Fortnight of Fear

Title: Fortnight of Fear

Author: Graham Masterton

Published in: 1994

Date read: 6th May 2008

Score: 3/5

Genre: Horror, Supernatural, Thriller, Psychological

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Fortnight of Fear" by Graham Masterton is a collection of horror short stories, showcasing the author's diverse range of terrifying scenarios and his signature blend of visceral horror, psychological dread, and often grotesque imagination.

As a collection, there isn't a single overarching plot or character, but rather a series of distinct narratives, each designed to evoke fear and discomfort. The stories often explore:

• Supernatural Phenomena: Many tales involve classic horror tropes like ghosts, curses, demonic entities, and ancient evils that manifest in contemporary settings.
• Psychological Terror: Masterton frequently delves into the human mind, portraying characters driven to madness by unseen forces, or by their own dark obsessions and fears. The horror often comes from the breakdown of sanity.
• Body Horror and Gore: True to Masterton's style, many stories feature explicit and often disturbing descriptions of physical transformation, injury, and death, designed to provoke a strong visceral reaction.
• Dark Folklore and Mythology: Some stories draw upon lesser-known myths, rituals, and pagan beliefs, giving the horror an ancient and primal feel.
• Ordinary Lives Interrupted: A common theme is the intrusion of the extraordinary and terrifying into the mundane lives of everyday people, often highlighting the fragility of normality.

While the specific plots vary wildly from story to story, you can expect common elements such as:
• Escalating Dread: The stories often begin with subtle unsettling events that slowly build into full-blown nightmares.
• Twisted Endings: Many tales feature shocking or disturbing conclusions that leave a lasting impression.
• Exploration of Taboos: Masterton is known for pushing boundaries and exploring themes that some might find uncomfortable or transgressive.

Readers of "Fortnight of Fear" will encounter a variety of chilling scenarios, from vengeful spirits to flesh-eating entities, from curses that exact a horrifying toll to psychological breakdowns that reveal monstrous truths. The collection offers a comprehensive look at Masterton's ability to craft diverse and deeply unsettling horror narratives.

Comments:
Apologies, I just cannot remember these. I will, at some point, look through again in more detail to try to get the "little grey cells" warmed up.

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)