An homage, a celebration, of one of the greatest horror film actors ever—Peter Cushing. A man described by Christopher Lee in a reverential tone as “one of the “greatest actors----and one of the greatest human beings” that he has ever known. If you are a fan of horror movies, and of the Hammer Horror films in particular, if you will watch any movie if Mr. Cushing or Mr. Lee is in the cast and enjoy it just because of them (because let’s be honest, they weren’t all gems…), then you will love this book as much as I did.

Not only was did I eat up every inside story of Mr. Cushing’s life and career, I found the plot to be truly compelling. Mr. Cushing dashed across the screen as a heroic action hero, stalking and vanquishing vampires where they hid. The only man feared by Dracula. But this story takes place late in his life. He has lost his beloved wife and his psychological and spiritual North Star. He is adrift, old, and tired when he meets a young boy who tells him of a real monster that preys on him.

Cushing draws from his inner well of courage and faith that was reflected on the screen every time he played Van Helsing. But will it be enough? This time the villain is not his smiling good friend Christopher Lee, but a real life monster than means him harm.

Just as a heads up----if you haven’t watched The Vampire Lovers, you might want to see it before you read the book. There is a spectacular scene that involves that movie.
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I'll start this review off with an admission...I'm not well versed in old horror movies. In fact, when I read that this novella was a fictional story about Peter Cushing, I almost set it back down, because I didn't know who the man was. I mean, I've seen him around, but I'm not familiar with his canon of work.

Anyhow, I decided to keep reading and I'm glad I did, because this was a poignant story about grief and the darkness that we all have inside, as well as the effect that darkness can have on those around us. At the same time, this story was also about hope and in that sense, I found it uplifting. I don't want to say much more because I feel that future readers should find their own discoveries between these covers.

You don't need to be an expert on old films, on Peter Cushing, or on anything else, really, to enjoy this tale. You just have to be a human being that enjoys a beautifully written story that makes you feel.

I highly recommend this novella by Stephen Volk.




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I have just finished Whitstable and have been touched, mesmerized and even humbled by such an awesome piece of writing. It is 1971 and Peter Cushing's adored wife Helen has succumbed to emphysema and he does not feel he has the strength to carry on alone. However somewhere deep within him Cushing finds the will to face another lonely day, just as his beloved Helen would have wished. As he strolls along the seafront perchance he meets young Carl Drinkwater who greets him as Van Helsing and as the gentle old man and the boy get into conversation a darkness reveals itself. Carl knows that Van Helsing can save him..."I'm talking about here and now and you're the vampire hunter and you need to help me." "It's your job. It's your job Vampire Hunter. You're heroic. You're powerful." Carl continues to reveal some dark secrets...."My mun's boyfriend. He visits me at night time. Every night now. He takes my blood while I'm asleep. I know what he's doing. He thinks I'm asleep but I'm not asleep. It feels like a dream and I try to pretend it isn't happening, but afterwards I feel bad, like I'm dead inside".

The story evolves with Peter Cushing in his soft and unassuming way attempting to find the truth behind the words spoken by the young man. Stephen Volk has managed to bring the gentlemanly Cushing alive before our eyes, an actor who spent his working life fighting evil is now confronted with the very essence of the devil in the form of Les Gledhill, Carls stepfather,and thus can see the true evil that human beings are capable of. "You see, Peter, real evil is not so easy to spot in real life. In real life, evil people look like you and me. We pass them in the street." An essentially sad, thoughtful story and one that will remain with you for a very long time. ( )