Reviews...reviews...reviews...

I tend to surf the web avidly  seeking book recommendations on a particular genre I am at present reading. Having just completed Crack-up by Eric Chrispopherson I am amazed how a book that cost pennies can create such an impact on me the reading public. A good story should have something extra or quirky that makes it stand out from the book crowd and this is certainly true of Crack-Up. Our hero Argus Ward runs a successful security company specializing in protecting companies from computer hackers or industrial espionage. Argus has a little secret that he has kept hidden for a number of years and by the use of medication it is not known that he suffers from acute delusion ie he is a paranoid schizophrenia. This is not a problem until someone or something alters his medication and rather than consuming tablets to keep his schizophrenia hidden the tablets now have no value or effect on his condition. Someone is attempting to control him and condition him to commit murder...which he does. This is a first class thriller with great moments of black humour as Argus and his alto ego Darth Vader periodically indulge in some comic conversation...can Argus clear his name?...can he confront the real culprit?..enjoy a fast  roller coaster ride on what is a first class thriller.
I was recommended a short horror novella Come Closer by Sara Gran and although it was a fun and short read I am afraid for me the enjoyment did not really happen. It is essentially the story of a young lady being possessed by a daemon, fun with some amusing moments essentially and certainly readable horror however in the final analysis it did little to convince me that modern horror writers can reach the heights of the masters from the past.