#Spooktober-‘Strange Ink’ by Gary Kemble

About the book…

Spine-chilling horror in the vein of Joe Hill. After moving into a new house, journalist Harry Hendrick wakes up with tattoos that aren’t his…
When washed-up journalist Harry Hendrick wakes one morning with a hangover and a strange symbol tattooed on his neck, he shrugs it off as a bad night out.

But soon more tattoos appear: grisly, violent images which come accompanied by horrific nightmares – so he begins to dig deeper.

Harry’s search leads him to a sinister disappearance, torment from beyond the grave, and a web of corruption and violence tangled with his own past. One way or another, he has to right the wrongs.

Massive MASSIVE thanks to the wonderful team at Titan Books for my review copy of this horror debut-‘Strange Ink’ is out now in paperback wherever good books are sold! If you get this today you will have time to read it before the sequel, ‘Dark Ink’, comes through your letterbox!

What is there to say about this novel…it is remarkably assured for a debut, it is a strong opener for a series featuring journalist Harry Hendrick who is left with a memorable souvenir of what he thinks was a heavy night out.

Breaking up with his girlfriend has left him lonely and grieving for the life he imagined that he and Becky would’ve had so her reacts as most of us would, by getting drunk and stalking her facebook page for status updates(in a sad non stalker-y way)

So when he wakes up with a tattoo on his neck after blacking out and  having a horrific nightmare, it doesn’t seem too far fetched that he has drunkenly agreed to a tattoo. His cynical, laid back buddy Dave provides a nice balast to Harry’s world weary cynicism and newspaper stablemate ,Christine, is a nice reminder of how he used to be before he let life get in the way. His journalist skills need sharpening, and this is the first time his lifestyle choices have resulted in a severe reflection on who he is and what he has been doing.

At the start of the book Harry is feeling sorry for himself, he is moping and could be read as a quite unlikable character which is a testament to Gary Kemble’s skills that you stick with him to find out how and why these tattoos are appearing.

Bringing his investigative skills to the fore, and sharpening them up thanks to Christine reminding him of the difference he made to her when she started at the Chronicle,in sharing his experiences and tips, Harry has no choice but to look into what is happening to him and the town that he lives in. He has to step up and look at the decisions he has made and take on board the consequences, the things he been putting off will be cast aside no longer. Harry has to dig inside and find that what is in your heart, sometimes, is exactly like wearing it on your sleeve.

I really enjoyed the growing sense of horror as Harry’s body becomes something unfamiliar and terrifying to him, his largest organ, the skin, is being overtaken by arcane symbols and scenes from nightmares that he cannot quite control. I loved the pace of the story, it felt developed enough to get a good grasp of Harry’s character and those of his closest allies, whilst leaving room for more.

The book is scary in the right places and constantly gripping, It is very hard to put it down and is one of those books where ‘one more chapter..’ is a promise to yourself that you constantly break!

I am very much looking forward to more from Gary Kemble and would highly recommend it for fans of Richard Kadrey, Lauren Beukes and Jim Butcher

About the author…

Gary Kemble has spent his life telling stories.

He wrote, illustrated and self-published his first story (Back from the Grave) aged eight.

His debut novel will be followed by the sequel, ‘Dark Ink’ will be released on 08/10/2019.

Links-http://garykemble.com/

https://titanbooks.com/

https://kendallreviews.com/strange-ink-author-gary-kemble-talks-to-kendall-reviews/

Twitter @garykemble

@TitanBooks