This is the second instalment in the investigations of the mighty Harry Undine. I previously read, and thoroughly enjoyed, Christopher Henderson’s novel The Horror at Lavender Edge, and you can see how much I loved it right here.

When I saw the next book in this series had arrived I was all over it. It is stated at the beginning of the book by the author that you don’t have to have read the first, though. And although this is true, having already met the protagonists Undine and Jo Cross made the story more enjoyable for me. In this review I will try and avoid spoilers for both books.

Undine, following on from events at Lavender Edge, is still plagued with his supernatural ability to see things from other worlds and realms. Most would quite like to be blessed with such a gift, but it’s not all it’s cracked up to be, I’m afraid.

Working for the mysterious Corsi Institute, Undine and Jo investigate paranormal happenings, trying to make logical sense of them all. But when they read of a recent murder at a local factory, Undine’s spidey sense is tingled. Something just seems a little off about the whole thing.

What unfolds is a nightmarish journey into ancient myths that may actually be true, an evil group of bigots who want their country purified, and the thinning of the distance between worlds.

This, like the first book, is set in 1970s London. And also like its predecessor, this fact isn’t overplayed at all. It is so subtly done, without having to remind you every five minutes this is the 70s, you just kind of understand that.

This novel deals with racial tensions in the capital where a group of, well they don’t call themselves Nazis, are preaching hatred for the number of foreigners ‘invading’ their homeland. Something needs to be done about them, apparently. But not just by simply killing them. No, this group known as Excalbion, led by the crazed Carmichael Greave, are planning a very special and cataclysmic ritual that may lead to the destruction of humanity, if they’re not very careful. There is something buried deep beneath the ancient and sacred church on Wormhill Street, and it may very well be soon be returning.

Murder, cover-ups, mind control, elder horrors, ancient and forbidden texts, Sammy Davis Jr; this novel has it all. It’s a long read but well worth your time. Perhaps it could have been shorter, but that would just be personal taste. Undine does have many visions, and does do a lot of soul-searching, but ultimately this another great horror novel and one you should definitely be checking out, having read the first, of course.

Categories: book review

Tags: 1970s, book review, christopher henderson, death, ghosts, haunting, horror, horror novel, london, paranormal, the church on wormhill street, violence