Necroscope: The Lost Years Volume I

Necroscope #9

by Brian Lumley

The first book in Brian Lumley's bestselling Necroscope series, The Lost Years Vampires never rest, and neither does Harry Keogh, the world's greatest vampire hunter, the Necroscope, the man who can talk to the dead. Right now, he's desperately searching for his wife and son, who disappeared in the midst of Harry's war against the undead monsters that plague mankind. Others will to carry on that fight until the Necroscope has been reunited with his beloved family. But it's not that easy to leave the vampire war behind. The bloodsuckers know that the Necroscope is their deadliest enemy and will do anything to destroy him. Harry struggles to locate his missing family, not realizing that he has become a pawn in the battle between two powerful vampires. When one has slain the other, the Necroscope will be the next to die.

Genres: Horror, Vampires, Fiction, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Paranormal, Horror Thriller

608 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 5, 1995

About the author

Brian Lumley was born near Newcastle. In 22 years as a Military Policeman he served in many of the Cold War hotspots, including Berlin, as well as Cyprus in partition days. He reached the rank of Sergeant-Major before retiring to Devon to write full-time, and his work was first published in 1970. The vampire series, 'Necroscope', has been translated into ten languages and sold over a million copies worldwide.

He was awarded the World Fantasy Life Achievement Award in 2010.

Reviews

[Carl Bluesy · Rating 4 out of 5]

After 14 books of The Necroscope series things get a little weird. (At least in a new why then the traditional weird stuff that happens in these books.) the final installments of the series are scattered across in short story collections of the Necroscope series, other collections, which are part the serious part others, and a few small novels.

There are many ways you could go but collecting these stories and there’s no wrong way to do so. But my personal way is with the two audiobook the last of the lost years books. By doing it that way, I only had to buy two books instead of the typical four, and it has all the remaining Necroscope stories.

These stories are very different than the standard novels, and sometimes a little silly. Some people don’t like them because they’re not as serious with the other novels. But that’s why I like them. There like little bonus stories on top of the great series.

So all these shorter works, may not be for everyone. Everyone was happy to see the stories of how Harry helped the dead. It was an element that was taught about a lot during the main novels, but was really explored in such depth.

[Carl Bluesy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am addicted to this series! Every time I start a new section I’m worried that it won’t hold up the parts before. ( harry keogh first section, the vampire land trilogy) but every time I’m wrong and I love it!

This once get further away from all the craziness the vampire land brought and binges the story back to how it was closer to the start of the series. Both in style and in the time frame the majority of the story tacks place. It still very much a sequel though, which makes for a very interesting way to about things.

It’s a little slower at the start and there could have been about one hundred or so pages cut. But that parity standers for this series. It thought it would be wired having harry keogh come back after being gone for so long. But this really is his story and it’s grate to have him back! Alongside some new and old friends.

[hotsake (André Troesch) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun stories featuring a great heroic character.

[Γιώργος Μπελαούρης · Rating 3 out of 5]

A weird book!
It could have been necroscope 2,5 but instead iz 9, but it makes more sense like that. Not as a continuation but as all the blanks on the mythology are filled, we have better understanding of the lore, to see this case.
Iz kinda a slow book in the first and third part. The search for the ‘’werewolf’’ waz kinda of a slow-burn and reminiscent of part1 of necroscope 5. Also the Shaitan mythos waz a retelling that could be trimmed somehow from this book. Radus backstory waz very interesting in Earth but in starside it reminded me a lot the tale of Wratha and the vampire world trilogy (the twins, the betrayal, the gypsies and everything kinda rhymed). Also, the part where Harry is intoxicated by a wine and hypnotized by BJ reminded me Titus’s ‘’lord of worms’’.
Also, the fact that his wife and son are disappeared didn’t seem to bother him all that much and it waz infuriating to me (no matter the explanation)!
But from the heist, the descent to Radu’s pit and on… you couldn’t let it go!

[hotsake (André Troesch) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lot of fun and Lumley could've made a series just out of the Lost Years spin-off. 3.75/5

[Julian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hidden within this long tome is a brilliant novel. Greatly enjoyed this one, but a 1/3 of the manuscript should have been trimmed. I've never read a novel where the characters spent so much time sitting around thinking! Lots of thinking in this novel, and less actual doing.

That aside, I loved the book. I've read this book just after reading book 3 (The Source). I'm blown away by the history and new vampire characters Lumley has introduced into the story. He almost has an unlimited number of books he's capable of writing.

Really enjoyed seeing Harry in the opening chapters stopping the terrorist in London. And all of Radu Lycan's history before/after Sunside/Starside was enjoyable. The chapter toward the end of the book that outlined the lineage of all the vampire families will be a helpful reference moving forward.

I did think Harry was incredibly naive surrounding everything with Bonnie Jean. I think Harry would have seen through her tricks. I think Lumley dumbed down Harry in this book.

Also, we were introduced to the Chinese version of "E-branch" and the final Dracul vampire. And of course the Ferenczy's aren't dead yet. So Faethor had a brother he didn't even know about, who's son carried out his execution with the German bombing. Wow.

Can't wait to see what happens next!

[Chris Healey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant instalment of the saga, probably one of my favourites so far. Lumley is prone to going off on tangents & repeating himself, this one is far tighter from that perspective. I love how he wove in the Dracula story & in a way, made it more interesting. The villains he introduced here were especially good, especially Radu. The end was a little anticlimactic but in a way not unexpected as I knew that the story was spread over two volumes. The scenes towards the end in Tibet were incredibly ominous & I loved that almost all of the story is set on earth. I don’t hate the starside setting at all but love the supernatural stuff happening in familiar settings like Edinburgh.

[Michelle Nakagawa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells the story of Harry Keogh and the adventures he has during the years after leaving Ebranch and before eventually going to Starside/Sunside to fight the Wamphyri.
I found it very interesting, though at first it took me a little while to really get into the stories of vampires I had not previously heard of in this series. Once I did, though, it was smooth sailing ahead to get back into the groove.
Radu is by far my fave as I can relate to his wanting to get revenge over what happened to his family and the blood feud that endured over the next centuries made for exciting reading.

[Dollie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book covers some of the years when Harry Keogh was looking for Brenda and their baby. He’s almost ready to give up. There are four stories in this book. The first involves Molly Malone, selling her shellfish. The second is about hunting for dinosaur fossils. The third is about a vampire who becomes a plague-bearer (infected with bubonic plague, leprosy and rabies) and the fourth is a pirate/alien vampire story. I read this book several years ago, but it’s always enjoyable for me to read about Harry. I've read most of Lumley's books about Harry at least twice and time-willing will probably read them again.

[Chris Healey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid collection of short stories set during the lost years era of the Necroscope universe when Harry was searching for his missing girlfriend & son. Dinosaur dreams was an entertaining experiment, the plague bearer basically a whole sub plot basically edited out of one of the main books. Harry & the pirates was my favourite of them, very creative plot with an interesting adversary & a suitably Lovecraftian revelation.

[Coy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book at a Barnes and Noble, a place I despise, when I was trying to kill some time between job interviews in DC. The book filled the void of not reading about Harry Keogh for YEARS! The book itself is quite interesting and leaves you hanging hardcore. No choice but to buy Volume II.

[Gilliam · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know what would be worse: living in thrall to one of Lumley's Wamphryi Lords or being trapped in a white padded cell with nothing but reams of the author's excruciating expository filler as one's only escape from looming madness.

The Lost Years, Volume 1 is a bore.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by, Lumley. So far every book in the series has gotten better! Worth checking out if you haven't yet.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was nice to continue the story of Harry Keogh. I thought the Author did a very good job of including this Plot into the Harry Keogh history and TRULY making it some LOST YEARS. I actually really liked RADU LYKAN and BJ Mirlu. I was a fan of the "Dog Lord" in the vampire trilogy and its nice to get some more story and deeper knowledge of the Story of a dog lord and the start of the Lycanthrope myth in our world. Also, we get a fun Transylvania mythology start of DRACULA through the Starside Lord, DRAKEL, and his family.

I liked the buildup of this story. Yes, it was slightly slow but we got to see how Radu and his bloodline is at war with the other Lords that came to earth through the gate. He has blood wars with DRAKELS and Our friends the Ferencys, who unknown to them had an uncle and cousin ( Faethor and Thibor) already here.

I think it was smart to have all the ESP/ mind control and commands in this to allow Harry to be in this story, in between the ORIGINAL 2nd and 3rd books and not have him Remember or mention any of this story , plot, or characters previously.

4 stars.

[Geoff Battle · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Lost Years (book one) seems very familiar, with an age-old wamphyri on the return with its oh-so-slow build-up as the vampiric influence builds throughout the book. The new factor here is the addition of a werewolf conflict, all tied in to the same mythos. Although all the key players are in effect from the Necroscope series, this volume seems to be more of a rehash of the early books and is to verbose to hold interest for long. The best chapter for tension and intrigue is the epilogue! The book is a decent set-up for what is to follow however as a standalone entry it could have been so much better.

[Zach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great to spend time with the Necroscope again. I missed Keogh and thought his narrative moved on too quickly. So now we have another book that states it's his lost time. It's pretty much just like all the other books and yes it just keeps adding weird elements. If you find yourself this far in the series you don't need an explanation on why these books are great. If you don't feel so quit reading the series.

My enduring criticism is the books are all way too long. This book though gives chapters to individual characters that are just so great. Lumley at this point has become such a great horror writer.

[Dennis Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

I may change my rating after I've read volume 2. It's a entertaining read on its own but it was definitely written with the two volumes in mind. You may find it a little confusing if you're not familiar with the Necroscope's other adventures but don't worry it's all explained in the text so it's not essential to know. Now waiting for volume two to arrive.

[Piojo · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has been a masterclass about how to make a short story long. And that's all. Some interesting facts, some interesting characters but a bit forced. Not the standard I'm used to with Mr. Lumley's books. It makes me feel so lazy to start the next part...

[Philip Chaston · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable romp

[SHUiZMZ · Rating 3 out of 5]

At this point, im just trying to finish the entire series. I've invested so much time & some parts are better than others.

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a little repetitive in the story telling. The story wasn’t as interesting as previous books. The Lost Years left me lost.

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ☆. I really only enjoyed the last bit of this book. I should just let it all go, but I have just one more to go & then I'm done.

[Jabes · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book. Adventures and encounter Harry Keogh gone through.

[Debbi Amick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite of the series. Entertainment

[Ricasso · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was good, but man, the Kindle/e-book version is riddled with typos.

[Donovan · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Necroscope Lost Years series fills in some of the gaps over 2 books. Simply titled Necroscope: The Losy Years (I & II). Not much of a read and a bit boring for my liking. I bought them purely for the collection. You wont miss anything important if you don't read them.

Plot ***Spoilers***
Book I
Between Wamphyri! and The Source, earlier novels in Brian Lumley's internationally best-selling series of the millenia-long struggle of humanity against the most horrific plague of vampires ever spawned, the Necroscope harry Keogh searched for his lost wife and child for several years. Now the enthralling story of what the Necroscope believes happened during that time - and of what did happen - can be told.

It is a story that goes back to the earliest days of the vampire infestation of Sunside/Starside, a parallel world on the 'other' side of space time. Punished by Shaitan the Unborn for taking sides against him in the first bloodwars, several great Lords of the Wamphyri were banished through the 'Gate' on Starside - to Earth! Among these expelled Lords was the dog-Lord Radu Lykan, whose vampire leech was inherited from a wolf. So Radu is not only Wamphyri: he's also a werewolf. And it is he who, after centuries of suspended animation, is now on a collision course with none other than Harry Keogh...


Book II
They came between Wamphyri! and The Source, earlier novels in Brian Lumley's internationally best-selling series of embattled humanity's struggle against the most horrific plague of vampires ever spawned. From the Necroscope Harry Keogh's point of view, the missing years were empty, dead - or perhaps undead? Under mental restrictions imposed by E-Branch, beguiled by Bonnie Jean Mirlu, a fledgling Lady of the Wamphyri, Harry is a man of two minds, a split personality. But more than this - as a man revitalized in another man's body - he is the classic schizophrenic.

On the other hand, Radu Lykan is a man - or a monster - of two worlds. An original Lord of the Wamphyri, from Starside in an alien vampire world, Radu has lain preserved in resin in a state of suspended animation in his high Cairngorms lair for six-hundred years! Now the time of his return is at hand. Except -

- The dog-Lord has dreamed of a 'Man With Two faces' who will be there in the hour of his resurgence. Harry Keogh is that man, in whom Radu will rise up again, resurrected! Problem enough for the Necroscope, without that other vampire survivors - the last Drakul, and the Ferenczys - are also after his blood...

[Andy Strutt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Necroscope Series by Brian Lumley
Review by Andy Strutt author of “The Afflicted”

I first discovered this series by receiving “Necroscope III : The Source” as a Christmas present. I had never heard of Brian Lumley but I was instantly infatuated with his work as soon as I had read the first few pages. Obviously, the first thing I did was go out and find the rest of the Necroscope series.
Harry Keogh is a very strange character with morbid supernatural powers that allow him to speak to the dead. That is enough to make you want to read the series on its own but it is only the start. The Necroscope is the first in the series of a totally unique and fantastical vampire mythology, and definitely my favourite out of all of them. His writing his dark and exciting and is not for the faint hearted. These are books for true fans of horror and I challenge any new reader to predict what is going to happen next. I pride myself on being able to predict the storyline and I was pleasantly surprised, there was no way I could have guessed where the story would lead. For me it is impossible to review a single novel in isolation (or necessary) because I feel that anyone who reads the first will very quickly read the other 14 novels eagerly.
Highly recommended and I guarantee these books deserve horror classic status. The writing and characterisations are timeless and will be enjoyed by true horror fans for centuries to come.

[Mary Heron · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great collection

If you are a.can of.The Necroscope.or.new to.his stories. These are a great read. They have all been published before.so.check the contents before.buying. The best and longest story is The Plague Bearer which fits in the timeline of the necoscope.books between the Post Years volumes one and two. In the first story we have one of the Great Majority(as Harry calls the dead) recounting his life story, most particularly how he died. If there's one thing Harry Bates it's a murder so he proceeds with his own investigation into what happened to his new friend. The second tale, a vampire is sent from the Francheses brothers, long Lived vampires tied to the Italian mob. They send their man to Scotland, to deal with Bonnie Jean -------------- a werewolf and servant of the vampire Radu who is in stasis awaiting a safe time to return-----Bonnie Jean also happens to be the girlfriend of one Harry Keogh, Necroscope, so when she shares her concerns about someone following her barmaids (and packmates) home Harry investigates and what he finds is much more deadly than he could have imagined. The last tale is a pirate story, ----''''told by one of the teeming dead-------- the story turns out to be much more than just a tale shared between friends ( one living and one dead) and Harry finds himself in mortal peril.

[SOTERO RIVERA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worthy addition to the Keogh books.

These stories were an interesting addition to the Necroscope series if at any time you asked yourself, What does Harry Keogh do during the time when we are not reading his adventures? Its kind of silly, like when you were 4 years old and you wondered what Mickey Mouse did after the cartoon show was over.
Maybe thats a little too involved of an insight but these books sort of "round out" the life and legacy of both Harry Keogh's career and Brian Lumley's.
I give this book about a B-, but worth reading.

[S.J.A. Turney · Rating 1 out of 5]

Having been a fan of the original 5 book Necroscope series, I was truly disappointed with this. It felt like a cash-in. Basically padding that could easily have been parts of the original series that were left on the cutting room floor.

I'd recommend against buying this, and direct you to the Vampire World series instead if you've reached the end of the original 5 Necroscope books and are looking for somewhere to go next.