The Frighteners: A Journey Through our Cultural Fascination with the Macabre
The Frighteners, by Peter Laws. This book explores Christian “haunted houses,” ghost hunting, a vampire party, and the intersection between technology and the supernatural. The author is a Baptist minister. The book is due September 4.
Reviews: Book Deviant, Civilian Reader, Goodreads, Starburst Magazine.
Death Across Oceans: Archaeology of Coffins and Vaults in Britain, America, and Australia
Death Across Oceans, by Harold Mytum. Already available (published August 7).
This won’t exactly be a page turner – the book “brings together the leading researchers in historic mortuary practice from Britain, North America, and Australia. It is the first book dedicated to the material culture associated with burial in the historic, English-speaking world.” Probably only of interest to my readers who are mortuary students or professionals (there are quite a few, come to find out!)
Vault of Frankenstein: 200 Years of the World’s Most Famous Monster
Vault of Frankenstein, by Paul Ruditis, arriving September 25.
This book explores Frankenstein in popular culture, including his appearance on cereal boxes and other merchandise, in comic books, television and films.
Mary Shelley: The Strange True Tale of Frankenstein’s Creator
Mary Shelley, by Catherine Reef. A biography of the “forgotten feminist.” The book arrives on shelves September 18.
Reviews: Goodreads, Kirkus Review, Teenreads.
The Vampire: A New History
The Vampire: A New History, by Nick Groom.
“Published to mark the bicentenary of John Polidori’s publication of The Vampyre, Nick Groom’s detailed new account illuminates the complex history of the iconic creature.” This book hits store shelves on October 30, just in time for Halloween. The author is a professor of English literature at the University of Exeter. The publisher is Yale University Press.
Reviews: None yet.
The Penguin Book of Hell
The Penguin Book of Hell, by Scott G. Bruce. Arriving September 4, this book takes us through three thousand years of eternal damnation, beginning with the Hebrew shadowy realm Sheol and continuing through the 21st century. Perhaps not a page turner, but a nice reference volume.