Terrible Beauty

by Graham Masterton

Book Overview

One wet, windswept November morning, a field on a desolate farm gives up the dismembered bones of eleven women... Their skeletons bear the marks of a meticulous butcher. The bodies date back to 1915.... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0739434446
• ISBN13: 9780739434444
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: Pocket Star
• Length: 369 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Pretty gory

This is one gory book! Not for the fAint-hearted. Most of Masterton's books are scary, but this one is creepy. Would make a great horror flick. Actually, this reminds me of the movie "Waxwork" starring Zach Galligan. Just a bit. It's a little hard to understand because it takes place in Ireland. Even though Masterton provides an Irish dictionary at the beginning of the book, there's still a lot of words that don't make sense. I'd rather read his books in which the setting is some place in America. The Irish folk speak weird. Anyway, read the book and have nightmares. And women everywhere...don't accept a ride from any man you don't know well!!!

GRAHAM CRACKERS

Although Masterton's been writing for years, this is my first look at this well-received master of horror. In this offering, Masterton demonstrates a commendable mastery of his words and of his characterizations.The novel starts out a little slowly, but builds into a disturbing and horrifying look at a very unusual serial killer.Katie Maguire, the highest ranked woman in law enforcement in Ireland, is called in when the bones of eleven women are discovered in a farm. Meanwhile, someone is killing young women in the same way. These killings are EXTREMELY GRAPHIC and disturbing. In a religious vein, Masterton obviously questions "why bad things happen to good people." At any rate, what goes from here is a vortex of interesting scenarios, and if you're astute, you won't have trouble figuring out who the person is trying to resurrect the demon Morgana. I don't know whether I understand Masterton's lesbian subplot; it does seem out of place, but it's not overdone, but seems rather unnecessary.However, who am I to criticize one of horror's masters? It's definitely a page-turner, and recommended.

Quality Masterton

I think that the key to appreciating Masterton in this style is that he has Changed tone to suit the Characters and the Story. It's a page turner, and it's a real thriller, with twists that only Masterton can Deliver. As a Master of many genres, and a brilliant creator of a style that Lives in the Moment, Masterton Plays on every edge, quality and key Hubris in his players. This book is masterfully done. The book has an explanatory interface, and in all respects the novel flows beautifully. The interviewing of the investigating police-woman, the people doing the sacrifice, life on the farm, and the ultimate denouement with the frightening supernatural character at the centre of the very scarey events. This is a masterful production, and is so very much like the masterful works of Masterton.

Crime, myth, and human complexity

The first few chapters of this book seemed to move rather slowly but soon I could not turn the pages fast enough! Masterton is able to mix together crime, mythology, and human frailty in a uniquely intriguing way. Deputy Superintendent Katie Maguire is a believable, sympathetic protagonist caught up in a variety of challenges both at work and at home. The shady criminals and loyal male coworkers who have begrudgingly come to accept and respect her populate her days. Add to that the politicians with their own agendas and the academics who try to help and you have an interesting cast. There are enough twists and turns to keep the reader interested although the sinister culprit begins to become apparent about 3/4 of the way through the story. Still, Masterton weaves enough additional details and twists to keep you guessing. I wasn't sure if I would like this book but I thoroughly enjoyed it and finished it in two days!

Has it share of creepy moments....but

I enjoyed the story, Masterton is a great underated writerand has so many great stories under his belt. He has a waywith getting under your skin and this book had many momentsthat gave me some uncomfortable chills as I read late at nightbefore bed, but thats the best time to read Masterton, justbefore you dream...I felt the story spread itself out more than it needed to withso many charactersbut all in all it was a quick, fast paced read with mysteryand horror and I loved the whole Irish setting and folklore.