Review: Traditional Old School Horror
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 08 2, 2013
I have had the pleasure of reading a couple of genre gems from horror novelist Tim Curran. His efforts on the creepy "Fear Me" was impressive as well as the subterranean nightmare of "The Underdwelling". So it was with great interest that I picked up his novella "Worm" anticipating that same success. Unfortunately this isn't as breathtaking as previous Curran entries but still, never the less, an action soaked thriller with a quick payoff.Curran firmly places the reader on Pine Street, USA, a normal small town filled with everyday America. Quickly the author introduces us to a half dozen characters along Pine Street and touches on a few interesting facets of their lives. Laced into this character driven opening comes an earthquake tremor that creates a black sludge eruption that envelopes the street. Soon the black tar delivers nasty creatures that have a malevolent desire to eat our cast of characters. Throughout the novella we see these characters interact with each other in a unified attempt to survive the "black flood".The pacing and action gives very little room to breathe and often I found myself with very little sympathy for some of these characters. All seem to be flawed in ways that violate certain ethics and moral conduct for me personally. It is that disconnection with the character that seems to be the basis for my dissapointment. However Curran absolutely delivers a hair raising good time with his nasty creations. "Worm" is a throwback to films like "The Blob", "Night Of The Creeps" and "Alien" in a modern style similar to Brian Keene's "Earthworm Gods". It is this delightful tradition and homage that makes "Worm" a quality read for genre fans.