Book Review: Bed of Nails

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Bed of Nails     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Michael Slade
Class/Genre:   Mystery
Onyx, Nov. 2003, $7.50, 448

The Forensic Psychiatric Hospital at Colony Farm in Vancouver is the home of the insane serial killer known as the Ripper. He believes that he is actually the real Jack the Ripper who can go back in time through a wyrmhole in space caused by his magical manipulation of the tarot card The Hanged Man. He blames Inspector Zinc Chandler of the Special External section of the RCMP for his inability to do go anywhere besides Victorian England. Ripper holds Zach responsible for ruining a magical rite the Ripper was performing. He also knows that Zach's efforts led to his present captivity.

When the Goth visits the Ripper at the hospital, he begs the psycho to teach him the art of time travel. The Ripper does so in return for the Goth’s promise to kill and then eat Zinc. The police feel that two murders, one and a half years apart in Vancouver and Seattle, were committed by the same person. Zinc, who is involved in both cases, is taking a vacation to the South Seas Cook Islands lured there by the Goth who intends to spring his trap while on tour.

Michael Slade is the king of psychothrillers, and his latest work BED OF NAILS comes as close to horror as the genre is defined without actually crossing over the line. This is not a work for the faint of heart for there is very gruesome, gory and explicit scenes spread throughout the story line. The incredible imagery will give readers nightmares. Readers who like relish monsters wearing a human face must read a Michael Slade novel.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner