The characters are there, spot on in their warmth and realism, yet their actions seem scripted and the sudden decision to brave the inescapable wrath of spirits described as the equivalent of Christianity’s Satan not justified. The idea is good, yet the delivery remains hackneyed here, stifled by a strange rapidity and a certain clinical description of unlikely events. Comparatively, returning to the first book is actually a bit of a jar, especially since Masterton has grown so much since the inception of his long running story. The later creeping horror and all out blood bath of Plague of the Manitou (and other books in the series, I am told) have the strength of time and refined authorship. Kitschy, with more zeal than true originality, the plot exceeds in the uniqueness of its effort and is likewise harmed by the stereotypical horror elements it invariably falls back on. Combining forces with Singing Rock, a current Native American medicine man, Harry is torn between sympathy for the villain and a desire to save Karen. Misquamacus, a powerful Native American medicine man from the 1700s is being reborn in Karen Tandey and seeking revenge for the brutal destruction of his people and way of life. When the growing tumor is revealed as a fetus, doctors are shocked and horrified and Harry seeks the answers in the cards and the depths of the occult. Things get freaky for our lovable charlatan Harry when a new client with an overnight neck tumor appears and gets a strange reading from his suddenly transforming Tarot cards. Introducing Harry Erskine, the erstwhile fortune teller and grade-A cynic, the series combines humor, strong characterization, and gnawing horror. When Plague left me awake at night, cringing at all the creaks and groans of an old house, I changed my mind and happily purchased the book that started both Masterton’s career and the Manitou series. The first novel Masterton ever wrote, I’ve long since heard of The Manitou but never been much of a fan of the synopsis. Recent additions such as Plague of the Manitou and the short story collection Figures of Fear have reawakened my Masterton admiration and blood lust for the delightfully macabre. Long a childhood favorite, Masterton has the unique ability to reduce readers to quivering mounds of fear, even veteran horror lovers such as yours truly. Having been introduced to Graham Masterton’s long running Manitou series through the seventh, and most recent edition, Plague of the Manitou, I succumbed to addiction and went back to 1976 and Masterton’s first novel, The Manitou, which starts everything. Rating: The Beginning of Masterton’s Best Loved Series

The Manitou by Graham Masterton