SCARY
stories have delighted me ever since nursery days, and that is the place most
readers first encounter them. Then, as now, they’re lotsa fun. Zombies and
vampires have become a bit ho-hum through over supply, but a different idea
will always grip me by the throat!
I’m
reading one now, not so new, having been released by Dorchester Publishing in
1999. But it goes to show how a good story keeps on being a good story. Regeneration, by Max and Barbara Collins
(isbn 0843946156), is sort of chic-lit cum granny-lit, because the fun-horror
leaps the generation gap. Doubtless it was inspired by the Faust plot where a
man sells his soul to the Devil in exchange for earthly gains.
The
difference in Regeneration is this:
A
mature business woman signs a contract with a tempting medical company in order
to restore her to youth and beauty. Her new body retains the wisdom and talents
of her lifetime. Then the smallprint snags crop up. The contract cannot be
broken.
The
cover blurb for this book likens it to Stephen King and to Roald Dahl at his
wickedest, and I guess I agree. Highly
recommended.
Scary
books in childhood led me fast to murder mysteries as an adult. My preference
is for a traditional whodunit rather than the violence of hardboiled gore.
“Chills and chuckles” is the phrase to describe Ann Morven. She is wholly
original, plants clues in good faith, and guarantees some thrilling endplay. This
is her Amazon page.
Happy
reading! from Cathy, 23 August 2013.
