I picked up this anthology of H. P. Lovecraft pastiches and set the bar low. Jennifer Brozek’s “To Fight the Black Wind” involves a psychologist named Carolyn Fern who is treating a woman who bloody wounds on her back seem to be caused by something inside of her…trying to get out! I especially enjoyed the journey Fern and her patient take to The Dreamlands. GRADE: B-
My favorite story in Grim Investigations is “Blood of Baalshandor” by Richard Lee Byers. I love stories about arcane, mysterious books with hellish powers! Stage magician Dexter Drake and his lovely assistant Molly run into a group in Arkham who want to use to use the forbidden knowledge in The Blood of Baalshandor to bring forth an evil being from a different plane. Hair-raising adventures result! GRADE: B
I wasn’t drawn into “Dark Revelations” by Amanda Downum where a writer visits Arkham to finish a novel of her fellow author. But, the words escape and all hell breaks loose! GRADE: C
If you’re a fan of Lovecraft pastiches, these novellas provide some diversion.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
“To Fight the Black Wind” By Jennifer Brozek — 7
“Blood of Baalshandor” By Richard Lee Byers — 151
“Dark Revelations” By Amanda Downum — 269
Investigator Origins — 393
ABOUT THE AUTHORS — 457
George, ARKHAM HORROR is an adventure board game created in 1987 by Chaosium and is based on Chaosium’s CALL OF CTHULHU role playing game. A number of editions have been released since then; the second edition came out from Fantasy Flight Games in 2005. The tie-in works began in 2014, and since then, over thirty novels and novellas have been published, including the three novellas in this anthology. According to one review, ARKHAM HORROR’s “a big, long complicated game…But if you have the space, the time, and the friends…it’s worth the investment.” As far as I can tell, the authors writing the ARKHAM HORROR series are mostly well-published in the gaming tie-in world (i.e., FORGOTTEN FANTASY, WORLDS OF WARCRAFT, etc.).
As a Lovecraft fan, I think I’ll have to check into this genre.
Jerry, thanks for the background information on ARKHAM HORROR. I have the first anthology on order, but the second one arrived first so I read it. It’s about a step above “fan fiction” but I found it mildly diverting.
I like the title. Looks like these are all longer stories.
Jeff, these are novellas…but quick reads. Diane and I had a wonderful Valentine’s Day dinner at The Hideaway Grille and when we were leaving, the owner told us that this was the 23rd year we celebrated Valentine’s Day at her restaurant!
Wow. She keeps track? Amazing. I guess you’re favorite customers.
Jeff, we have supported local restaurants over the years. We did Take-Out from The Hideaway Grille during the Pandemic and that helped them hang on.
Though the cover’s promise of “And Many More!” seems confusing, at least–“You just have to Find the Other Volumes!”
Todd, I’m sure GRIM INVESTIGATIONS will be just one of the volumes in the ARKHAM HORROR library.
Not for me, because of the horror. I will tell my husband about it, because he likes Lovecraft, but he has been trying to cull some of his books and not buy many, so he may not be interested.
Tracy, I got my copy of GRIM INVESTIGATIONS from the Library. Like your husband, I’ve been busy culling my collection, too!