By Guy N. Smith
1997 Zebra Books
Paperback, 253 pages
This is the last of the Great Scribbler’s
horror novels to be released by a major publisher. It is the fourth book from
US company Zebra and represents a far more mature writer in Smith than you
might be used to if you have only dipped a claw into his early Crabs books. In Paperback
Parade #43 (Aug. 1995), Guy announced this then-forthcoming book as The
Water Witches.
Phil Quiles hated his job. He
tended the underground reservoir in Hopwas. His boss was a dick, his future was
in doubt and frankly, his place of work scared him. He was sure something was
hiding below the dark surface of the water, watching him. Turns out, he was
right. Meanwhile, a nutcase who thinks he met the Queen of the People of the
Water as a child, prepares for the flooding of the world as foretold by the
Queen. He gathers as many followers as possible that would believe him (or at
least pretend they do) to become the chosen few to survive the floods and adapt
to an underwater life.
But that’s all just a fantasy.
Isn’t it?
This one moves along at a brisk
pace and is filled with characters that you will hate, some that you’ll feel
sorry for, and some that go through such changes (both mentally and physically)
that you will cheer them on. Poor Phil is a real schlub, but his fears are justified,
and I could kind of relate to his employee/ boss dynamic. You’d love to quit,
but you can’t so you just stand there and take the abuse. Another great
character is the shrewish, domineering Jocelyn who lords over her family and even
fucks with Phil, too. And let’s not forget Mukasa…
For a story that is essentially about
mermaids, el maestro manages to serve up a great deal of creepy
atmosphere and chills. No, nobody has a gory demise at the claws of a giant
crab, but that reservoir does manage to raise a few hackles and the Quiles
family’s plight packs an emotional punch, even though both parents seem a bit
dumb compared to their kid.
This one is definitely worth a
look and the Richard Newton artwork on the cover is worth the price of purchase
alone.
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