Book Review - That Which Should Not Be by Brett J Talley

I'm a big fan of Lovecraft's writing and especially those relating to the Cthulhu mythos and this book provides an excellent extension of those works. The writing style is very reminiscent of Lovecraft, although not as dense and is perhaps an easier introduction. The story loosely continues the tale from At the Mountains of Madness.

I enjoyed the story from the first page and it captures the Lovecraft theme solidly. My appreciation dipped a little with the first of three stories wrapped within the overall plot. This first story is well written, but concerns a tale I've read before and is basically a monster story. It recovers a bit with the second and then is firmly back on track with the third. At first the stories seemed out of place, but their connection becomes apparent later in the book.

My only other complaint was that the ending felt a little rushed and lacked some of the depth from the earlier parts of the book. It is a satisfactory ending from a story perspective though, so it shouldn't count against giving this book a try.

If you're a fan of Lovecraft then this is well worth a read. It's also worth checking out if you haven't read any Lovecraft and want to get a taste of what the master of horror created. Naturally you should then read the originals immediately!

Click on image to buy from Amazon

Miskatonic University has a long-whispered reputation of being strongly connected to all things occult and supernatural. From the faculty to the students, the fascination with other-worldly legends and objects runs rampant. So, when Carter Weston’s professor Dr. Thayerson asks him to search a nearby village for a book that is believed to control the inhuman forces that rule the Earth, Incendium Maleficarum, The Inferno of the Witch, the student doesn’t hesitate to begin the quest.

Weston’s journey takes an unexpected turn, however, when he ventures into a tavern in the small town of Anchorhead. Rather than passing the evening as a solitary patron, Weston joins four men who regale him with stories of their personal experiences with forces both preternatural and damned. Two stories hit close to home as they tie the tellers directly to Weston’s current mission.

His unanticipated role as passive listener proves fortuitous, and Weston fulfills his goal. Bringing the book back to Miskatonic, though, proves to be a grave mistake. Quickly, Weston realizes he has played a role in potentially opening the gate between the netherworld and the world of Man. Reversing the course of events means forgetting all he thought he knew about Miskatonic and his professor and embracing an unknown beyond his wildest imagination.

Click here to buy That Which Should Not Be on Amazon US / Amazon UK (and it's an excellent Cthulhu mythos tale)