Tamper

by Bill Ectric

Tamper is about a boy named Whit who grows up in the 1960s obsessed with paranormal research, B-movies, and strange noises drifting up from the basement of his parents' house. By the mid-70s, he is experimenting with drugs and seeing a psychiatrist, trying to solve the mystery of his obsession with the number 4. Whit and three friends meet a reclusive mystery writer who hints that the answer may be found in the ancient burial chambers under the island of Malta, where, according to an actual 1940 National Geographic article, a field trip of children and their teacher disappeared and were never seen again.Tamper was the word used by pulp science fiction writer Richard Shaver, who sparked a controversy among the readers of Amazing Stories Magazine in the 1940s when he claimed that an ancient civilization of underground mutants were tormenting his mind with invisible rays, “tampering” with his brain."It's like Holden Caulfied meets Robert Ripley." - April Kittinger

222 pages, Paperback

First published June 17, 2009

Reviews

[Dario Cannizzaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tamper was a welcome read, a great novel about the things we see, and the things we believe we see - and, is there a difference there? The story setting is familiar and exotic at the same time - with flashbacks to a time that's not there anymore, and that was filled with wonder.

There's an underlying tension to the book - something you would find in Stephen King or HP Lovecraft, and I don't pass comparisons with a light heart; the story picked up pace and the writing was wonderfully crafted to serve the adventure the main characters were living.

I recommend this book to anyone that's looking for a story that will stay with you long after you've read it.

[Roy Peak · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rather charming tale of one man's search for the truth. Reminiscent of the Hardy Boys but grown up and living a modern age of mystery and fantastic wonder. This story goes places you never expect while still managing to keep its feet firmly planted on terra firma. A very realistic soul trip.