Skull Session [Paperback]

Daniel Hecht (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 3, 2003

A stunning psychological thriller from the bestselling author of PUPPETS When Paul Skogland, who suffers from the mental disorder Tourette's syndrome, agrees to take on the repairs of the magnificent hunting lodge owned by his wealthy, eccentric aunt, little does he realise exactly what he's taken on. Inside the lodge lies a scene of almost superhuman destruction: a violence mirrored by a series of disappearances and grisly deaths haunting the region. As Paul delves into the wreckage, he can't help but wonder what dark passion - and what strength - could cause such chaos. Escalating events lead Paul deeper into his family's past, and as Paul faces the darker aspects of his own nature, he must brave the possibility that in saving those he loves, he might well destroy himself.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Guitarist Daniel Hecht sold a lot of albums in the 1970s and '80s: his Willow on the Windham Hill label might be sitting in your closet. But in 1989 a hand ailment turned Hecht's talents to writing, and the first published result is as dazzling and moving as his music. In this novel, gifted Vermont woodworker Paul Skoglund has learned to live with and basically control his Tourette's syndrome, thanks to early training from his caring father and daily doses of haloperidol. But the drug has also burned away the once-sharp edge of his creativity, and Paul has been having a hard time earning a living. So when his eccentric Aunt Vivien offers him a job restoring her old house in Lewisboro, New York, Skoglund is glad to accept--even though it will take him away from his 8-year-old son, Mark, who suffers from neurological troubles of his own. It turns out that the house has been savaged by vandals who are apparently linked to several local teenagers who have disappeared in recent months. While state police investigator Morgan Ford pursues the mystery in an official way, Paul and his fearless lover Lia discover that the damage to the house is of unnatural--possibly even demonic--origins. Hecht balances these diverse elements with impressive artistry, all the while making us care for the fate of his characters. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

In this debut novel, a monster is haunting Highwood, the large old family home of Paul Skoglund's aunt, Vivien Hoffman. The monster has nearly destroyed the house and its contents, flinging large appliances and furniture about, breaking walls and windows. Or perhaps the vandalism has been done by teenagers, some of whom have since disappeared or died mysteriously. Paul, unemployed and handicapped by Tourette's syndrome, accepts the challenge of restoring the home for his wealthy but unlovable aunt. Aided by his lover, Lia, and a sweetly melancholic cop, Paul begins the repair process while searching for the cause of the destruction. Just as Paul's father helped him learn to handle his compulsive behavior, Paul hopes to help his own son. But Paul's father committed suicide?or did he? A marvelous mix of modern Gothic horror and romance, with a generous helping of bioscience, this is a guaranteed page-turner for Koontz fans with a moderate tolerance for detached body parts.
-?Elsa Pendleton, Boeing Information Svcs., Ridgecrest, Cal.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Books (February 3, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 074344955X
• ISBN-13: 978-0743449557
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.3 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Ive read it twice, January 13, 2003

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Skull Session (Hardcover)

Of the countless books I've read in my 26 years, this one will remain in my top ten for one reason: I hadnt even gotten through the first ten pages before I realized that I have the same condition as the main character. His Tourette's affects him in horrible ways, while mine has rarely been more than a slight nuisance (and sometimes a good conversation piece), but the similarities were too great to ignore. For that reason alone I'll be greatful to Daniel Hecht for writing this book. BUT...without the revelation that I have the same condition as the protagonist, this would still be a memorable book, full of suspence and downright creepy scenes. When an author makes you do research, seeing if what happened in the book actually exists (I'm not speaking of Tourette's, but of another subject which I can't reveal) then you know he's done a good job. This is a wild book, from beginning to end.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A league of his own, April 28, 2001

By 

Charlotte Vale-Allen (CT USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Skull Session (Paperback)

Daniel Hecht is a man of formidable talent and imagination. He tackles themes less courageous writers wouldn't dream of touching. I was quite simply blown away by Skull Session, rooted in place, desperate to find out what happened next and yet (as with any splendid book) deeply reluctant to have it end. Tourette's Syndrome has become rather a popular subject in recent years, but Daniel Hecht brought it forward, made it real and comprehensible. He is a fearless, powerfully gifted writer, and while this is not a book for the faint of heart, it is one for those who want something new and different and ferociously intelligent. I would not hesitate to buy anything this author writes, and his second effort, The Babel Effect, proved that Hecht will go on to produce more books of the highest calibre. He is one of the best new writers around today.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good!, April 9, 2005

By 

L. J. Roberts (Oakland, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Skull Session (Paperback)

This book caught me up from page one and held me with rapt attention. I learned a lot about Tourette's, which I found interesting, but be aware the author crosses from the book being a neurological thriller into psychological horror toward the end. There was one scene toward the end I would prefer to have seen done differently, but overall felt this was a very good book with some very interesting characters. I shall definitely read more by Mr. Hecht.