12/5/02
Book
Horrorfind Banner Exchange
Devils of D-Day - Graham Masterton
Devils of D-Day is one of the early novels by horror author extraordinaire Graham Masterton who also penned "The Manitou", and "Master of Lies". During the final part of WWII in rural France a group of thriteen American tanks like no others swept through and literally obliterated the German forces. Each was painted as black as night and they chased the German army like the hounds of Hell themselves. One of the tanks broke its treads leaving it immobilised. The army left it where it stopped in the midst of a farming community but not before they welded it shut, bolted a cross to the hatch, and said a prayer over it. For over three decades the tank haunted the local farmers until a cartographer named Daniel McCook took interest in it. Then it became time to deal with the wicked thing for good.
Devils of D-Day is a powerful magnetic story about good and evil superbly penned in the first person. If the writing of the novel is lacking in any way it is because of the overzealously imaginative and jolting metaphors through which the lead character views the world. Like all of his works the world that Masterton paints is rich and vibrant. The characters are emotive and never cliched. The horror is always palpable and hard striking. Devils of D-Day is no exception. It has an excellent pace, good characterisation, and exceptional staying power to carry with you long after the book is put down.
Graham Masterton is a master at weaving accepted horror views and mythologies into his works and giving them his special personal touch. Devils of D-Day is at very much a great blend of Lovecraftian scope, history, biblical stories, and Masterton's own horror framework. It stands apart but conveys a sense of genre history and deep familiar flavour. It is fresh but has the weight of what has come before behind it essentially. Devils of D-Day is one of the top Masterton stories though certainly with as illustrious a collection as his there are still better ones.
(
Thank you for reading my review.
Bob Male)
All ideas, opinions, and information are from the reviewer
and are not representative of any company or group involved with the creators
and/or staff of the materials being reviewed.
Updates Page
R.M.T.P. Co.
Site © 1999 reviews@batteredspleenproductions.com
