Book: The Secret Of Crickley Hall by James Herbert

James Herbert is the British equivalent of Stephen King, only better (in my humble opinion). Although James Herbert is considered a horror writer, I personally don't think that his work is all that horrific, a lot of his stories are supernatural based, involving spooks and things that go bump in the night. This rather weighty novel is no exception, and at 600 pages long it is really something to get your teeth into. However, unlike his rival Stepehen King, James does not waffle on and all those 600 pages are worthy of inclusion.
I love a good ghost story. Something you can curl up with in front of the fire on a winter evening and this book ticks all the boxes as far as I am concerned. You have the big haunted house, the restless ghosts , the mysterious opening doors, the cold draughts, the noises in the cellar and all those other 'haunted house' cliches that you know you love really.
The story is set in Devon, in a big old haunted house that was once used as a place of safety for evacuated children in the war. Only these kids came to a grisely end due to the fact that their governers were insane. As with all these stories there is the usual family that moves in not knowing that the house is not exactly Home Sweet Home.
I enjoyed the story, it was well written, well researched and the characters were likeable. The story moved along at a good pace and there was no pages of unnecessary waffle which spoil so many books these days. As I said before there is no really grotty bits, no axes, no blood and guts and no swearing, but it is still atmospheric and eerie. The house could have done with a dose of Evette Fielding and her 'Most Haunted' team which I am sure would have cured all it's ill's, but as it was, it was a perfect setting for a perfect ghost story.
It is well worth reading but one word of warning, don't read it in bed and then fall asleep because then there really will be something going bump in the night - your head when the book falls on it! Believe me I speak from experience! Get the paperback. It's safer.
Score Board: 9/10 Turn the lights off and enjoy!