The Nine Deaths of Dr Valentine
Now available from Spectral Press
Someone is killing doctors in the style of the murders in Vincent Price movies. The Bristol police are baffled. The only man who could possibly be responsible died years ago. Or did he…..?”
A tribute to the films of Vincent Price in general, and Theatre of Blood & The Abominable Dr. Phibes in particular, The Nine Deaths of Dr Valentine is a novella filled with wit, horror and outrageous incident in the grand tradition of the classic horror films of the 1970s.
The limited hardcover signed edition is now SOLD OUT
Paperback edition is still available
The full wraparound dust jacket has been designed to emulate the classic horror movie posters of the 1970s as well. Lovely, isn't it?
Reviews and Comments
"A fond tribute to Phibesian ghastliness and cinematic theatres of blood. Great fun, and well worth the Price of admission!"
Stephen Volk, author of The Awakening, Ghostwatch and Afterlife
"The spirit of Dr Phibes lives on in Probert's gruesomely comic revenge romp"
Christopher Fowler, author of the Bryant & May series of books
The success here is just how well Probert treats his material; he knows exactly what he’s doing, and he isn’t afraid to have fun with it either. Part police procedural with a touch of dark thriller and part theatrical excess, this is a tale that whizzes by at a rocketing pace, propelled along by a gleeful writing style filled with both assuredness and a knowing sense of playful lampoonery. The Nine Deaths of Dr. Valentine lands smack bang in the middle of brilliance.
From a review at Dread Central
Sometimes when you read a story, and the author absolutely nails it, you can easily picture every character in every scene. The Nine Deaths of Dr Valentine falls firmly into this category. All I need to do now is figure out some way to convince the team behind The League of Gentlemen that this is exactly the sort of thing they need to make into a one off TV drama. Their dark, sometimes creepy, visual style merged with this story, oh wow, it could be phenomenal. Perhaps in time for Halloween next year? I can picture the cast already.
From a review on The Eloquent Page
One of the main skills that Probert has as a writer is the ability to create something entirely new yet remain true to his roots. Faculty of Terror is one of the finest examples of a portmanteau piece currently available, whilst the stories are uniquely Probert’s it still has the feel of something familiar, namely old Amicus films, without ever becoming cliché or repetitive. The Nine Deaths of Dr. Valentine carries on this trend and allows the author to twist things he enjoys for the reader’s considerable pleasure.
From a review on the This Is Horror site
Presented primarily in the format of a police procedural, Probert infuses his story with a lot of jet black humor and playful jabs at the media, pop culture, law enforcement, medicine, and many other social conventions. Probert’s affection for the genre shines through and he obviously relishes the fine art of the twisty-turned thriller. His characters are all well-defined and drawn (sometimes literally!), particularly those being set up for the ‘kill.’ Probert’s dialog is spot-on and quite clever, especially the exasperated DI Longdon. The plot twists and turns at the end are marvelous and masterfully over the top.
From a review in Hellbound Times
You've done Vincent Price proud, John!
From Eric McNaughton's review at the Classic Horror Campaign website
It contains all the author’s best trademarks: a wry sense of humour, rich prose, and the seamless merging of old-school and contemporary. And of course, plenty of outrageous deaths.
From the Hellforge review
Beework Web Design