Tag Archives: the nine deaths of dr. valentine

Mar 9 2015

Reviews 09:03:2015

The start of yet another week, but at least we’re now heading into spring with warmer and sunnier days ahead, and to celebrate, here are some reviews we’ve received over the last couple of days:

WITHIN THE WIND, BENEATH THE SNOW by Ray Cluley

"Within the Wind, Beneath he Snow" ©2014 Ray CluleySpectral Press. Artwork ©2014 Jim Burns

“Within the Wind, Beneath he Snow” ©2014 Ray CluleySpectral Press. Artwork ©2014 Jim Burns

First up here’s Chris Hall of DLS Review with his take on this very chilly tale from Ray Cluley – you can read that one HERE. And HERE’S another one for the same book, this time courtesy of Erik Hofstatter and which was posted to his The Cimmerian Writer blog.

WITHIN THE WIND, BENEATH THE SNOW by Ray Cluley 

All prices include postage and packing

UK £15

EU £16

US & RoW $30

THE NINE DEATHS OF DR. VALENTINE by John Llewellyn Probert

The Nine Deaths of Dr. Valentine cover image

Another review from DLS Reviews, this time of the novella detailing the debut exploits of the Medical Master of Mayhem, Dr. Valentine. You can read that one HERE.

The sequel, The Hammer of Dr. Valentine, is currently available, the hardback of which you can order via the Paypal links below. If you would like a copy of The Nine Deaths, please enquire about availability at spectralpress[AT]gmail[DOT]com.

The Hammer of Dr. Valentine: limited signed hardback (100 only). 

UK £21

EU £24

USA & Everywhere Else $45

Aug 7 2014

News 07:08:2014

We have a great deal of news to report this morning, so without any more pre-amble:

Black Mountian 8 Cover

The latest episode, number 8, of Simon Bestwick’s Black Mountain serial, A Lake of Fire, is now available through Amazon. Once again we have to thank the brilliant Neil Williams for the superb cover (above), which we happen to think is one of his best yet.

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Even more good news is that the slipcases for The Christmas Ghost Stories of Lawrence Gordon Clark have at last arrived, and they look lush – see the photos below.

IMG_20140807_091430974_HDR

IMG_20140807_091510973

IMG_20140807_091526075_HDR

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The slipcases will be dispatched to purchasers from this weekend onwards

Next, in getting around to opening some boxes after having been in our new place for seven months, we discovered we have a couple of copies in signed and numbered hardback of the following titles:

The Nine Deaths of Dr. Valentine by John Llewellyn Probert (TWO only)

The Respectable Face of Tyranny by Gary Fry (TWO only)

They can be had for £12 UK/£15 EU/$30 US & RoW each – but only if you hurry. Please contact us first on spectralpress[AT]gmail[DOT]com to secure your copy on a first come first served basis.

Finally, please check out the latest issue of The Spectral Times (unrelated to Spectral Press), where you’ll be able to find an interview with two Spectral stalwarts: Lawrence Gordon Clark and Stephen Volk. Lawrence talks about his involvement with the A Ghost Story for Christmas dramas for the BBC in the seventies and about the Deluxe Edition of the Spectral Book. Meanwhile, Stephen discusses the infamous Ghostwatch, with a mention of Whitstable along the way. The electronic edition of the magazine is FREE, and can be obtained from HERE.

 

Feb 13 2014

News, reviews and stuff – 13:02:2014

Quite a packed little blog entry we have for you today, so without any more faffing let’s get on with the show:

The Nine Deaths of Dr. Valentine cover image

First we have a review of the British Fantasy Award-winning novella The Nine Deaths of Dr. Valentine by John Llewellyn , from Paul Feeney on his Sound and Fury blog. That one can be accessed right HERE.

And talking of the good Doctor, fans of John’s mas monstrously malicious medic will be pleased to know that the second chronicle in the trilogy of medical misdeeds, The Hammer of Dr. Valentine, will be available in late April/early May. It won’t take a brain surgeon to figure out which studios’ films are being referenced this time, but we can guarantee that the same level of darkly delicious black humour that entertained readers of the first installment will be present. Once again, JD Busch will be providing the cover image, which he is working on right now. And, just to entice you, we are offering you a chance to get the limited signed hardback of the book at a special price before it reverts to the normal pre-order price next month – see below for details.

THE HAMMER OF DR. VALENTINE

£18 UK

£21 EU

$38 US & RoW

NEWS

"The Christmas Ghost Stories of Lawrence Gordon Clark", Cover image © 1971 - 2013 Graham Morris. Design by John Oakey.

“The Christmas Ghost Stories of Lawrence Gordon Clark”, Cover image © 1971 – 2013 Graham Morris. Design by John Oakey.

An interview with Lawrence Gordon Clark, the originator of the BBC TV drama series A Ghost Story for Christmas and the subject of the Spectral Screen book The Christmas Ghost Stories of Lawrence Gordon Clark, has just been published at the Smug Film website, which you will find right HERE. If what Lawrence has to say whets your appetite, you can order the book, available in three editions, below.

CONTENTS:

DELUXE EDITION (50 only- 20 left) (available late February):

Foreword by MARK GATISS

Introduction by TONY EARNSHAW

Seven short stories by M. R. JAMES: The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral, The Treasure of Abbot Thomas, A Warning to the Curious, The Ash Tree, Lost Hearts, Casting the Runes, Count Magnus

Exclusive new introductions to each story by LAWRENCE GORDON CLARK

Count Magnus teleplay by BASIL COPPER

Lost Hearts short stage play by LAWRENCE GORDON CLARK

Q&A with LAWRENCE GORDON CLARK by TONY EARNSHAW

Filmography, awards, of LAWRENCE GORDON CLARK by TONY EARNSHAW

Illustrated with unseen behind the scenes photographs, chapter heading vignettes by Nick Gucker,  as well as examples of storyboards by Lawrence Gordon Clark.

SIGNED, SLIPCASED DELUXE EDITION:

£85 UK

£87 EU

$145 US

UNSIGNED HARDBACK (100 only) (available late January/early February):

Foreword by MARK GATISS

Introduction by TONY EARNSHAW

Seven short stories by M. R. JAMES: The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral, The Treasure of Abbot Thomas, A Warning to the Curious, The Ash Tree, Lost Hearts, Casting the Runes, Count Magnus

Exclusive new introductions to each story by LAWRENCE GORDON CLARK

Q&A with LAWRENCE GORDON CLARK by TONY EARNSHAW

Illustrated with photographs as well as chapter heading vignettes (by Nick Gucker)

UNSIGNED HARDBACK EDITION

£45 UK

£47 EU

$80 US

PAPERBACK (Unlimited) (available now):

Foreword by MARK GATISS

Introduction by TONY EARNSHAW

Seven short stories by M. R. JAMES: The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral, The Treasure of Abbot Thomas, A Warning to the Curious, The Ash Tree, Lost Hearts, Casting the Runes, Count Magnus

Exclusive new introductions to each story by LAWRENCE GORDON CLARK

Filmography, awards, of LAWRENCE GORDON CLARK by TONY EARNSHAW

Basic edition – text only plus chapter heading vignettes by Nick Gucker.

PAPERBACK EDITION:

£17.50 UK

£19.50 EU

$30 US

More soon!!

Jan 22 2014

New reviews 22:01:2014

"The Christmas Ghost Stories of Lawrence Gordon Clark", Cover image © 1971 - 2013 Graham Morris. Design by John Oakey.

“The Christmas Ghost Stories of Lawrence Gordon Clark”, Cover image © 1971 – 2013 Graham Morris. Design by John Oakey.

Hot on the heels of yesterday’s first review of The Christmas Ghost Stories of Lawrence Gordon Clark comes another one, this time from William Burns over at Horror News Network – you can read what he thought right HERE. If you would like to order copies, then please see below – copies of all editions are still available:

CONTENTS:

DELUXE EDITION (50 only- 20 left) (available late February):

Foreword by MARK GATISS

Introduction by TONY EARNSHAW

Seven short stories by M. R. JAMES: The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral, The Treasure of Abbot Thomas, A Warning to the Curious, The Ash Tree, Lost Hearts, Casting the Runes, Count Magnus

Exclusive new introductions to each story by LAWRENCE GORDON CLARK

Count Magnus teleplay by BASIL COPPER

Lost Hearts short stage play by LAWRENCE GORDON CLARK

Q&A with LAWRENCE GORDON CLARK by TONY EARNSHAW

Filmography, awards, of LAWRENCE GORDON CLARK by TONY EARNSHAW

Illustrated with unseen behind the scenes photographs, chapter heading vignettes by Nick Gucker,  as well as examples of storyboards by Lawrence Gordon Clark.

SIGNED, SLIPCASED DELUXE EDITION:

£85 UK

£87 EU

$145 US

UNSIGNED HARDBACK (100 only) (available late January/early February):

Foreword by MARK GATISS

Introduction by TONY EARNSHAW

Seven short stories by M. R. JAMES: The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral, The Treasure of Abbot Thomas, A Warning to the Curious, The Ash Tree, Lost Hearts, Casting the Runes, Count Magnus

Exclusive new introductions to each story by LAWRENCE GORDON CLARK

Q&A with LAWRENCE GORDON CLARK by TONY EARNSHAW

Illustrated with photographs as well as chapter heading vignettes (by Nick Gucker)

UNSIGNED HARDBACK EDITION

£45 UK

£47 EU

$80 US

PAPERBACK (Unlimited) (available now):

Foreword by MARK GATISS

Introduction by TONY EARNSHAW

Seven short stories by M. R. JAMES: The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral, The Treasure of Abbot Thomas, A Warning to the Curious, The Ash Tree, Lost Hearts, Casting the Runes, Count Magnus

Exclusive new introductions to each story by LAWRENCE GORDON CLARK

Filmography, awards, of LAWRENCE GORDON CLARK by TONY EARNSHAW

Basic edition – text only plus chapter heading vignettes by Nick Gucker.

PAPERBACK EDITION:

£17.50 UK

£19.50 EU

$30 US

The Nine Deaths of Dr. Valentine cover image

Secondly, we also have a review of the award-winning novella The Nine Deaths of Dr. Valentine by John Llewellyn Probert from Rex Sumner and posted to the British Fantasy Society website – that one’s HERE. Copies can be purchased through both Amazon UK and US.

Nov 29 2013

13 Ghosts & Nine Deaths of Dr. Valentine: special offers!

The 13 Ghosts of Christmas

LOW RESOLUTION_13 Ghosts

As we mentioned a couple of blogs ago, there will be no Christmas Ghost Story annual this year, due to moving house and all the disruption that entails. As recompense we are offering anyone who didn’t buy last year’s edition the chance to get copies at a great price and, if you live in the UK, then postage is free. Checkout the prices below!

UK £5 post free

EU £8 (incl. p+p)

US & RoW $18 (incl. p+p)

We also have a very limited number of the hardbacks left (fewer than TEN copies) – if you want one then please contact us at spectralpress[AT]gmail[DOT]com for details. Hardbacks will be sold on a first come, first served basis.

The Nine Deaths of Dr. Valentine

The Nine Deaths of Dr. Valentine cover image

Get your paperback copies of this British Fantasy Award-winning novella from the inimitable John Llewellyn Probert at a ridiculously cheap price – get them now before Dr. Edward Valentine hears about and plans something suitably gory as a riposte.

UK £5 post free

EU £8  (incl. p+p)

US & RoW $18  (incl. p+p)

Look forward to hearing from you!

Nov 25 2013

Monday Morning Reviews

Beginning of another week, and so we bring you notice of some more reviews, three to be precise, of two favourites from the Spectral roster:

Whitstable cover image

First up, Whiststable by Stephen Volk – far and away our biggest selling title ever. James Everington was kind enough to make it a recommendation of his here, and following that, here’s David T. Wilbanks’ take on the novella.

The Nine Deaths of Dr. Valentine cover image

And now, here’s a review from Warpcore SF of the award-winning novella The Nine Deaths of Dr. Valentine by John Llewellyn Probert – read that one here.

More soon!

Nov 8 2013

Award-winning offer: The Nine Deaths of Dr. Valentine

The Nine Deaths of Dr. Valentine cover image

To celebrate John Llewellyn Probert winning the British Fantasy Award for Best Novella at the World Fantasy Convention last weekend, we are making the paperback of The Nine Deaths of Dr. Valentine available at bargain prices for those who haven’t yet had the immense pleasure of reading John’s gory and blackly comedic paean to the films of Vincent Price. Here’s the press release blurb:

“Someone is killing doctors in the style of the murders in Vincent Price movies, leaving the Bristol police baffled. The only man who could possibly be responsible died years ago . . . or did he . . .?”

The police in Bristol have been confronted by a series of the most perplexingly elaborate deaths they’ve ever encountered in all their years of murder enquiries. The only thing which connects them is their seemingly random nature and their sheer outrageousness. As Detective Inspector Longdon and his assistant Sergeant Jenny Newham (with the help of pathologist Dr. Richard Patterson) race against time to find the murderer, they eventually realise that the link which connects the killings is even more bizarre than any of them dared to think…

As a further incentive the book is postage free in the UK – sadly we can’t offer the same elsewhere,  but the prices quoted do include postage.

UK £5

EU £8

US & RoW $18

Look forward to hearing from you!

Nov 4 2013

And the winner is…

We haven’t been doing much on this here blog, due mostly to the pre-World Fantasy Con frenzy of getting everything ready for it, plus a heavy editing workload and the fact that Spectral Towers is being relocated. However, this is one piece of news that just won’t sit still and cooperate until we tell it to the world. So, drum roll please…

The Nine Deaths of Dr. Valentine cover image

John Llewellyn Probert’s The Nine Deaths of Dr. Valentine, published by Spectral, won a British Fantasy Award for Best Novella. Absolutely stonking achievement, and we’re so proud that John’s wonderful paean to Vincent Price and his films has been recognised for the great book it is. Congratulations!!

Look out for a special offer on the book later this week (once we’ve recovered, that is…)!

And, of course, we hope that this is the first of many awards coming Spectral’s way. You can probably all see our grins right now…

Sep 13 2013

New Reviews – 13:09:2013

We haven’t uploaded any reviews for a while, so we shall rectify that by letting you know about quite a few that came our way earlier in the week:

The Nine Deaths of Dr. Valentine cover image

First, here’s an Italian review (in Italian) at Nero Cafe of John Llewellyn Probert’s The Nine Deaths of Dr Valentine, by Mauro Saracino – read that one here.

Whitstable cover image

Then, here’s a review in French of Stephen Volk’s novella Whitstable, by Adam Joffrain on his new review blog Par dela les Montagnes Hallucinantes (Beyond the Incredible Mountains) – that one can be found right here.

Soul Masque by Terry Grimwood. © 2013 Terry Grimwood. Cover concept © 2013 Neil Williams/Spectral Press. All rights reserved.

Soul Masque by Terry Grimwood. © 2013 Terry Grimwood. Cover concept © 2013 Neil Williams/Spectral Press. All rights reserved.

And next we have a couple of reviews of the latest chapbook, Soul Masque by Terry Grimwood, the first of which can be found on Stanley Riik’s blog here. And finally, here’s one from Matthew Fryer posted to his Welcome to the Hellforge blog – that one’s here.

More soon!

Jul 23 2013

23:07:2013 – a new review and some news

The Nine Deaths of Dr. Valentine cover image

Yesterday we had a review of a book which was published at Christmastime  last year and today we bring you notice of a review of a book that was launched at last year’s FantasyCon at the end of September – John Llewellyn Probert’s The Nine Deaths of Dr. Valentine. This one’s from the British Fantasy Society website and was written by Richard Webb – you can catch up with what Mr. Webb says about the novella by going here.

THE NINE DEATHS OF DR. VALENTINE

AMAZON UK

AMAZON US

NEWS

Spectral slipcases

Also yesterday we launched the pre-orders for the extremely limited TEN-only special slipcased boxset edition of the Collected Spectral Chapbooks: Volumes I – VIII (January 2011 – December 2012)(The red slipcase in the above photo). We are immensely proud to report that all ten were sold within four hours – a record for Spectral (granted there were only ten to sell, but still…).

If you missed this edition, then fear not: in late September we will be publishing unlimited paperback and eBook editions of The Collected Spectral Chapbooks: Volume One, which will include new illustrations by Nick Gucker accompanying each story. We are looking to launched the book at Andromeda One, a one-day horror, science fiction and fantasy convention in Birmingham on 21st September. Prices are not yet set for the book, however if you would like to reserve a copy then please email us at spectralpress[AT]gmail[DOT]com and let us know! More details in due course.