The House of Doors [Mass Market Paperback]

Brian Lumley (Author)

Book Description

Series: Tor Horror | Publication Date: March 15, 1990

Bent on taking over the Earth, the deadly Thone have planted a monstrous device on our planet's surface. Trapped inside is a group of scientists, spies, and innocent bystanders. Part maze, part torture chamber, part laboratory, the House of Doors is a test. If its captives survive, the Thone will withdraw from Earth and leave us in peace.

Survival seems impossible. At every turn of the labyrinth the prisoners encounter alien world and terrifying monsters ripped from their own subconscious fears. Only by defeating the demons within can these men and women escape the House of Doors and save the Earth.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I'm impressed with Lumely's talent. He's obviously one of the best writers in the field."--John Farris

"Lumely weaves horrors, mystery, occultism, science fiction, and mythology into wonderfully fascinating stories."--Rapport

About the Author

Brian Lumley is the author of the bestselling Necroscope series of vampire novels. The first Necroscope, Harry Keogh, also appears in a collection of Lumley's short fiction, Harry Keogh and Other Weird Heroes, along Titus Crow and Henri Laurent de Marigny, from Titus Crow, Volumes One, Two, and Three, and David Hero and Eldin the Wanderer, from the Dreamlands series.

An acknowledged master of Lovecraft-style horror, Brian Lumley has won the British Fantasy Award and been named a Grand Master of Horror. His works have been published in more than a dozen countries and have inspired comic books, role-playing games, and sculpture, and been adapted for television.

When not writing, Lumley can often be found spear-fishing in the Greek islands, gambling in Las Vegas, or attending a convention somewhere in the US. Lumley and his wife live in England.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books (March 15, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812508327
• ISBN-13: 978-0812508321
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,141,610 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Brian Lumley is the author of the bestselling Necroscope series of vampire novels. An acknowledged master of Lovecraft-style horror, Brian Lumley has won the British Fantasy Award and been named a Grand Master of Horror. His works have been published in more than a dozen countries and have inspired comic books, role-playing games, and sculpture, and been adapted for television. When not writing, Lumley can often be found spear-fishing in the Greek islands, gambling in Las Vegas, or attending a convention somewhere in the US. Lumley and his wife live in England.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Totally Different From Lumley, March 3, 2000

By 

CaptHowdy (Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The House of Doors (Mass Market Paperback)

I had no idea what to expect from this one. Being so accustomed to Lumley's many series' of books, it was strange to see one just stand out with out any sequels or related novels.

Once again Lumley's characters were well developed. I loved em or hated them. I don't know really what to compare this book to, but lets just imagine that we are in a house on Earth that was placed here by aliens. The house is mainly an alien laboratory where they can watch us interact with each other and see how we behave (much like we do to mice in a maze). Now throw a bunch of doors in this house and behind them all something new. Horrors not to be believed. How do we react? How would you react?

Lumley really drew out the emotions for this one. When one of the characters are in trouble, man, you really get into it. This one sucked me in like that kid's movie 'The Never-Ending Story' did to that kid reading the book. Something totally different from Lumley and good show! Loved this one too. A sequel is now out called Maze Of Worlds. I'll be special ordering that one!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What's in your nightmares?, October 5, 2004

By 

L. Maynard (Dallas, Tx) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The House of Doors (Mass Market Paperback)

Brian Lumley has written a fast paced, heart pounding, chilling story in The House of Doors. It grabs you from the beginning and
doesn't let go til the last page.

A civilization called the Thone have sent a scout to earth to determine whether it is habitable for their race. The Thone are looking for other planets to live on but they are a peaceful race who will only take over a planet if the inhabitants are barbaric; lacking in intelligence, wit, will to survive.

Unfortunately for earth, Sith,a Thone who wants to be Grand Thone decides to ignore the rules of the game and cheat in order to show his leaders that earth is ready to be taken over. If he can find a planet to sustain his peoples lives, surely he will gain the promotion he is seeking.

The house of doors is a castle within a castle which contains many doors. A sampling of humans are captured and placed in the castle and their movments and actions are recorded. Behind each door contains the world of each of the captives worse nightmares. They must survive each trial in order to save earth from completed destruction and domination.

This book contains heroes and villians. Those you root for and those you root against. As in real life, not everyone plays fair, and some are simply out for themselves. This story is a fantastic voyage into the intricate threads that hold us together as a society. It shows how we work together toward a single minded goal, and how we also work against those who don't share our beliefs. It was a wonderful read. The story flowed and was over before I knew it.

Will our representatives from earth survive the horrors that await them in the House of Doors? Will they be strong enough to save Earth? Buy this book and find out, you won't be sorry.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect blend of Sci Fi and Horror, August 3, 2000

By 

"rockiez" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The House of Doors (Mass Market Paperback)

This book is pure genius. I could not put it down which is becoming the norm when I am reading Brian Lumley. The group of "explorers" each experience their own deepest fears in a world made just for that purpose and they experience each others worlds also. The human race is on trial and it is a hung jury. Spencer demonstrates his superior mental and moral qualities and gets to the bottom of this mystery. Very well detailed scenarios and characters help to captivate you and envelop you in Brian Lumleys imagination. What a great book, I wish there was a number two to read.