Date of Publication

1986

Publisher

Hodder and Stoughton - The first James Herbert book to be published by anyone other than 'New English Library' (I believe Hodder and Stoughton bought out NEL)

Original cost of hardback first edition

£9.95

International Standard Book Number (ISBN)

0 340 39066 2

Original first print run (where known)

Hardback - 25,000 - Paperback - 400,000

Name of heroes in the book

A couple called Mike Stringer and Midge Gudgeon - (This book is written in the first person from the point of view of Mike Stringer)

Opening line of the book

"Do you believe in magic?"

General description of the dust cover

Book designed by James Herbert. Story outline on front flap of the dust cover. Photograph of author on rear flap (showing him sitting down with his plimsoll's nearest to the camera) followed by details about the author's previous books and his writing ability.

Number of pages and chapter details

The book starts with an index of contents as for the first time in a James Herbert novel all of the chapters are individually named. The 41 named chapters are unnumbered. The book starts with a small newspaper advert showing a cottage available for rent and finishes with three quotes on page 309. There are illustrations of the cottage on the first and last pages (not the endplates)

Roger's Review

One of James Herbert's most well known books. This differs from his previous work in that the horror is far more subtle but it is still an entertaining and intriguing read. You can't wait to find out what happens next. Rated by fans and critics alike as one of his best, I didn't think it was as good as its reputation, although it is still very good. 7 out of 10.