4.5 stars!

This book was a rocking good time! Any fan of 80's style horror would dig this novel.

We have a paparazzo named Creed that is generally disliked. He is greedy, selfish and obnoxious. Thing is, you are rooting for him anyway. Mr. Herbert created a deeply flawed, but likable protagonist.

The best part, next to the 80's pulp feel, is the humor. Herbert somehow manages to have you laughing, sometimes even in the midst of dire situations. Then there's a few inside jokes; at one point Creed spots a rat and thinks: "Didn't he read somewhere that rats were taking over the city? Good idea for a book there. Somebody ought to do it." Anyone familiar with James Herbert's works chuckles right there.

I'm not going to get into the plot, the description does that. I will say that this book stoked up my Herbert jones and I can't wait to read more of his books. Highly recommended for fans of 80's horror.
For a good time, call Creed! ( )

This was... interesting. It definitely had some flaws, but the nature of the protagonist/hero, being a sleazeball that you need to root for, gave it a unique flavor, and it was overall a fun read. ( )

Good book, enjoyed the build up and the ending but the middle got a bit strange for me, and dont get me wrong i love strange! just wasnt my kind of strange haha would definatly read more James Herbet however, loved the writing style, bit cheeky in places referencing his own work ;P looking forward to reading the rats at some stage! ( )

It was ok but a bit of a slog ( )

My favourite James Herbert book - and not just because I am a picture editor for a newspaper that uses a fair number of paparazzi shots: this story has it all - humour, horror and excellent characterisation.

Creed, the hero, is a total sleeze-ball who is saved from being completely despicable only by his humour and self-knowledge. The opening sequence is immediately gripping: having staked out a cemetery in the hopes of seeing celebrities at the funeral of a former star, he instead witnesses a sinister man masturbating on the grave, and not in a nice way.

Naturally, Creed photographs him and, despite the distance separating them, his subject is immediately aware of having been snapped. The thrills occur thick and fast when Creed actually develops the film [something photographers tended to do in the pre-digital days] and gets his first glimpse of those evil, burning eyes.

It's not long before he is paid a visit and forced [although to be honest he is so terrified not much force is required] to hand over the film. However, its too late, his son is kidnapped and he is made to act against character - a fate common to many of Herbert's male leads - and come to the rescue. Funny and frightening, it is a grand read! ( )