Hey Lorrie, this is scarey...I remember listening to Inner-Sanctum on the radio - in the dark, just like this! Love the new heading!

Remember Readers, only a thin curtain of happenstance separates this world from the realm of ghosts, both helpful and hurtful. At times a rent appears in that curtain, allowing contact between the two worlds.
Such interaction is frightening (and sometimes fatal), so tales of such meetings send chills racing down even the most sensible spines.


But you know,in an odd way, our belief in ghosts is comforting. Their existence is proof of life continuing after death; to believe in ghosts is to believe in the indomitable human spirit.


How many of you can say in all truthfulness, that they really and truly don't believe in ghosts of one kind or another?

Lorrie

Hi, Louise! Boy, am I glad to see you in here! When I heard that squeaking door, I didn't know what was coming in! I',ve been shivering here all alone for the past 24 hours, so it's good to see another human. Or are you?

Read any good spooky books lately?

Lorrie

Louise, another good spooky radio program on radio about the same years as "Inner Sanctum," was "Lights Out Everybody." But which one of those two had "Raymond" your host of the "creeky door?"

Lorrie's post of the "thin curtain separating the two worlds." reminded me of a classI attended many years ago in which there was a discussion about the super-natural and the para-normal. The study book portended that there was only a thin curtain separating us and our deceased loved ones. Through this curtain our deceased loved ones could vaguely see us but blured, as though looking through a steamy shower glass door--we must be very carefull in what we do. HA, HA. However, the study book and instructer of the class pointed out that the "curtain" was a one way deal. We can't see them, so they don't have to be carefull about what they do.

Lorrie, dear. Someone is looking for you in the Library and Bookmobile. Ta ta.

Hello, My name is Jo Bibby. I'm an Activities Director at a nursing home. I'm a realy big fan of Stephen King Audio books. Are there any other audio book users here ? I first fell in love with audio from radio shows like the Inner Sanctom !

Jo

Hi, Jo Bibby! You know, now that you mention it, I don't remember any of our posters saying much about whether they had read their favorites, or "listened" to them! As for myself, even though I'd probably like it, it would be useless for me to get an audio version of a book, because I have a severe hearing problem, but i do know that several of the people who volunteer in these folders to help review books play the audio version a lot---they find it's a great way to travel, or endure traffic snarls. Do you play the audio versions of King's books to the people you look after in the nursing home? I live in a Senior apartment complex, and all my neighbors think I'm nuts for liking books about horror! They think there's something weird about people who like to read about murder and mayhem. Maybe there is.

Lorrie

What do they think of people who watch tv programs like ER? I've heard of people who don't watch that type of program because it deals with illness. Same idea, isn't it? Do they visit cemeteries? I worked in one and one woman thought it was a dreary place to work but an office is an office. Maybe we had people crying once in awhile, but that didn't make it dreary.

Good point there, Petite One. And let's not forget books about murder and crime have been very popular all through the ages. For Pete's sake, you could go back to the Bible, even! The Old Testament was filled with slayings and revenge, and all kinds of mayhem. In the Victorian days people loved to read about Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and Jack the Ripper, and Sherlock Holmes. So it's not a new thing, this fascination with horror stories.

Bill, when you mentioned the squeaking door, I think that was the opening sound of the Inner Sanctum.

In Arch Oboler's Lights Out, remember the man's deep voice saying, "Lights Out, Eeeeeeeeeeverybody?" Talk about atmosphere!

Lorrie

Bratbibby, I beleive, Gary Moore, one of our dscussion hosts, could tell you quite a bit about audio books.

GARY ARE YOU THERE!!

Bill H

Now---Has anybody here ever read anything by James Patterson? He has written several very good thrillers, and usually his titles have something to do with children's stories or nursery rhymes. I like the book "Jack and Jill" very much, and "Along Came a Spider" was wonderful. The most recent, "Pop Goes the Weasel" I'm waiting for the paperback version, and Patterson's brand new one "Cradle Will Fall" isn't even out yet. The hero in these books is Alex Cross, a huge, black psychologist/detective with a talent for jazz, and he's a great character!

Lorrie

Sometimes I watch hospital shows and sometimes I don't. Most of the time I get annoyed because they have doctors doing things I have never seen doctors do. ER isn't too bad - it does have nurses doing te things nurses in Emergency Rooms do. But some of the other shows only have nurses doing menial jobs or a doctor telling a nurse she has to do whatever he says because He is a DOCTOR.

There has been a new medical show that I like. It involves an innercity hospital. It does have characters that are not doctors and does manage to get some funny things in it. I am not sure if anyone who has not worked in a hospital would appreciate them, but I liked them. I forget what it is called, but it has Vivica Fox as hospital Administrator. I do hope it comes back next season.

Louise: We've come a long way from Marcus Welby, M.D. and Ben Casy, haven't we? I personally like E.R. because it deals with a lot of contemporary problems, and not all of them are syrupy. And yes, their nurses are real professionals on that show--thy're getting good advice from some RN. somewhere, wouldn't you say?

Lorrie

Hello everyone:

I don't know how medical shows creeped into horror,but my favorite is still The Medic with Richard Boone, and Not As a Stranger was a real page turner of a book as was The Covenant.

For a more up to date novel, I suggest Mount Misery by Samuel Shem, it's engrossing and has a real "dark side"

Well, I picked up a book by Anne Rice entitled "Cry to Heaven" and hope to start reading it soon just to see what a horror story is like.

Well, Ed some practitioners of medicine are horrors, anyway!

Petite One: You picked a great writer. I read Ann Rice's Vampire Chronicles, and though I haven't read Cry to Heaven, isn't it about the 18th century European castrati, those men with the glorious voices who lived a rather "different" life? If so, I can't think of an author who could tell that story in a manner that wouldn't jar your sensibilities.

Lorrie

Go and visit the author's website sometime. This is one weird lady!

In an early post in this discussion. I wrote that many years ago I attended a community college class the subject of which was ESP and Paranormal happenings--it was just for fun and entertainment. Recently I found an old paperback book on my bookshelf called LIFE IS FOREVER by Susy Smith. In this book she discusses Out-Of-Body Travel, Deathbed Visions, Ghosts and the like.

As I read along in her book, I wondered if any of our readers ever had an out of body experience or seen any ghosts or, for that matter, had any strange experience that you might share with us. I can think of a few that I experienced--no big deals. But they were rather strange. Maybe I'll discuss these in a later post.

Bill H

For a real page turner, read INTENSITY--Koontz. This grips you and never lets go till the end.

The psychopath character in the story has a real imagination

Bill H

Talking about esp, I called my grandaughter the other night and as she picked up the phone, she said "Hi Grandma!" Wow. How did she know it was me? Then I started laughing as she had just told me the day before that she has caller id.

But, yes, one time I had such a strong surge of a feeling about Margaret and then the phone rang. Yes, it was Margaret. Nothing special about the call.

One more instance. I was home alone in a friends home (they had all gone to a baseball game) when I heard someone walking upstairs. No, it's a tree brushing the roof, I told myself. Heard it again. A squirrell? A third time. Definitly footsteps. Then I remembered it WAS a haunted house. The owners had often heard the person walking around when they knew there was no one else in the house. I just stopped reading and told the spirit that all was ok.

Start the horror book tonight.

I think we all have had moments of deja vu, haven't we? I remember one time when i walked into a stranger's home for the very first time, and was able to tell the exact layout, where the bathrooms were, where the furniture was placed in the other rooms, everything!! I had absolutely never been in that house before, nor had I ever seen pictures of it. It was truly uncanny!

Lorrie

Hey, Lorrie, you are right. That's what the book is about. All the things they didn't tell us about in sex 101 about men. Shirley

Sex 101! Shirley, that's rich! That wasn't even on the curriculum at Sacred Heart Academy, where I went. I think I'm going to have to read that book.

Lorrie

Well, I don't know, folks! It might be the warm days approaching, the hint of summer to come, and maybe people aren't reading horror books as much as they used to, but we seem to have lost interest here. Maybe everyone thought the April 15 tax time was horror enough!

What say you? Shall we put the Horror genre gently back in the coffin? Give it a rest and perhaps open shop at a future date?

Lorrie

Can I add just one post before you shut down? I was looking through my books and found some good horror ones that I heartily recommend to you all.

Two are by Thomas Tryon: The Other -which is a different type of ghost story; and Harvest Home -which has to be one of the creepiest books I've ever read.

Two are by Ramsey Campbell:

Obsession -in which four teens get what they need most after signing a mysterious contract that comes in the mail; and have to pay the price in horrifying ways when they are adults.

The Doll Who Ate His Mother -this one begins with a car accident and a victim whose right arm is missing and goes on from there. Stephen King says of this book that the final climax is the best horror he has ever read. I've read this book and it is good!

Nellie, those are excellent horror stories you suggested. They made movies out of The Other, and Harvest Home, did you know? Wasn' it sad about Tom Tryon dying so young? I liked his books, Did you also know he was quite a movie star before he started writing in earnest?

I love Ramsey Campbell! I haven't read those, but I've jotted them down for my next trip to the library.

Lorrie

Nellie, where did you find those two Campbell books? I couldn't find them listed at Barnes and Nobel.

Lorrie

Nellie, On Saturday nights at 10 PM there is a series on TV called, either, "The Other" or the "Others." Is this the same story you mentioned in your post?

I, as well as Lorrie, am a little disapointed that horror books don't do so well. It may be do to the season. I suppose most people are planning vacations and out door activities. Winter is the best time for horor books.

But I think the the horror movies did the best of all.

Bill H

Where is your patience? Everytime I turn around, you are changing things and I can't get started.

Lorrie, if you want the book, I'll send it to you and we can credit the Book Exchange if you pay the postage. Thier requirement.

Great, Shirley. I would appreciate that.

Never fear, we're not closing up shop right this minute. I notice that the Sci/fi channel is running Stephen King's "The Stand" all this week, and we might hear from some of those viewers.

Right now Bill is running up and down Main street with a sandwich board telling everybody to come to SeniorNet and be horrified! haha

This computer is so slow tonight I could scream!! Yeeeeek! I'm going to shut down, maybe tomorrow it will be better. Lorrie

Bill, I've seen the program on TV you mentioned, called "The Others." It's a real weirdo, the only reason I catch it is because it comes on just before The Profiler, which I like. But it's not the same as the book "The Other." That was a scary one.

Lorrie

Lorrie, I got the Ramsey Campbell books a couple of years back at a local bookstore...I can give the ISBN numbers...

Publisher is Tor Books.
Obsession ISBN 0-812-51656-7
The Doll Who Ate His Mother ISBN 0-812-51654-0

The books are quite old so it could be that they are no longer in print.

Have you ever read anything by Michael Slade? He writes creepy stuff with fictional psychopaths...books are Ghoul, Headhunter, Cutthroat, Ripper, Evil Eye, Primal Scream, and Burnt Bones.

Good Heavens, Nellie! If anyone comes lurking in here by accident, they'll take one look at those titles and run screaming!! LOL Great! They all sound like just what I'm looking for. Hahaha

Lorrie

Lorrie, if they are horror fans they will run out to get at least one of the books LOL!

Just finished James Herbert's Portent which was what I call 'end of the world' disasters type horror. There is one character in this book by name of Mama Pitie or Mama Mercy who is the creepiest character I've come across yet in a horror novel. This is another good one!

Okay, Nellie! They sound great, I'm writing all this down. This is the kind of summer reading i go for!

Shirley, if you're lurking, thanks for the litle blurb in the Library. How's the An Rice book coming?

Lorrie

Just under 100 pages to go. Just one more peak to read about (do I dare call it a climax?) and the story will be nicely finnished. Will let you know when done - sometime this week.

Well, I went to the library today, and even though I couldn't get "Obsession" or "The Doll Who, etc" I was able to get two other books by Ramsy Campbell. One is "Long Lost" and the other is "The Last Voice They Hear." Has anyone read either one of these books? They look to be vastly entertaining! I also picked up a copy of that controversial book "American Psycho," and I'm curious to see what all the hoopla was about. Now to find the time!

Lorrie

Lorrie, I haven't read either of those Ramsey Campbell books but the titles sound good. I have read American Psycho and I found that I was never sure if the protagonist actually did all those awful deeds or if he just fantasized them. But there seems to be so little reaction by the police and newspapers regarding the crimes.

You will need a cast iron stomach for this one as the murder scenes are gruesomely graphic. In between the murders you will need someway to keep your eyes open because the protagonist -from whose viewpoint the whole story is told- tends to spend most of his time thinking about how he and everyone around him is dressed. LOL Now I've probably scared you away from reading this book.

Nellie, and other readers of Horror fiction: I'm about half way through "American Psycho", and I must say I'm still in a state of shock!Yes, you were absolutely right, some of the descriptions are so gruesome even I was shocked! And to think I had even toyed with the idea of putting it here for a discussion!! Can't you just see the readers' reactions here when they've read it? There is one thing, though, Nellie. At the beginning, I found the first few chapters hilarious simply because of the biting satire on the "Yuppie" styles of that time. Didn't you feel sometimes as though you were being paraded down a row of men's designers for "Gentlemen's Quarterly?" I hope to Heaven that was his fantasies only---How in the world could he keep slashing and slaying all over Manhattan without someone catching him otherwise? This book is a real shocker!

Lorrie

Now that I've finishd reading "American Psycho" and can put it gingerly aside, I've started Ramsey Campbell's book, "Long Lost." He did what all good writers do--grabbed my attention from the first page. This is a suspensful read! Has anyone else ever read campbell?

Lorrie

Lorrie, I'm glad you told us about "American Psycho." I don't think I want to read it.

But, you know, I still think "The First Deadly Sin" was about the most interesting gruesm book I read. So much better than the movie.

Has any of the readers lived in or stayed in a house thought to be haunted by a departed family member. I'm not sure, but I think my grand mothers house was visited by a departed daughter who had lived with her. A couple of times, not visually, some of the family members experienced hearing unexplained foot-steps on the back hall stair-case. Most of the time they thought these foot-step sounds were decending the stairs. I never heard them. However, I was only a child at the time and perhaps this kind departed woman didn't want to freighten me.

I'd like to hear some of your thoughts on your supernatural experiences.

Bill H

Several weeks ago, I finished reading "Intensity" by Koontz. It was as good as what several readers told me it was. Held my interest all the way through the book

Now this was a bit on the gruesom side. Don't think I could've been as brave as the heroine of the story.

Bill, in our old neighborhood when I was growing up, there was an abandonded house that we used to pass on the way to school, and everyone said it was "haunted," and that's why it wouldn't sell. I remember one late afternoon coming home on a dark Winter afternoon, I stopped to pick up some foil that I was collecting then, and I swear i could hear a wailing coming from that house! It may have been the wind, but I've never been convinced of that. Needless to say, I ran like everything the rest of the way home.

Lorrie

Lorrie, I can understand you moving very quickly past that abondonded "haunted" house. There was a vacant lot in my pre teen neighborhood were a house had been torn down. And when I passed that lot as a youngster, especially in the night, I would get the creeps. There was some thing about it that I just didn't like. It was owned by the family of the adjacent house and even though they were more than financially sound they wouldn't develop or sell it.

Bill, I told of an experience in a haunted house in the discussion you had on Stephen King. Check the outline to find it. Shirley

BTW Bill, did you ever email Ginny about her question about Stephen King's "Bag of Bones?" I read it but it's been so long ago now i can't remember most of it.

Lorrie

Lorrie, I can't remember what Ginny's question was about "Bag Of Bones." But I'm sure I would have answered Ginny's e-mail. I usually make a reply to all e-mail.

Ginny, what was the question?

Lorrie, if you can't remember "Bag Of Bones" you're not missing out on any thing. I didn't think it was so great.

"Bag Of Bones" was about an author.Who, after his wife died suddenly in a parking lot, found he just couldn't write anymore. Hoping to find himself again he visited their house on the lake--I believe it was in western Maine--and lo an behold he found the place and little town was haunted due to the murder of a woman and her child by a gang of the town ruffians. Come to think about it now that I'm writing this, it wasn't so bad after all.

Bill H

Bill, this was Post #321 in the Library/Bookmobile folder. I copied it for you.


I had gotten about 1/3 of the way thru BAG OF BONES by Stephen King when I had to put it down. If you have read this book, could you email me (so we don't spoil the plot for others) as I have a question on the book and am curious as to the answer.


I would appreciate it.


ginny

After reviewing "Bag Of Bones" I have changed my mind about it not being so good. I find that it is a nice little story after all.

I was going to post a short synopsis of the book, but it might spoil the plot for others, who may want to read the book

If you still want the synopsis posted, I have it on a flopp disk and can bring it back up.

Bill H

Has anyone looking in here ever had any paranormal experience, such as the one I described about "deja vu?" So many of the recent horror books have dealt with this subject, that I became really interested. I've got an open mine when it comes to UFO's, but the other facets of parascychology really fascinate me!

"What is Parapsychology? Parapsychology is the scientific study of paranormal phenomena. The "paranormal" (beside or beyond the normal) refers to unusual experiences that do not seem to be explainable in terms of our everyday understanding or known scientific principles. Paranormal experiences often seem weird, uncanny, or unnatural. Typically they are quite rare but there are a few exceptional "stars" who have regular paranormal experiences and may show seemingly consistent paranormal ability."


This is from a really interesting website that deals with this subject.
http://www.mdani.demon.co.uk/para/parintro.htm

Lorrie

Lorrie, I don't know if you could really call this a paranormal experience but when I was young I deamed for years about a big old victorian style house. It had three floors and the highest one was one big room which was used as a ballroom. There were also two small bedrooms just off the ballroom. On the second floor there were two bedroom and sitting room suites, four more bedrooms and one bathroom -the toilet had its own little closet. The main floor had a big kitchen, pantry, dining room, everyday parlor, and another to be used on Sundays only parlor. In the entry way there was a big stairway going upstairs and there was a second stairway going up from the kitchen. In my dream I was always there in the time when the house was new and everyone was dressed in old fashioned clothing.

Well many years later I was invited by a friend to visit her in the rooming house she lived in...and you can imagine my surprise when it was the very house I used to dream of.

****************

I have a few more horror book recommendations: The Business Man by Thomas M. Disch, about a fellow who murders his wife and helps his mother-in-law along through death's door as well and ends up being haunted by both. Another good book by Disch is The MD.

F.Paul Wilson is another good horror author of such books as The Select, The Keep, The Tomb, The Touch, Reborn, Reprisal, and Nightworld.

Still another good author of horror type books is James Herbert, who wrote such books as The Rats, Lair, The Dark, Haunted, Moon, Portent, and Fluke -I have all those. He also wrote Creed, Sepulchre, The Magic Cottage, Shrine, The Jonah, The Spear, The Survivor, The Fog, and Domain.

Nellie, that's fascinating! And the fact that you can remember the layout of that house so exactly impresses me. Eerie, isn't it? Thanks for the recommendations. I've always liked Herbert's books, and have read a coupl of those you mentioned. Now Wilson I'm going to look into.

In looking up about different haunted house, etc. I found this little mention of a castle in Ireland:

In Limerick County, Castle Donn


There have been many different strange occurrences in this castle including: bells ringing without aid, mysterious gray figures walking about, orange bits thrown in kitchen without aid, and the food mixer being turned on when it was not plugged in. In the "Red Room" three different couples have seen not only a dim light, but the figure of a man. The man is said to be that of a member of the Leslie family who died in 1914. The ghost is said to shuffle paper and tell couples to "shhh."

A ghost that tells you to shut up???

Here's another experience by a man who swears it's true:

Ghost from the ’50s by Gary S.


I’ve never been one to believe in ghosts, but the house I live in now has made me reconsider my way of thinking. It started 12 years ago when we moved into our new (to us) house. On a weekly basis, we would smell very strong perfume, then items would either fall off a table or go sailing off. My family witnessed most of this. I saw an empty pop can jump off an end table next to my wife when I was talking to her; no one was near it. I have seen white-like clouds at night over a chair, but this could just be my eyes not focusing after getting out of bed. The last thing I saw was about two months ago at about 2 p.m. I was in the house alone and I saw a woman appear from one wall, walk across the kitchen and go into another wall. She was tall and dressed like a secretary from the late 1950s: yellow blouse, tan plaid skirt, hemline midway between knee and ankle. The sighting lasted three to four seconds.

Can you think of some classic ghost stories, Lorrie? One modern one is Ghost Story by Peter Straub. But what else is there?

Well, of course, the first one to come to mind is the famous "Turn of the Screw" by James. That one is a classic, and it's been done into a movie more than once.

I just finished reading a book by Ramsey Campbell, and I liked it so much I got another one from the library. He writes these psychological fantasies like no one I've ever read, and this last book was so intelligently written, it amazed me!

Lorrie

OOps! The name of the Campbell book is "The Long Lost," and I highly recommend it. Now I've got "The Last Voice They Hear," and it looks promising! Anybody else ever read Ramsey Campbell?

Lorrie

Nellie, I have a book called "50 Great Ghost Stories." Edited by John Canning. Iv'e had it so long the pages have all turned brown with age. The first printing was in October of 1971. They were pretty good. Maybe I can reread some stories and post a brief outline here.

Nellie, that house you dreamed of and then later visited. May have been a chapter out of another life time of yours. Seems to real for you not to have been there in another lifetime.

Bill, now that is an interesting thought, a dream house that is part of a past life. I've never considered that.

Lorrie, I'm rereading Obsession by Ramsey Campbell...if you can find it, it is another good one.

I've gathered up a whole pile of horror books from the garage that I want to read again; so I will be leaving more recommendations for good spooky reading.

Good. I like your recommendations, Nellie. Next trip to the library I'm going to get "Obsession". Thanks.

Bill: That's an interesting thought--that the "haunted house" in Nellie's dream could have been from a previous life! Well, why not?

Lorrie

How about "Jack The Ripper." I always thought of this as a good horror story. Set in Victorian London with it's damp and fogy nights, street lamps casting ghostly shadows every where

This would be a god read on a cold winter night!!

Speaking of ghosts, I have a book titled HAUNTED WISCONSIN BY Beth Scott and Michael Norman. It contains more than 60 true tales they have found in the land called Wisconsin. There is a house here in Milwaukee and I have talke to the people who live there. They had come to the cemetery where I worked to find out about the family who were the ghosts. Very interesting story.

Sounds really interesting, Shirley! Especially for us Midwesterners. Can you tell us a bit more?

Lorrie

What do you want to hear about? The family or other chapters of the book? Haven't read it in years.

No, I mean the people you talked to who lived in the haunted house in Milwaukee.

Lorrie

Oh. I'll think about that and also look for my notes. I remember the two men talking about it but they were more interested in finding the grave site of the woman who had been a maid there. She was the one who wandered around and was visible to them. The Irish lass was pregnant but her lover had gone off to the Civil War, was killed and she was in total shame. The two men were very interesting and had been written up in the newspaper several times. I went to the paper and got copies of some of the articles about them. PJ had been a male prostitute (he was from a wealthy family in NY) but came here with his friend and they both found religeon. Even tried to become priests. Met the Pope in Rome, etc etc etc. They have a house for street people, and they go out recruiting drunks. The two men tried to clean up the house and yard but found bones which turned out to be human bones so they had to stop excavating. Turns out the Indians used that site for a burial ground as it was on a hillside which they preferred.

Have often thought of writing a book on my experiences working at the cem. Title would be "LIFE IN THE CEMETERY".

Or, "The Plot to End All Plots?" or "Dead Men Do Tell Tales!" hahaha

Lorrie

The possibilities are endless!

Petite One, how about: Have I Got a Deal For You!!There is an ad out for funeral insurance or pre-planning payments that uses this line.

Sorry, Lorrie, just kidding!! I couldn't resist!

Hahaha, Anne!

Shirley, I have a feeling you're going to get a lot of suggestions about a title!!

Lorrie

Those are pretty good names but I like mine the best. All the stories won't be about dead people as the office was pretty lively and of course, people came out of the woodwork at certain times of the year. Weird and wild. Shirley

Seriously, Shirley, that sounds like a wonderful idea for a book! Go for it! I mean, after all, how many best-sellers do you see about life among the people who deal with the dead? It would be fascinating reading!

As soon as it's in print, we'll feature it here on B&L as Book iof the Month, and I'll even lead a discussion on the book! How's that, for Fame?

Lorrie

Mary Page gives you permission to call your book "Grounded!" Hahahah

Mary, that's a good one too. Except there are mauseleums which go up and contain crypts for the deceased.

Lorrie, you are so sweet to volunteer. Could I trust you? Well, don't hold your breath for it to be written. Other priorities. Shirley

Here's an article about Stephen King's plans that I thought might interest you. At first I thought he was joking.

"PORTLAND, Maine (AP) -- Stephen King may release another book online, but wants to know what people think of the idea first.

``The Plant'' is an unfinished serial novel about a ``vampire vine' ' that takes over the offices of a paperback publishing company and offers financial success for human sacrifices, King says on his Web site.
King's assistant said the novel may be posted online in a manner similar to ``Riding the Bullet,'' the author's recent ``e-book.''
People could read 5,000-word installments on the Web site for free, then send King a check or money order for $1. The offer would be limited to the first 50,000 who download the book. Unlike ``Riding the Bullet,'' ``The Plant'' could be downloaded to a printer.
King, 52, got the idea for the honor experiment after getting $2.50 in the mail from a fan who read ``Riding the Bullet'' for free from an unauthorized Web site. She felt guilty and sent the money directly to the multimillionaire author.
``That just blew his mind, that she would do that,'' said Julie Eugley, King's assistant in Bangor, Maine, where the author lives. ``I think he wanted to see how honest people are.''
``Riding the Bullet'' was offered only online through several book- related Web sites in March. For $2.50, readers could download and read on a computer, personal organizer or electronic book. It racked up 400,000 orders during its first 24 hours for sale, according to Simon & Schuster.,BR>

Last Friday, King posted a note on his Web site explaining his idea and asking people to vote on whether he should offer the book online and whether he can trust people to pay later. A check of the Web site Tuesday evening showed 95 percent of the 5,490 votes cast were in favor or offering the book, and 72 percent said King could trust people.
``My purpose here isn't to skin anybody but to have some fun and try out a concept so old it may seem new; call it 'honesty is the best policy,''' King says on the site."

Stephen King

I noticed this morning that "Hannibal" is on the top of the best-selling books in paperback. We did a discussion on that book here once, and the feedback was really negative! I personally was disappointed in the book, because I like Harris' other novels, but not this one. Did anyone else read it?

Lorrie

Lorrie, I just got the paperback copy of Hannibal today but haven't started reading it yet.

Have you ever read books by Ruby Jean Jensen? I have a few books by her which are very good. One is Annabelle and the other is Pendulum. There is one more but I can't recall the name...it could be something like 'Illusion'. Her stories usually have children as the main characters.

Books I'm planning to read again are both by Frank De Felita: Funeral March and Audrey Rose. Do you remember the latter book?

Sure, Nellie, I remember Audrey Rose quite well. There's another one they made into a movie---didn't Anthony Hopkins play a lead in that one? I do remember the story of a little girl, if this is the same one I remember I liked it very much. I'm still on Ramsey Campbell's stories. He is fast becoming my favorite thriller writer. Also, I picked up a book by James Herbert, called "others!" It looks like it will be a good read, too.

Lorrie

Nellie, let me know when you start "Hannibal." Has anyone else read this controversial book?

Lorrie

Lorrie, I've read the first two chapters of Hannibal. Quite a beginning with that drug raid and that Evelda woman who was using her baby as a shield. I feel sorry for Clarissa because she will lose her job over that whole fiasco...or so it seems. So far the book is pretty good, if you like horror that is.

Nellie: The last thing I ever will do is spoil someone else's reading by telling them what's going to happen, but in regard to "Hannibal," you ain't seen nuttin' yet! I'm anxious to get your opinion on the ending of this book.

Meantime, I'm still fascinated by Ramsey Campbell's books, and there are several new horror books just come out that look good. "That's Not My Name," by Y. Navarro, for instance. Or "You Come When I Call You," by Doug Clegg.

Has anyone else read these?

Lorrie

Oh, MY, Oh My! Is no one interested in Horror books any more? I sometimes feel as though I'm talking to myself in here!

I'm terribly afraid that we'll have to put this discussion to rest. In some ways, it's a pity, because there are many good horror books coming out every day. Anyway, if we don't hear from anyone in the next day or two, we can give this discussion a decent burial.

You might be interested in reading a true horror story about a doctor who is a serial killer, who has more than 60 unexplained deaths on his record, and who will be set free in a month to go out and pracice medicine again! The book is True Crime----Blind Eye, and will be discussed in another folder in August. tune in!

Lorrie

Lorrie, I finished Hannibal and thought it was a very good horror story in which the various evil characters like Mason and his sister get their just, if gruesome desserts. It is interesting that Harris makes Hannibal Lecter a sympathetic character inspite of what he is by revealing that bit about what happened when he was a 6 year old boy. Plus he only seems to eat bits of people who are evil or breaking the law in some way.

He eats Clarice too; not physically but by turning her into what he is. I sort of expected the ending as I was reading through the book; I knew they would end up together. Since both Hannibal and Clarice are still alive and now of the same kind -cannibals-I can see another novel in this series. How about you?

I'm rereading a book by Brian D'Amato called Beauty -this seems to be his one and only book since I see nothing else by him in the local bookstores - about an artist who does illegal plastic surgery using very different techniques; and what goes wrong afterwards.

I found a new paperback by Peter Straub called Mr.X...has anyone else read this one?