My review -
Do
you find clowns more scary than funny? It's so common that there's a word for
it. Coulrophobia (I had to look it up). This is a fantastic page-turner which exploits
a common fear. It's also a psychological thriller and a crime and detective
story. The first sentence is absolutely arresting. Sparkles the clown is the
creation of Ben
Night,
a washed-up author vainly trying to recreate his earlier fame. A children's
entertainer has copied the Sparkles face as his own but someone is bent on a
bizarre form of revenge. Detective Jane Brady is determined to find the killer
when a colleague of hers is similarly targeted.
This
is a new venture for a man known primarily for his horror stories, with an
emphasis on Victorian tales of the macabre. His current novel is bang up to
date and is influenced by the author's experience working as a police officer.
We are able to watch the pieces falling into place for Jane Brady, and witness
Ben Night's fear as his own creation apparently takes on a life of its own and
goes on a murderous spree. David Haynes has a great future as a writer of
psychological thrillers and crime novels if this book is any indication.
Very interesting review, Kath! This sounds different.
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