Rating: 
Summary: GRAHAM CRACKERS
Review: Although Masterton's been writing for years, this is my first look at this well-received master of horror. In this offering, Masterton demonstrates a commendable mastery of his words and of his characterizations.
The novel starts out a little slowly, but builds into a disturbing and horrifying look at a very unusual serial killer.
Katie Maguire, the highest ranked woman in law enforcement in Ireland, is called in when the bones of eleven women are discovered in a farm. Meanwhile, someone is killing young women in the same way. These killings are EXTREMELY GRAPHIC and disturbing. In a religious vein, Masterton obviously questions "why bad things happen to good people."
At any rate, what goes from here is a vortex of interesting scenarios, and if you're astute, you won't have trouble figuring out who the person is trying to resurrect the demon Morgana. I don't know whether I understand Masterton's lesbian subplot; it does seem out of place, but it's not overdone, but seems rather unnecessary.
However, who am I to criticize one of horror's masters? It's definitely a page-turner, and recommended.
Rating:
Summary: GRAHAM CRACKERS
Review: Although Masterton's been writing for years, this is my first look at this well-received master of horror. In this offering, Masterton demonstrates a commendable mastery of his words and of his characterizations.
The novel starts out a little slowly, but builds into a disturbing and horrifying look at a very unusual serial killer.
Katie Maguire, the highest ranked woman in law enforcement in Ireland, is called in when the bones of eleven women are discovered in a farm. Meanwhile, someone is killing young women in the same way. These killings are EXTREMELY GRAPHIC and disturbing. In a religious vein, Masterton obviously questions "why bad things happen to good people."
At any rate, what goes from here is a vortex of interesting scenarios, and if you're astute, you won't have trouble figuring out who the person is trying to resurrect the demon Morgana. I don't know whether I understand Masterton's lesbian subplot; it does seem out of place, but it's not overdone, but seems rather unnecessary.
However, who am I to criticize one of horror's masters? It's definitely a page-turner, and recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Not bad at all
Review: Creepy! A bit gory! Fun! Yeap, it's all of these.If there weren't a few glaring inconsistencies, this book would've garnered 4 stars. The first (and most screamingly obvious) is very early - we're first told the main character has been married for 7 years ("when she'd married him 7 and half years ago"), then a few pages later the same character remembers her wedding and honeymoon, FOUR years ago. Sure, it's possible (but not plausible) that the honeymoon happened 3 years later; and really it's only a minor niggling point. If you can get past that, there's a strong chance you'll enjoy the rest of it. Anyway. The story IS creepy - Celtic mythology is a hobby of mine, and this book included intriguing glimpses of both traditional Irish culture and the mythology contained therein. There's a good steady amount of suspense, some graphic scenes of deliberate violence and a hint of sex that makes quite a nice package in all. Unfortunately, I'd figured out the bad guy by about halfway through, and I'm certainly not a genius...there's also a subplot involving the main character's spouse that seems to have no purpose other than to flesh out (pun intended) the main storyline. There are a couple of technical and historical inaccuracies too, which do detract from the credibility a little. All in all, it's not Masterton's best offer, but it's certainly not his worst, and it's a fun read that'll occupy you for a couple of hours. 3.1/2 stars out of 5 :)
Rating:
Summary: Has it share of creepy moments....but
Review: I enjoyed the story, Masterton is a great underated writer
and has so many great stories under his belt. He has a way
with getting under your skin and this book had many moments
that gave me some uncomfortable chills as I read late at night
before bed, but thats the best time to read Masterton, just
before you dream...
I felt the story spread itself out more than it needed to with
so many characters
but all in all it was a quick, fast paced read with mystery
and horror and I loved the whole Irish setting and folklore.
Rating: 
Summary: Quality Masterton
Review: I think that the key to appreciating Masterton in this style is that he has Changed tone to suit the Characters and the Story.
It's a page turner, and it's a real thriller, with twists that only Masterton can Deliver.
As a Master of many genres, and a brilliant creator of a style that Lives in the Moment, Masterton Plays on every edge, quality and key Hubris in his players. About the Only Caveat for this Book is that People should know that this is the Paperback version of the HardBack BONNIE WINTER. I suspect that the title Change is for a Movie Option, and I certainly hope so. Since Masterton has very many Books that SHOULD be delivered into the Film World. Another Master-piece by the Master of First Person Narrative Horror, Supernatural Horror, the only True Fictional Horror there is in this realm.
Rating:
Summary: Not THAT impressive...
Review: I wasn't very impressed with this book and that surprised me, as Graham Masterton seems to be a highly recommended author. The only real character development was the main character's daily attire and there were some holes and weak spots in the plot. The book did give me the heebie-jeebies though, so I'll give it a couple of stars for that.
Rating:
Summary: succeeds more as crime fiction than as horror
Review: I'd have to say that, for the most part, I enjoyed reading this novel. Masterton has a nice style of writing, and the details of Irish life, as well as the life of Detective Superintendent Katie Maguire and the bleakness of the story, were well conveyed. However, the killer remained pretty much an enigma, and there is insufficient occult detail and atmosphere for this to really qualify as a horror novel. The ending, while it delivered some neat surprises (including one involving The Lusitania which is particularly well done), did not carry sufficient weight for what is supposed to be an earth-shaking event, and left me feeling a little cheated and unfulfilled. Masterton is a good writer, but his story needed a bit more work to be truly memorable.
Rating:
Summary: succeeds more as crime fiction than as horror
Review: I'd have to say that, for the most part, I enjoyed reading this novel. Masterton has a nice style of writing, and the details of Irish life, as well as the life of Detective Superintendent Katie Maguire and the bleakness of the story, were well conveyed. However, the killer remained pretty much an enigma, and there is insufficient occult detail and atmosphere for this to really qualify as a horror novel. The ending, while it delivered some neat surprises (including one involving The Lusitania which is particularly well done), did not carry sufficient weight for what is supposed to be an earth-shaking event, and left me feeling a little cheated and unfulfilled. Masterton is a good writer, but his story needed a bit more work to be truly memorable.
Rating:
Summary: Crime, myth, and human complexity
Review: The first few chapters of this book seemed to move rather slowly but soon I could not turn the pages fast enough! Masterton is able to mix together crime, mythology, and human frailty in a uniquely intriguing way. Deputy Superintendent Katie Maguire is a believable, sympathetic protagonist caught up in a variety of challenges both at work and at home. The shady criminals and loyal male coworkers who have begrudgingly come to accept and respect her populate her days. Add to that the politicians with their own agendas and the academics who try to help and you have an interesting cast. There are enough twists and turns to keep the reader interested although the sinister culprit begins to become apparent about 3/4 of the way through the story. Still, Masterton weaves enough additional details and twists to keep you guessing. I wasn't sure if I would like this book but I thoroughly enjoyed it and finished it in two days!
Rating:
Summary: Crime, myth, and human complexity
Review: The first few chapters of this book seemed to move rather slowly but soon I could not turn the pages fast enough! Masterton is able to mix together crime, mythology, and human frailty in a uniquely intriguing way. Deputy Superintendent Katie Maguire is a believable, sympathetic protagonist caught up in a variety of challenges both at work and at home. The shady criminals and loyal male coworkers who have begrudgingly come to accept and respect her populate her days. Add to that the politicians with their own agendas and the academics who try to help and you have an interesting cast. There are enough twists and turns to keep the reader interested although the sinister culprit begins to become apparent about 3/4 of the way through the story. Still, Masterton weaves enough additional details and twists to keep you guessing. I wasn't sure if I would like this book but I thoroughly enjoyed it and finished it in two days!
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