This is my second novel by Paul Jameson (I also read and reviewed his novel, Nightjar), and I’m now confident in saying he is equal parts a masterful storyteller and a marvelous crafter of words. (And I say that as someone who doesn’t usually read either folklore or horror.)
Grim, gritty, and atmospheric (the author describes it as crime-noir which I felt was highly accurate), with dark Catholic overtones, 76 & the Odd 93 is the story of the transformation of an innocent child into a ruthless and brutal killer. Set in London, the novel intricately weaves together its timelines and storylines to create a story that both left me turning the pages to see what would happen next while at the same time I wanted to linger long and carefully to savor the author’s exquisitely crafted prose. Jameson’s writing style is better experienced than described; it is lyrical and dream-like, somewhat unconventional in punctuation and formatting, but not so much as to be frustrating or inaccessible.
Literary horror at it’s absolute finest. Very highly recommended.
