Scare Tactics
by Farris, John
Three chilling works, "The Guardians," "The Odor of Violets," and "Horrorshow," take the reader from ancient Babylon to the supernatural power of reincarnated gods. KIRKUS REVIEW Two new yams--an occult short story and a psycho, killer novella--and one golden oldie--an out-of-print thriller novel, The Guardians, first published in 1964--make up this hodgepodge entry from grand guignol master Farris (Son of the Endless Night, 1984; Wildwood, 1986; etc.). The story, "The Odor of Violets," about the haunting of an author by the muse of the writer whose work he stole, lacks originality or punch. On the other hand, the novella, "Horrorshow," in which a madman stalks a southern town, kicks in at full throttle and never lets go. Of The Guardians, Kirkus in 1964 said: ""Corruption (moral not political) in high places . . . Bulldog grip to the lurid aspects here." In all, not a bad bet for Farris fans.