The Unholy [Mass Market Paperback]

Michael Falconer Anderson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This first novel is a lurid supernatural thriller. Set in England, it concerns a locked box containing a mysterious object that seems to incite murders, hallucinations and ghosts. Journalist Jon Hammond, his lover Tanya and his psychic friend Stevenson face grisly horrors and almost certain death in their attempt to track down the box before the town of Batforth is engulfed in tragedy. The basic premise is interesting, but the story isn't told particularly well. Stylistic problems are numerous, though minor; the sketchy characterizations and promising situations left undeveloped are more serious faults. Nevertheless, readers will probably keep turning the pages just to find out what's in the box. Anderson is a competent writer who may yet become a good storyteller.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

In this first novel, a mysterious train derailment in a small English village sets off a series of gruesome murders, which local police attribute to a maniac. Newspaper editor Jon Hammond begins to examine the nightmares and visions that he and others are experiencing, and finds himself battling a vicious supernatural force unleashed in the wreck. The somewhat familiar-sounding plot may seem to have been lifted from a lurid grade B movie thriller, especially when the source of evil is traced to the grisly contents of a metal box thrown from the train. But in Anderson's capable hands the reader is swept into a fast-paced and suspenseful horror novel with frequent chills and shudders. Suspend your disbelief willingly, and you'll have a good time. For popular fiction collections. Eric W. Johnson, Univ. of Bridgeport Lib., Conn.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 223 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press (June 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312909764
• ISBN-13: 978-0312909765
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,241,489 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Small Town Horrors, August 6, 2002

By 

P. Craig "[e-mail]" (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Unholy (Hardcover)

In the small English village of Batforth, an evil is unleased when a mysterious stranger loses a WWII relic during a train crash. The relic acts as a magnet to restless spirits, drawing them forth and increasing their powers. The entities violently attack and terrorize residents of the town and it is up to Jon Hammond, publisher and owner of the local newspaper, to save the day.

It's a well-written, fast paced story with some refreshing departures from the standard horror formula. First, "the relic" which is concealed in a locked, metal box, and the explanation for its existence is quite clever and will surprise you. Secondly, there's none of the tedium of convincing non-believers that there's supernatural activity going on. Everyone in the book is pretty smart, they can see that what's going on has no logical explanation other than the paranormal. Lastly, the events of the town are not kept secret, it does reach the media and the rest of the world.

I borrowed this book from the library, and the picture on the jacket cover features a skull on a black background, with red nazi insignias filling the eye sockets.