[Wulfa_Jones]

With it being Christmas and all, I normally take the opportunity to read the works of M.R James. However, this year I was recommended Banquet for the Damned by Adam L G Nevill (who also seems to write some rather "racy" sounding titles) by a work colleague. Whilst not very Christmas like, I can see why it drew comparisons with James work - even if it is a novel rather than a short. Having never really been a fan of “modern horror” (for lack of a better turn of phrase) I was quite surprised I enjoyed it was much as I did.

I like the academic setting – having spent a great deal of time in Higher Education, this theme always appeals to me. The unseen terrors, the slow build up, the investigative goings on… obviously the paranormal elements also appeal.

So I am wondering if anyone can offer some other horror books within the same vein? Amazon paired it with Through a Glass, Darkly by Bill Hussey which I’ve yet to read, but also sounds quite good. Other stuff along the same lines… quite liked The Historian, Rule of Four and going to look at getting The Dracula Dossier.

[Randy M.]

With it being Christmas and all, I normally take the opportunity to read the works of M.R James. However, this year I was recommended Banquet for the Damned by Adam L G Nevill (who also seems to write some rather "racy" sounding titles) by a work colleague. Whilst not very Christmas like, I can see why it drew comparisons with James work - even if it is a novel rather than a short. Having never really been a fan of “modern horror” (for lack of a better turn of phrase) I was quite surprised I enjoyed it was much as I did.

I like the academic setting – having spent a great deal of time in Higher Education, this theme always appeals to me. The unseen terrors, the slow build up, the investigative goings on… obviously the paranormal elements also appeal.

So I am wondering if anyone can offer some other horror books within the same vein? Amazon paired it with Through a Glass, Darkly by Bill Hussey which I’ve yet to read, but also sounds quite good. Other stuff along the same lines… quite liked The Historian, Rule of Four and going to look at getting The Dracula Dossier.

Not from knowledge of the works, but from reading reviews of them:

Phil Rickman: his Merrily Watkins books sound like fun, but the ones that interest me most are earlier stand-alones, Curfew (U.S. title) and Candlenight. I don't think these have academic back drops.

James Hynes: Publish and Perish -- academic satire with ghosts; apparently Hynes enjoys M. R. James, too, since reviews have mentioned how one or two of the chapters spring from James' stories.

Honestly, I feel like I've read something within the last few years that would fit your criteria, but it's not coming to me. I'll think about it and see if I can find a title. In the meantime, if all else fails, you might look for a collection of stories by E. F. Benson, who was probably the closest in accomplishment to James of James' contemporaries.


Randy M.