Brian Lumley and his Necroscope Series

[Dr. Drib]

I started reading these as they came out and loved them.

I'm going back now and re-read the entire series. I was totally immersed in this series and loved the storyline and the writing. A Necroscope is someone who can communicate with the dead, but that only describes the surface of this incredible series. If you're a fan of vampires and a fan of pulp fiction writing, then I heartily recommend this series.

Here's a reading order, for those who are curious. (Note: This reading list differs from the publication order/list.)

http://www.amazon.com/Brian-Lumleys-...R32EJAW284P9SU

Here's Brian Lumley's website and his list:

http://www.brianlumley.com/books/necroscope/

There's been an option for a film for these books for quite some time. If a film is ever released (and is a success), you'll find a feeding frenzy on these books.

I own almost all of them in First Edition Hardcover. The First three, from one dealer, sells for $600

The first and second volumes can go as high as $250 each.

The good news is that they are available as ebooks.

Does anyone else have fond memories of this series? Or bad memories?

[pwalker8]

Hum, I read some of his HP Lovecraft take-offs. I assume these are some sort of horror. How would you describe it? Is there some other similar type series? Have you ever read Paul Wilson's, the Keep? How does it compare in feel with that?

[Dr. Drib]

Originally Posted by pwalker8

Hum, I read some of his HP Lovecraft take-offs. I assume these are some sort of horror. How would you describe it? Is there some other similar type series? Have you ever read Paul Wilson's, the Keep? How does it compare in feel with that?

Paul Wilson:
I've read only the Keep, by Paul Wilson. There are other titles in that series, but that's the only one I've read thus far. Unfortunately (for me), I found it very tedious reading.


Brian Lumley:
For me, these Brian Lumley books combine espionage, horror, pulp-fiction writing, vampires, etc. all in a progressively complicated storyline. But for me, that's OK: I enjoy that type of writing. To summarize, reading them is fun, with plenty of horror thrown in.

I would suggest to anyone that he or she download a sample of the first one (Necroscope), and then see if that keeps one's interest.

The quality varies, of course, from one book to the next, but I think that's normal for a series of such length.

[Rumpelteazer]

I've come across this series several times and I keep forgetting about it. It looks like something I might enjoy, so I treated myself to the first in the series. Don't know when I'll get to it, I have to be in the right mood for horror, but it's now on my Kobo so I can't forget it.

[Ninjalawyer]

I was a big fan of the series for awhile until

Spoiler:

the original necroscope "died" and was replaced by an likeable (IMO) jerk who didn't have a head for math.

Around that time too, it started to seem like Lumley was interested in milking the franchise for all it was worth, and a new spin-off seemed to be on the bookstore shelf every other week.

Still, I have really fond memories of the earlier books. They were original, Lovecraft inspired and packed with action (I still think back sometimes to the destruction of a certain Russian base).

[owly]

Oh yeah, that was a while ago. I think I read the first couple of books.

[Penforhire]

I thought it started off strong but, for me, I lost my taste for the series somewhere around the fifth book.