Strange Magic

by Gord Rollo

Book Overview

A MAN HIDING FROM A TERRIBLE PAST... Wilson Kemp is a man living a lie in Billington, Pennsylvania. He's been in hiding for a long time, running from a dreadful secret that has forced him to change... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0843963336
• ISBN13: 9780843963335
• Release Date: January 2010
• Publisher: Leisure Books
• Length: 310 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 4.1" x 6.7"

Customer Reviews

Simple, yet highly entertaining... Exactly what I needed...

I read a review from a horror website that suggested this title by Mr. Rollo was mediocre, because of it's simple nature... And that's the exact reason why I gave this book 5 stars (although, I would of just given it 4 & 1/2 stars if that was an option)... It is a simple read, and that's exactly what I needed @ the time... Rollo doesn't get swept up in the minutia of details, which in my humble opinion tends to bog down the flow of a lot of horror novels... The story is straight forward and it moves quickly... The action is smooth... The characters are easy to absorb... And YES!!! There are moments of intense Rollo gore & suspense (although not nearly as extensive as "The Jigsaw Man")... So, if you're looking for an entertaining quick read that gets down to business w/out getting caught up in unnecessary details, than this is perfect for you... Good stuff...

A MAGICIAN WITH WORDS!!!!

Like Ron Malfi, another relatively new horror author to burst on to the scene, Gord Rollo is destined to become a household, or should become one anyway. The only other thing I've read by Rollo is Jigsaw and I was mightily impressed with it. But as good as it was, I think Strange Magic is even better; much better! I won't tell you much about the book because I know when I sit down to read a review, I don't like it when someone starts "spilling the beans" on what the book is about. However, I will tell you some tidbits that might entice you buy this creepy and disturbing book. It may sound funny or maybe it's just my imagination running wild, but Rollo reminds somewhat of a younger Richard Laymon; that is a grand compliment indeed! Rollo is still his own man and isn't near as perverse or gruesome as the late great Laymon could be in his books, but he has that writing touch that reminds me of Laymon in a way I can't exactly pinpoint. Maybe it's Rollo's plotting. I think of anyone that was such a master at plotting. Anyway, Rollo can write with the best of them. Things to look forward to in Strang Magic... PEEPING TOM: Yes, now that I think of that name, a character in Strange Magic, it reminds me of Laymon. "Tom" is not a main character, but he is a character you won't soon forget. There is one scene where he is standing at a window that you need to be on the lookout for. I am still laughing about. If perverse things don't offend you or you get a laugh out of that sort of thing, then you'll want to get Strange Magic. Oh, did I mention that who "Tom" really is is a surprise twist. No, of course I'm not going to tell you who it is. Read the book! THE DARK MAN: He really goes by The Stranger/Heatseeker, but I just call him THE DARK MAN. He is a main character and an evil one. One of the most charmingly evil characters I've ever read in a book. He is so disturbing and creepy in how he acts and the things he does, even thinks, that even though you're repulsed by him you can't help but take his hand and follow him down the road of darkness he travels. It seems as though his subtlety in the heinous acts he commits is what makes seem so EVIL! He is gruesome, to an extent, but not overly. He is more disturbed than anything. Read Strange Magic and fall under his evil spell. WILSON KEMP: The real main character of the book. One of the most heartwrenching characters I've read in a while. Alcoholic, seperated from his wife and daughter, trying to do right with himself and his family and fight the bottle. He is a broken man and becomes even more so when his past comes back to bite him. I despise drunks, but I have a lot of heart for those who have a drinking problem and are trying to get off the "sauce". I've never been down that road, but I've heard it's a nightmare to defeat. And this is probably why I find Kemp so enduring. He knows he's got a MAJOR problem, but he tries and tries to do his best. It's what he goes through in the book; all of the hardships

Rollo Mesmerizes With His Magic Words

Gord Rollo's latest release, Strange Magic, tells the story of former magician Wilson Kemp. Wilson has been trying for years to escape his past, going as far as changing his name, moving, and giving up his career as a magician. His wife and daughter know nothing of his past life, but unfortunately, his past has finally caught up with him and he may not be able to keep it hidden any longer. Someone in town known as "the Stranger" is killing both humans and animals, leaving messages at the scene of each crime for "The Iceman", which happens to be Wilson's old stage name. Wilson is now scared for the life of himself and his family. He is not sure who "the Stranger" really is, but fears it may be his old partner, "The Heatseeker". The problem with that scenario is that "The Heatseeker" has been dead for twenty-two years! Intense, imaginative, well-balanced, fast-paced... you name it and Rollo has accomplished it in Strange Magic! Ever since Leisure started putting out Rollo's work I've been grabbing them up off the shelf immediately and I haven't been disappointed yet. Strange Magic may very well be my favorite so far. A couple of the characters' actual identities are kept secret through a good chunk of the book. Usually it is hard to keep up such a "front" that well without the reader figuring it out prior to the big "reveal", but Rollo managed to accomplish this without a hitch! I was ultimately pleasantly surprised, and a bit disturbed, with both of the characters once I found out who they really were. In addition, the death scenes within the book aren't overly gruesome, yet still cringe-worthy enough that both gore lovers and those of the weak stomach should be able to enjoy them. It is truly a well-rounded book and I feel that Rollo has definitely written something that all horror fans will love. In addition to reading the Leisure addition of Strange Magic, I also had the pleasure of reading Rollo's short story, "Peeler", a tie-in story to Strange Magic. This story can currently be found in the limited edition of Strange Magic published by Bad Moon Books. Peeler is the name of one of the side characters from Strange Magic who happens to have what you might call a weird "fetish" for peeling off his own skin. In this short story, we get to learn what causes Peeler to mutilate himself and where he was at prior to the time-frame of Strange Magic. The story is a bit gross, yet definitely ties into the whole magical element playing throughout the novel. It's a must-read for die-hard Rollo fans, and it's a shame that Leisure couldn't have included it in their edition of the release. Hopefully, this story will be released in a short story collection from Rollo, for those that are unable to get their hands on a copy of the limited edition of Strange Magic. I highly recommend reading both Strange Magic and the tie-in story, "Peeler"! Contains: Adult Language, Adult Situations, Mutilation Review also posted at MonsterLibrarian dot com

Fall Under The Spell Of Strange Magic

I'm not here to tell you the plot of Gord Rollo's third novel, Strange Magic. If that is what you are looking for, just check out the Strange Magic page. What I want to do is tell you what a great book Mr. Rollo has produced. With Wilson Kemp, Gord has crafted a wonderfully broken character. A man with a tragic past, fighting alcoholism and the break-up of his marriage, Kemp is the type of man you can despise for his weakness, pity for his loss, and root for as he fights to regain his life. Gord's depiction of Kemp's struggles and triumphs pushes all the right buttons, without you realizing those buttons have been pushed. The villian of the story, The Stranger, is a charmingly evil individual. A flashy smile distracts you from the knife about to slide into your side. A man with a relentless thirst for revenge, The Stranger pursues his goal with a passion; a bloody, violent passion. This is a character I would love to see featured in his own book, maybe in the events leading up to this story. Then there is "Peeping Tom". A secondary player who brings a little something extra to the book. Another well rounded character, with a twist. I can't say too much; it's best to read the book and find out about "Tom" for yourself. Gord Rollo has a lean, clean writing style that pulls you in and keeps your eyes looked on the page. His pacing starts at a good clip and just picks up along the way. Can Wilson Kemp get his life together? What is The Strangers ultimate plan? And exactly what is going on with that "Peeping Tom" guy? If you want a good, scary story, filled with fantastic characters, plot twists, magic and mayhem, pick up Strange Magic and fall under the spell of a writer who just gets better and better.