Mikes Film Talk

James Herbert published Ash, his final journey with the paranormal investigator in 2012. As per usual it is excellent.

I will admit that I had no idea that another David Ash book existed. I then read the obituary-type articles after James Herbert died this month. Despite my obvious shock at the news that one of my favourite horror writers gone, I was intrigued enough to buy an eBook. Herbert has always had a place of honour in my very small stable of great horror master’s.

As a grand finale or final gesture, it was the best David Ash story yet. Although, if you look at the reviews on Goodreads, it appears that I am in the minority of readers who actually enjoyed the book. I am left wondering if those critical of the tale even read the same tome that I just finished. It is, to be frank, puzzling.

the story

In this last ever David Ash investigation, David has been obligated by his employer Kate McCarrick. She needs him to find the cause of the violent hauntings at Comraich Castle. The Castle is a sanctuary for the criminal rich who can afford it. It is run by the shadowy and overly influential Inner Circle. The castle’s dangerous spirits have already injured one paying guest. The spokesman for the Comraich, Sir Simon Maseby, wants the haunting stopped at all costs.

While travelling in the Castle‘s private jet, David meets Dr Delphine Wyatt. She is the exotically beautiful psychologist who works at the retreat. Wyatt will turn out to be his only ally in his upcoming battle with the ancient evil that is trying to destroy Comraich Castle. This is an evil whose power has grown beyond all expectations. It is aided by a living evil who also wants to destroy the Castle and all those in it.

James Herbert’s last book has everything but the kitchen sink in it. He has returned to his roots as a writer and once again has grabbed his readers by the lapel and screamed in their face.

it all works

I loved it.

His story of the intrigue and the corruption that permeates the government and the royal family is mesmerizing. The depiction of the “inner circle’” group who orchestrate the cover-ups. Ably preventing the royal’s and the government from horrific publicity. This very aspect of the tale is, quite frankly, scary on its own. Add to this the evil that has grown so powerful that it can harm living beings. This same evil also influences their actions making this mix of terror damn near too scary for comfort.

There are a bunch of Scottish wildcats who “haunt” the hunting grounds around the castle that will give you nightmares and they are just a small portion of the evil things that lurk in the shadowy recesses of the castles halls and dungeons.

I could not turn the electronic pages fast enough as I became immersed in David Ash’s last ever case. When I finally reached the end of the book, I let out a sigh of relief and sadness as I realised that I’d never again get to vicariously live through any further David Ash adventures.

He is going to be missed

I am going to miss James Herbert’s prodigious output of work, he averaged a book a year, and not once was I unimpressed with his story and the originality of his plots and the comfortable feelings that his characters evoked. Unless of course they were scarily evil then the feelings that they generated were not of a comfortable ilk.

In my humble opinion, which is the only opinion that I can have, it is the best David Ash yet. It is always a very bittersweet experience reading the  last ever adventure of one of your favourite characters. I had the same feeling when I read the last ever Travis McGee book. Of course that was slightly different as I read the book before I’d learned of the author’s (John D MacDonald) passing. But the feeling was the same when I thought of the book.

RIP DAVID ASH

So Rest In Peace David Ash, may you never be forgotten as one of the most believable creations of the fertile mind that was James Herbert.

A real 5 star ending to a 5 star character.