Rating: Summary: Truly horrifying vision of alternate history Review: Graham Masterton's "The Doorkeepers" is a solid horror novel which combines several eras of British history, an alternate universe, a little folklore, a serial killer and a psychic into a potent and chilling mix. Many of the individual elements may be common motifs in genre literature, but Masteron combines them in unexpected ways.The story begins when the mutilated body of a missing woman is found floating in the Thames. Her brother, Josh, and his girlfriend, Nancy, go to London to try to unravel the mystery. What they find is even more bizarre and terrifying than the unknown serial killer they presume is respsonsible. Josh's sister has been living at an address that hasn't existed in London--at least in our London--since before World War II. With the help of a psychic and clues from a nursery rhyme, they find a doorway into a parallel London--one in which Oliver Cromwell was never defeated and the Puritans maintain a reign of religious terror. Josh and his girlfriend quickly find themselves on the run from the dreaded Hooded Men, and things get worse from there. Maybe it's just me, but I don't find much horror fiction to be truly horrifying. This book I did. Yes, there are some major leaps of incredulity that must be made in order to enjoy the book--the hero's amazing rapport with animals for one. But once that's done, the story takes on a chilling psychological reality. What Masterton accomplishes in "The Doorkeepers" is the creation of a paranoiac vision of relentless pursuit and evil.
Rating: Summary: Truly horrifying vision of alternate history Review: Graham Masterton's "The Doorkeepers" is a solid horror novel which combines several eras of British history, an alternate universe, a little folklore, a serial killer and a psychic into a potent and chilling mix. Many of the individual elements may be common motifs in genre literature, but Masteron combines them in unexpected ways. The story begins when the mutilated body of a missing woman is found floating in the Thames. Her brother, Josh, and his girlfriend, Nancy, go to London to try to unravel the mystery. What they find is even more bizarre and terrifying than the unknown serial killer they presume is respsonsible. Josh's sister has been living at an address that hasn't existed in London--at least in our London--since before World War II. With the help of a psychic and clues from a nursery rhyme, they find a doorway into a parallel London--one in which Oliver Cromwell was never defeated and the Puritans maintain a reign of religious terror. Josh and his girlfriend quickly find themselves on the run from the dreaded Hooded Men, and things get worse from there. Maybe it's just me, but I don't find much horror fiction to be truly horrifying. This book I did. Yes, there are some major leaps of incredulity that must be made in order to enjoy the book--the hero's amazing rapport with animals for one. But once that's done, the story takes on a chilling psychological reality. What Masterton accomplishes in "The Doorkeepers" is the creation of a paranoiac vision of relentless pursuit and evil.
Rating: Summary: Not his best Review: I have thoroughly enjoyed Graham Masterton's novels. My 2 favorite are The Walkers and The Mirror. This book, The Doorkeepers, is just ok. The premise of the story is great, it has some very exciting moments, but the proof reading was overlooked. There are many errors in this book and not stupid picky stuff, I'm talking about sentences that simply don't make sense. It was as though Masterton wanted to change a sentence but only changed half of it. This made the book, at times, lose it's flow.
The gist of the story is this; there are mutiple planes for the same location. For example, there are an infinite number of Londons. Each one is the same but different at the same time. Each has its own history and time setting. There are doorways to each of these universes. The story is about a man who finds himself frantically trying to find the secret to these mysterious doors after his sisters dead body is discovered in the present London, but it becomes known that she had been lured to an alternate London and killed there. Let the games begin!
I found this story intriguing but more science ficton than horror. The ending was a little lame. You certainly won't be wasting your time reading this book, it's just not one of his best. Of course, that is only my opinion. If you want Graham Masterton at his finest, try the books I mentioned above. They are fantastic.
Rating: Summary: Throws all logic out the window-and it's a good thing! Review: I'm not sure what to make of Graham Masterton. Horror author? Sex advice book writer? He can write some real page-turners that are clever and filled with wonderful imagery and word play ("Trauma", "A Terrible Beauty") and then let loose some clunkers that have actual word typos and serious flaws in character development and logic ("The House That Jack Built", "The Chosen Child"). The good news, though, is that Mr. Masterton is always "reaching", so to speak, so anything he writes is going to be of some interest. Enter "The Doorkeepers", where Masterton finally hits his stride with a fantasy/horror novel that is intriguing, colorful, filled with genuine dread and even a bit of social commentary. In other words: Bulls Eye! I enjoyed this book thoroughly, as there was happily, no room for logic, only a sweeping canvas for Mr. Masterton to fill with whatever flight of fancy his mind allowed. It was invigorating. I highly recommend this for readers of Clive Barker. They will enjoy it immensely.
Rating: Summary: Another painful read from a reliable author Review: Man, what is it with Graham Masterton and pain? He's incredibly good at devising twisted tortures. Aside from that, this book is an easy, engaging read, reliable and creative...in other words, what you would expect from this author. I wasn't especially thrilled by the ending, which seemed a little silly, but otherwise, I really enjoyed the story. I'd like to give it four stars for enjoyability, but I'm only giving it three because I hated the ending. Maybe I'm not being totally objective. OK. Three and a half.
Rating: Summary: Another painful read from a reliable author Review: Man, what is it with Graham Masterton and pain? He's incredibly good at devising twisted tortures. Aside from that, this book is an easy, engaging read, reliable and creative...in other words, what you would expect from this author. I wasn't especially thrilled by the ending, which seemed a little silly, but otherwise, I really enjoyed the story. I'd like to give it four stars for enjoyability, but I'm only giving it three because I hated the ending. Maybe I'm not being totally objective. OK. Three and a half.
Rating: Summary: Logic Flaws Review: There are plenty of works of fiction that create fantasy worlds, and situations that are unlikely - however, a good novel makes the reader believe the unbelievable is possible. The book centers around parallel 'London's', the main characters coming from 'present day' London, traveling to another London where it is believed that the main character's sister was murdered. The characters discover they can travel to parallel worlds, but can only go through the door once every 24 hours, or they'll end up in another London - not the original one they left from. Here is where the logic flaws come in, and without giving to much away, if you travel through multiple doors in one 24 hour period, according to the book, you'd never get back to your original starting place - you'd get farther and farther away. Needless to say, our heroes do return to their world. Try anything from Bentley Little for Horror, or John Sanford for mystery/suspense. Much better selections.
Rating: Summary: Awesome storyline.... Review: This book is a weird twist from his normal gory, horrifying, addicting, and fun-reading books. His talent to make it as if you are there yourself is astounding. I have literally read all his books, except the first book in the ROOK series, and have been left with shivers and a great fullfilment. This book left that same feeling. I recommened this book to all who love a good scary book. Imagine if there were REALLY Doorways today.....
Rating: Summary: Dark, twisted tale... Review: This is a very dark, twisted horror tale written by one of the best writers in this field. Imagine a world (London in this place) with hidden doors which open a way to step into alternate London (each one different) and each with dark, evil almost-Lovecraft like horrors. Very original and evil book.
Rating: Summary: Great Writing Review: This novel is a strong five stars. The writing is smooth and moves along without dragging. From the beginning to the end, never a dull paragraph. Doorkeepers involves one man's inadvertent involvement with people in parallel worlds. The main character enters these worlds in his search for his sister's killer. He discovers a few friends and a bookoo of enemies. The writer, however, should give the publisher a strong word or two for allowing a few typos to remain. Not the writer, but the publisher ought to be ashamed. I'd give this novel more than five stars if possible. I've heard of this writer, but this is the first of his work that I've read. I understand now why he carries a very good reputation. He certainly deserves it.
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