Customer Reviews

The Secret Files of the Diogenes Club

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

 

 

This is the time when Kim Newman fans have their time under the sun/moon, as Da Man's new book becomes available, allowing us to read atleast one new story. In this collection we get the opprtunity to read total seven stories, which are:

1. "Gypsies in the Wood", a perfectly creepy novella that re-introduces us to Charles Beauregard and Katherine Reed.
2. "Richard Riddle, Boy Detective", a horror story told in Enid-Blyton's style, complete with ciphers (used in the cover of the book, as well).
3. "Angel Down, Sussex", a story that veers towards the science-fiction category than horror.
4. "Clubland Heroes" is more about individuality and human attitude, than anything connected to horror.
5. "The Big Fish", the story that comes perfectly under the 'hard-bolied' genre, apart from being a tribute to both H.P. Lovecraft and Raymond Chandler.
6. "Another Fish Story" is about the quest for the subterranean sea below the Mojave desert by Derek Leech.
7. "Cold Snap" is original to this collection and is a delightful tale of the last stand against something primordially strong and "how Jeperson defeated Leech again".

All in all, a fabulous collection to be grabbed and relished over a long pderiod of time. Enjoy your reading.

Excellent collection of some of Mr. Newman's Diogenes Club tales, replete with a relaxed pace and British wit, and no small amount of fantastic situations in historical settings. Take The Avengers, James Bond, a dash of Hammer Films, some Holmes, a pinch of TV's The Persuaders (Moore & Curtis), a dribble of Night Gallery, maybe a drop of Derek Flint, shake (do not stir), and you MIGHT come close to the flavor of this heady cocktail from the author of ANNO DRACULA and THE QUORUM. Highly recommended to people who love conspiracies and secret societies, wheels within wheels, secret histories, and the conjoining of science and magic.

--W.D. Gagliani, author of Wolf's Edge

Great book, very enjoyable.
Just note that while it is a prequel it is highly recommended to read
"The man from ..." before.