Date of Publication

August 1988 for the normal trade hardback "first" edition with dust jacket

Publisher

Hodder and Stoughton

Original cost of hardback first edition

£10.95 for the trade "first" edition

International Standard Book Number (ISBN)

0 340 41616 5 (Trade edition)

Original first print run (where known)

Hardback - 35,000 - Paperback - 510,000

Name of hero in the book

David Ash (James Herbert uses this character again, in his book 'The Ghosts of Sleath')

Opening line of the book

"A whispered name."

General description of the dust cover

The black bound first edition has no dust cover but comes in a black slipcase. This book differs from the trade first edition in that the book's motif of a girl's figure silhouetted against a house is embossed on the front cover and that the end papers are mottled rather than plain black. Under the title on the first page are the details of the limited edition together with the numbering and signature. Apart from this the book is identical to the trade first edition with dust jacket. That has the story outline on the front flap of the dust cover, followed by the aforementioned motif. The rear dust flap has a photograph of the author by Bob Knight followed by three paragraphs giving details about some of his previous books and his skills as a writer.

Number of pages and chapter details

The book starts with a prologue entitled "A DREAM, A MEMORY" and ends with an epilogue entitled EDBROOK". It has 31 chapters numbered as "ONE" to "THIRTY-ONE" and each chapter has the same stylised motif as previously referred to.

Dedication in book

"In memory of George Goodings - rascal, rogue, Dam Buster, and my finest friend"

Roger's Review

Probably James Herbert's best known work. An absolutely excellent story, very well written that keeps you turning the pages. The essential James Herbert book that any fan must read. Definitely one of his best - 9 out of 10.