Johnny Gruesome

The final book in this year's Stoker nominees is JOHNNY GRUESOME. This is a more traditional horror story and an obvious tribute to 80s teen slasher films and the horror revenge story. You could almost say that it plays like an extended TALES FROM THE CRYPT story. Johnny Grissom is the rebellious, troubled teen; Eric is his best friend; and Karen is his girl. Johnny is bullied but knows how to fight back and Eric and Karen support him all the way. So when Johnny dies and comes back, only they know the answer why.

The deaths are (not to pun) gruesome and the plot moves along smartly. But this is still not a great novel. The priest subplot seems tacked on and is then dropped. The attack on the undertaker is strange and unnecessary. At times, it seems that the author is simply going for the gross out. Lamberson has the makings of a great writer, but he needs a good editor to help him pull it all together. I'll be looking for his next book. I think with a little polish, this could be a great novel, but right now it is simply good. And while it is better than THE REACH and COFFIN COUNTY, it is nowhere near the sophistication of DUMA KEY and I truly hope that book wins the award.