Classic horror at its finest

I typically avoid reviewing horror novels that focus on slasher themes with high body counts and graphic violence, or those that rely heavily on paranormal elements with gratuitous brutality. However, I have a keen appreciation for character-driven horror that blends psychological depth with iconic supernatural entities to evoke fear, suspense, and introspection on human nature. Gregory Alexander Sharp's writing style in Kill and Cure: Il Lupo 2 achieves this delicate balance flawlessly.

About the book

At its core, the story revolves around Charlie Mortimer, a striking young man transformed into a lycanthrope. Shedding his former anxieties and health issues in human form, he emerges robust and self-assured. While his friends provide a safe haven to prevent him from harming others during the full moon, his lingering fear of harming others persists. Together with a small circle of allies, they embark on a quest for a cure. Notable among them are Nicholas Frobisher, a grieving coffee magnate turning to alcohol to alleviate his anxieties, and the erudite Ernest Wainright, whose past dealings with vampires offer a glimmer of hope through the research of Dr. Waggner.

Book review: Kill or Cure: Il Lupo 2 - 5 stars

Sharp's narrative effortlessly weaves together imaginative storytelling with an exploration of the werewolf and vampire realms, imbued with an unsettling atmosphere that warns against venturing too far. The vividly described settings—from London nightclubs to the rustic Sithean Blair farmhouse—enhance the narrative's depth. In my view, this novel epitomizes classic horror at its finest, featuring robust world-building and compelling, multi-faceted characters whose fates I eagerly followed through a complex and unpredictable plot enriched with folklore and superstitions. 

While minor editorial oversights like occasional word choice errors (such as "slither" instead of "sliver") were noted, they did not detract from my overall enjoyment. Consequently, I am delighted to award Kill and Cure: Il Lupo 2 a well-deserved 5-star rating. I eagerly anticipate delving into the series' first installment, Il Lupo, and await the release of book 3 in the series. I highly recommend this book to aficionados of horror who appreciate intricately crafted narratives that resonate long after the final page is turned.

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I received a review copy of this book from the author and have not been compensated for reviewing or recommending it. Some links in this post are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliate sites.

Other links to check out:

Werewolf the Podcast Introduces Il Lipo

Werewolf the Podcast Introduces Kill and Cure: Il Lipo 2.0 

 

 

About the Author: Gregory Alexander Sharp

Gregory Alexander Sharp is a professional services executive who has worked for some of the world's best known tech and consulting companies. He's always been something of a storyteller, and a huge fan of the supernatural tales that made his spine tingle as a boy.

Novels:

IL LUPO, his first published novel, draws on Greg's love for the classic Hollywood horror movies (think Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, and of course, Lon Chaney Jnr), but also on his own personal experiences with loss, and grief, and anxiety. Woven together with a real sense of building tension and jeopardy, and with a smattering of Greg's sense of humour, Il Lupo is the first book he always wanted to write.

KILL AND CURE builds on the themes from Il Lupo and drives them ever further, with Nick Frobisher struggling to manage the stresses of work, grief, and his best friend's lycanthropy. We are introduced to gangsters and vampires, and we reconnect with familiar characters. Kill And Cure has been written in such a way that it can be read as a sequel to Il Lupo, or can easily stand alone as a distinct story.

Short-story:

THE BRIDGE, which touches on how adult problems can easily cause damage to teenagers in the home. Again, Greg brings personal experiences to the fore here. In less than four thousand words, we are introduced to a broken heart, a disrupted education, bullying, public humiliation, the perils of social media, and mental health problems... oh, and watch out for the ghost!

Greg is currently working on a new novel which promises to be a tale of friendship, betrayal, love, loss, and revenge! Watch this space.

Collection of psychological & supernatural drama

The Lighthouse at Montauk Point and Other Stories by R. David Fulcher is an anthology of psychological horror. Not the gruesome, gory type, but a selection of supernatural drama, dark fantasy, science fiction, absurdism, and psychological thrillers with most serving up an unexpected twist. Some stories take you to another dimension like “The Lighthouse at Montauk Point” that seems to be grounded in the life of a criminal on the run, only to learn he has escaped into the supernatural. 

For this review, I’ll name my three favorites. The first is “The Shamblers,” a story of boys growing up in the 80s who enjoyed taunting the elderly men in their community. The backstory sets things up perfectly. Kids that don’t scare easily, bike riding, the woods, slingshots, and old men shambling along like easy targets. Of course, since I don’t include spoilers, I won’t say more, except that if you enjoy the original Twilight Zone, you won’t want to miss this one.

Taking the number 2 spot on my list of favorites is “Drawing the Ace.” This story centers on an unwary traveler by the name of Phil Stevens. He’s a regular everyday guy who hopes to get some shut-eye on a long flight. During the flight, a second passenger takes the seat beside him and wakes him up. This chatty guy talks about his days as a pilot in WWII. Phil wonders about the guy. He looks to be middle-aged, yet he talks about fighting the Japs and the Krauts in the air. He says, “…the books are full of statistics about how this side had so many of these planes and that side had so many of these planes, but any pilot out there would have told you it was the man and not the machine.” For Phil, this statement becomes very real and carries with it a moral to the story with an unexpected twist.

My third favorite is a dark fantasy called “The Faerie Lights.” The best way I can describe this one is Gulliver’s Travels gone wrong. Tiny ethereal beings with Elvin features and gossamer wings bring a parched traveler tiny goblets of wine made from clove and dandelion. All seems well but the sun is setting and the traveler finds himself in a dreamlike state as these tiny beings tug him along by his feet taking him to…. Like I said, no spoilers, but if you enjoy Tales from the Crypt, this one is for you.

And I must give an honorable mention “Boogeyman.” It includes a boy, bedtime, and the monster in the closet. This is another twilight-zone-worthy story with a macabre end that I give a thumbs up.

R. David Fulcher’s story concepts are original and enjoyable. He does a good job of crafting enough backstory to pull the reader in. Several of the stories are set against a backdrop of growing up in the 80s.If you enjoy psychological thrillers without gore, or a fan of the original Twilight Zone, then you’ll enjoy The Lighthouse at Montauk Point and Other Stories thoroughly. In my opinion, the writing could be a little tighter and less passive, but the stories are entertaining and worth a read. Overall I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

As Book Hookup, I am a longtime book reviewer, and I received this book as a free review copy and have not been compensated for reviewing or recommending it. This review is posted in collaboration with Booktasters. Some links in this post are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliate sites.