Customer Reviews

The Johnson Amulet and Other Scottish Terrors

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He may have spent his time in New Hampshire, but his heart belonged in the wilds of Scotland. William Meikle realised that and has brought the master into the castle ruins, endless moors, and the deceptive mist. Stories like "The Johnson Amulet," "The Colour of the Deep" and the ultra violent "In the Coils of the Serpent," could occur nowhere else to such great effect.

But, Lovecraftian tales are only a small part of Meikle's repertoire. Ancient Scots battle admidst supernatural forces. "Wee Robbie" presents another danger of a decidely creepy nature. Danger lies in every shadow and pocket of mist.

Most chilling of all are Meikle's glimpses of abuse within the family. "An Early Frost" and "Overheard in a Cemetery" are two of the most disturbing selections in the book, adding a layer of dark reality to the supernatural elements.

There may be more conventional guide books to this corner of the U.K., but few will take you as deep into the heart of the country and its people than this unnerving collection by one of Scotland's freshest authors.

This is a short story collection of 28 tales of horror set in Scotland. The stories range from ghostly tales with a twist in the final paragraph to gory fables recalling the myths and heroes of Scottish history and legend. Add to this some tales based around Lovecraft's C'thulhu mythos and you have something for everyone. Interestingly, there are a couple of stories which have resurfaced as chapters in Meikle's vampire novel `The Book of the Dark' which is also well worth a read. I enjoyed The Johnson Amulet immensely and I have to say that my favourite story from the collection was also the shortest, called `The Worst Sound'. Short, complete and with a final line that I'll never forget!

This collection of twenty-eight short stories brings together the best of the author's work to date. Most of the book is concerned with Scottish paranormal and supernatural tales, but a couple of pure science fiction entries, such as 'Phantom Payment' and 'The Elixir of Life', have also crept in.

While never subjecting the reader to out-and-out shock, the author is particularly effective at creating unsettling atmospheres. Sometimes these involve the supernatural resolution of abuse or injustice, as in 'An Early Frost' or 'Animal, Vegetable or Mineral'. Sometimes it is by painting a haunting, word-tone picture of a remote Scottish location as in 'Wee Robbie'.

Regarding language, the author has avoided the over-use of Scots words and dialect, and this should make the material readily accessible outside Scotland.

William Meikle takes you on a whirlwind tour of Scotland. This book is not for the unsuspecting tourist though, herein lies darkness, despair, myths, legends and supernatural terror in abundance. The scenery of Scotland is painted with a brush that has been dipped in the darkside. The next time you feel the biting wind on a Scottish moor, enter an ancient burial chamber or sit alone by a dark mist shrouded loch, you may feel compelled to look over your shoulder. Just in case. And that's in daylight!