Customer Reviews

Bed of Nails

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I've read several Michael Slade books over the years and they have certainly been consistent. The books teem with psycho killers doing unspeakably nasty things to innocents and with the angelic qualities of their heroes.

But along the way, there is lots of well-researched history, alternating perspective and character building. For the most part, they are informative and interesting thrillers.

My only complaint is that the heroes are nowhere near as interesting as the villians (in Bed of Nails, I was rooting for the villian who, in interest of remaining spoiler free I will not reveal, to get the good guy once and for all). The heroes seem almost cardboard thin and just as stiff and the plot moves them around rather than the other way.

Jay, Rebecca, I enjoy your books and this one was very snappy. I like the con-geek segments as I've lived those as well. The mention of SCA brought a particular smile to my face as I've been a member for many years. Keep up the good work!

Unlike a previous reviewer, I found this lastest edition of the fictional - based on factual - account of life in the world of the RCMP as related by Michael Slade to be another rousing good read.
I particularly like the detail provided at the end of each book based on the factual information used in creating the story.
I have been hooked on this series ever since the first offering (Headhunter), and frequently recommend this series to those interested in an ongoing mystery series with characters that continue to grow with each offering. They become old friends and I actually become interested in wanting to know more about them. I have a curiosity about the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and it has been filled completely by this author.
There are few times I have ever found myself re-reading any book - but I have read all of the prodigious output from Michael Slade at least twice and I can't say this of any other current author.
If you find yourself in need of a good reading diversion - pick this one and all the others up whereever you can find them and give your brain a rollercoaster ride into the imagination of Michael Slade.

I'm finding it hard to believe that Stone Junction has read the same book as me?!?! Remember the revenge Vincent Price exacted on his critics in Hammer's 'Theatre of Blood'? - maybe Ripper will get him for you Slade!!
A terrific book by one of my literary heroes.
Well worth tracking down

I have been a fan of Michael Slade since the beginning and always pick up the next novel as it hits bookstores. There have been a few that threw me because the heroes all seem to either die or get hacked up. At least Zinc Chandler has made it this far with most of his body parts!

I loved the way things ended in this story but my only criticism is the same thing several other people mentioned. Way too much background on cannibals and the South Seas. It is only a minor complaint. Because of his earlier books, I know what the red serge is and what RCMP means! I don't mind learning something new, but only so much! That's what non-fiction books are for!

Oh yeah, it doesn't hurt that he/she is an Alice Cooper fan either. Halo of Flies is one of my favorite songs. Rock on Michael!

You have to give the writing team of Michael Slade credit...no one does the graphic novel as well. This father and daughter have given us the tenth in this series, and "Bed of Nails" is a book to devour. Cannibalism is the main focus in this one, but it's also the intense plot and that charming Zinc Chandler that propel this novel into its dark and blood-curdling ending.

Slade gives us another well-researched book, this time offering us information on the various cannibalistic tribes of the world; the voyages of Captain Cook; and even some delightfully trivial information on certain horror films.

The addition of the Horror Convention adds some fun atmosphere, as well. While not quite as fast paced as some of his earlier Special X novels, the story is interesting, and even though the identity of the Goth is no real surprise, it does have its twists. At least this time Zinc comes out relatively unscathed for a change.

Is "The Congo Man" our next Special X book..the ending with the Ripper certainly forbodes it.

Delightfully written, and admittedly gory, "Bed of Nails" is another winner in the Special X series.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

I generally love novels that get involved in the little details. Sometimes, the extemporaneous parts of a book bring as much flavor to the text as the overall story itself. In this case, however, the extra information handed out by "Slade" accomplishes nothing but bringing the book to a painfully grinding, wisdom tooth extracting halt. A hundred pages could've been removed from the story without anything being lost, and it might've made things more interesting. I'm new to "Slade's" work, so maybe this isn't a new thing, but there were times when it seemed that the author was including information just to show that they've done some actual research on the subject matter. A nice enough read by the fireplace in the dead of winter, but I doubt I would've stayed with it if I had any sort of outdoor activities as an alternative.

The Forensic Psychiatric Hospital at Colony Farm in Vancouver is the home of the insane serial killer known as the Ripper. He believes that he is actually the real Jack the Ripper who can go back in time through a wyrmhole in space caused by his magical manipulation of the tarot card The Hanged Man. He blames Inspector Zinc Chandler of the Special External section of the RCMP for his inability to do go anywhere besides Victorian England. Ripper holds Zach responsible for ruining a magical rite the Ripper was performing. He also knows that Zach's efforts led to his present captivity.

When the Goth visits the Ripper at the hospital, he begs the psycho to teach him the art of time travel. The Ripper does so in return for the Goth's promise to kill and then eat Zinc. The police feel that two murders, one and a half years apart in Vancouver and Seattle, were committed by the same person. Zinc, who is involved in both cases, is taking a vacation to the South Seas Cook Islands lured there by the Goth who intends to spring his trap while on tour.

Michael Slade is the king of psychothrillers, and his latest work BED OF NAILS comes as close to horror as the genre is defined without actually crossing over the line. This is not a work for the faint of heart for there is very gruesome, gory and explicit scenes spread throughout the story line. The incredible imagery will give readers nightmares. Readers who relish monsters wearing a human face must read a Michael Slade novel.

Harriet Klausner

I'm finding it hard to believe that Stone Junction has read the same book as me?!?! Remember the revenge Vincent Price exacted on his critics in Hammer's 'Theatre of Blood'? - maybe Ripper will get him for you Slade!!
A terrific book by one of my literary heroes.
Well worth tracking down

Have you ever sat at home waiting for an unbourn child to come into the world if you have you will understand what its like to get your hands on a new slade book.sweaty hands ...knees trembling...you need a coffee like never before.Then the door rings...its the post OH MY GOD ITS THE POST...you sit down book in shaking hands and you start, and for the whole day your not in the real world your with slade and his family, Zinc Chandler ,Rober DeClercq, jenna bond, alex the list goes on.It will take you on a journey of mystery murder and possibly the toilet but you will come to love these people like your own ,you see im proud i have a secret that started in 1989 when i first opened HEADHUNTER (slades first book, published in 84)thats when i became a sladist hook line and sinker from the first word to the last slade has had me on a journey ill never forget, with all 10 books im like an animal with a thirst for knowledge.(and a good scare).Start form the beginning ,you dont have to but the experiance will be a lot more powerful. They will become family friends and loved ones, thats the power of the writing ,he never pulls a punch he always goes for the throat.so read this book if you wanna join the family but a word of advice KEEP THE LIGHT ON you never know whos coming behind you.

Have you ever sat at home waiting for an unbourn child to come into the world if you have you will understand what its like to get your hands on a new slade book.sweaty hands ...knees trembling...you need a coffee like never before.Then the door rings...its the post OH MY GOD ITS THE POST...you sit down book in shaking hands and you start, and for the whole day your not in the real world your with slade and his family, Zinc Chandler ,Rober DeClercq, jenna bond, alex the list goes on.It will take you on a journey of mystery murder and possibly the toilet but you will come to love these people like your own ,you see im proud i have a secret that started in 1989 when i first opened HEADHUNTER (slades first book, published in 84)thats when i became a sladist hook line and sinker from the first word to the last slade has had me on a journey ill never forget, with all 10 books im like an animal with a thirst for knowledge.(and a good scare).Start form the beginning ,you dont have to but the experiance will be a lot more powerful. They will become family friends and loved ones, thats the power of the writing ,he never pulls a punch he always goes for the throat.so read this book if you wanna join the family but a word of advice KEEP THE LIGHT ON you never know whos coming behind you.