Post by Dreadlocksmile on Jul 29, 2009 14:34:05 GMT
Dreadlocksmile Review:
First released back in 1979, `The Origin of the Crabs' formed the prequel to `Night of the Crabs' from Guy N Smith's infamous 'Crabs' series. 'Night Of The Crabs' and 'Killer Crabs' had already seen publication, allowing this new installment to slot in at the very start of the series, setting down the origins of these gigantic crustaceans.
Set within the murky Loch Merse of southwest Scotland, the first of the crabs begin to appear. Their first victim is a local poacher who finds himself ripped apart by these enlarged and vicious crustaceans. The crabs are beginning to build up a hatred for mankind and with their first victims; a taste for their blood.
The laird Bruce McKechnie of Cranlairch finds himself within a difficult situation, as people begin disappearing around his hunting estate. His rich livelihood depends on the high fees paid by the guests who stay at his estate to go hunting on the ideal surrounding grounds. A worried John Ryland soon turns up to begin investigating the recent disappearance of his brother from the Cranlairch estate. He pairs up with McKechnie's mistress Christine Blacklaw, and together they unearth the horrifying truth of the bloodthirsty crabs.
McKechnie attempts to cover up the disappearances whilst employing a group of hunters to kill off the crabs that are terrorizing his estate. But McKechnie has underestimated his enemy and soon finds that the crabs are now at war with him and any human they come across.
The novel starts off with a slower pace than that of the previous two crabs novels, as it sets down the first attacks on man by these giant crabs. Although the crabs are still considerably larger than that of a standard crab, they still have not yet the gigantic proportions seen in the later novels (although a much larger beast is suggested at lurking in the depths of the Loch).
With the storyline gradually building momentum and the bloodshed mounting, Smith delivers another action packed and thoroughly outlandish plot. The body count rises delivering graphic depictions of the gory deaths involved, as McKechnie attempts to rid the Loch of these killer crabs.
Smith follows his tried and tested formula once again with the insertion of Christine Blacklaw to add an element of graphic sex. The characterization is colourful and creative, with exaggerated personalities throughout the book. The addition of the rugged John Ryland, brings a somewhat clichéd but necessary hero to the storyline.
The novel's grande finale is spectacular, with plenty of nail biting crab action as they unleash a huge onslaught onto McKechnie's estate. From such an initial slow pace at the start of the book, the novel manages to rip up a massive momentum of action which builds up until the books conclusion.
Running at just 157 pages, `The Origin of the Crabs' again has the standard Guy N Smith length to it. This is an essential addition to the crabs series and a thoroughly enjoyable read to boot! Packed with over-the-top gore, this is one for all the splatter-punk and pulp horror readers out there.
www.amazon.co.uk/review/R3T5JZF80H9718/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm