I’ve read some of Cassandra Khaw’s horror fiction (you can read about it here) and I’ve read some of Richard Kadray’s Sandman Slim series. So a novel like The Dead Take the A Train, where extra-dimensional entities are plotting to take over the Earth, would be an ideal project for these two writers.
The Dead Take the A Train is the first book in the Carrion City duology. Julie Crews, whose limited skill set includes exorcising demons, dealing in Dark Magic, and casting spells from Forbidden Books, tries to help her friend, Sarah. Unbeknownst by Julie and Sarah is the plot of the supernatural entries who control the Wall Street institution Thorne & Dirk to invade this dimension. Julie’s ex-boyfriend, cunning Tyler Banks, who becomes involved in the schemes of The Mother Who Eats at Thorne & Dirk, conspires to seize a position in Upper Management by assisting in gruesome, loathsome acts to open The Door to the extra-dimensional invaders.
The Dead Take the A Train takes you into the depths of slimy Magic where Death lurks constantly. If you’re in the mood for a horror novel full of Dark Magic and intrigue, The Dead Take the A Train might be just what you’re looking for. The sequel to The Dead Take the A Train should be published next year. GRADE: Incomplete (but trend towards a B-)
I’d say, not a Cap’n Bob book. Probably not for me either, though I really like the title.
Jeff, the title and the partnership of Khaw/Kadrey reeled me in. But, the results were disappointing. Diane and I are about to Uber to the Atlanta Airport for what might be a frustrating trip back to Buffalo. It’s freezing in northern Georgia right now. Diane’s weather app says the winds in Buffalo are 45 mph. Not ideal for flying.
Good luck! Hope the wedding went well. I asked Jackie, who gets married in February, but then my parents got married in January, so…
It was 81 and sunny (if humid) here yesterday, but it is only 70, windy and a lot of rain is predicted here today. We bnought food yesterday so we don’t have to go out.
Have a safe trip!
You are correct, Jeff!
Thanks for keeping me current! Maybe it’s a generational thing of a geezer who can’t (or won’t) keep up with current trends. Maybe it’s ennui after sixty years of reading older fantasy/horror fiction. Whatever it is, I can’t work up much enthusiasm for the modern stuff like this. Perhaps we’d be better off if supernatural entities did take control of Wall Street. Couldn’t be much worse than the human vultures who currently run it.
Fred, I try to say current but I’m occasionally disappointed by the New Stuff. Like THE DEAD TAKE THE TRAIN. It just goes off the track…
I do think it’s admirable (and a sign that you are truly young at heart) that you take a regular stab at BookTok genre fiction. I can give this kind of stuff a glance as video wallpaper if I stumble across a similarly flavored movie or TV show but I can’t read it. I’ve tried and it’s like dragging my eyeballs over the page. It would probably work for me as insomnia reading but I have too many stacks of books already by the nightstand.
I can’t browse the SFF shelves or a new bookstore these days without shrugging or worse swearing but I also have to admit that a lot of the stuff cluttering the shelves during my youth was every bit as unreadable. To each their own. Again, kudos to you for staying curious.
Byron, I confess that I’m very review driven in my book picks. I subscribe to LOCUS, the SF monthly magazine with plenty of reviews. I used MYSTERY SCENE for years to keep me up to date on crime novels. I read the WALL STREET JOURNAL, NY TIMES, THE ATLANTIC, and NEW YORK REIVEW OF BOOKS. But even then, good books fall through the cracks and I find myself playing “Catch-UP” years later.
Safe travels! Khaw and Kadrey might not do their best work together…or at least not yet.
Sturgeon’s estimate, that 90% of the results of every human endeavor will be mediocre at best, remains a fairly reasonable postulate.
Todd, THE DEAD TAKE THE A TRAIN is supposed to be the first book in a trilogy (or maybe series). I might read the next Khaw/Kadrey book…but I might not.
Have a safe journey back home.
I have to wonder if Khaw & Kadray chose their heroine’s name as an homage to singer Julee Cruise. Cruise made floaty dreamy music which perfectly paired with David Lynch’s 1980s/1990s sensibilities.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julee_Cruise
Deb, you might be right about Julie Cruise and Khaw/Kadray. Loved that dreamy TWIN PEAKS music!
I like the cover and the authors look nice too. But I don’t like horror. Or maybe it depends on the degree of horror but I am reluctant to take a chance. Glen has read at least one book by Kadrey and liked it and bought more but did not continue reading them.
Tracy, Kadrey had a hit with his SANDMAN SLIM series which is a mixture of humor and horror. I have to be in the mood to read his stuff.
Flying is no longer fun. If it’s not the weather, it’s the airline. Be safe.
Patti, we survived the trip to Georgia and returned to snowy Buffalo tonight. I’ll have to fire up Big Orange tomorrow morning and snowblow the 4-5 inches of snow in my driveway.
Did anyone on the plane wear a mask?
Patti, all our Delta flights were full and only Diane and I wore masks. We wore the N95 masks in the Atlanta airport and got a lot of strange looks.
You know what. I think people are assuming you didn’t get the vaccine if you wear a mask. I am wearing on to CA this week-or will try. After a while, it makes me sneeze which gets even dirtier looks.
Patti, I have the same problem occasionally with my N95 mask. My nose gets itchy and I start to sneeze. People glare at me and move away!