Many fans of horror were originally captivated by the old-world films and novels that sparked the flame of the genre that still burn bright today. Nothing captured the gothic atmosphere like creepy castles inhabited by dashing counts, who spoke elegant, hypnotic verse. Author Lucas Hault (The Malign) takes us back to the beginning of the 1900’s with his latest release, “The Devil’s Whispers.” A throw back novel that attempts to recapture the dark beauty of the turn of the century. Coupled with the recent film release, “The Cursed,” could we be seeing a renaissance of classic horror?
Esteemed lawyer Gerard Woodward heads to Cardiff to see to the final affairs of Lord Ferdinand Mathers. Shortly after his arrival, strange occurrences plague Gerard. He quickly concludes that he is not a guest, but a captive prisoner, held by mystical force in the Mathers vast castle. As weeks tumble by with no contact from Gerard, Woodward’s fiancée, Raelyn Atherton desperately reaches out for help to see what has befallen her groom to be. Together, with help from friends and the clergy, forces unit to uncover the dark secret which has plagued the Welsh countryside and is now seeping into the streets of London.
At first glance, this novel appears to be a re-hash of Stoker’s immortal classic, “Dracula.” With similarities in the first-person narrative, told in tale by journal entries, and isolated castle setting, “The Devil’s Whispers” will have the reader feeling a dark sense of déjà vu. Once the plot is set, Hault takes the terror tale into original uncharted waters. The author thrives with perfectly written prose, scribing in late Victorian lingo with impressive ease. While modern authors staple characters into their work as filler, each persona plays an integral part in this diabolical diatribe. In 2007, author John Marks gave the world a masterful modern spin in homage to “Dracula.” In 2022, Lucas Hault stamps his mark to that era with this classic terror tale that leads the reader down an unexpected path, similar to the roads that disappear into the fog of Great Britain.
Scream Score: 8.5/10
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The Devil’s Whispers: A Gothic Horror Novel
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