Book Review: THE POE SHADOW by Matthew Pearl **** OUT OF *****

(c) Random House.

Whether you are into Poe or not, this novel is nothing short of astounding. After burning through it as quickly as I could (which I ultimately regretted doing, since I was so sad when it was over) because it was so compelling and entertaining, I had to sit back and admire how much Pearl has achieved with this book.

Not only has he attempted to solve the mystery of Edgar Allan Poe's death (a mystery which has proven insolvable for over a century) by using clues and evidence that he has gathered through painstaking research, but he has also written one of the best historical novels of all time.

This is a compelling, brilliantly written, meticulously plotted novel that people will continue to talk and argue about for years to come. And as a bonus, it's also one hell of an entertaining ride. Unmissable.

Text © Ahmed Khalifa. 2008 - 2022.

Ahmed Khalifa is a filmmaker and novelist. He is the writer/director of several short films and a feature, which was released on Netflix, and the author of a number of novels and short stories, including the YA horror novel, Beware The Stranger, available on Amazon. He is also the host of The Dark Fantastic Podcast. Find him on Twitter @AFKhalifa and on Facebook @DFantasticPodcast

Book Review: CURTAINS OF BLOOD by Robert J. Randisi **** out of *****

A beguiling, immensely readable thriller, Robert J. Randisi's Curtains of Blood, is a must for fans of Dracula and Bram Stoker.

Using the now clichéd high concept of Bram Stoker crossing paths with Jack The Ripper in 1888 London, Randisi produces what is arguably the best of all the books that tread the same ground (including The Dracula Dossier by James Reese, and Stoker's Wilde by Hopstaken and Prusi). What sets Randisi's story apart is his style. He has a mastery of atmosphere, and his minimalist, unfussy writing style and short chapters pull the reader in, slowly but surely, into a compelling and disturbing story. Randisi is one of those writers with the rare talent for achieving much with few words, making his books practically read themselves.

While Curtains of Blood isn't brimming with historical detail like others of its ilk, it is well-realized and has enough historical flavor to make it believable. It also offers some clever theories about what could have been the inspiration behind Dracula, Stoker's masterpiece, and it ends on a chilling note that makes one look at that timeless horror classic in a new light.

A top notch historical thriller, Curtains of Blood is highly recommended for horror, thriller, and historical mystery fans.

Text © Ahmed Khalifa. 2020.

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Ahmed Khalifa is a filmmaker and novelist. He is the writer/director of the feature film Wingrave, released on Netflix, and the author of a number of novels and short stories, including the YA horror novel, Beware The Stranger, available on Amazon. Find him on Twitter @AFKhalifa and on Facebook @Dark.Fantastic.AK·Writer