TGM started as an all-things horror site. It’s the genre I worked in ( A Nightmare on Elm Street remake) and played in ( writer ) since my geek days in High School. It’s safe to say that I have great confidence in speaking on this most delicious genre. So, when Hellbound Books approached me to review their new release, The Wet, I couldn’t be more excited!
(will be a spoil-free review of our thoughts so do not panic and hit that spoiler alert button!)
I am a man of great honesty when it matters so I must admit that I have never read Paul Kane. However, I knew the name because he’s essentially the professor of all things Hellraiser ( one of the greatest horror IPs of all time). With that being said, I think a brief glossing of Mr. Kane is needed.
Paul Kane is a renowned British author who is celebrated for his contributions to the horror genre. Kane has penned numerous novels, short stories, and non-fiction works. A couple of his works that screamed at me are his contributions to Hellraiser in the anthology Hellbound Hearts, The RED Trilogy, a modern reimagining of the Red Riding Hood mythos, and Sherlock Holmes and the Servants of Hell, which merges the worlds of Arthur Conan Doyle’s detective and Clive Barker’s Hellraiser universe – yes you read that correctly!
So what is The Wet?
The Wet by Paul Kane takes readers ( a well rounded cast of characters) on a chilling journey to the storm-battered seaside resort called Sable, where nature’s fury seems…let’s say almost supernatural! In this early novel, recently uncovered from Kane’s archives and written in his early twenties, he paints a tale of suspense and horror that is both a nod to the classic horror novels and movies of the ’70s and ’80s – his writing style is cinematic!
This early writing was not just a bottom-drawer manuscript but a page turning story inspired by Kane’s experiences as a shy, overweight kid who avidly consumed horror as read in his introduction. As a writer and horror junkie myself, I love seeing the influences of other creatives. In The Wet introduction he shares in his influences such as movies like The Blob, The Abyss, The Fog, and it’s safe to say a slice of Jaws. I firmly believe that our influences create the foundation of our creative futures. If you lose that foundation you end up writing something that resembles a shambling zombie of a story. It appears from the beginning of Kane’s writing journey to know, he has never lost it!
Kane’s ability to craft a compelling story with a textured atmosphere is evident in this early work. His characters are well-drawn, each weighed down by backstories that add depth to the unfolding horror. It’s honestly remarkable to me that Kane was able to create such robust characters (ie Jason Harding) in his first novel.
The Wet is a gripping and atmospheric novel that you can feel. It not only showcases Paul Kane’s early talent but also serves as a testament to his enduring influence in the horror genre. Fans of classic horror and Kane’s later works will find much to love in this rediscovered gem.
You can find novel on HellBound Books Publishing website using the link below:
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