Charnel House

Title: Charnel House

Author: Graham Masterton

Published in: 1978

Date read: 23rd August 2005

Score: 4/5

Genre: Horror, Supernatural

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Charnel House" by Graham Masterton is a terrifying horror novel about a house possessed by an ancient, malevolent entity.

The story begins when a terrified old man, Seymour Willis, approaches John Hyatt at the San Francisco Department of Sanitation with an unbelievable complaint: his house is breathing. Initially, Hyatt suspects a mundane issue like a severe rat infestation, but the truth is far more sinister.

An ancient demon, originating from dark Native American folklore, has taken root within the very structure of Willis's home – within its walls, floorboards, and foundations. This entity is not merely a ghost; it's a powerful and malevolent being with an insatiable hunger for blood and flesh, determined to break free from its confinement and wreak havoc on San Francisco, and eventually, the entire world.

As the house's sinister influence grows, strange and horrific occurrences plague the residents. Hyatt, Willis, and a Native American shaman who understands the ancient evil, form a small, desperate group who recognise the impossible truth. They realise they are humanity's last hope against this monstrous entity.

The novel depicts a horrifying escalation of events as the demon's power grows, transforming the house into a literal charnel house, filled with grotesque horrors. The characters must confront unspeakable acts of violence and possession as they race against time to prevent the entity from becoming whole and escaping its prison, a terrifying prospect that would turn the entire world into its feeding ground. "Charnel House" is a visceral and relentless tale of demonic possession and ancient evil unleashed.

Comments:
As I read about it, things are coming to me. I remember really enjoying it but I have no detailed memory. In my defence, at the time of writing this, it was 20 years later.

Books that we've read by Graham Masterton (9):
Charnel House (1978), Walkers (1989), Prey (1992), Fortnight of Fear (1994), Tooth And Claw (Jim Rook, #2) (1997), Snowman (Jim Rook, #4) (1999), The Devil in Gray (2004), The Doorkeepers (2012), Forest Ghost (2014)