Pariah

I am one of the head cheerleaders for Graham Masterton, having the pleasure of reading "The Manitou" back in 1977 when I was 11 years old and suffering nightmares for the following two weeks after finishing. Since then I have turned over every stone on both sides of the Atlantic in order to read as much as I could by this Grandmaster. The Pariah is an excellent plot and character driven horror novel that doesn't skimp on the scares, gore and sex. Masterton is not a PG rated writer and he never claims to be one. What he produces is an excellent, tightly constructed scream that also has plenty of exposition and backstory to flesh out all corners of the plot. Not only does Masterton scare the hell out of you, he explains all the background on how and why he will scare the hell out of you, something that is sorely lacking in books by the post modern horror writers. Antique dealer John Trenton is devastated by the tragic loss of his pregnant wife Jane in an auto accident. While attempting to carry on, he is suddenly witness to mysterious manifestations at his cottage, complete with a heavy iron swing moving without benefit of a push or any wind and photos where the subject (his wife) refuses to stay in the same position. In addition, other people are appearing in these photographs despite the fact that Jane was the only one whose photo was taken. Seems that Mr. Trenton and his town of Granitehead, Massachusetts have been subject to hauntings like this for some 300 years ever since a trader, the "David Dark" sank off the town's shores. This trader was bearing a mysterious cargo in it's hold that may hold the key to the hauntings and deaths that have and are occurring. What a great novel. John Trenton's attempt to make sense of the carnage that surrounds him as well as to deal with the grief that explodes when he starts to see his dead wife return should touch a nerve with everyone. A speedy, well written novel that incorporates aztec legends, witchcraft, indian wonder workers, the finer points of marine salvage and scuba diving as well as the Masterton traits of characters having sex without the benefit of a first date and other characters dying brutal and explicit deaths. Some scenes will be familiar to Masterton readers as they have occurred in other of his novels, but the familiarity will enchant rather than turn off the Masterton reader. This is a perfect example of what horror writing should be, worlds better than the stuff the industry is putting out today.

Graham Masterton has done it again, I recently read this book and I have to truly say this is one of his best books by far. The details and myths he wrote about the witch's of Salem Mass. in the 1600's is amazing. This is a masterpiece, and I think it would make a great movie. Put this book on your list and you will not be disappointed....

It is the best ive read till now from Masterton..in this book u actually get really scared no matter how the whole scenery looks unbelievable...excellent job from an excellent writter

This is definitely one of the best novels by Graham Masterton (maybe even one of the best horror novels I have read in a long time). This book has it all. A great plot, believable developments (if something like this can be called believable), good character development and enough scary moments to make you look over your shoulder. This book concentrates on an ancient evil brought to New England from South America and it beautifully moves from a quiet beginning to a very shocking ending. If you have the chance to get hold of it, get it and read it!