Interesting and somewhat unique novel marred by uneven writing, several interesting threads that go nowhere or are abandoned, and a weak ending. The threads about teratology and psychic transference (or is it demonology?) that lend so much to the weirdness of the novel are abandoned (or ignored) or treated as irrelevant in the end much to the disappointment of the reader and leaves the finish somewhat more mundane than all the buildup promises.

A grudging four stars for just plain weirdness through most of the book.

Typically overrated by Karl Edward Wagner. ( )

Do not read the 228 page edition of this book! If you did, well you haven't read it. Read the 376 page or longer editions. ( )

A pretty grim little mystery novel with a fistful of unethical medical experiments and a whole host of interesting characters thrown in for good measure. Unfortunately, there is an absurd amount of redundancy in the writing and the book drags mercilessly during middle 200 pages. I have come to understand that Laing re-edited the work for the book's second edition, removing almost 100 pages of extraneous material. I read his original version and suspect I'd have found the book far more enjoyable with tighter pacing.

Fascinating for its gritty approach and its unique position in the early days of noir fiction, the book is worth reading in spite of its flaws, but I would have a difficult time recommending it to anyone not already a fan of the genre. This is 'deep cut' material indeed. Plenty to enjoy, but with a very steep curve due to some of the technical challenges. ( )

I bought this book after it was suggested by a friend, who I think got it as a suggestion from a book of suggestions. That was probably 10-15 years ago. I was worried that it might be really cheesy considering it was written in 1934, but it turned out to be a lot of fun and it was definitely filled with some pretty twisted ideas. I loved the language and the mystery and the footnotes (which are left out of more modern printings).

It's really more of a mystery than a horror story, but there's some creepy events and possible "supernatural" occurrences that bring it into the horror genre. ( )