Date of Publication

2006

Publisher

MacMillan

Original cost of hardback first edition

£17.99

International Standard Book Number (ISBN)

1 405 00520 3

Original first print run (where known)

Hardback - Unknown - Paperback - Unknown

Name of hero in the book

Gabriel Virgil Caleigh

Opening line of the book

"They scattered into a darkness scarely tempered by oil lamps, the soft glow easily repressed by the deep shadows of the house."

General description of the dust cover

Cover design by www.blacksheep-uk.com. The story outline appears on the front both flap of the dust cover. On the rear flap is a photograph of the author seated on the edge of a desk, presumably in his own office at home. This is photograph of which I have a signed and dedicated copy. There then follows the usual paragraph giving details about the author's success and saying that he has sold more than 50 million copies of his books worldwide.

Number of pages and chapter details

The book starts with some quotes before we start with a short prologue entitled "Then".  The book then continues with "Now" and we have the first of 81 chapters numbered as "1" to "81" but all have short titles, usually consisting of just one or two words.  The last chapter is unnumbered and it consists of two pages and is entitled "Epilogues".

Roger's Review

A genuinely creepy story along the familiar lines of the haunted house.  The Caleigh family, consisting of an American husband, his English wife and their two young daughters temperorily move to Crickley Hall as they come to terms with the disappearance of their young son.  It has to be said that the all the scary bits are fairly standard but the background story is quite original and horrific - particularly when we find out what has originally happened to cause the haunting.  James Herbert's writing always builds up the tension and keeps you wanting to know what happens next.  I thoroughly enjoyed the book but it has to be said that it is not as original as his last book.  Still, a good read and well worth buying.  7 out of 10.