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Rating: 
Summary: Much to my surprise I really liked this urban horror
Review: Black Oak Securities is an old fashion investigative firm that handles all types of cases. The enigmatic but brilliant Ethan Proctor runs the company which mostly deals with financial crime including scams and debunking con artists. However, once in a while, a case turns bizarre and enters the realm of the X-Files. One of the investigators, Sloan Delaney is vacationing in the Cumberland Mountains. He is searching for collectibles when he calls Proctor for help. Ethan and another investigator Taz search for their friend. They end up in Crockston, Kentucky where they learn that Sloan was killed by a hit and run driver. One look at the body tells both investigators that the sheriff is lying. They soon learn that other people have died in mysterious ways or have simply disappeared over the years. Proctor needs to uncover what is happening if he to allow his friend to rest in peace. This new series borrows elements from the horror, fantasy, and mystery genres and blends them into a unique, but interesting novel. Charles Grant is a grand story teller who never lets his audience know if they are on the mortal or supernatural plane. The detective roles of the protagonists brings a mystery feel to BLACK OAK 1: GENESIS, a truly great gothic tale. Harriet Klausner
Rating: 
Summary: A great start to, potentially, a great series.
Review: Charles Grant has brought that wonderful sense of "what's goin' on here" dynamics that makes the X-files so great. However, Black Oak is structured more like X's great grand daddy, Kolchak, in the sense of how the story plays out and the characters interact. The characters are fleshed out very well and you get the feeling of each ones personality even if they 're not really a major player...yet. I enjoyed the overall story and, cliched as it sounds, had a hard time putting it down. The paranormal elements were just right and not hard to buy into and Mr. Grant teases with backgrounds of characters just enough to whet your appetite for more. I can't wait for the next one.
Rating:
Summary: The book keeps you guessing.
Review: Entertaining book with as many twists as their are turns. Definately written with a hint of the "X Files" mystery surrounding the plot. Black Oak a private eye service run by Proctor, who has his own ghosts haunting him, leads the investigation into the untimely death of one of his employees. As the investigation begans so unravels the string to several other mysteries. Fast moving spine tingling book. Looking forward to reading the next one.
Rating:
Summary: Quick reading mind teaser that keeps you guessing to the end
Review: Entertaining book with as many twists as their are turns. Definately written with a hint of the "X Files" mystery surrounding the plot. Black Oak a private eye service run by Proctor, who has his own ghosts haunting him, leads the investigation into the untimely death of one of his employees. As the investigation begans so unravels the string to several other mysteries. Fast moving spine tingling book. Looking forward to reading the next one.
Rating: 
Summary: Grant is a great stylist; not the best storyteller
Review: I have a HUGE collection of Charles Grant's books. His best one by far is "For fear of the night." I highly recommend this one; you should track it down and read it! As for Black Oak, well, it's a cool series. I'm currently reading #3 right now. It's some cool stuff. It's pulp fiction, though. I mean, if you want to learn something about life read Emerson. If you want to let your hair down and relish some pulp fiction, then Grant's stuff is the best. Each book is easy reading and not very longwinded unlike King and other horror writers. Of course, the best horror writer is Robert McCammon and you should introduce yourself to him next time you go to the bookstore. "Swan Song" tops "The Stand" in my opinion.
Rating:
Summary: Grant is a great stylist; not the best storyteller
Review: I have a HUGE collection of Charles Grant's books. His best one by far is "For fear of the night." I highly recommend this one; you should track it down and read it! As for Black Oak, well, it's a cool series. I'm currently reading #3 right now. It's some cool stuff. It's pulp fiction, though. I mean, if you want to learn something about life read Emerson. If you want to let your hair down and relish some pulp fiction, then Grant's stuff is the best. Each book is easy reading and not very longwinded unlike King and other horror writers. Of course, the best horror writer is Robert McCammon and you should introduce yourself to him next time you go to the bookstore. "Swan Song" tops "The Stand" in my opinion.
Rating:
Summary: The book keeps you guessing.
Review: I thought that the book was great and that Charles Grant is great author, by the way the book keeps you guessing who it is till the end. I hope the next book comes out soon.
Rating: 
Summary: Been there, read that (and better, too)
Review: Listless, uncompelling little horror exercise that takes a long time getting started and then just plods along without ever picking up speed. Your usual stock characters (about 90% of which are in their 40s, interestingly), lotsa hints concerning the main character's past that are obviously intended to make him more intriguing but utterly fail to invoke anything other than slight annoyance with their lack of originality, not a hint of erotic tension - a hard task considering that part of the "action" (or lack thereof) takes place in a strip joint. The "conclusion" is neither surprising nor very believable, and it reads like something the author thought of at the spur of the moment - man, I have to finish this thing somehow! I don't know if Mr Grant's main reason for writing (and publishing!) this pale tale was an upcoming mortgage payment or if his creativity and imagination really have become this dried up, but to me "Genesis" was a major disappointment. I don't much like Poppy Brite, but if you could cross her over-the-top prose with Grant's grandfatherly style, you would actually get a readable book. As it is, this one's the literary equivalent of reheated Mac & Cheese; mushy, flavorless, with just a hint of cardboard, and not very filling.
Rating:
Summary: A series of limitless potential?
Review: Remember when The X-Files was great? When you couldn't get enough of Carl Kolchak's newspaper stories? Well this series of books is most definitely for you. The "pilot" episode is heavy on the atmosphere and red herrings. The answer may not pay off that well, but it will leave you anxious for the next "episode." Well done Mr. Grant, its been great having your books around for the last twenty years or so, I hope that Black Oak can last through its story cycle.
Rating:
Summary: A series of limitless potential?
Review: Remember when The X-Files was great? When you couldn't get enough of Carl Kolchak's newspaper stories? Well this series of books is most definitely for you. The "pilot" episode is heavy on the atmosphere and red herrings. The answer may not pay off that well, but it will leave you anxious for the next "episode." Well done Mr. Grant, its been great having your books around for the last twenty years or so, I hope that Black Oak can last through its story cycle.
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