Carnival of Fear (Ravenloft) [Paperback]

J. Robert King (Author)

Book Description

Series: Ravenloft | Publication Date: July 1993

In the evil land of l'Morai, three carnival performers investigate a death along the sideshow boardwalk during a carnival, and their search unearths a conspiracy and leads to more murders. Original. 2.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

King ( Heart of Midnight ) offers a simple but effective message about the evils of scapegoating in his fantasy-horror tale of a centuries-old grand carnival in l'Morai. Although citizens of l'Morai relish the spectacle provided by the Puppetmaster who runs the show, they despise his "freaks," such as Marie the blind juggler, Hermos the man-giant and Morcastle the magician. The apparent murder of a carnival dwarf is pronounced an accidental death by a gendarme. Shortly thereafter, performing Siamese twins disappear. Marie, Hermos and Morcastle investigate; they locate the twins' graves but are caught outside the carnival--a capital offense for freaks. Based on their evidence, Dominick, the local butcher, is charged with the murders, but locals are determined "to protect citizens first and freaks second." As the hearing progresses, Marie, Hermos and Morcastle begin to suspect that they are wrong about Dominick and that the real killer, who is more devious than they realized, is still on the loose. King's careful progress from a basic murder to a much larger mystery, which ultimately encompasses the entire carnival, gives the book the momentum needed to keep the pages turning.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 31 pages
• Publisher: Wizards of the Coast; Special edition (July 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156076628X
• ISBN-13: 978-1560766285
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,037,440 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars mirror, December 8, 2001

By 

meeeee (israel) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Carnival of Fear (Ravenloft) (Paperback)

This book shows a frightning yet not that deformed picture of our society. the alienation of outsiders, people different from us, the desire to take the law into our own hands. Its extream but very true.Its a fantastic book, an example for the uses of the powerfull medium called "books" wisly.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unique for Ravenloft, January 19, 2008

By 

Lithium Stain - See all my reviews

This review is from: Carnival of Fear (Ravenloft) (Paperback)

The book starts a bit slow and has other minor flaws that sould make me give it a 4 star rating. The incredibly unexpected twist where all the many holes are filled in along with its incredible symbolism concerning the underside of todays world make me give it 5 stars. This was a book unlike any I generally read but was powerful enough to leave me to lie there for over an hour after reading it to reflect it upon my world. This author must of lived through a side of our own world that a great deal of us are never exposed to... or refuse to believe exists.

This book deviates from typical Ravenloft books in how all the action within is more in the form of a murder mystery instead of typical heroics or villainy.

Perfect Ending

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thrilling & Excellent plotted story, March 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Carnival of Fear (Ravenloft) (Paperback)

I found Carnival of Fear a bit out of place in the Ravenloft serie. You encounter less of the fearsome creatures who dwell in this Horror wolrd. But a horror book it certainly is! You keep on guessing, but the truth is always different. It keeps you occupied till the last page.