I'm disappointed.

Unlike others I've read from this author, Ash is just a slog to get through. The characters aren't very interesting, the transmission is stuck in neutral with the wheels up to the hubcaps in exposition, and I just can't care anymore.

DNF at 165/693 pages. ( )

This is the second book I've read by James Herbert (I read The secret of Crickley Hall and quite enjoyed it) so I thought I'd give this a go, mainly due to the setting. What's not to like about a haunted castle in Scotland?

But I was left disappointed for all kinds of reasons. So many cliches, steroetypical characters and plot lines that have been overused so many times before, it seemed like the work of an amateur. Ash had to go there alone ... and it was a secret location, even though all the locals knew about it, and the chauffeur took him on a convoluted route to get there but made sure to show him the famous 'Electric Brae' nearby, thereby making sure Ash could find out exactly where he was! (I take it this is based at Culzean Castle, which is a place well worth a visit). The set-up inside the castle seemed incredibly outdated and the characters were all unoriginal. And time works differently here - a day in the castle must be equal to about three on the outside, given the number of events that happen just in the first day.

Then there were the events that took place there. Again, nothing original. The scene with the flies was ghastly. The mutant wildcats and the spiders in the cave were laughable. the 'lunatics in the basement' were just about where I lost interest and skimmed through a couple of hundred pages. I didn't want to abandon the book, but I had to (except for the last couple of chapters, which didn't inspire me to read the middle bit).

The book was far too long, so much padding and exposition. the author seemed to be aware of this fact when, halfway through a lengthy (read boring) conversation between two characters, one of them says something like "I think we're digressing." Yes, you were, lots.

Another thing I found exceptionally irritating was the way in which the author felt he needed to remind the reader of everyone's occupation at every opportunity. Ash was referred to as 'the investigator.' 'The parapsychologist.' 'The ghost hunter' and several other titles, all the way through. Why not just call him Ash? He was introduced at the beginning, that was enough.

I'll stop there because other reviewers have pointed out all my other points already. Needless to say I wouldn't recommend this book other than as a doorstop with a nice picture on top.

( )

As his last Novel, James delivered a whooping novel, which built to an incredible cruscendo. He also closed off the story of David Ash, giving him an ending he deserved. Sad that there will be no more of these wonderful stories. ( )

Herbert's book 'Ash' successfully created an atmosphere of both mystery and suspense. Usually a complete scared-ey cat, I found I was far too captivated to be too scared to put the book away and avoid it for fear of nightmares.
The story itself is really original and certainly provides an interesting thought: could something similar really exist? A castle where all the murderers and criminals hide from society and finish out their days in luxury and comfort. Well I for one certainly hope not!
The book also provides windows into a number of genres; chiller, horror, romance (something of a light relief you might say), adventure - to name but a few and the characters become immediately real to you along with your fears for their safety in such a horror-fest.

I'd recommend this book even to those who think they'd pass it by because it appears to scary, the mystery of it all is simply far too intriguing!

http://feelingslightlybookish.blogspot.co.uk/ ( )

James Herbert has been one of my favourite author for many, many years. This book just didn't seem to flow like his others. ( )