Then Dis indulges in mental gymnastics to explain that all human souls deserve to live, except the ones that are REALLY ugly and 'freak'ish and thus are evil and deserve to die. Apparently God sanctions this, along with unspeakable suffering for... reasons.

Others by James Herbert | Goodreads

The second is a heavy reliance on a psychic character who always shows up just in time to move the plot forward. And man, does Herbert rely on one in this story. Like, literally, there'd basically be no story without someone who has no right knowing what they know showing up to push Diz in the right direction, over and over again. I enjoyed the book very much the first time I read it. It’s full of satisfying action and plot twists that come together seemlessly at the end, and it has a likeable but flawed narrator. It follows that there is a skill in making a reader cry but first and foremost, I don't really enjoy deeply depressing stories, or stories that are going to upset me for days and days afterwards. Secondly, it's rare for me to cry during a movie, so for a book, this state is almost unattainable. Besides, I'd rather be scared out of my wits, or contemplating the dark side of human nature in a way that is removed from my daily life and therefore 'safe'. Overall, though, it was a reasonably good return to horror for Herbert, and I likely would have enjoyed it more if the story hadn't relied as heavily on two tropes I typically don't enjoy.

Nobody True continues the theme of life after death, being narrated by a ghost whose investigation of his own death results in the destruction of his illusions about his life. Herbert described Creed as his Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein. The character Joe Creed is a cynical, sleazy paparazzo who is drawn into a plot involving fed-up and underappreciated monsters. My friend and I decided to read this book together after reading the synopsis. It sounded like it would be a dark and disturbing read. Well that it was, among other things. Although I did enjoy it, I did not love it.

James Herbert - Wikipedia

a b Plint, Alec (21 March 2013). "20 things you didn't know about James Herbert". The Daily Telegraph. London . Retrieved 21 March 2013. It was then that I noticed a change in him, a stiffening of body, an even greater sharpness in those cold, blue eyes. It was barely perceptible, but alterations in moods is another thing I’m good at recognizing – or sending.With The Magic Cottage (1986), Herbert created one of his best novels, an unconventional haunted house yarn that is part fairytale, part ghost story. Haunted (1988), originally plotted as a BBC TV movie, is also a ghost story, the first of three novels featuring David Ash, a sceptical parapsychologist and psychic investigator who returned in The Ghosts of Sleath (1994) and Ash (2012).

Others by James Herbert - Publishers Weekly Others by James Herbert - Publishers Weekly

He was one of our greatest popular novelists, whose books are sold in thirty-three other languages, including Russian and Chinese. Widely imitated and hugely influential, his 19 novels have sold more than 42 million copies worldwide. Others is a solid horror. Dis is a good protagonist; complex, sympathetic but flawed, and his voice is entertaining. The side characters are distinctive and just as entertaining which is a big plus for me (unfortunately, the love interest was the least interesting character, which took away from the romance subplot). The mystery is intriguing and Dis works hard to unravel it rather than passively having things happen to him as the plot unrolls. a b c d Holland, Steve (21 March 2013). "James Herbert obituary". Guardian.co.uk. London . Retrieved 24 March 2013.They aren’t far away, Dis…Their presence is so strong, yet they’re so confused. Oh…Dis…they’re desperately afraid.’

James Herbert Books in Order (24 Book Series) James Herbert Books in Order (24 Book Series)

Williamson, J.N., ed. (1988). The Best of Masques. New York City: Berkley Books. ISBN 978-0-425-10693-8. a b Weber, Bruce (24 March 2013). "James Herbert, British Horror Novelist, Dies at 69". The New York Times.

This is not to say that the story is flawless; far from it. Herbert uses a distinctive style which will be off-putting to some readers : the slow-burn. The first two thirds of the book is extremely slowly paced, very much like a mundane detective investigation with the occasional burst of violence or horror. Having said that, with his last novel, '48, and now with this one, he seems to have been stepping out of his comfort zone and trying something a little different. And while the results are uneven, I have been enjoying the books a little more. None of the Other "others " --the demonic creatures survived in the fire broke out accidently, destroying the Perfect Rest secret wing completely, killing doctor Leonard Wisberch. Another James Herbert re-read (I've re-read a few this year as it's been several...ahem...many years since I first discovered his horror books and devoured the lot) and this was very enjoyable. James Herbert was Britain's number one bestselling writer (a position he held ever since publication of his first novel) and one of the world's top writers of thriller/horror fiction.