Richard Laymon Same Vein
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Publisher: Leisure Books |
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DRAWN TO THE GRAVE by Mary Ann Mitchell
Carl has a problem. He is dying. There's no cure, and he'll be dead in no time.
But then Carl goes on an exploration to the Amazon and learns the secret of prolonging life.
Carl just got lucky.
But, from that day forward, the people who meet Carl and fall in love with him have just entered a death sentence.
Such is the tale of Beverley. Bored with city life and with a new book to write, she heads into the wilderness and rents a house from Carl. Then she falls in love with him. And that's when she starts to get ill.
You see, Carl only needs women long enough to use them up. He needs to know every inch of their bodies, and then he has to draw them. And draw them perfectly. Once he's done that - and a few other Amazonian rituals - they're his for ever.
Slowly the women will decay, dying for him, as he takes their life essence and becomes even healthier.
But Beverley is stronger than the others, she doesn't rot and fall apart as quickly. Confined to her rented house, she sits, warding off the rats who want to feast on her, plotting her revenge on Carl. But Carl needs her to turn to dust as soon as possible, because he's just met Megan - a backpacker travelling through the state - and he knows that sooner or later he's going to need the extra house for her.
Because he's already started the sketches of Megan...
Mary Ann Mitchell has produced an amazing piece of fiction. This horror tale with a dark fantasy edge is a terrific read and you won't be able to put it down. From page one we are drawn in to a miasmic world of sex, impending death and doom which pervades the book. Mitchell's turn of phrase and her knack for strong, believeable characters is one of her many strengths, as is the fast, taught plotting and excellent imagery.
A must for every fan of good horror fiction.
(Mary Ann Mitchell's second book for Leisure - SIPS OF BLOOD - has just been released. This features the return of the Marquis de Sade! It will be reviewed in the next few weeks.)
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