Like H.P. Lovecraft before him, King has succeeded in creating a world within his own world in the form of fictional Maine towns Castle Rock, Derry and, in the case of this tale, Jerusalem's Lot. The opener to his Night Shift collection, this prequel of sorts to his later novel, Salem's Lot, is set back in 1850 and sees stately gent, Charles Boone, arrive at his dilapidated family home with man servant in tow, only to acquire a curious interest in the long-abandoned town of this story's title. Also taking some vital cues from Bram Stoker - the tale is written diary or letter form, as well as featuring not one, but two, monster types from the British author's repertoire - the story unfolds at a slithering pace, as we flit between Boone and his servant's recollections of what's been discovered in the cellar and on their rambles to the ghostly township. Once you reach this story's chilling climax, you'll start to believe there's scratching behind your walls, too.
Shaun is a former contributor for a number of Future Publishing titles and more recently worked as a staffer at Imagine Publishing.
He can now be found banking in the daytime and writing a variety of articles for What Culture, namely around his favourite topics of film, retro gaming, music, TV and, when he's feeling clever, literature.
