Customer Reviews

Djinn

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

One of the first horror novels Masterton published following the success of "The Manitou," it shares with that book the same hero/narrator, cynical mystic Harry Erskine. However, Masterton weirdly downplays the connection to "The Manitou," going so far as to have Harry be skeptical in the face of Arab demons (the Forty-Seven Stealers of Life, a splendidly nasty array of critters). At the same time, there are a couple of discreet reminders that this is the same character who faced the wonder-worker Misquamacus in the prior novel (I especially liked the reference to the old vases at the end--remember he inherited them from one of his clients whom Misquamacus got to throw herself down the stairs?). Anyway, the characters are few (this is a much smaller-scale novel than most of his later ones), but they are fun, and Masterton's quirky sense of humor is usually at its best when expressed through the Harry Erskine character. Definitely worth a look.

In this early Graham Masterton novel, the character Harry Erskine, who is featured in the entire "Manitou" series, is given the opportunity to face a supernatural force other than Misquamacus, the angry and obsessed Native American spirit. Here he faces an Arabian mythological force.

The "Djinn" itself is not the most well-developed villain I've seen in a Masterton novel, but he (it?) is kind of a "McGuffin" (to borrow a Hitchcock term) here. The Djinn's purpose is to give the characters a reason to interact and tell us background stories.

I enjoyed this book as a departure from the "Manitou" series -- in which the entire U.S. was endangered by catastrophes again and again. Here all the action essentially takes place in and around one house.

I recommend this to all fans of the "Manitou" series or Graham Masterton, and I believe it would make a nice introduction to Masterton for those new to him, as well.

This author never fails to disappoint. The main character, Harry Erskine has been used in several novels by this author with great success. The plot and storyline are excellent and the interaction between the characters is at times brimming with action or comical situations. There are plots and sub-plots and twists and turns in this novel. The author makes excellent use of ancient middle eastern folk lore and history to weave this story together. An enjoyable read.

Love this work. Harry Erskine part three, and it works superbly. Continuing in the vein of the Standard Masterton Spooky thriller, it pays off and delivers as only Masterton can. If only more Masterton works were made into movies... Masterton Delivers in droves.

There is no big surprise as to what the monster is here. Nor the protagonist of the novel. Harry Erskine, charlatan in trouble is also in this book.

His godfather is dead, and he goes to his house to take care of his affairs, and discovers some strange things, like a lack of faces and a buried Persian jar.

Cue badness.

This was a story written 20 years ago (entitled The Djinn, by Him, Graham Masterton), and it is now a modern Wes Crappen (produced) stroy. Please check out the original story, if you can find it.

I have the jar in which you claim to contain the Djinn.Ooooooops!I have no face. It hurt!He sliced it off. I and Harry Erskine will follow, until we meet with my father, who draws the pants off Bernie Wrig... Sorry, he did not "draw the pants of Berni" , he just draws better. Beware WALKERS. They are your Sleepless Prey.