By John Llewellyn Probert

Black Shuck Books, out mid-October

Dr Valentine is – unsurprisingly – unimpressed that Americans are daring to film the story of his life…

I’m very much hoping that reports of the good Doctor’s demise in print are exaggerated – and that a series whose author is having such fun with can continue. But if this is the last time that Edward Valentine comes out of hiding to dole out dreadful death and doom, then it’s the hell of a fine finale, worthy of the true master.

If you’re looking for insight into the psychology of a horror film maker, then pick up Stephen Volk’s Dark Masters Trilogy for its look at Hitchcock; if you’re wanting to read about a lunatic who has not the slightest problem in recreating the most outlandish elements of horror movies, then this is the book (or if you’ve not met him yet, the trilogy) for you. British horror films is Valentine’s chosen oeuvre this time out, and, as ever Probert doesn’t go for the obvious choices, but digs a little deeper into the catalogue. (If you’re not as up on the films as the lead characters, Probert provides a very individual take on each one at the end. Do not cheat and look at that first – you really want to be surprised!) There’s plenty of digs at the Americanisation of British stories, and the stupidity of those in the business alongside the note perfect recreations of the movies involved.

There’s an art to writing the sort of black comedy that characterises the Dr Valentine stories, and Probert knows when to allow the horror of the situation to come to the fore, and when to let the natural Carry On Screaming element take centre stage. You never get the feeling that the police officers investigating are incompetent – they’re doing more than you’d expect – but they’re up against someone with resources that they can’t even contemplate… aka John Llewellyn Probert’s imagination!

Verdict: A fitting farewell. 10/10

Paul Simpson

Click here to order The Last Temptation from Black Shuck Books