Review: This genre belongs to David Haynes!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 4, 2013
'Snow fluttered from the sky like feathers from dying angels' wings and awakened the street from its gloomy slumber....Its spire pointed into the gloom like a needle through the dirty linen of the street.'  In this, the third in the Macabre Collection, author David Haynes proves once again he can set a scene in few words that is so atmospheric it makes you shiver.  The descriptions, dialogue and overall feel of this novella are so authentic that it is an absolute pleasure to read.The book sees the return of Fettiplace and his despicable acts are once again on display.  What we find this time though is that there is some sort of horrific method to his madness.  We follow the main character, Matthew Napier, right from the beginning with the death of his father and it is a miserable life that is narrated.  What makes it so interesting and unsettling is that, like Matthew, the reader is in the dark much of the time.  What lies around the corner is unknown and at several points I was almost dreading it!At the end of the book and before writing this review, I was hovering between four and five stars.  But then I read the last few pages again (where all is revealed in twists I did not see coming) and let the revelations sink in.  In a delayed reaction (!) the power of this book hit me and I realised how everything had been leading up to the grotesque finale without me even realising it.  The book is a five-star hit and I have been left with disturbing images ingrained in my mind.  I cannot imagine this genre of story better written.  Read...if you dare!