Since this is column number 66 and the chances of me getting to column number 666 is slim, I figured I’d make this a horror column. There are plenty of other sites out there that will do a better job than I – namely The Groovy Age of Horror, which we are all fans of here at BOOKGASM. So indulge me as we go into the world of evil statues, ghosts and Ronnie James Dio lyrics.

INFERNAL IDOL by Henry Seymour – Here’s something you don’t see with a book this type: a relevant cover. Yes, that African statue is a huge part of this 1967 novel. It opens with a old English gentleman named Alastair Newton dying from some bizarre ailment. No one can figure out how his heart just stopped.

The main character is antiques dealer Neal Mottram, to whom Newton’s will has left a bizarre and very large statue of the title. Once it arrives to Neal’s shop, he is just drawn to it, as are other customers who keep making requests to purchase it. But Neal just can’t part with it.

One customer is so enamored that she explains the statue is a called “The Chuku,” and that she is a member of a coven and would love to buy it. Neal dismisses her, until she offers money just to borrow it. Intrigued, he places the statue in his basement for them to use.

This is when things starting going really bad. During the ceremony, Neal spies on the group and witnesses one of the members having all her life sucked out of here by this statue. This gets Neal fired up to the point where he will find girls to sacrifice to this idol for his own gain. But of course, you overlook a clue or two, and the law comes, especially after two of the murders are linked to him.

Besides the few moments of idol worship, it’s not much a of a horror story, but more of a voodoo story, though very light in that field. On the whole, the novel is incredibly well-written for its kind; it’s not some slipshod, quick-buck horror fix, especially with how well Seymour crafts Neal’s plans for his sacrifices.

A NAME FOR EVIL by Andrew Lytle – A Southern Gothic ghost story is what this 1947 book is supposed to be. Well, it takes place in the South in a creepy, rundown mansion, but the brief – and I mean brief – appearances of a ghost are totally lackluster. This one spins its wheels more than a exercise bike, so buyer beware.

The basic plot has a married couple buying the rundown house, once owned by a Major Brent. We are constantly reminded of the major over and over, by people who tell tales about how he would not approve of this and that. This goes on for the whole book. Nothing happens at all.

There is a moment when our couple’s nephew shows up to stay with them after leaving the Army, only later to they find out he was dead the whole time. If that ruins some of the book for you, be happy, because this cover is total false advertising. I was waiting for something – anything to happen.

When we find out that the major had six wives – all of whom died during childbirth – you can guess where the book will lead, but you will probably give up long before that. I wish I could go into greater detail of Lytle’s writing style, but it’s so generic and non-engrossing. The only thing that would have made this book even worse is if there were an audio version read by Ben Stein. Just think of this as me taking a bullet for you. At least it didn’t take me long to read.

ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS 12 STORIES FOR LATE AT NIGHT – Let’s close out this little trip to the dark side with the master of suspense. Actually, as I’ve stated in a previous column, Hitchcock rarely had anything to do with these books except for the use of his name. This 1961 collection of a dozen stories has some bright moments and a few misfires. But maybe they just did not age well.

The highlights include “Vintage Season” by C.L. Moore, which is a story of a man who rents out some of his rooms to some strange visitors. This is more in the vein of science fiction. I believe the plot of this book was made into a bad TV-movie, but it is well worth seeking out in any collection it might be in.

There is also a great little Ray Bradbury tale called “The Whole Town’s Sleeping,” which deals with a group of girls out late at night in a sleepy town where a killer by the name of the Lonely One is lurking. Nice little kicker of a ending on this one.

Also included is a ghost story of sorts by M. R. James, called “The Ash Tree.” Then there is a short little tale of a shipwrecked man who has a bizarre bet with an opponent of the vermin kind called “Side Bet.” The collection finishes off with the much-reprinted tale by Evelyn Waugh called “The Man Who Liked Dickens,” which easily could have been made into one of Hitchcock’s TV shows.

So if you come across this collection – or for that matter, any Hitchcock collection – grab it. You never know what you might get.

Next time: probably something with a gun or two. –Rod Lott

Buy it at Amazon.

OTHER BOOKGASM REVIEWS OF THIS SERIES:
• ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS: 14 OF MY FAVORITES IN SUSPENSE
• ALFRED HITCHCOCK’S A HANGMAN’S DOZEN
ALFRED HITCHCOCK’S MYSTERY MAGAZINE PRESENTS FIFTY YEARS OF CRIME AND SUSPENSE
• ALFRED HITCHCOCK’S ONCE UPON A DREADFUL TIME