A classic werewolf horror story but there are more than werewolves active here.
BOOK REVIEW JACK WILLIAMSON DARKER THAN YOU THINK 1948 Gollancz Fantasy Masterworks #38
Presented as a werewolf themed horror fantasy novel, this is really about many aspects of witchcraft and shape shifting. There are were-sabre toothed tigers, Were-snakes, were-wolves and other creatures too; though they are astrally projected beings who are able to turn invisible pass through locked doors, gateways and walls too.
The story centres on a credulous newspaper reporter covering a story about a group of paranormal researchers returning from The Gobi Desert with proof of such creatures influencing human fate but a witch using a concealed cat as her murder weapon assassinates their leader.
As Will Barbee, investigates the witch, April Bell, he falls under her spell and finds himself transformed into various creatures as she uses him to hunt down her other enemies.
The story hinges on Barbee’s struggle to recover his humanity, save the last of his friends even for himself, and prevent the arrival of a new, powerful witch Messiah.
A slick, fast moving story with perhaps too many attempts to offer scientific explanations for the supernatural events uncovered, but a story that stands the test of time well and deserves to be filmed.
Arthur Chappell
