“Kraken” by China Miéville

China Miéville must be good with Lego. Give him a pile of bricks and he'd lock them together in ways you never thought of. That's what he does with words at any rate. In his novel Kraken his skill with language ranges from the deceptively simple - "his tongue flopped over, momentarily meatlike" - to … Continue reading “Kraken” by China Miéville

Disaster Attraction — The Eternal Appeal of the Apocalypse

Why crave the apocalypse? Why watch Charlton and Mel grapple doom-spawned vampires and leather-clad crazies? Why pursue the ash-strewn trails of Viggo and Don (Tiger too), only to end up hunkered down in a craterish bed sitting room waiting to thumb a lift from Ralph in his horse-drawn Rolls? If all is truly lost, why … Continue reading Disaster Attraction — The Eternal Appeal of the Apocalypse

“Inception”

During the Christmas holiday, I finally caught up with everyone else and watched Inception. What a ride. Another great performance from Leo, and I don't believe director Christopher Nolan dropped the ball once in the execution of his complex storyline. I say complex ... actually, you know, I think it's pretty straightforward. In a good … Continue reading “Inception”

“Horns” by Joe Hill

I pegged Joe Hill as one to watch after reading his wonderful Heart Shaped Box. Now I've read his latest novel, Horns, and the peg ain't moving from the spot. Horns defies categorisation - something I like in a book. Chances are you'll find it shelved under Horror, but it is by turns a mystery, … Continue reading “Horns” by Joe Hill

“The Walking Dead” and the Episodic Revolution

I blame Frank Darabont. It’s like this: I’ve become resistant to new TV shows. I think it’s partly because of the arc. Not Noah’s, nor that of the Covenant, but the one that means there’s no such thing as a series any more – everything’s a serial. I’m old enough to get nostalgic about all … Continue reading “The Walking Dead” and the Episodic Revolution

“Ash” by Mary Gentle

I just finished re-reading Mary Gentle's Ash, having devoured it joyously when I first got the paperback in 2001. The novel is an alternative history of the 15th century, told through the eyes of warrior-mercenary Ash, who's kind of a cross between Joan of Arc and Ellen Ripley. The period detail is compelling, but the … Continue reading “Ash” by Mary Gentle

“Ark” by Stephen Baxter

I first read Stephen Baxter when I picked up Voyage, his first 'alternative NASA' novel. Voyage posits a history in which Kennedy shrugs off Oswald's bullet and the Space Shuttle gets rejected in favour of a manned Mars mission. Voyage tracks that mission in obsessive detail and, along with The Time Ships, remains one of … Continue reading “Ark” by Stephen Baxter

Mystery Women Magazine Reviews Black Star Crime

Mystery Women magazine has published a nice review by Radmila May of the entire launch selection from Black Star Crime, the short-lived crime imprint created by Harlequin last year. The six titles are: A Narrow Escape by Faith Martin Double Cross by Tracy Gilpin Murder Plot by Lance Elliott Lost and Found by Vivian Roberts … Continue reading Mystery Women Magazine Reviews Black Star Crime

Setting the Story Aside

This afternoon I finished writing a 7,500 word short story. And now I've got to set it aside. Tempting though it is to wrap up the manuscript and fire it off to my agent, I know that would be a mistake. Most of the story's still in first draft, you see. So, happy as I … Continue reading Setting the Story Aside

Clockwork of the Lost Ark

I was watching Raiders of the Lost Ark for the umpteenth time at the weekend, when my wife interrupted to ask me why I enjoyed watching certain films over and over again. Or reading certain books, for that matter. The natural response to such a question is of course, "Hush, dear, I'm watching Raiders of … Continue reading Clockwork of the Lost Ark