Sepulchre

Title: Sepulchre

Author: James Herbert

Published in: 1987

Date read: 7th November 2006

Score: 4/5

Genre: Supernatural, Horror, Thriller

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Sepulchre" by James Herbert, published in 1987, is a deeply unsettling supernatural horror novel that delves into themes of ancient evil, the corruption of a place, and the insidious nature of fear.

The story centres on Kline, a seemingly ordinary and somewhat cynical man who takes on a job as a security guard for Neath, a vast, secluded, and ominously ancient stately home. Neath is owned by the wealthy and eccentric Sir Julian Halley, who is conducting mysterious "experiments" on the property. Kline is brought in due to a series of unexplained and unsettling occurrences within the house, which Halley initially dismisses as merely a security issue.

Upon arrival, Kline is immediately struck by the oppressive and malevolent atmosphere of Neath. The house feels cold, ancient, and almost sentient. Strange phenomena begin almost immediately: disembodied whispers, fleeting shadows, and a pervasive sense of dread. The grounds themselves are disturbing, particularly an ancient grove of trees that seems to vibrate with a sinister energy.

Kline soon discovers that Halley's "experiments" are far from benign scientific research. Halley is a cruel, amoral individual who is deliberately attempting to tap into and control an ancient, dark power that resides within Neath and its grounds. This power, which has manifested intermittently throughout history, is a primordial entity that feeds on fear, pain, and negative human emotions.

As Kline delves deeper, he uncovers the horrific history of Neath – a place where unspeakable rituals and acts of cruelty have been performed for centuries, binding the malevolent entity to the land. The house is not merely haunted; it is a nexus for this ancient, inhuman evil.

Kline, despite his initial cynicism, finds himself caught in a terrifying struggle. He must fight against the increasingly violent and grotesque manifestations of the entity, as well as the cunning and ruthless Sir Julian Halley, who is determined to harness the power for his own twisted ends, regardless of the human cost. The house begins to directly influence and torment Kline, playing on his fears and sanity.

The climax involves a horrific confrontation within the depths of Neath, as the ancient evil fully awakens. Kline must battle both the monstrous entity and Halley in a desperate fight for survival and to prevent the ancient power from being unleashed upon the world. "Sepulchre" is a classic Herbert novel, known for its intense atmosphere, visceral horror, and exploration of a deeply ingrained, primordial evil connected to a place.

Comments:
Great book and I distinctly remember not knowing what a sepulchre was and refusing to look it up throughout the book. It did not affect my enjoyment.

Books that we've read by James Herbert (20):
The Rats (Rats, #1) (1974), The Fog (1975), The Survivor (1976), Fluke (1977), The Spear (1978), Lair (Rats, #2) (1979), The Dark (1980), Jonah (1981), Shrine (1983), Domain (Rats, #3) (1983), Moon (1985), Magic Cottage (1986), Sepulchre (1987), Haunted (David Ash, #1) (1988), The Ghosts Of Sleath (David Ash, #2) (1994), Others (1999), Once... (2001), Nobody True (2003), The Secret of Crickley Hall (2006), Ash (David Ash, #3) (2012)