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Rune
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384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
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311 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Fowler
264 books1,281 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Christopher Fowler was an English writer known for his Bryant & May mystery series, featuring two Golden Age-style detectives navigating modern London. Over his career, he authored fifty novels and short story collections, along with screenplays, video games, graphic novels, and audio plays. His psychological thriller Little Boy Found was published under the pseudonym L.K. Fox.
Fowler's accolades include multiple British Fantasy Awards, the Last Laugh Award, the CWA Dagger in the Library, and the inaugural Green Carnation Award. He was inducted into the Detection Club in 2021. Beyond crime fiction, his works ranged from horror (Hell Train, Nyctophobia) to memoir (Paperboy, Film Freak). His column Invisible Ink explored forgotten authors, later compiled into The Book of Forgotten Authors.
Fowler lived between London and Barcelona with his husband, Peter Chapman.
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Christopher Fowler was an English writer known for his Bryant & May mystery series, featuring two Golden Age-style detectives navigating modern London. Over his career, he authored fifty novels and short story collections, along with screenplays, video games, graphic novels, and audio plays. His psychological thriller Little Boy Found was published under the pseudonym L.K. Fox.
Fowler's accolades include multiple British Fantasy Awards, the Last Laugh Award, the CWA Dagger in the Library, and the inaugural Green Carnation Award. He was inducted into the Detection Club in 2021. Beyond crime fiction, his works ranged from horror (Hell Train, Nyctophobia) to memoir (Paperboy, Film Freak). His column Invisible Ink explored forgotten authors, later compiled into The Book of Forgotten Authors.
Fowler lived between London and Barcelona with his husband, Peter Chapman.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
March 30, 2018
Absolutely loved this. It’s made even better by the appearance of Bryant & May (and a few of the other characters) in embryonic form.
Bryant & May on acid. Old and new worlds collide with runes and technology, wonderfully fleshed-out characters and excellent page-turning pull.
Read this if you like your tales dark with a slight undertone of humour.
Bryant & May on acid. Old and new worlds collide with runes and technology, wonderfully fleshed-out characters and excellent page-turning pull.
Read this if you like your tales dark with a slight undertone of humour.
November 11, 2011
This is an early novel from the pen of Fowler, and although it features his most famous creations, the detectives Arthur Bryant and John May, it doesn't form part of the official Bryant and May canon. It's a clever, fast paced thriller/horror in which people are 'persuaded' to commit suicide through the use of subliminal runic messages. The body count is high, as victims fall prey to horrific visions created by the rune curses. Fowler acknowledges MR James' 'Casting the Runes' as part inspiration for this novel, but there are also echoes of 'The Ring' films (I'm not sure which came first though), and elements from the 'Young Sherlock Holmes' movie. Bryant and May are wonderful characters, very much in their infancy in this, their first adventure (chronologically at least - Full Dark House takes the pair back much further in their shared history).
As with all the novels of Fowler which I've read, this is a great page-turner - there is wonderfully quirky humour mixed in with the grand guinol, and all the threads are tied up beautifully by the last page. Highly recommended.
As with all the novels of Fowler which I've read, this is a great page-turner - there is wonderfully quirky humour mixed in with the grand guinol, and all the threads are tied up beautifully by the last page. Highly recommended.
March 21, 2019
Fowler is a new author to me but on reading the first chapter I was pretty sure I'd enjoy this book & found it a wonderfully weird combination of various genres. I thought the overall tone to this book was similar to horror novels I read circa late '80s (Stephen Laws springs to mind) yet its not a "horror" novel but a wonderful mix of the supernatural & mystery with a delicious thread of humour weaving it all together.
The basic storyline is that a multinational company has succeeded in combining sophisticated technology with ancient mythology - using Runes to "encourage" (for want of a better word!) people to commit suicide.Of course, in true horror fashion, these do tend to be rather gruesome deaths - & I defy anyone not wince as an elderly woman puts her eyes out!
The supernatural/mystic angle is covered with the use of the Runes as these ancient letters are incorporated into "confrontational marketing".
The occult gets a look-in too in with a mysterious basement library guarded by the eccentric Dorothy. And Dorothy isn't the only offbeat character as there's a whole host of sundry, quirky individuals whose antics make you both smile & grimace.
Finally, throw in two unconventional detectives who are trying to get to the bottom of the "suicides" & you get...as the back cover says..an unholy fusion of horror, mystery & black humour.
Not the sort of horror novel I was expecting but nevertheless an enjoyable read & I'll happily read more by this author.
The basic storyline is that a multinational company has succeeded in combining sophisticated technology with ancient mythology - using Runes to "encourage" (for want of a better word!) people to commit suicide.Of course, in true horror fashion, these do tend to be rather gruesome deaths - & I defy anyone not wince as an elderly woman puts her eyes out!
The supernatural/mystic angle is covered with the use of the Runes as these ancient letters are incorporated into "confrontational marketing".
The occult gets a look-in too in with a mysterious basement library guarded by the eccentric Dorothy. And Dorothy isn't the only offbeat character as there's a whole host of sundry, quirky individuals whose antics make you both smile & grimace.
Finally, throw in two unconventional detectives who are trying to get to the bottom of the "suicides" & you get...as the back cover says..an unholy fusion of horror, mystery & black humour.
Not the sort of horror novel I was expecting but nevertheless an enjoyable read & I'll happily read more by this author.
December 30, 2018
The afterword to this novel provides an interesting insight into Christopher Fowler. He admits to becoming excited when Hollywood bought the film rights, less so when they started to make changes, and angry when they removed his favourite parts. He closes by saying that “I’ll be the first to wince when the cheerleader kills the talking snake.” Needless to say, neither appear in the novel, and he is clearly looking forward to seeing what a mess Hollywood can make of this book as much as I am. Not at all. What makes this interesting is that he works in the film industry.
Fowler writes that this novel was inspired by a short story called “Casting the Runes” by M. R. James, which was interpreted in a 1958 film called “night of the Demon.” However, there are parts of the storyline that bring vague recollections to Dean Koontz’s 1979 novel “Night Chills.” It’s really nothing more than a minor link, and only in the concept, rather than the story itself. However, it’s a good pointer in that, if you enjoyed the Koontz story, you’ll more than likely enjoy this one.
Fowler is often categorised under horror, which limits him a great deal. This novel, like many of his others, does contain some nasty moments, but is more of a crime thriller than an out and out horror novel. He has also been compared to Stephen King, which as inaccurate a comparison as there is. He write a lot shorter, for one thing, and spends less time on peripherals, much preferring to concentrate on the story. If there is a comparison to be made, it is really more to Dean Koontz’s older work. The story shifts along at a decent pace. People die, often in unusual ways, but the real fear is generated by the concept. And, more particularly, by stepping back a little and realising that this could actually happen. If he can think of it, so could someone else, maybe a person with the drive and the knowledge to push it through into reality.
The story is one that mixes the occult with big business, in this case, the entertainment business. Daniel Carmody is trying to out his business rivals out of the picture by combining the ancient forces of runic curses with video and TV. His theory is that he can cause people to become cursed, up to the point that they feel and urge to harm or even kill themselves, by showing them runic curses in the form of a video, or even printed on a video box or a piece of paper. It’s not been done for a while, and it’s not been used in business, but he thinks it may work. Anyone who gets in his way will be shown a rune, and will be forced to do things they really don’t want to do.
Harry Buckingham isn’t having a very good day. He has just been pulled out of an important meeting to be told that his father has been killed. Before that, however, his father had been acting strangely, running through the streets as if the devil were after him. He’s eventually crushed against a wall by a lorry. Shortly afterwards, a man steals Harry’s BMW, ties a rope around a tree and his neck, and decapitates himself by driving off at high speed. This is only a beginning. All around people he knows are dying in strange circumstances, and the police, in the form of Fowler’s recurring characters Bryant and May, are wondering about his involvement.
In the meantime, Harry’s life is going to hell, too. His employers are not happy that he is taking so much time away from work, and being called out of so many important meetings to sort out his father’s affairs. His frigid girlfriend has ended their relationship (ironically, this is probably the best thing that happens to him) and the woman driving the lorry that killed his father has turned into someone who is part stalker, part investigator, and part love-struck teenager. She’s got an idea of how to link the incidents together, and drags Harry along with her, trying to solve the crime. Harry, on the other hand, is an advertising executive, and really isn’t into that kind of thing.
In the meantime, of course, Harry is trying to avoid being held by the police, who still think he must be involved, and trying to stay alive after Daniel Carmody finds out that Harry is trying to find out what he is up to and prove that he is responsible for Harry’s father’s death.
Bryant and May, however, are upsetting their bosses by using unorthodox methods to solve the crime, methods which aren’t uncommon in their investigations, as readers of “Darkest Day” and “Soho Black” will be well aware. Bryant in particular is consorting with witches and runic experts, and basing his whole solution on a hunch.
Neither side is getting anywhere terribly fast, as everyone they try to involve ends up getting killed, or killing themselves. Harry is prevented by a lack of knowledge and access to information, and the police just can’t figure out what’s really happening anyway.
The ending. Well, of course, I’m not going to tell you what happened. What I will say is this. I have written on Fowler’s work fairly regularly before, and I have often criticised his endings. There is an unnecessary bit tacked onto the end, or some things just don’t add up when you reach the last page. I’m not going to repeat that here. As far as I’m concerned, he’s got it right here. The past is wrapped up, nothing is out of place, and there is potential for the future. This book ends in much the same way as a film would, which perhaps explains the aforementioned Hollywood interest, and I don’t have a problem with that at all.
It is perhaps the story itself that disappoints, if only slightly. The style is totally Fowler’s. It darts between characters, with each linking into another at some point. The story rips along, the chapters are short, and the pages keep turning. The story itself is realistic enough for you to relate to, but fanciful enough that you want to see what’s going to happen next.
Fowler’s interest in runes and runic curses has clearly been string enough for him to investigate the possibilities, and make a decent story out of them, in much the same way as his knowledge of London did with “Disturbia.” However, in this instance, his storytelling instincts have beaten off his love of showing his knowledge of London. Yes, it’s largely London based, but there are few of the little nuggets of historical information sprinkled about that have made some of his other works so entertaining.
The character of Grace seems a little unnecessary, too. She is the lorry driver who hooks up with Harry. Although she provides a couple of little pieces of plot advancement, I can’t help but feel that the novel didn’t really need her around, although this is really a minor gripe. For the most entertaining character, if the least well rounded, look out for Rufus!
The death scenes are particularly well done. There is not a simple death involved here at all, but they are all nicely described, but not in too much detail, in the manner of Graham Masterton, for example. Mostly, the people have been terrified into taking the action they do to kill themselves, and this is wonderfully portrayed. You can almost feel the fear in them.
Overall, this isn’t the Fowler novel I have most enjoyed. There are a few things, which make Fowler quite distinctive that are missing, so this would be better for the first time reader, rather than the Fowler addict who may, as I have, find a few holes. However, this is quite possibly the best story idea he has come up with, being real enough to make you nervous, and is certainly the most satisfying end to a Fowler novel I have come across.
If you like Dean Koontz, especially his older work, this is something you will enjoy greatly. If you like novels that are a little off the beaten track in terms of concept, you will enjoy the idea. If you like a few unusual deaths, and a bit of blood, you’ll like this. I would suggest you avoid this novel if you have a weak stomach, or if you have just eaten.
As far as buying this book goes, the advice I have given in these pages previously still holds true. Offline, Fowler’s work is not easily found. Online, this can be bought from Amazon, along with the rest of Fowler’s work, with 20% off. It is interesting to note, however, that the price Amazon use to start with is £1 more than I paid for the novel about two years ago, for what looks to be the same version. It is not, however, a novel that will disappoint, if this is your kind of thing.
This review may also appear under my name at any or all of www.ciao.co.uk, www.thebookbag.co.uk, www.goodreads.com, www.amazon.co.uk and www.dooyoo.co.uk
Fowler writes that this novel was inspired by a short story called “Casting the Runes” by M. R. James, which was interpreted in a 1958 film called “night of the Demon.” However, there are parts of the storyline that bring vague recollections to Dean Koontz’s 1979 novel “Night Chills.” It’s really nothing more than a minor link, and only in the concept, rather than the story itself. However, it’s a good pointer in that, if you enjoyed the Koontz story, you’ll more than likely enjoy this one.
Fowler is often categorised under horror, which limits him a great deal. This novel, like many of his others, does contain some nasty moments, but is more of a crime thriller than an out and out horror novel. He has also been compared to Stephen King, which as inaccurate a comparison as there is. He write a lot shorter, for one thing, and spends less time on peripherals, much preferring to concentrate on the story. If there is a comparison to be made, it is really more to Dean Koontz’s older work. The story shifts along at a decent pace. People die, often in unusual ways, but the real fear is generated by the concept. And, more particularly, by stepping back a little and realising that this could actually happen. If he can think of it, so could someone else, maybe a person with the drive and the knowledge to push it through into reality.
The story is one that mixes the occult with big business, in this case, the entertainment business. Daniel Carmody is trying to out his business rivals out of the picture by combining the ancient forces of runic curses with video and TV. His theory is that he can cause people to become cursed, up to the point that they feel and urge to harm or even kill themselves, by showing them runic curses in the form of a video, or even printed on a video box or a piece of paper. It’s not been done for a while, and it’s not been used in business, but he thinks it may work. Anyone who gets in his way will be shown a rune, and will be forced to do things they really don’t want to do.
Harry Buckingham isn’t having a very good day. He has just been pulled out of an important meeting to be told that his father has been killed. Before that, however, his father had been acting strangely, running through the streets as if the devil were after him. He’s eventually crushed against a wall by a lorry. Shortly afterwards, a man steals Harry’s BMW, ties a rope around a tree and his neck, and decapitates himself by driving off at high speed. This is only a beginning. All around people he knows are dying in strange circumstances, and the police, in the form of Fowler’s recurring characters Bryant and May, are wondering about his involvement.
In the meantime, Harry’s life is going to hell, too. His employers are not happy that he is taking so much time away from work, and being called out of so many important meetings to sort out his father’s affairs. His frigid girlfriend has ended their relationship (ironically, this is probably the best thing that happens to him) and the woman driving the lorry that killed his father has turned into someone who is part stalker, part investigator, and part love-struck teenager. She’s got an idea of how to link the incidents together, and drags Harry along with her, trying to solve the crime. Harry, on the other hand, is an advertising executive, and really isn’t into that kind of thing.
In the meantime, of course, Harry is trying to avoid being held by the police, who still think he must be involved, and trying to stay alive after Daniel Carmody finds out that Harry is trying to find out what he is up to and prove that he is responsible for Harry’s father’s death.
Bryant and May, however, are upsetting their bosses by using unorthodox methods to solve the crime, methods which aren’t uncommon in their investigations, as readers of “Darkest Day” and “Soho Black” will be well aware. Bryant in particular is consorting with witches and runic experts, and basing his whole solution on a hunch.
Neither side is getting anywhere terribly fast, as everyone they try to involve ends up getting killed, or killing themselves. Harry is prevented by a lack of knowledge and access to information, and the police just can’t figure out what’s really happening anyway.
The ending. Well, of course, I’m not going to tell you what happened. What I will say is this. I have written on Fowler’s work fairly regularly before, and I have often criticised his endings. There is an unnecessary bit tacked onto the end, or some things just don’t add up when you reach the last page. I’m not going to repeat that here. As far as I’m concerned, he’s got it right here. The past is wrapped up, nothing is out of place, and there is potential for the future. This book ends in much the same way as a film would, which perhaps explains the aforementioned Hollywood interest, and I don’t have a problem with that at all.
It is perhaps the story itself that disappoints, if only slightly. The style is totally Fowler’s. It darts between characters, with each linking into another at some point. The story rips along, the chapters are short, and the pages keep turning. The story itself is realistic enough for you to relate to, but fanciful enough that you want to see what’s going to happen next.
Fowler’s interest in runes and runic curses has clearly been string enough for him to investigate the possibilities, and make a decent story out of them, in much the same way as his knowledge of London did with “Disturbia.” However, in this instance, his storytelling instincts have beaten off his love of showing his knowledge of London. Yes, it’s largely London based, but there are few of the little nuggets of historical information sprinkled about that have made some of his other works so entertaining.
The character of Grace seems a little unnecessary, too. She is the lorry driver who hooks up with Harry. Although she provides a couple of little pieces of plot advancement, I can’t help but feel that the novel didn’t really need her around, although this is really a minor gripe. For the most entertaining character, if the least well rounded, look out for Rufus!
The death scenes are particularly well done. There is not a simple death involved here at all, but they are all nicely described, but not in too much detail, in the manner of Graham Masterton, for example. Mostly, the people have been terrified into taking the action they do to kill themselves, and this is wonderfully portrayed. You can almost feel the fear in them.
Overall, this isn’t the Fowler novel I have most enjoyed. There are a few things, which make Fowler quite distinctive that are missing, so this would be better for the first time reader, rather than the Fowler addict who may, as I have, find a few holes. However, this is quite possibly the best story idea he has come up with, being real enough to make you nervous, and is certainly the most satisfying end to a Fowler novel I have come across.
If you like Dean Koontz, especially his older work, this is something you will enjoy greatly. If you like novels that are a little off the beaten track in terms of concept, you will enjoy the idea. If you like a few unusual deaths, and a bit of blood, you’ll like this. I would suggest you avoid this novel if you have a weak stomach, or if you have just eaten.
As far as buying this book goes, the advice I have given in these pages previously still holds true. Offline, Fowler’s work is not easily found. Online, this can be bought from Amazon, along with the rest of Fowler’s work, with 20% off. It is interesting to note, however, that the price Amazon use to start with is £1 more than I paid for the novel about two years ago, for what looks to be the same version. It is not, however, a novel that will disappoint, if this is your kind of thing.
This review may also appear under my name at any or all of www.ciao.co.uk, www.thebookbag.co.uk, www.goodreads.com, www.amazon.co.uk and www.dooyoo.co.uk
July 7, 2016
This story could have been great. It had the potential of being something quite unique and interesting, but failed catastrophically as it went on.
This train wreck starts with many dead bodies being found around London that seem to have been killed in mysterious ways. The police tries to get to the bottom of this after realising that they all seem to be connected with Harry Buckingham, our main character and the worlds biggest blank slate in the planet.
I am all for making the stakes higher and whatnot; however, when three quarters of your book is entirely sustained by person after person dying for the most stupidest reasons you have to draw the line somewhere. Put yourself in this scenario: you ex boyfriends mail has been accidentally brought to your house. What do you do? a) Call your ex boyfriend to tell him about this misunderstanding b)Bring it to his house c)open the packet, see that its a VHS, call him about it and when he pleads you not to watch it because you may DIE, you gO AND WATCH IT WITH NO SECOND THOUGHT. Take a wild hint what this book does.
The worst flaw of this novel are, without a doubt, its imbecile cast of characters (as you can see in the example above). They frequently act completely irrational just for the sake of trying to advance the plot. We get it, runes kill if you see them. We all get it. Why do you need to keep killing people in the most idiotic way just to make that point clear?
Just for fun, here are more examples. You drive over this guy's dad and want to make it up for him. Obviously, the best solution is to stalk him all day making sexual suggestions (while knowing he is in a relationship) until you win him over. Another example. You are at a fancy dinner with your stunning girlfriend. She refuses to have sex with you for some stupid reason just to get the plot going on. Pissed off, you catch the eye of that-creepy-girl-who-seems-way-too-into-you that by COMPLETE COINCIDENCE is at the same restaurant as you and, ohmygod, she has a dress. As anyone would do, you follow her into the bathroom and have a violent makeout session in there until your girlfriend finds you and breaks up with you. As the man you are, you shrug it off and have sex with this other chick in her apartment.
The story picks up when the runes seem to let you see old gods of some kind which are ruthless and will try and kill you if you can see them. And then immediately drops it again and is never explained fully.
Don't read this book unless you are a fan of the authors other works.
This train wreck starts with many dead bodies being found around London that seem to have been killed in mysterious ways. The police tries to get to the bottom of this after realising that they all seem to be connected with Harry Buckingham, our main character and the worlds biggest blank slate in the planet.
I am all for making the stakes higher and whatnot; however, when three quarters of your book is entirely sustained by person after person dying for the most stupidest reasons you have to draw the line somewhere. Put yourself in this scenario: you ex boyfriends mail has been accidentally brought to your house. What do you do? a) Call your ex boyfriend to tell him about this misunderstanding b)Bring it to his house c)open the packet, see that its a VHS, call him about it and when he pleads you not to watch it because you may DIE, you gO AND WATCH IT WITH NO SECOND THOUGHT. Take a wild hint what this book does.
The worst flaw of this novel are, without a doubt, its imbecile cast of characters (as you can see in the example above). They frequently act completely irrational just for the sake of trying to advance the plot. We get it, runes kill if you see them. We all get it. Why do you need to keep killing people in the most idiotic way just to make that point clear?
Just for fun, here are more examples. You drive over this guy's dad and want to make it up for him. Obviously, the best solution is to stalk him all day making sexual suggestions (while knowing he is in a relationship) until you win him over. Another example. You are at a fancy dinner with your stunning girlfriend. She refuses to have sex with you for some stupid reason just to get the plot going on. Pissed off, you catch the eye of that-creepy-girl-who-seems-way-too-into-you that by COMPLETE COINCIDENCE is at the same restaurant as you and, ohmygod, she has a dress. As anyone would do, you follow her into the bathroom and have a violent makeout session in there until your girlfriend finds you and breaks up with you. As the man you are, you shrug it off and have sex with this other chick in her apartment.
The story picks up when the runes seem to let you see old gods of some kind which are ruthless and will try and kill you if you can see them. And then immediately drops it again and is never explained fully.
Don't read this book unless you are a fan of the authors other works.
December 9, 2012
Even though I finished this, I'm not sure why! Written in 1990, it's another end-of-the-millennium Armageddon novel about corporations using "evil runes" to kill off their enemies. Pretty far-fetched, but I wanted to see how many more inventive ways to kill people the author could come up with so I had to finish it. Lame.
October 24, 2020
Quite fond of the book. It moves along. Doesn't spend a lot of time explaining background. This is a good thing. Just enough character to satisfy the literature nut inside me.
Even though it deals with fantasy, it doesn't wave this around. Reality still makes the plot work.
Now,I don't see so well. I read this by talking book. A really good narrator from Louisville did it. This allows me to picture things in my mind. I don't need movies. Nor do I need their cost.
One other thing, this book had overtones that reminded me of C. S. Lewis' "That Hideous Strength". Specifically, the lingering sense of evil permeates the text. from the beginning.
Even though it deals with fantasy, it doesn't wave this around. Reality still makes the plot work.
Now,I don't see so well. I read this by talking book. A really good narrator from Louisville did it. This allows me to picture things in my mind. I don't need movies. Nor do I need their cost.
One other thing, this book had overtones that reminded me of C. S. Lewis' "That Hideous Strength". Specifically, the lingering sense of evil permeates the text. from the beginning.
August 1, 2021
This book is so much fun! The editing is dodgy, and the story is vastly unrealistic, but I gave it five stars anyway because I loved the characters and cared about what happened to them. That is more than half of what makes a story worth reading. I also love that horror and humor go hand in hand in this one.
May 17, 2024
Having ploughed through a number of pre Bryant and May novels by Fowler without much pleasure or profit (see my other reviews of Roofworld and Disturbia) it is quite a relief that it finally paid off. This is a Bryant and May novel in everything but name (and maybe somewhat in quality unfortunately). This has several of the features of early Fowler: The great majority of the characters cover the full emotional range from inadequate to insane, the bouts of ultraviolence seem to have no justification except as a lazy way to signal how bad the baddies are, there's an awful lot of rushing about but it isn't clear how well thought through some of the plot behind it is. The other atypical feature is that the plot is really an extended "technologised" pinch of Casting the Runes by M. R. James (which you may also know as the excellent film Night of the Demon). This level of borrowing seems a bit of cheek frankly (and James managed much more atmosphere at short story length generally). I think this is therefore a transitional novel for Fowler, leaving behind the slightly creaky plots of the early novels (warring tribes on the roofs of London) and moving towards the much more coherent (and frankly better written) Bryant and May books. The difference is that, despite the awkwardness and loose ends of his early work, fans of Bryant and May may find this novel worth the price of admission.
April 29, 2020
It was entertaining, but the ending didn't really satisfy me.
April 15, 2022
This story has everything! It goes all the way to the top Mark twists and turns. Fun read weird story.
May 15, 2022
Good premise but not well written
June 12, 2017
I got the Dutch version of this book from my mother in law how is cleaning out her book shelves but can't throw out her books nor donate them to second hand book shops. So she gives them to me and I read them (except the drama and romance she gives me, I hate that genre) and then donate them (with her permission)
I would never have bought this book for myself. The title in Duth was awful (De Komst van het Kwaad) and it had the worst cover in the history of book covers. Luckily Goodreads showed me some good reviews and I decided to give it a go (if only for the reason that I could then donate it so I wouldn't have to keep a book with such a cheesy title on my precious bookshelf)
This book was better than expected. It had a number of crazy deaths and paranormal videos very similar to the Sadako videos in the Ringu. I also liked the detectives who were not really like realistic detective, but very funny nonetheless.
Now the ending of hte book was a bit over-the-top for me (especially the last sentence; I think that 1 sentence ruined the entire last chapter for me) But I'm going to let you read it instead of just spoiling it ;-)
I would never have bought this book for myself. The title in Duth was awful (De Komst van het Kwaad) and it had the worst cover in the history of book covers. Luckily Goodreads showed me some good reviews and I decided to give it a go (if only for the reason that I could then donate it so I wouldn't have to keep a book with such a cheesy title on my precious bookshelf)
This book was better than expected. It had a number of crazy deaths and paranormal videos very similar to the Sadako videos in the Ringu. I also liked the detectives who were not really like realistic detective, but very funny nonetheless.
Now the ending of hte book was a bit over-the-top for me (especially the last sentence; I think that 1 sentence ruined the entire last chapter for me) But I'm going to let you read it instead of just spoiling it ;-)
July 12, 2019
Loved this novel !! Thought not officially a peculiar crimes unit novel , this is bryan t and Mays first appearance . Perhaps my favorite Christopher Fowler novel . Great story with humor and suspense . Highly recommended
September 23, 2014
Before reading "Rune", I had only read Christopher Fowler's books about the Peculiar Crimes Unit starring detectives Arthur Bryant and John May. The two detectives appear in this book, but they aren't the main characters.
The story is a very tangled web between mythological beliefs from the past and modern technology. There is every kind of death imaginable and terror enough to go around. Very interesting!
The story is a very tangled web between mythological beliefs from the past and modern technology. There is every kind of death imaginable and terror enough to go around. Very interesting!
June 1, 2011
Set in London, a pair of old time dectives are trying to solve a series of apparant suicides when they discover that they may be caused by the victims exposure to sumliminal runes sent by a mega corporation whos head is trying to establish a hidden means of controlling the piblic's attitude. Interesting idea reasonably well done.
January 9, 2015
Rune is a supernatural thriller by Christopher Fowler and the first book to feature his famous police detectives Arthur Bryant and John May. However, it is not part of that series. Overall, the novel was suspenseful and engrossing, but the premise was just a little too over the top with too many cliches.
April 16, 2010
Does the corporate world have an insidious side that is attempting to take its clandestine and rather evil activities multinational? Fowler breaths some real life into the idea. Part detective, part urban horror story, it's well worth a read.
June 14, 2015
how odd to read the prequel to a series I've already finished. I enjoyed seeing the characters in their incipient states and I'm thankful that some of the heavy-handed almost cartoonish characterization was subtly fleshed out when Fowler moved into an actual series of Bryant and May mysteries.
June 6, 2016
Basically the first Bryant and May mystery. A BIG CORPORATION starts using ancient runes in advertising, sort of. Interesting more for the early B&M stories and characters. The rune plot never quite worked for me, however if you like Bryant and May you do need to read this one.
December 2, 2016
When I first started reading this book,. I didn't grasp just how far its tongue was going to be in its cheek but, once I got used to that, I started to realise just how good a book it is. It's not going to change your life but it's a good fun read from start to finish.
August 12, 2008
casting the runes...
March 6, 2015
Fast paced and really good read
November 9, 2010
Bland horror set in London. I personally found Harry Potter scarier than this story. I want to be scared in horror. This one did not do it. =(
June 19, 2014
And a half.
November 25, 2014
Rune made me a Fowler fan. I enjoyed my first glimpse of Bryant and May. The story was well written and kept a good exciting pace. I enjoyed it and would read it again.
May 29, 2015
Didn't finish it because the entire premise seemed cliche. I was hoping to read something thrilling and was left disappointed.
November 7, 2015
Early novel featuring Bryant & May. Still relevant after almost 20 years - Another reprint required for recent Bryant & May fans as getting hold of this book is pretty hard. Superbly written novel.
January 20, 2016
mystery
September 14, 2021
Somone asked me for a book recommendation of a book that scared me. I will always remember Runes! Even after all these years of moving from house to house, I've kept a copy on my bookshelf.
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