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.

- Thief Of Always -
- Clive Barker -

"The Thief of Always" is a delightful adult fairy tale surrounding 'Mr. Hood's Holiday 
House' - a house that has stood for thousands of years, sucking countless children into 
it's secretive abyss. For once they arrive, they can't really leave. 'Harvey Swick,' 
the usual bored youth, finds this out the hard way…only he has a certain strength many 
of the past residents lacked, and it's up to him to end this nightmare once and for all!
Clive Barker has his ups and downs, and this, thankfully, is an "upper." I delighted in 
following 'Harvey,' a bright adventurous boy with a stubborn streak, through all the 
perils he went through. The little lad is wonderfully clever and it’s great to see 
everything as a child would again. 
Starting off with the basics ('Harvey' is bored), we are quickly whirled into the colorful 
world that Barker masters so well. The whole novel is quick in pace and never dull for 
a moment. I got caught up in the first chapter and before I knew it, the end reared its 
head and this fun ride was already over. 
The setting is that of a fascinating storybook house. The plot reminded me slightly of 
"The Haunting" in some small ways (the way the house is built). While this may come off 
as sounding simple and sweet, I advise not being put off by its seemingly childlike 
innocence; this one features monstrous beings, cruel twists of fate and genuinely 
frightening outcomes. All ages can enjoy "Thief of Always," for it stirs up the imagination 
and brings back that child in all of us. 
The pace is a bit slow at times but it’s quick enough. There is some slightly unnecessary 
fluff used to lengthen it, but this can be overlooked when it all goes over so well in 
the end.
Overall, "The Thief of Always" is great stuff to have fun with and a wonderful trip down 
memory lane - a reminder that things don't have to be complex and sophisticated in order 
to be disturbing and creepy.

Reviewed By Erin Williams.

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