Others

James Herbert

Average Rating 8/10 (1 Review)

Nicholas Dismas is a Private Investigator like no other. He carries a secret about himself to which not even he has the answer. He is hired to find a baby taken at birth and his investigation leads him to a mysterious place called 'Perfect Rest'. It is supposed to be a home for the elderly, but there is a lot more to this place than meets the eye. Here Dismas will discover the dark secret of the 'Others'. And in an astonishing and spectacular finale he will resolve the enigma of his own existence. As chilling, as memorable and as timely as only James Herbert can be, Others will join the classics for which he is remembered with fear.

'It sounded easy. Find a missing kid. Eighteen years old. Only he was dead. Died at birth. So why was his mother so sure he was still alive? Alive and calling for help. The assignment took me to Hell. And that's where I'd come from, only I didn't know it at the time. Matter of fact, there were a lot of things I didn't know about myself. I just thought I was different, not the kind you'd expect to be a private investigator. But I was wrong. Like I'd been wrong for most of my uncharmed life. Because I was more than that. And the answers were coming, coming fast and they scared me shitless. Murder, mutilation, depravity and horrors and every thought I had about life itself changed. It's a story you might hate. Because it's too close to the real truth. And it might frighten you so badly you will never sleep in an unlit room again. But it'll make you think. I promise you that. I only hope it won't make you think too much. Because that's when the nightmares will begin. Yeah, that's when everything will change. Your choice.'

Review by Jessica (290212) Rating (8/10)

Review by Jessica
Rating 8/10

The beginning of this creepy horror book begins "my redemption began in Hell." I was more or less captivated from then on and read well into the night with a torch in one hand and my bed covers pulled over my head.

This story is that of Nicholas Dismas who works as a private investigator. He is hired to find a missing baby. This child was taken away at birth... or was it? He must now find out. On his quest he meets some rather strange characters but all have a human feeling about them. Nick also, however, hides a dark secret of his own.

I did enjoy this very much - the storyline is well thought out and characters fully rounded. Descriptions make everything discussed come alive and become almost authentic to the reader.

Throughout this book you are always wondering where the clues lie, who really is who they say and of course you remain gripped. I enjoyed this. Although it is a little dated, good books never go out of 'fashion' do they?

If you have never read this, read it. If you have read it already, read it again. A fine horror story indeed by the number one chiller writer.
Jessica (29th February 2012)