The Blank Page — Long Words

I first heard about Red Dwarf in the place where you learnt about most of what was destined to become your favourite flavour of escapism – the playground. I’m pretty sure I actually started watching it when series IV came out. That was definitely my first proper series. Laughing with my friends at the thought of Lister morphing into a ridiculous mini Robocop clone, long before any of us had ever seen the regular sized Robocop. Hattie Hayridge as Holly. Kryten’s first attempts at lying and insulting people and purposefully mis-naming fruit. The Cat revealing his ultimate crush was himself. The ironic injuries of the justice field. Ace Rimmer smoking kippers. And let’s not forget the dreaded space mumps.

Book review, Books, Comedy, ReviewChristopher Long16 February 2023Red Dwarf, Better Than life, Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett, Discworld, BBC, Doctor Who, RobocopComment

Love and Let Die by John Higgs

History is a funny old thing. It’s basically just the road we’ve already travelled along, but every step of that journey can still have a huge influence on where we’re going and, without ever turning around, we do seem to have a dangerous capacity for retracing some of our very worst detours. The past is always there, waiting over our shoulder, ready to be reflected in the rear view mirror. It should really come with a warning, ready for when you decide to take a peek. Maybe something about some objects appearing closer than they actually are. Workplaces, pubs, and homes are, after all, crammed to the rafters with people declaring ‘it can’t be that long since such and such happened’.

Book review, Books, ReviewChristopher Long11 February 2023The Beatles, James Bond, 007, Stranger Things, Punk, Disco, Berlin WallComment

The Perfect Golden Circle by Benjamin Myers

I think it’s best we start with a confession – I’m pretty sure I’ve approached Benjamin Myers all wrong. I did not start at the beginning and, if you take the first book of his I read as I starting point, then I did not even read what I have read in right order.

My first experience of Benjamin Myers came through Twitter. Upon the release of The Gallows Pole, I kept seeing the cover for it everywhere and, yes, I did indeed judge that book. I judged it to look very interesting indeed. There was something captivating about the stark, retro design. There was also something 70s heavy metal infused about it, which was an impression doubtlessly inspired by the title. It felt like something I needed to read.

Book review, Books, ReviewChristopher Long11 January 2023Benjamin Myers, Perfect Golden Circle, Crop circles, Richmond, DetectoristsComment

Something Fresh by P.G. Wodehouse

There are certain things you don’t want to see when you’re considering writing a book review. A death threat from the author would be quite high up that list. As would a list of previous reviewers of their work who’ve all disappeared in ‘mysterious circumstances’. Another red flag is when the first page of that book holds a glowing quote from Stephen Fry.

‘What’s the point?’ you find yourself wondering, seeing his eloquent little summation laid out for all the world to see. ‘Fry got here first.’

Tales of The Macabre and The Supernatural: A Review

It’s been a while since we were been treated to a new K.B. Goddard publication. Her last novella, the chillingly atmospheric ‘The Girl with the Roses’ came out back in 2017. Thankfully, it’s not been a complete drought for fans of her work. Since 2017, she’s gone onto become an award winning horror writer with stories popping up to terrify you on both The Wicked Library and The Lift podcasts. As well having a story featured in the first Lift anthology. Now, though, she’s managed to find the time to gather some more tales to haunt the e reader of your choice.

Book review, ReviewChristopher Long8 July 2019Review, KB Goddard, Supernatual, Macabre, Wicked Library, The LiftComment

The Girl with The Roses: A Review

K.B. Goddard has a new novella coming out and I’ve been lucky enough to get a sneak preview before its released. ‘The Girl with The Roses’ is a genuinely unnerving and atmospheric horror novella. The story begins in the sales room of Thornhill and Swift, where items with an unusual and unique past are sold to the highest bidder. It’s there we find a statue of a young girl holding a bouquet of roses. As with all the items that are sold there, this statue has a story to tell.

Book review, GhostsChristopher Long21 July 2017Review, KB Goddard, Haunted AuctionsComment

Read-Only: A Review

The Blank Page slips on a new mask. So, instead of me moaning about my life, my writing or cheating to post a piece of a story for you, this week you're getting a review. I've had the honour of being asked to take a look at a brand new collection of digital horror stories written by two of the best horror writers I know.

Book review, Digital HorrorChristopher Long10 June 2017Review, Caitlin Marceau, M Regan, WatchMojoComment