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Silver John #3
The Lost and the Lurking
Country folk, especially backcountry folk, are like to be a mite suspicious of strangers. But a plain man with a civil manner and no highfalutin airs can count on a neighborly reception from simple, decent people, so when the natives of Wolver looked to be fixing to whale on Silver John, he reckoned maybe it wasn't the sleepy little hamlet it seemed. But then, if it was, he had no business there anyhow.
The man who picked the guitar with the silver strings had seen some doings in this mountain country, and had a reputation with some almighty powerful souls, not all of them flesh and blood. So when the government got curious about the goings-on in Wolver, it wasn't so strange that they should have asked Silver John to see what he could see, nor at all peculiar that the wanderer had shouldered his pack and his guitar and hiked up the trace of a road to take a gander.
Wolver had a desolated look, from the smoking trash piles outside the town to the tumbledown ruined church. The children in the grimy yards stared at him dully, while their elders ignored him or watched him with undisguised hostility.
John had no quarrel with them, but it sure looked like they were set on picking one with him...
The man who picked the guitar with the silver strings had seen some doings in this mountain country, and had a reputation with some almighty powerful souls, not all of them flesh and blood. So when the government got curious about the goings-on in Wolver, it wasn't so strange that they should have asked Silver John to see what he could see, nor at all peculiar that the wanderer had shouldered his pack and his guitar and hiked up the trace of a road to take a gander.
Wolver had a desolated look, from the smoking trash piles outside the town to the tumbledown ruined church. The children in the grimy yards stared at him dully, while their elders ignored him or watched him with undisguised hostility.
John had no quarrel with them, but it sure looked like they were set on picking one with him...
179 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1981
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
May 26, 2019
John, the troubadour and Godly warrior who carries a silver-stringed guitar, has been commissioned by the U.S. government to investigate strange doings in Wolver. He soon discovers that he has a formidable opponent in the beautiful Tiphaine, ruler of the run-down mill town and leader of the local coven. She respects his spiritual power, and tries to draw him into her net, but what he learns about her plans for "urban renewal" don't sit well with either John himself or with the U.S.A.: her allies include not only Satan but also the leaders of godless foreign powers.
This is a very entertaining novel in the series. Tiphaine is a worthy opponent for Silver John.
May 26, 2011
One of the best of Wellman's Silver John stories, this one features Wellman's famous Appalachain folksy style with dead-on dialog and delightful descriptions of places and characters. Lots of fun!
Want to read
July 16, 2011Stephen King recommended author. In 1981's Danse Macabre, King dedicated his book as follows: "It's easy enough - perhaps too easy - to memorialize the dead. This book is for the six great writers of the macabre who are still alive." The six listed were Robert Bloch, Jorge Luis Borges, Ray Bradbury, Frank Belnap Long, Donald Wandrei, Manly Wade Wellman.
June 1, 2025
The weakest so far, or I must be getting weary of the same formula that worked so brilliantly for the short stories. John meets another kind of cult led by a hot brunette. We are introduced to a lot of the trappings and rituals of magic. There is a lot of singing but the songs are not spelt out and don't feel as appropriate to situation as they've done in prior volumes. John's high level for a travelin' wilderness man is wildly implausible.
Overall I still enjoyed it but am sort of looking for a change of pace with the final set of short stories that follow the novels. Alas, there are two more of those to go.
Overall I still enjoyed it but am sort of looking for a change of pace with the final set of short stories that follow the novels. Alas, there are two more of those to go.
March 29, 2021
This was excellent. A lot more tension than the "Hanging Stones," with John at his finest. Also a quick, brisk tale that doesn't waste any time. It's too bad there's only two more Silver John novels, and the short story collection (which I'm almost finished with, for the second time.) Again, if you can find an affordable edition on the secondary market, pick this up.
August 23, 2010
One of my favorite all times books (and series!), and basically the reason I'm literate, today. Smokey Mountain magic combined with mountain mythology make these fantastic books for teens on up. If you can find them...
December 24, 2021
Probably the most distinctive film I’ve seen this year (not necessarily the best or even my favourite) was The Legend of Hillbilly John. It was creaky and sometimes baffling, but it had a certain sense of *otherness* that’s very hard to get right and still lingers with me months after watching it. And that otherness is exactly the tone of the Silver John books. It might not be a great adaptation in terms of storytelling, but in getting that strange sense of tradition and old ways that the books are seeped in onto the screen it possibly counts as one of the best adaptations ever
I enjoyed this a lot more than the previous Silver John book I’ve read this year, After Dark. That was in essence a base under siege story, and although fun it was a bit overloaded in characters. This however is far more intriguing: the central cult is nicely sinister and sketched incredibly lightly, so there’s a real sense that Wellman doesn’t want to overdo any explanations as to what’s going on. Why the government want John in on this is left somewhat unanswered, as are the “foreign powers” Trephaine brings to the sabbat. Similarly, the book sort of indicates you might be getting an answer as to who Trephaine might actually be, but no, Wellman’s resolutely uninterested in telling us that
Instead, it’s a book of strange moments and images: the very precise way he describes John’s incarceration; the lack of birds over Wolver; the visions… By giving full attention to detail to even henchmen (barely sketched but still vivid) and a nicely thought out and developed backstory to Simon, John’s main help in the book, the narrative feels like it’s sketched out in detail but Wellman is happy to only give us the slightest information so we can kind of see the greater design beyond in a way befitting our hero’s own nature
And John’s absolutely fascinating here - easy to write as a cliche, here he’s warm and witty and shrewd and thoughtful. Wellman knows his stuff, from grimoires to folk songs, but is careful to never overplay his research. Instead it’s lightly done, quietly revealing a knowledge of all manner of arcane things but without ever overdoing it. It’s a delicate balance, but in it’s own quiet way as vivid as the silver strings on Silver John’s beloved guitar
I enjoyed this a lot more than the previous Silver John book I’ve read this year, After Dark. That was in essence a base under siege story, and although fun it was a bit overloaded in characters. This however is far more intriguing: the central cult is nicely sinister and sketched incredibly lightly, so there’s a real sense that Wellman doesn’t want to overdo any explanations as to what’s going on. Why the government want John in on this is left somewhat unanswered, as are the “foreign powers” Trephaine brings to the sabbat. Similarly, the book sort of indicates you might be getting an answer as to who Trephaine might actually be, but no, Wellman’s resolutely uninterested in telling us that
Instead, it’s a book of strange moments and images: the very precise way he describes John’s incarceration; the lack of birds over Wolver; the visions… By giving full attention to detail to even henchmen (barely sketched but still vivid) and a nicely thought out and developed backstory to Simon, John’s main help in the book, the narrative feels like it’s sketched out in detail but Wellman is happy to only give us the slightest information so we can kind of see the greater design beyond in a way befitting our hero’s own nature
And John’s absolutely fascinating here - easy to write as a cliche, here he’s warm and witty and shrewd and thoughtful. Wellman knows his stuff, from grimoires to folk songs, but is careful to never overplay his research. Instead it’s lightly done, quietly revealing a knowledge of all manner of arcane things but without ever overdoing it. It’s a delicate balance, but in it’s own quiet way as vivid as the silver strings on Silver John’s beloved guitar
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2024
“The Lost and the Lurking” is the third of the five “Silver John” novels by Manley Wade Wellman. The protagonist is a mountain man known only as “John” who has a guitar strung with sliver strings. He’s a singer, who collects ballads and folk songs, as well as folklore. He was a soldier in the Korean War, where he was a PFC, and a sharpshooter. He’s returned to Appalachia, and wanders, singing and interacting with the country folks he encounters. It’s become quite difficult to find a read these novels, as they seem mostly out of print.
“The Lost and the Lurking” begins with the premise that an agent of the federal government has recruited John to check out strange occurrences in a small remote village known as Wolver. John walks right into town, and discovers that things are indeed awry. the townspeople and their children are sullen and reserved. The small church on the outskirts of town has fallen into ruin. The town seems ruled over by a raven-haired beautiful woman known as Tiphaine. She immediately tries to recruit John to join her and the townsfolk in their strange worship. John learns this is a strange and dark practice indeed.
It’s a straightforward story, and an easy read. It has that essentially unique mix of fantasy, folklore, and horror that is infused with the sayings and history of the region.
“The Lost and the Lurking” begins with the premise that an agent of the federal government has recruited John to check out strange occurrences in a small remote village known as Wolver. John walks right into town, and discovers that things are indeed awry. the townspeople and their children are sullen and reserved. The small church on the outskirts of town has fallen into ruin. The town seems ruled over by a raven-haired beautiful woman known as Tiphaine. She immediately tries to recruit John to join her and the townsfolk in their strange worship. John learns this is a strange and dark practice indeed.
It’s a straightforward story, and an easy read. It has that essentially unique mix of fantasy, folklore, and horror that is infused with the sayings and history of the region.
August 5, 2019
I started my deeper exploration into the work of Manly Wade Wellman with this "Silver John" novel. (I couldn't start with the first or second novel because they are mainly unavailable and, where available, are very pricey.)
The federal government asks John to investigate a strange town in the southern Appalachians which it believes is a threat to the nation. John subsequently investigates and finds withcraft at the town's core (hardly surprising for a John story). More than that I should not say lest I spoil it for you.
Based on this novel, I'm of the opinion that Wellman's short stories featuring John are better written and more effective. Wellman also left a lot of loose strings dangling at the conclusion of the story, as if he was in a hurry to finish it. For all of that, it was an enjoyable read and I wouldn't mind reading it again.
The federal government asks John to investigate a strange town in the southern Appalachians which it believes is a threat to the nation. John subsequently investigates and finds withcraft at the town's core (hardly surprising for a John story). More than that I should not say lest I spoil it for you.
Based on this novel, I'm of the opinion that Wellman's short stories featuring John are better written and more effective. Wellman also left a lot of loose strings dangling at the conclusion of the story, as if he was in a hurry to finish it. For all of that, it was an enjoyable read and I wouldn't mind reading it again.
May 22, 2025
I bought this probably a couple of decades ago because I had never read any Wellman, beyond a Silver John short story or two, and it languished on my shelves until a few months ago, when I debated whether to purge it from my library. I finally got around to reading it today, and I am glad I did. The protagonist is written in consciously folksy manner that makes me roll my eyes a bit, and the story is a bit simple, but the prose is pleasant enough that I can easily see how this author might have collected a World Fantasy Award.
May 4, 2025
Silver John vs. the International Wiccan Conspiracy!
Acting for the federal government, John visits a community that's been taken over by witches (i.e., black magicians) and is now forging connections with Sinister Foreign Powers. Can John thwart the evil conspiracy?
The standard advice with Silver John is "stick to the short stories." Particularly true ere — this one doesn't quite work. It's particularly annoying that John only wins by having a convenient magic charm at the climax.
Acting for the federal government, John visits a community that's been taken over by witches (i.e., black magicians) and is now forging connections with Sinister Foreign Powers. Can John thwart the evil conspiracy?
The standard advice with Silver John is "stick to the short stories." Particularly true ere — this one doesn't quite work. It's particularly annoying that John only wins by having a convenient magic charm at the climax.
March 3, 2022
A somewhat old-fashioned fable about a simple man (Silver John) sent by the US government to the town of Wolver to investigate some concerning issues, which turn out to be widespread witchcraft. Silver John meets an ex-preacher living just outside Wolver, who becomes his ally against the witches. Mostly the two of them use the power of faith in God to defeat the evil ones.
March 12, 2024
I've read three of the Silver John novels now and I heartily recommend skipping them and sticking with the short stories. The novels each have a difficulty with pacing and the villains generally just stand around posing and boasting of how dangerous they are while those in the shorts have a vitality and dangerous vibe that doesn't appear hollow.
Read
March 3, 2021Read this one out of order, and whoo boy is it a wild'un for Appalachia.
June 16, 2023
Fizzled out at the end, but I’m happy to be in Silver John’s world again.
September 15, 2024
Rather a rushed ending, but still-it's Siver John.
October 3, 2024
Another great installation of the tales of John the Balladeer. This one has more references to past works, making it feel less episodic.
June 4, 2025
I obviously already adore the Silver John series, and this book was no different! :)
June 12, 2025
A Silver John novel.
Apparently he was asked to investigate a town called Wolver. He does. After traveling by a house where a black man is living, he goes in and finds an unfriendly town, and a woman called Tiphaine who presides over it.
He learns a lot of things about the town. It involves books, dust, John's guitar, whether to eat a supper, and more. The black man, named Simon, was a minister, which proves important.
The author's listed in Appendix N for D&D inspiration. This book definitely would be of use to some DMs.
Apparently he was asked to investigate a town called Wolver. He does. After traveling by a house where a black man is living, he goes in and finds an unfriendly town, and a woman called Tiphaine who presides over it.
He learns a lot of things about the town. It involves books, dust, John's guitar, whether to eat a supper, and more. The black man, named Simon, was a minister, which proves important.
The author's listed in Appendix N for D&D inspiration. This book definitely would be of use to some DMs.
February 8, 2012
Guitar playing, well-read hillbilly Silver John travels the mountain areas of America fighting Satanism and undead monsters. Sort of a cross between Indy Jones, Johnny Cash, and L'il Abner. And easy going read chock full of red neck folklore.
December 11, 2015
Excellent piece of writing based off the Appalachian tales and setting that I know. The mountains can be a creepy place, and Mr. Wellman write a great yarn that reflects that feeling. This book is also part of Wellman's 'Silver John' series.
April 30, 2017
Another Silver John novel.
December 15, 2008
More Appalachian folktales as written by Wellman.
July 4, 2009
Silver John struggles against black magic in a town full of witchcraft. He is jailed by a powerful and beautiful witch and separated from his magical silver stringed guitar.....
April 11, 2017
The third Silver John novel is a quick, fun ride that finds John pitted against a Satanic coven while working with the government and a black preacher. If you've liked the rest of the series, you know you might as well sign up. Otherwise, the short stories in Who Fears The Devil (alas, apparently out of print again) remain the way to experience the magic of Silver John.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews