The Catacombs of Fear

The sequel to The Faculty of Terror

House of God or House of Horrors?

The dinner party gate-crashed by the undead…

The beautiful girl whose looks are maintained by acts of violence…

The crippled ballerina desperate for new legs…

The television producer who discovers that murder improves his ratings…

The hideous deaths in an old country house that lead to something far worse…

The Reverend Patrick Clements arrives at Chilminster Cathedral to take up his new post, only to find his introductory tour taking rather longer than anticipated. As the sun sets and the evening draws on Patrick meets staff and parishioners, and learns far more of the macabre history of the community he is destined to become a part of than any mortal man should hear. But these stories are only the beginning of what has been planned for him.

John Llewellyn Probert’s follow up to his award-winning The Faculty of Terror provides five macabre tales bound together by a framework story, the climax of which will take its readers into the very depths of hell.

And back again.

Perhaps.

Contents

Introduction

Prologue

The Neighbourhood Watch

Catacombs Interlude No. 1

At First Sight

Catacombs Interlude No.2

The Markovski Quartet

Catacombs Interlude No.3

Mors Gratia Artis

Catacombs Interlude No.4

A Dance to the Music of Insanity

Finale

Strolling Shadowy Corridors: A Guided Tour of The Catacombs of Fear

Reviews & Comments

Old style horror, stories with the proverbial beginning, middle and end, well told by a writer who comes across as a natural raconteur, with an ear for a telling phrase and the ability to occasionally shock, both with the audacity of his inventions and the graphic way in which they are played out. Bottom line - it's a fun read (and) chances are you will have a good time if you let this book into your life.

Peter Tennant

From a review in Black Static Issue 12

The Catacombs of Fear by John Llewellyn Probert (Gray Friar Press) is the author’s entertaining follow-up to his collection The Faculty of Terror. Five macabre stories are tied together by linking interludes about a reverend given a tour of his new cathedral post. All the stories are original to the collection and they’re sure to give the reader a chill.

Ellen Datlow

Best Horror of the Year Volume 2

The best stories display energetic narrative, offbeat characters, and spot-on pacing. The stronger efforts include "At First Sight," wherein the hapless protagonist is obsessed and ultimately cursed by a stranger's pictures found in a photo-booth, and "The Neighbourhood Watch," which depicts a horrid fate for some rather pompous home-owners. The framing story, as well, is ultimately quite moving. Probert clearly possesses considerable skills.

Robert Morrish

From a review in Cemetery Dance Issue 62

It's a great collection and could possibly become a legendary one

John Mains

From a review at the All Things Horror website

There is something wonderfully old-fashioned about these tales. Maybe it's the way they are linked together or maybe it's the dialogue. Interestingly the author provides some entertaining story notes and does point out that he wanted The Neighbourhood Watch to feel like a 1970's TV play and he has succeeded. All the stories here have a Tales of The Unexpected, or Hammer House of Horror feel, that's not a bad thing, just a bit unusual these days.

The stories are powerful and deal with some major issues but they are also entertaining and make their points without preaching. I missed JLP's previous collection, The Faculty of Terror but on the basis of what I have read here I will be looking out for it.

Colin Leslie

From a review at the Tales From the Black Abyss website

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