Free Downloads Night After Night
A spooky supernatural thriller by the author of the Merrily Watkins series Liam Defford doesn't believe in ghosts. As the head of a production company, however, he does believe in high-impact TV. On the lookout for his next idea, he hires journalist Grayle Underhill to research the history of Knap Hall—a Tudor farmhouse turned luxury hotel, abandoned by its owners at the height of its success. The staff has been paid to keep quiet about what happened there, but the stories seep through. They're not conducive to a quick sale, but Defford isn't interested in keeping Knap Hall for more than a few months. Just long enough to make a reality TV show that will run nightly. A house isolated by its rural situation and its dark reputation; six people—known to the nation but strangers to one another—locked inside; but this time Big Brother is not in control.
Hardcover: 528 pages
Publisher: Atlantic Books; Main edition (January 1, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0857898698
ISBN-13: 978-0857898692
Product Dimensions: 6 x 2 x 9 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #675,563 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #264 in Books > Literature & Fiction > British & Irish > Horror #2147 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Horror > Ghosts
Another enthralling read from Phil Rickman. One that's hard to put down, that leaves you thinking at the end. I love the way Rickman never spells it all out for the reader but leaves a sense of mystery, that draws you back to reread the book and think some more. I was initially alarmed to hear that this book was written in the present tense, as that has been a stumbling block for me in the past with other authors, but here it didn't trouble me at all. Rather it enhanced the immediacy and urgency of the storyline - which is of course the nature of live television, a key subject in the book. Once again we have brilliantly drawn characters - some familiar from earlier novels, some new, some engaging, some repellent - but all so convincing. Once again the sense of place is pervading - the menace of Belas Knap, the creepy sculptures of Winchcombe Church, the reflected shine of Sudeley Castle... these are real places that add authenticity to Knap House as the pivotal point of the book with its ingrained darkness. The plot twists and turns and startles the reader, but always remains convincing. Rickman is a master wordsmith who crafts captivating prose. I'm already on my second read.
Phil Rickman is truly a master storyteller of the supernatural. Having recently been disappointed by three long-awaited books by favourite authors, I am happy to report that I was gripped from beginning to end by this novel. It was good to become re-acquainted with characters met in previous books ('Cold Calling' and 'Mean Spirit'), and to follow their new adventures. Some of his themes have also been re-visited here, but that is not a drawback. Highly recommended.
It's amazing for an author to be able to garner fans for the "stars" of more than one series, but Phil Rickman has done us one better in Night After Night. Of course loyal fans of his Merrily Watkins and John Dee series are glad to see main character Grayle Underhill return and extend the story line begun years ago in Mean Spirit and The Cold Calling, but many fans are thrilled to see the return of Cindy Mars-Lewis, the cross-dressing Celtic shaman. I've had a special place in my heart for Cindy ever since we first met in The Cold Calling, and it's clear I'm not the only one. If Night After Night was a TV show, Cindy would surely be in line for a spinoff. He is wise, funny, and, I must say, so real I think of him as a friend who has moved away. Not around for tea every day but very real. I think this is one of Rickman's strongest talents as a writer: every character is fleshed-out so well you feel as if you are right there with them. I don't have to tell you how much this enhances the experience of reading a suspense novel: you ARE every character, slowly filling in the facts from different viewpoints, building the story (and the tension) until - well, you should read Night After Night, and, if you haven't yet, all of Rickman's other books, because there's a reason why so many fans re-read the entire collection in anticipation of a new Phil Rickman book. He NEVER disappoints. Go on with you, and meet Cindy. You're in for a treat.
Well, it's Phil Rickman, which means excellent. My one quibble was that it seemed a little rushed towards the end, but it's an outstanding read, with all the usual Rickman elements. Couldn't put it down.
I think Cindy Mars-Lewis might be my most favourite character of all time, so it was wonderful to meet 'him' again in Night After Night! This is a fabulous book with a 'cinematic' quality and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it makes it to a screen near me some time soon. Phil Rickman effortlessly blends history with modern day madness, and I'm just so grateful that I picked up one of his 'Merrily' books when browsing through Waterstones on a wet day in Macclesfield some years ago! More, please, of Cindy, Dr John, Merrily et al.
Phil Rickman writes very long, complex novels that have a strong influence of horror, usually based on Welsh folklore. And quite often, there is a rational explanation for why things are happening, yet the reader is left to wonder a bit. Rickman is one of my favorite novelists, and I usually devour his books, and despite the fact that I limit my reading to an hour or so a day, I speed through his 500-600 pages novels in about a week. His series of novels featuring Vicar Merrily Watkins, the exorcist (known as a “deliverance minister” here) are worth reading for their colorful, fully developed, engaging characters alone. That being said, I must say I was not entirely enamored of Rickman’s Night After Night. It is not one of the Merrily Watkins novels, so it stands alone. The backdrop—a creepy old Tudor mansion—and the circumstance—the filming of a reality TV show—are both fascinating. The characters are varied and well-drawn. But I found the plot not only lagging, but it, at times, confused me. I was constantly re-reading passages because I was lost as to who was talking or what was happening or how that particular passage related to the grand scheme of things. The outcome, I must say, did not gratify me for I thought it was too little, too late. But I refuse to fault one of my favorite authors entirely. Perhaps I was just not in the mood to read this kind of novel right now. Perhaps I am so in love with Merrily Watkins that I couldn’t invest in another protagonist. So I’m not entirely dissing Night After Night. I think anyone who likes a little bit of creepy, who loves the Big Brother TV program, who likes a complicated whodunnit might adore this book. For me, I’m glad I pre-ordered the new Merrily Watkins—come early next year, I can bury myself in Welsh folklore once again with familiar characters I’ve come to know and love.
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