R. Frederick Hamilton

Credited as "a young up and comer," R. Frederick Hamilton's novella (along with two short stories) will appeal to fans of the extreme thing, although the endings of two tales here are apparent from the outset.

In the title story, Ben (a psycho on experimental medication) is prematurely released by his doctor. He finds a flat (the stories take place in Australia) and quickly begins to get his "old urges" back as he spies on his cute neighbor, Rachel, across the way. Before long he discovers a key that just happens to unlock her flat, and when he finds a most personal box under her bed, he knows there's no stopping a relapse of his psycho sexual habits; but Rachel has been on to his creepy stares and has devious plans of her own.

The less said about the second story, THE FILMMAKERS, the better; If you're interested in graphic detail about what happens when a group of young boys begin to make their own rape/snuff films (with girls as young as six years old), perhaps you belong in the same institution Ben (from the title story) was released from. It's simply an unpleasant story from every conceivable angle.

Hamilton wraps things up with WRITER'S BLOCK, a decent ode to Stephen King's MISERY; this time a slightly off-balance mother keeps her son locked in a room and forces him to write a "masterpiece." It's short and to the point and helps to get the bad taste left by THE FILMMAKERS out of your mouth.

Despite subject matter that I find tasteless, SPARE KEY is a decent first effort (from a writer's standpoint), but I'd like to see the author employ his skills without constant references to masturbation and young children being partially raped and killed; there's a difference between Horror and Exploitation, and also a way to walk that line without become too exploitative. Here's hoping the author finds it.… (altro)