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.

- Pine Shallow -
- Darrin Wilson -

'Tracy,' the wife of 'Mathew Blackwood' was a victim of being in the wrong place 
at the wrong time. She was shot and killed by a drug infused youth in a botched 
convenience store robbery. 'Mathew' was left not only to grieve over the loss of 
his beloved wife, but also to help their only son, 'Eric,' come to terms with the
fact that he has lost his mother. 
However, time passes and even though the wounds don't completely heal for either 
of them, they begin to hurt less and less. Allowing them both to rebuild their 
lives in 'Mathew's' childhood hometown of the quiet, sleepy little town of 'Pine 
Shallow.'
Now, things are going fine for both 'Mathew' and 'Eric.' 'Mathew' is succesful in 
his insurance job, 'Eric' is doing as well as any other child at his school. In 
fact there's nothing to really worry about. 
However in the town's church, 'The Lady Of The Divine Harmony,' something terrible 
has happened. 'Father Benjamin Hannah' has come face to face with something that 
no man should and for that, he has paid a terrible price. He has not just been 
mercilessly killed. He's been butchered. 
What makes this murder so horrific, as well as strange, is that it is the first 
murder in 'Pine Shallow' for a hundred years. To make matters worse, there is a 
strange sign burned into a mirror along with two words, "Libero Animam." Could 
this be some kind of 'ritual killing?'
Meanwhile, 'Mathew Blackwood' has found something under the roof of his house. 
What at first appears to be a "stain" is in actual fact a hole. Upon investigating 
further, he finds the hole is infested with some form of insects. Insects that when 
sprayed with a strong "bug-killer" show no signs of being affected in anyway. To 
make matters worse, 'Mathew's' son, 'Eric,' has found another rotted hole at the
side of the house. Again filled with the same kind of bugs. Only difference being 
that these bugs are not just a crawling mass but instead have formed a shape. Or
to be more precise, a symbol. What 'Mathew' and 'Eric' don't and could not know, 
is it is exactly the same symbol that has been found burned into the mirror next 
to the Priest's body at 'The Lady Of The Divine Harmony.'
From here, things go from just "strange" to downright "unbelievable." Trees seemingly 
move by themselves silently overnight, mirrors lose their reflection and become 
unaturally black. They both constantly keep feeling like they are both being watched. 
A psychic named 'Carmen' tells 'Mathew' that he is a "charge," or to be more precise 
"he has been born without a soul" and that his name is inscribed in an ancient book. 
But most disturbing of all, 'Mathew' is told that a "demon" is looking for him and 
in eight days it will kill him and make him a "demon" also. 
After experiencing what appear to be some very real visions, 'Mathew' visits an 
occult book shop owner, 'Harker Jeffries,' who has been reffered to him by 'Carmen.'
He says he has the book and 'Mathew' must find the page with his name upon it, take 
it to an ancient tomb in England and bury it with the corpse within, otherwise, 
not only will the "demon take him but also all he loves. So it begins. Even though 
'Mathew' does not know what to believe, he know he must protect his parents and his 
son, no matter what the cost. So aided by 'Carmen's' own daughter, 'Pamela,' 'Mathew'
begins a journey like no other and that is where I shall leave it. For there are 
so many twists and turns to the story that to give anything more away would be to 
ruin the experience for the reader. 
This is the first novel for Darrin Wilson and unfortunately it shows. The descriptions 
for the town of 'Pine Shallow' were too vague. You get to care and know about the 
characters yet feel absolutely nothing for the town they live in which eventually also 
becomes infected with the spreading evil. Also, there are some parts to the story that 
are cliched beyond belief. In fact there are some sections in the book that are lifted 
straight from classic horror films. For instance, without giving too much of the 
storyline away, the section involving "The Demon's Head" pub in England, is almost 
copied word for word from 'An American Werewolf In London.' Other sections are not as 
blatantly obvious as that one. 'Mathew' tries to rescue 'Eric' while 'Eric' is trapped
in his bedroom by some form of mystical whirlwind, blowing toys, his bed, etc, all 
around the room, 'Poltergeist?'
Stranded in 'Mathew's' parents house without electricity, weapons, etc while an army 
of undead are slowly advancing upon them, 'Night Of The Living Dead?'
You may think that I am basically saying that this is a horrible debut for Darrin Wilson
and he is obviously so untalented he must steal the ideas of others. On the contrary, 
apart from the little niggles regarding the "description" issue and the "borrowing(?)" 
of a few ideas here and there. This is a damn fine read. No book is perfect, especially 
a first effort. Also, how many films have you seen that you can honestly say were one 
hundred per cent original?
No, this is in fact a brilliant read. It is a book that once you pick up, you find very 
hard to put down. From the opening pages, beginning with the slaughter of 'Father Hannah' 
to the very last page, you are riveted. Wilson may have used some tried and tested ideas 
but because he has come up with so many truly innovative ideas himself, the unoriginal 
sections are not only forgiven but soon easily forgotten. I can honestly say, this has 
become one of my favourite books of recent memory. Darrin Wilson may not yet be a great 
writer but that time is coming because he's one hell of a storyteller. If this is his 
debut, then what are his second, third and fourth books going to be like, I for one,
would like to find out.    

Reviewed By Dracula.

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