I am a librarian and cataloguer, but not at Miskatonic University, and the only alchemy I do is gardening and writing. In 2000, I became compelled to write a novel based on H.P. Lovecraft's story "Herbert West, Reanimator." Five years later, I had written a trilogy. The first two books of my Herbert West trilogy are available on Smashwords; I will publish the rest later in 2012.

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abused children    alchemy    arkham    artists    corpses    doctors    first person narrator    first world war    gay men    gulf islands    herbert west    librarians    miracles    miskatonic university    psychological novels    raising the dead    reanimator    secrets    supernatural novels    tramp steamers    widows   

• Sahara's Song on July 11, 2010
  
  Sahara's Song is a competently written sci-fi thriller with a complex plot and some compelling scenes. The author has a good eye for details and a talent for succinct but vivid description. Dialogue is realistic and smooth. The protagonist, Sarah Raine, is a singer and pianist who has abandoned her music after a personal trauma. She becomes involved in experiments involving the effects of sound waves on matter. Hints of the sinister surround the research institute running the experiments, and Sarah experiences visions warning her of imminent danger. The scientific aspects of the plot are presented in considerable detail which some may find difficult to follow, but they do add an element of plausibility (at least to this non-scientist reviewer). The final scenes are tense and there is at least one plot twist that will jolt the reader. The ending is a bit cliched but inevitable. There are a few typos and misused words ("taunt" instead of "taut," "peaked" instead of "peeked" or "piqued" and others. In general, though, this is a good read with some interesting insights on art and life.
  
• Turning Tide on Feb. 06, 2011
  
  Turning Tide is a well-executed story about an older woman whose life changes suddenly. The drabness of Betty's years-long marriage contrasts strongly with the lively interactions among a nearby household of women. Life on the beach, a spiral of stones and shells, shared food and stories are all enticingly evoked. The ending is surprising but not final.
  
• Angelglass on Feb. 10, 2011
  
  Angelglass unfolds in two different time periods in the city of Prague -- the year 1584 and the early 21st century, just as an anti-globalization protest is being planned. In both times, a man without memories turns up from nowhere. In 1584 he is taken up by the eccentric emperor Rudolf II and in twenty-whatever he is absorbed into a group of ex-pat radicals. In tight, competent prose and alternating scenes, Barnett takes us into situations where nothing is what it seems and no one can be trusted. At intervals he also affords us glimpses into another world, whose connection with the scenes of action is not evident. Almost all is revealed in the final 20 pages or so, when the time periods alternate just about every two sentences, a device (I think) intended to emulate quick scene changes in movies. In prose it doesn't quite work, being slightly irritating and confusing. It's clear that the author loves Prague. The city is a character in itself. He is also fascinated with Rudolf's time and all the colourful characters around him, as well as esoteric topics such as alchemy, angels, the Cabalah and the Golem. Most of the characters never really emerge from standard recognizable "types," and the protagonist, Poutnik (charmingly called "Pooty" by some) remains tantalizingly elusive, but Angelglass is a pretty good read, with some interesting details and situations.
  
• A Ghost Story of the Norfolk Broads on May 14, 2011
  
  I enjoyed this story. It's quietly told, with a slow up-ratcheting of tension. The setting was another plus for me. I've never been to the Norfolk Broads, except in imagination, courtesy of Arthur Ransome. I enjoyed seeing the place names I was familiar with from his books in a totally different context. As a ghost story, this reminded me of M.R. James -- the same literate, understated creepiness. I recommend it.
  
• From Such Small Things on May 23, 2011
  
  From Such Small Things is a well-crafted and adroitly written short ghost story. Using plain, matter-of-fact language, Brian Harmon ratchets up the tension so gradually that the reader experiences the weird events in Allan's house in much the way that Allan does. Footsteps overhead, open doors that should be closed -- and the cat! These details have appeared in many ghost stories, for a good reason: they have the power to creep you out and wish you could tell the protagonist, "Don't you go up those stairs!" My only quibbles are a paucity of information about Allan's neighborhood and neighbors. I assumed the setting was contemporary suburbia, but the story would have been enhanced by a bit more detail. It's a good read, but maybe not late at night when you're alone in the house!
  
• Still Life With Murder (Nell Sweeney Mysteries, Book 1) on Aug. 27, 2011
  
  I had a feeling that Still Life With Murder would be a good read after the first paragraph, and I was right. Well-written and thoroughly researched, this novel combines history, romance and mystery, with an emphasis on romance. Its main strengths are the principal characters, Nell with her problematic past and Will with his psychological problems and addictions. Their interactions are compelling, to the point that the actual "whodunit" aspect is secondary. I found the revelation of the murderer a bit unlikely, but that didn't matter.