gory,shocking and graphic storyline,the authors brilliantly descriptive and vivid writing style makes it ten times harder to read (if you’re faint hearted ) Loved the working relationship between the detective duo despite them being chalk and cheese. Clearly set in London with cockney input and British dark humour it feels very 80’s (non pc) with a colourful cast of police officers that add to the story.
I couldn’t put it down!!!
With thanks to Netgalley,Graham Masterton and Head of Zeus for my chance to read and review this book.
I give this book 4.5 stars
An abandoned London factory. The place is empty... except for a gruesome pile of scorched human heads.
Arcane markings on the factory wall lead to a terrifying cult in thrall to a Neolithic god.
Now Londoners are being abducted off the city streets.Can Patel and Pardoe save the next victim from this hideous fate? Or will they themselves become a human sacrifice?
This first class horror is not going to be everyone’s cup of tea (cannibalism) but l loved it and have added the first 2 in the series promptly to my list.
A chilling,gory,shocking and graphic storyline,the authors brilliantly descriptive and vivid writing style makes it ten times harder to read (if you’re faint hearted ) Loved the working relationship between the detective duo despite them being chalk and cheese. Clearly set in London with cockney input and British dark humour it feels very 80’s (non pc) with a colourful cast of police officers that add to the story.
I couldn’t put it down!!!
With thanks to Netgalley,Graham Masterton and Head of Zeus for my chance to read and review this book.
November 13, 2021
Wow this book is definitely not for the faint of heart. It follows two detectives who are investigating the disappearances of seemingly random people and in doing so uncover a cannibalistic cult living right on their doorstep.
This is probably the goriest book I've read in a very very long time but it was done in a way that was actually pretty good! The first third or so of the novel was a bit slow but the rest of it definitely picked up the pace and made the slow start worth it. It particularly enjoyed finding out all of the small details that pointed to the cause of the weird behaviours within the cult as it all felt really well done and attention grabbing. The end was really good and I'm definitely glad I didn't read this in the evening because I definitely would've been nervous to go to sleep right after.
4/5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for this copy to review.
This is probably the goriest book I've read in a very very long time but it was done in a way that was actually pretty good! The first third or so of the novel was a bit slow but the rest of it definitely picked up the pace and made the slow start worth it. It particularly enjoyed finding out all of the small details that pointed to the cause of the weird behaviours within the cult as it all felt really well done and attention grabbing. The end was really good and I'm definitely glad I didn't read this in the evening because I definitely would've been nervous to go to sleep right after.
4/5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for this copy to review.
December 13, 2021
After finishing this book I had to sit for a while trying to decide whether I actually liked it, my conclusion was that this one wasn’t for me. There are good points and bad points to this book but personally the bad outweighed the good.
The premise had me sold from the outset, a cannibalistic cult that worship a goat headed demon - sounds a blast! However the execution was poor to say the least. None of the characters in this book were likeable and there were a lot... so many that I could not keep track of all the different DCI’s, PC’s etc. While we were given bits and pieces of the main characters backgrounds I just felt like it wasn’t enough to make me care. Following on from that there was a lot of jargon and slang used throughout which often muddied the waters and I think would certainly make it difficult for someone who isn’t from the UK to follow. The final point, and for me this was a major disappointment, was the way that many of the characters seemed to treat being inclusive as one big joke. There were many things written about mental illnesses, the trans community and people of colour that genuinely made me uncomfortable to read. Many times a character would say something offensive followed by “oh I shouldn’t say that should I?” Which left me thinking why did the author feel the need to include it in the first place? If there was a reason for this it certainly wasn’t clear to me and just felt in very bad taste. I do have another Masterton sat on my bookshelf however I do now feel a little reluctant to pick it up.
Thank you to Net Galley and Head of Zeus for the advance reading copy.
The premise had me sold from the outset, a cannibalistic cult that worship a goat headed demon - sounds a blast! However the execution was poor to say the least. None of the characters in this book were likeable and there were a lot... so many that I could not keep track of all the different DCI’s, PC’s etc. While we were given bits and pieces of the main characters backgrounds I just felt like it wasn’t enough to make me care. Following on from that there was a lot of jargon and slang used throughout which often muddied the waters and I think would certainly make it difficult for someone who isn’t from the UK to follow. The final point, and for me this was a major disappointment, was the way that many of the characters seemed to treat being inclusive as one big joke. There were many things written about mental illnesses, the trans community and people of colour that genuinely made me uncomfortable to read. Many times a character would say something offensive followed by “oh I shouldn’t say that should I?” Which left me thinking why did the author feel the need to include it in the first place? If there was a reason for this it certainly wasn’t clear to me and just felt in very bad taste. I do have another Masterton sat on my bookshelf however I do now feel a little reluctant to pick it up.
Thank you to Net Galley and Head of Zeus for the advance reading copy.
April 25, 2022
The Shadow People by Graham Masterton is the third in the Detectives Pardoe and Patel supernatural/horror series.
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Head of Zeus, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Series Background: (Warning – May contain spoilers from previous books)
DC Jerry Pardoe and DS Jamila Patel are called in when there are strange circumstances regarding a case. They are becoming used to the supernatural aspects of their jobs. Jerry has a bit of a crush on Jamila, mind you he seems to have a crush on most females. He has a young daughter, and an ex-wife.
My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
At first glance, the abandoned carpet factory appeared to be housing the homeless. At second glance, it looked like it was the scene of a massacre, with body parts left in shopping carts, and burned corpses.
A tunnel is discovered in the basement, with strange markings on the wall, and more bodies. An officer who is sent to investigate is brutally killed, and another is taken.
Two young boys are kidnapped from a scout camp, where their mother left them to try to get over the death of their father. They are not the only missing people.
DC Jerry Pardoe and DS Jamila Patel are called in to hunt down a cult. They have worked together on other bizarre cases and this appears to be another. It looks like there are cannibals in London. Some kind of religious cult who worship the devil.
My Opinions:
First, I love the cover.
Part way through the book, I realized I had encountered these characters before, and on further research, discovered that this is actually the third book with Pardoe and Patel. I am now grouping them together into a series (in order of publication), although it doesn't look like the books actually have to be read in order at this point. They can all be read as stand-alone novels. Needless to say, me being me....I have to go back and read book 2...quickly. (I've now done that!)
Okay, this book. WOW...this one is not for the faint of heart. This had more gore than anything I have read in a while. Not to be read while eating dinner.....
But it was good. The first part was a little slow, but it certainly picked up. As unbelievable as the plot was, it definitely kept my interest. When you read horror and supernatural, you can't expect to have it based on facts, but the author tried to provide a reasonable explanation. The whole thing was captivating....if a little gross.
Masterton has a graphic imagination, which he shares with all of us. I will continue to read these books.
For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
May 22, 2022
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ -- LOVE the cover on this one!
First order of business...a warning...DO NOT READ THIS BOOK WHILE YOU ARE EATING!! 🤢😂 I have only good things to say about this one. The writing was excellent. It held up perfectly as a standalone. It was well paced. The plot was engaging, intelligent, gory, dark, twisted. The characters are likable. I really want to find time to go back and read the previous books in this series. This gets two huge thumbs up from yours truly!
**ARC Via NetGalley**
First order of business...a warning...DO NOT READ THIS BOOK WHILE YOU ARE EATING!! 🤢😂 I have only good things to say about this one. The writing was excellent. It held up perfectly as a standalone. It was well paced. The plot was engaging, intelligent, gory, dark, twisted. The characters are likable. I really want to find time to go back and read the previous books in this series. This gets two huge thumbs up from yours truly!
**ARC Via NetGalley**
December 19, 2021
Title: The Shadow People
Written by: Graham Masterton
Pub Date: 01 Mar 2022
Published by: Head of Zeus
Genre: Horror | Mystery & Thrillers
I don't think I have ever hated a book so quickly in my life.
Not only are the characters sexist and misogynistic they are also discriminatory. Maybe I could excuse that if it was just the characters but even the narration has the same problems. As soon as we find out that the robber is wearing a dress they stop being the suspect and are only called "The man in a dress". It is not made any less trans-phobic by having the main character think about his new neighbor who he fancies though she is trans, if anything this is worse. The description of the female officer is so clechéd I couldn't find the mental energy to even imagine her. And surprise surprise she is a typical blond bimbo, which just insinuates that it's not hard to become a police officer.
The only real note worthy writing seemed to be the gore discovered in the factory and even that felt as is if the author was borderline racist. If a writer has to refer to the black and white minstrels to describe a burned face then that is a problem. "like some hideous parody of a 1950's minstrel show." That show was already a hideous parody of black people.
I don't know how Masterton manages to degrade, women, black people, trans-people and the mentally ill within 17 pages. Just waiting on the homophobia and ableisim.
I have been wanting to read this book for so long but there is no way I am spending my time reading a grotesque piece like this. I might give it two more chapters but if the main character and narration continue in the same way I am soooo DNFing this ................. for lack of a better word book.
Ok well got to page 32 and nope. Jeff is not only misogynistic his a creep. Thinking that it's not fair that he works with a good looking female cop because he can't tell her "how attractive" he finds her. Wow, he even goes on about how he thinks she secretly wants him to kiss her. His inner monologue is so gross it makes me glad that there are work place sexual harassment procedures. Are we supposed to actually like this guy? Both the transphobia and misogyny have continued as well as the ableism so I'm out. This will be staying a one star and I think that is being kind.
There were also unfinished sentences and spelling mistakes in the 32 pages I read. Also if this is adult why does it give off YA vibes. If it is not for YA I suggest a new cover, along with a rewrite. (Harsh but true)
Getting this book was definitely a case of "careful what you wish for."
Written by: Graham Masterton
Pub Date: 01 Mar 2022
Published by: Head of Zeus
Genre: Horror | Mystery & Thrillers
I don't think I have ever hated a book so quickly in my life.
Not only are the characters sexist and misogynistic they are also discriminatory. Maybe I could excuse that if it was just the characters but even the narration has the same problems. As soon as we find out that the robber is wearing a dress they stop being the suspect and are only called "The man in a dress". It is not made any less trans-phobic by having the main character think about his new neighbor who he fancies though she is trans, if anything this is worse. The description of the female officer is so clechéd I couldn't find the mental energy to even imagine her. And surprise surprise she is a typical blond bimbo, which just insinuates that it's not hard to become a police officer.
The only real note worthy writing seemed to be the gore discovered in the factory and even that felt as is if the author was borderline racist. If a writer has to refer to the black and white minstrels to describe a burned face then that is a problem. "like some hideous parody of a 1950's minstrel show." That show was already a hideous parody of black people.
I don't know how Masterton manages to degrade, women, black people, trans-people and the mentally ill within 17 pages. Just waiting on the homophobia and ableisim.
I have been wanting to read this book for so long but there is no way I am spending my time reading a grotesque piece like this. I might give it two more chapters but if the main character and narration continue in the same way I am soooo DNFing this ................. for lack of a better word book.
Ok well got to page 32 and nope. Jeff is not only misogynistic his a creep. Thinking that it's not fair that he works with a good looking female cop because he can't tell her "how attractive" he finds her. Wow, he even goes on about how he thinks she secretly wants him to kiss her. His inner monologue is so gross it makes me glad that there are work place sexual harassment procedures. Are we supposed to actually like this guy? Both the transphobia and misogyny have continued as well as the ableism so I'm out. This will be staying a one star and I think that is being kind.
There were also unfinished sentences and spelling mistakes in the 32 pages I read. Also if this is adult why does it give off YA vibes. If it is not for YA I suggest a new cover, along with a rewrite. (Harsh but true)
Getting this book was definitely a case of "careful what you wish for."
December 9, 2021
Creepy, horrendous, made me sick while reading it but I just couldn’t put it down.
Graham Masterton wrote another amazingly spooky story which has crept into my mind and refuses to leave.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy.
Graham Masterton wrote another amazingly spooky story which has crept into my mind and refuses to leave.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy.
September 19, 2021
First thing's first. I have not read the first 2 books in this series. My partner read The Children God Forgot, and enjoyed it. I offered to read this one, and enjoyed it very much, for the most part.
First, the bad (not much of it). I did NOT like Jerry. I get that the author is going for the "Everyman" approach with him, but he comes off like a numpty. His humor is obnoxious, callous and lowbrow. He's not particularly intelligent or well-trained. Sorry, Graham.
Jamila, on the other hand, is intelligent, quick-witted and easy to like. I enjoyed reading her parts, although they were sparse. More Jamila, please!!
Overall, the book was dramatic, interesting and thoroughly DISGUSTING. I loved it. I will be reading the first 2 in the series and anything that comes after.
CONTENT WARNINGS
CANNIBALISM. CANNIBALISM and CANNIBALISM. Lots of talk of roasting and eating human body parts. VERY visceral and descriptive. Sexual organs mentioned many times. No actual sexual content, but mentions of activities and organs.
Thank you to Netgalley, Graham Masterton and Head of Zeus Publishing for allowing me to read this book. All opinions are my own.
First, the bad (not much of it). I did NOT like Jerry. I get that the author is going for the "Everyman" approach with him, but he comes off like a numpty. His humor is obnoxious, callous and lowbrow. He's not particularly intelligent or well-trained. Sorry, Graham.
Jamila, on the other hand, is intelligent, quick-witted and easy to like. I enjoyed reading her parts, although they were sparse. More Jamila, please!!
Overall, the book was dramatic, interesting and thoroughly DISGUSTING. I loved it. I will be reading the first 2 in the series and anything that comes after.
CONTENT WARNINGS
CANNIBALISM. CANNIBALISM and CANNIBALISM. Lots of talk of roasting and eating human body parts. VERY visceral and descriptive. Sexual organs mentioned many times. No actual sexual content, but mentions of activities and organs.
Thank you to Netgalley, Graham Masterton and Head of Zeus Publishing for allowing me to read this book. All opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2022
"Where were you hiding, before you were born?"
"In the Shadows."
"Where will you be hiding, after you die?"
"In the Shadows."
"Where does your lord and master dwell?"
"In the Shadows."
This book is a gore-fest!! And it's good that it is because for a book that has a storyline revolving around a cult who worships a Neolithic god/demon by offering up humans as sacrifices and eating them, you really can't expect a tame version of what is described here. It is good that I have read Clive Barker so I could handle the gore once I began reading this book... the author does not waste time and the horrific, gory action begins from the first chapter itself with graphic detail!
It also turns out that this is the third book in the DS Jamila Patel and DC Jerry Pardoe paranormal police procedural series although I think I might wait a while before I try reading the previous books... I can handle gore but in small doses. This book, however, can be read as a standalone.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Head of Zeus and the author Graham Masterton for the e-Arc of the book.
Publication date is 1st March 2022.
"In the Shadows."
"Where will you be hiding, after you die?"
"In the Shadows."
"Where does your lord and master dwell?"
"In the Shadows."
This book is a gore-fest!! And it's good that it is because for a book that has a storyline revolving around a cult who worships a Neolithic god/demon by offering up humans as sacrifices and eating them, you really can't expect a tame version of what is described here. It is good that I have read Clive Barker so I could handle the gore once I began reading this book... the author does not waste time and the horrific, gory action begins from the first chapter itself with graphic detail!
It also turns out that this is the third book in the DS Jamila Patel and DC Jerry Pardoe paranormal police procedural series although I think I might wait a while before I try reading the previous books... I can handle gore but in small doses. This book, however, can be read as a standalone.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Head of Zeus and the author Graham Masterton for the e-Arc of the book.
Publication date is 1st March 2022.
February 18, 2022
Firstly, I would like to thanks Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Tw: cannibalism, graphic violence and gore, murder, brutal torture and explicit content
Be warned, this book is very violent in description and they may made you squeamish because of the cannibalism. I felt sick at some point reading this because of how brutal the scenes were and im not kidding. I didnt know this book is the 3rd book in a series but somehow it worked as a standalone. Im all in for the weird religious cult and the nihilistic sadism the whole things are. Its fascinating to read to what extent these people go for their belief.
Its very interesting to read despite the amount of gore and violence. I like it and i wouldnt say i enjoyed it but i do find it very intriguing. Will definitely check out more from the author.
Tw: cannibalism, graphic violence and gore, murder, brutal torture and explicit content
Be warned, this book is very violent in description and they may made you squeamish because of the cannibalism. I felt sick at some point reading this because of how brutal the scenes were and im not kidding. I didnt know this book is the 3rd book in a series but somehow it worked as a standalone. Im all in for the weird religious cult and the nihilistic sadism the whole things are. Its fascinating to read to what extent these people go for their belief.
Its very interesting to read despite the amount of gore and violence. I like it and i wouldnt say i enjoyed it but i do find it very intriguing. Will definitely check out more from the author.
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