Long before the film there was the written word. Long before we settled down in
front of video or now DVD players for our fright-fests, we would read tales of
terror by candlelight.
For most, this has been lost, however there are still those that prefer the pages
to celluloid or even both and why not?
This section then is for you. To help you to search through the rubbish and find
stories worth your time to read. If you're an avid reader of horror novels then
why not join 'Castle Dracula' as an official 'staff member' reviewing them.
To do so, just click on the 'Join My Staff' link in the menu to the left for details
of this and other vacancies.
- Night Cage -
- Andrew Harper -
FROM THE BACK OF THE BOOK:
The inmates of the "Darden State Hospital for Criminal Justice" are among the most
dangerous psychopathic killers in the country. Now, while fires burn out of control
in Southern California, authorities face the overwhelming task of relocating hundreds
of these patients before the raging inferno descends. But in the frenzy, two of the
murderers remain behind, unaccounted for.... '"Bloody Mary" Chilmark' and her son,
"Doc," discover the entrance to the underground passageways beneath "Darden State"
in a desperate bid to escape. Instead they find the "Night Cage," a special room
where brutal experiments were once carried out.
It’s up to 'Trey Campbell' and 'Officer Jane Laymon' to hunt for the killers in
the dark underworld maze.
THE REVIEW:
Andrew Harper is a pseudonym for horror novelist Douglas Clegg, who has penned
over a dozen horror novels in recent years, including "Neverland" and "The
Nightmare Chronicles," which I have reviewed.
Under this penname, he unleashes horrifying scenarios in a more suspense-filled
setting, this time in a mental institution known as "Darden State."
Whether Leisure horror lists it as a thriller or not, the subject matter is as
unsettling as they come. Old psychiatry techniques – underground areas of aslylums
– the criminally insane – incestuous, abusive mother/son relationships – and
death through bizarre medical ‘surgeries’???
What could be more horrifying than all that???
Or fun to read about for that matter?
Within the white walls of this novel, we have a rich atmosphere full of psychology,
bizarre motivations and twisted intentions. All the scenes beneath the asylum were
eerie and claustrophobic. The scenes of slaughter were cold and cruel, leaving the
reader to feel helpless, enraged, but also on the alert.
The insanity of some of the characters was convincing and I couldn’t help but feel
for a few of them.
One of the main appeals of the novel is the main character, 'Trey,' who has a great
moral outlook on things. I admire the man’s attitude toward the mentally ill, his
devotion to his family, and his fairness. The emotions he spits out ring true, are
plausible, and help the plot propel along.
'Trey’s' best friend 'Jim' was adorably sweet; loved his brand of humor. '"Doc"
Chilmark' and "Bloody Mary" are the types of villains that would send one in shock
in real life. They are, in a sense, tragic in their psychosis.
All main characters – and side ones – were well-written, interesting, and necessary.
Harpers’ writing style was crisp and to the point to heighten suspense and action;
he uses a lot of pauses in other sentences, drawing out scenes nicely. His writing
is an ideal companion to this type of story.
The pace of "Night Cage" was laid out as well as the blueprints for "Darden State;"
the ending had a nice, drawn out climax, leaving me a little reassured, but also
disturbed as hell.
I am thrilled that my mind has been polluted with "Night Cage." It was a harrowing,
haunting, suspenseful, mind-joggling, numbing ride. Nothing is as creepy or unsettling
as burrowing into the minds of the mentally insane, particularly the criminally crazy.
Whatever this one ends up "labeled" as, let’s just say it freaked the pants off of me
and that’s not always so easy to do!
Reviewed By Erin Williams.
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