Horror Book Review: SAM by Iain Rob Wright

 

This week’s Horror Book Pick is SAM written by Iain Rob Wright. The book was first published in August 2012 and ranked on the best seller’s list for British Horror Fiction and Occult Horror. 

The book has gotten various good reviews for its ease in readability, and the way it unfurls like a movie as you turn the pages. Some were disappointed with the ending and felt that it was weak. Others found that the story was dragging at that at least one of the characters spoke repetitive dialogues. 

The book has been compared to THE EXORCIST and THE OMEN, and promises to introduce another creepy child in the genre. 

Quick Book Review of SAM based on sample

The book opens with the introduction of Tim Golding who is a ghost hunter called by a couple to look into peculiar incidences at home. As it turns out Tim is quick to deduce that there is no actual haunting and that he is being set up. 

We then meet Angela Murs who used to be a vicar. She now works at a bar, barely making ends meet and unable to pursue relationships. One night, she is followed and led to a car that takes her out of the city and to a large Georgian mansion where she meets Jessica Bell-Raymeady. 

She tells Angela about the various incidents in the house where several people have died bizarre deaths, including her husband. It all started with her son Sam suddenly crying out in the night. She suspects he may be possessed and needs Angela to perform an exorcism. Suspecting that all of this is fake, Angela refuses but Jessica then hands her Sam’s notebook in which he has specifically asked Angela Murs to help him. 

Angela decides to stay, more for the food and boarding than anything else. 

Iain Rob Wright is no doubt a talented horror writer. He is also able to craft twists really well and write interesting characters. There are a few typos but that doesn’t take away from the story. 

The first chapter especially, is a wonderful setup to Tim’s story although we don’t get to learn what happened to him following the events in chapter one. 

It is interesting to note how Tim looks at clues, brings it to the reader’s attention, but still manages to pull off a tricky reveal. As mentioned by the other readers, the novel does read like a movie and is an immersive experience. 

To Read or Not to Read?

SAM is an engaging read and while there are no horror scenes in the first few chapters, the build-up and the character introductions set up the atmosphere for what is about to come. 

The author doesn’t go over the top with horror cliches and let’s the reader into the narrative as well. When Angela meets Jessica, she notices the flicker or lights, and the plink on the piano, but the owner barely acknowledges them. Yet, Angela does and so do we, as readers, begin to understand that something is going on that no one else is responsible for. 

The book is no doubt interesting and I would enjoy to continue reading it. 

You can get the book here