Reclusive Reads

A new John Connolly book is always an event, and his latest collection is no exception.
Having already proven himself a master of Dark Fiction, it goes without saying that the short tales of horror here are all gems....dark, compelling and powerful journeys into the shadows that will thrill and chill any horror fan. Connolly's homage to the sub-genre of forbidden texts, The Fractured Atlas-Five Fragments alone is worth the price of admission.

But.....the crown jewels of this collection are something completely different, unexpected gifts for the book lovers in us all.
With the novella, The Caxton Private Lending Library and Book Depository, and it's companion short story, Holmes on the Range: A Tale of the Caxton Private Lending Library and Book Depository, Connolly has outdone himself, creating a special place where the characters of literature appear once their creators have passed away. In my opinion, the very best stories, in any genre, are works of imagination and originality, true classics inspire the imaginations of their readers. These are true classics, in every sense of the word....a heartfelt gift from Mr. Connolly, not only to the authors and books that inspired him, but to every lover of books...giving us a place that we would give anything to visit....and that fills our dreams, wondering who else may be wandering about there. I will be returning to these stories often, as often as I've returned to The Caxton in my mind.

And finally, we come to I Live Here, an autobiographical essay where Mr. Connolly shares the books and authors that inspired him, told with a delightful candor, humor and even a chill from unexpected places.

It goes without saying, my highest possible recommendation.

This was an eARC from Netgalley, offered in exchange for an honest review.