Rot

This book is sometimes compared to "Thinner," a novel that Stephen King wrote under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. I have two comments about that: (1) The books don't actually have much in common. (A gypsy appears briefly in each. That's about it.) (2) I think "Rot" might actually be a better book. I love Stephen King, but "Thinner" had a stunning ending ... and not much else going for it. This book might be a bit too short to buy at the cover price of $40. But it's certainly worth reading, and it might be worth buying secondhand. Off the top of my head, the only thing that bothered me about the book is that the story implies that Kyle *deserves* to be punished for asking for the girl's resurrection. I wouldn't agree with that. Plus, why does Kyle deserve to be punished, but the gypsy who actually performed the resurrection does not? This book is a good bet for fans of Brandner (particularly if they enjoyed his 1986 novel "Carrion") and for fans of Richard Laymon's novel "Resurrection Dreams" or Stephen King's "Pet Sematary." Also recommended: * By Gary Brander: All three "Howling" novels (particularly parts I and III), "The Brain Eaters", "Cat People", "Carrion", and "The Boiling Pool." * By other authors: "Resurrection Dreams" by Richard Laymon and "Pet Sematary" by Stephen King.

As a big Brandner fan, it's great to see a new, albeit short, novel by this writer. ROT is a tale of Kyle Brubaker, who will become a man over a summer's vacation from college. Kyle has to help out his Uncle Bob's farm after Bob's stroke. He gets involved with Bob's son's girlfriend, Marianne and the action goes from there. Kyle and Marianne go to a carnival, get into some heavy trouble with some very unscrupulous brothers and then Kyle, in a split-second, must make a decision that will affect all of their lives. Needless to say Kyle makes the wrong choice and the downward spiral is started. You see, Marianne is brought back from the dead...and she wants revenge on the brothers...and Kyle! This is a well-written, fast paced novel. The characters are real and the situations Brandner puts them in is rivetting. The consequences are justified and the ending is a killer! Vince Natale's cover is an eye-grabber, as is the interior drawings by Keith Minnion. Another winner by Cemetery Dance Publications. Highest recommendation.