Darkness Demands [Deluxe Edition] [Hardcover]

Simon Clark (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2001

When writer John Newton receives a mysterious note containing the bizarre request that he should leave a bar of chocolate on one of the gravestones in the local churchyard, he doesn't take much notice. But, as he is about to discover, the consequences of not complying with the anonymous demand can be truly appalling. A newcomer to the picturesque Yorkshire village of Skelbrooke, John comes to realize that its inhabitants harbour a terrifying secret. And as the demands escalate in intensity, so John must face his worst nightmare come true. With this, his eighth nerve-shattering novel of supernatural suspense, Simon Clark triumphantly confirms his reputation as "one of the most exciting British horror writers around."

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A classic horror theme the unnatural survival in the present of an indescribably nasty bit of the past gets a routine treatment in this latest novel from British author Clark (The Judas Tree). Bestselling true crime writer John Newton has recently moved with his wife, teenage son Paul and young daughter Elizabeth to a stately house in Skelbrooke when he begins receiving anonymous notes, couched in archaic language, demanding offerings of inconsequential items mostly food and drink to be left on a grave in the Necropolis on the outskirts of town. Though John is merely puzzled, his neighbors, who receive the same notes, are horrified. Since Norman days, Skelbrooke has been periodically terrorized by a primitive entity dubbed "Baby Bones," and those who fail to satisfy its wishes meet with ghastly fates. Even readers not well versed in horror fiction will intuit what John will inevitably be asked to leave in the graveyard the moment Baby Bones's suggestive name is invoked. Clark sustains suspense as best he can, with a panoramic narrative that shows the tragic impact of the entity's demands on other lives, but several of the subplots Paul's romantic liaisons in the Necropolis and a senile town elder's repeated attempts to pass John important information on the town's history seem obvious padding. Though Clark credibly portrays John's gradual transformation from incredulous observer to desperate believer, his fans may find the eerie climax of this tale uncharacteristically contrived rather than earned. (Feb.) FYI: Clark is among the guests of honor at the World Horror Convention in Seattle this May.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"The hottest new purveyor of horrific thrills currently working on these shores." Big Issue; "What gives Clark his lever into your own fears is taking the mundane and making it menacing." SFX --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 440 pages
• Publisher: Cemetery Dance Publications (February 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1587670089
• ISBN-13: 978-1587670084
• Product Dimensions: 4.5 x 1.6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,322,679 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Simon Clark is the author of the cult apocalyptic novel Blood Crazy: "everyone over the age of 19 has been driven murderously insane... children and teenagers flee for their lives..." His novels include Nailed By The Heart, Vampyrrhic, Whitby Vampyrrhic, Ghost Monster and a bloody fistful of others that earned accolades from magazines around the world. This from Hellnotes: 'Clark's is surely the most outrageous imagination to grace horror since the discovery of Clive Barker' And: 'I actually loved Blood Crazy. Not just liked it, but loved it.' A quote from Beyond.

Simon was raised in a family of story-tellers. One told of a human skull buried under the family's garage. Currently he lives in the North of England where Robin Hood once roamed, and where legends of monsters lurking in ponds and caves abound. 2010 sees the release of his latest novella, Humpty's Bones, from Telos Books.

For news and videos about Simon Clark and his grisly craft be sure to Google his name from time to time.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Trick or Treat, July 29, 2002

By 

George Dellagiarino (Reston, Va. United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Darkness Demands (Mass Market Paperback)

You know the drill: A knock at your door for a treat and, if you don't comply, it is implied that something unpleasant will happen to you. Well, Simon Clark introduces us to what might be a possible beginning of that most unique of Halloween traditions. John Newton, a British writer of true crimes, finds a letter at his door asking that a "pound of chock latt" be delivered to the "grief stowne" of one Jess Bowen by "Sabbath night". If John does not comply, "Yew will be sorry if yew do not". Well, John doesn't and an accident does befall his young daughter. The "requests" continue - nothing major, mind you - a "pinte of porter", a red ball, etc. John delivers on these occasions and he is rewarded with a couple of new book contracts. But, as you can imagine, things aren't always what they seem. For John and his family are being indoctrinated into a horror that resides in the Necropolis Cemetery next door that has been around since the Norman invasion.

Clark starts out slow but then warms us to the game. John talks to some folks who had relatives the last time these letters started to appear around town some 70 years ago. Specifially, a lady doctor and a old gentleman who is entering the dark tunnel of dementia, but snaps out every now and then, to leave John some clues and to fend off his son-in-law, who is trying to do him in for his money. John realizes the extent of what could happen when he hears of one of his neighbors who suffers a stroke and his scalded by a red hot shower nozzle in a cheap motel.

Clark weaves a tale that, at times, appears to be collected off of the drawing room floor of Stephen King. I mean, a writer is the main character and a child, John's daughter Elizabeth, and the old gentleman ( Stan Price) are, at times, the books most appealing characters. Others, such as John's hot-to-trot wife, Val, are less appealing. And John's 17-year-old son, Paul, is involved with a girl named Miranda, who's sole interest appears to be keeping the condom industry going. In the last quarter of the book, we see what their relationship has to do with the rest of the story. For, you see, it is easy to adhere to the original requests - candy, a pint of lager, a toy - but when the request addresses something much more dear, much more precious, there's the rub. Trick or treat!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A superb horror novel, January 24, 2002

By 

FloozyFlapper1926 (Somewhere in the 20's) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Darkness Demands (Mass Market Paperback)

Darkness Demands is the kind of horror novel that comes along once in a rare while because its a rather new concept and a very horrifying story. I love horror but most books don't really scare me. This one did. The whole idea of living next to a gigantic cemetery is creepy but mysterious notes popping up on your doorstep telling you to bring candy or beer to the cemetery is odd yet frightening in some weird way. This was good storytelling at its finest. The characters are real and you actually feel involved while reading this. You care about them.

Darkness Demands is not a simple book in the end. It doesn't end the way you want it to and there is no easy answers or solutions but its one heck of a ride.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spooky, atmospheric horror, May 5, 2003

By 

Matthew King (Toronto, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Darkness Demands (Mass Market Paperback)

Darkness Demands is one of the few horror novels that I've read that actually scared me and made me not want to turn off the lights at night once I was done reading. Clark does a great job of developing the setting and the characters. We really do get to care and feel for John and his family, and old man Stan Price. The evils in this novel are not seen or described, only felt. They are open to the reader's imagination.

Just a warning before reading: Don't expect another Blood Crazy. With Blood Crazy, Clark served up an epic, over-the-top, roller-coaster ride of horror violence that was unlike anything I'd ever read before. Darkness Demands is very different. It uses subtleness and old folklore to create an old-fashioned ghost story. No matter your tastes in horror, I highly recommend this book. I will remember Darkness Demands for many years to come.