Review: A mesmerising read.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 5, 2014
Like an episode of Tales of the Unexpected, you don't realise you've reached the end until the Credits flash up and you remember to breathe again. If this were a movie there'd be that tension-generating violin noise in the background music, rising slowly in pitch and volume until you can almost not bear to look.It's not outright terror in the story, but more a creeping, unsettling spookiness that tugs at you; the growing shadows in the corner, the increasing certainty that something strange us happening from which you can't escape.I've always loved this author's work - from the joy of the Pulp, through the dark and smoky Noir and out to the often downright terrifying Mythos horror - and including various mixes of the styles along the way.Here we see a dark and desperate take on a story of loss and regret, filtered through a smoke- and whiskey-fuelled Noir atmosphere and framed by the timeless classic The Maltese Falcon.It's clear the author adores this film, and its resonance to the story as the climax approaches is brilliantly done.I used to think Mr Meikle ought to write more long, epic novels (The Concordances of the Red Serpent is a particular favourite of this type), but if he carries on like this; I'm not sure my nerves could take it!