The Ghosts Of Sleath (David Ash, #2)

Title: The Ghosts Of Sleath (David Ash, #2)

Author: James Herbert

Published in: 1994

Date read: 12th February 2008

Score: 5/5

Genre: Supernatural, Horror

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"The Ghosts of Sleath" by James Herbert, published in 1999, is a chilling and atmospheric supernatural horror novel and the second to feature Herbert's recurring protagonist, David Ash. Ash is a professional parapsychologist and a rational skeptic, specializing in debunking supposed hauntings, though his own experiences have left him profoundly shaken and drawn to the unknown.

The story sees Ash called to the isolated and deeply unsettling village of Sleath after a series of increasingly bizarre and terrifying paranormal phenomena begin to plague its inhabitants. These aren't just subtle whispers or cold spots; the manifestations are violent, aggressive, and deeply disturbing, exhibiting a palpable rage and physical impact.

Upon his arrival, Ash discovers that Sleath is a place steeped in dark history, ancient beliefs, and a pervasive sense of unease. The villagers are a closed-off community, suspicious of outsiders and deeply entrenched in their own local lore. The manifestations include spectral figures, extreme poltergeist activity, and a growing sense of a malevolent presence that seems to be affecting the very fabric of reality in the village.

Ash's investigations, despite his initial skepticism, soon reveal that the hauntings are connected to a long-buried secret and a horrific injustice from the village's past. The "ghosts" are not merely residual energies; they are the tormented, vengeful spirits of those who suffered a terrible fate, and their anger has festered for centuries, now unleashed with devastating force. As Ash delves deeper, he uncovers a history of ritualistic violence, betrayal, and unspeakable cruelty that has stained the land.

As the hauntings escalate, the spirits begin to exert a horrifying physical influence, not only terrifying the living but actively harming and even possessing them. The line between the living and the dead blurs, forcing Ash, with his unique sensitivity to the supernatural, to confront the terrifying reality of a pervasive, intelligent evil.

The novel builds a powerful sense of dread and features Herbert's trademark visceral horror. It explores themes of historical trauma, collective memory, the persistence of evil, and the terrifying consequences when the past refuses to stay buried. The climax involves David Ash facing the full, vengeful fury of the ghosts of Sleath, in a desperate attempt to bring peace to the tormented spirits and save the living from their inescapable wrath.

Comments:
I love a good Ghost Story and this is one of my favourite.

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)