The Twisted Worlds of Brian Lumley: Five Best Novels for Newbies

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Greetings, horror hominids! Pull up a creaky old chair and let me regale you with the twisted tales and macabre musings of one Mr. Brian Lumley – a true master of the dark arts, a champion of cosmic chaos, and a veritable virtuoso of the visceral.

Now, I know what you’re thinking – “I’ve never heard of this Lumley fellow. Is he some sort of pale imitation of H.P. Lovecraft?” By Yuggoth, no! Lumley is a titan in his own right, weaving intricate nightmares that will have you sleeping with the lights on for weeks, if not months.

But before we press play on the nightmares, here’s a bit more about Brian Lumley, the man:

Table of Contents

Origins

Lumley was born on December 2, 1937, in the quaint little town of Horden, County Durham, England. From a young age, he was drawn to the darker corners of the imagination, devouring the pulp horror and fantasy tales of Lovecraft, Robert E. Howard, and Clark Ashton Smith. Little did young Brian know that he would one day join the ranks of these literary legends, crafting his own indelible mark on the genre.

After serving in the Royal Military Police and the Royal Air Force, Lumley began his professional writing career in the 1960s, honing his skills with short stories and articles. But it wasn’t until the 1970s that he truly burst onto the scene, captivating readers with his Cthulhu Mythos tales and establishing himself as a rising star in the world of horror fiction.

Lumley’s big break came in 1975 with the publication of his first novel, Ruins. This dark and atmospheric work caught the eye of many in the genre, and it wasn’t long before he was considered a force to be reckoned with. But it was his next series, the now-legendary Necroscope saga, that would cement his status as a true master of the macabre.

The Necroscope Saga, which began in 1986 with the publication of the first book, introduced readers to the unforgettable character of Harry Keogh – a psychic extraordinaire with the ability to commune with the dead. This captivating concept, combined with Lumley’s masterful storytelling and attention to detail, captured the imaginations of horror fans worldwide.

Over the course of the Necroscope series, which spans a staggering 15 novels, Lumley takes readers on a wild ride through the realms of the supernatural, pitting Keogh and his psychic abilities against a host of terrifying foes, from the sinister Wamphyri (a race of powerful vampires) to the even more inscrutable forces of the Cosmic Balance.

But Lumley’s talents didn’t stop there. Throughout his illustrious career, he continued to push the boundaries of horror fiction, crafting standalone works that showcased his versatility and his mastery of the craft. From the Cthulhu Mythos-inspired Titus Crow saga to the chilling standalone novel The House of Doors, Lumley demonstrated time and time again that he was a force to be reckoned with in the genre.

He also contributed mightily to the world of horror outside of his own writing. Lumley served as the president of the Horror Writers Association from 1996 to 1997, using his platform to champion the work of other up-and-coming authors and to advocate for the genre as a whole. He was also the recipient of numerous accolades, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Horror Writers Association in 2010 and a World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement, also in 2010.

The Five Best Novels for Newbies

But enough about Lumley’s impressive resume and achievements – let’s dive right into the promised best novels that every newbie to his horror fiction should experience. Here theyvare

1. Necroscope (1986)

Prepare to have your mind blown, your sanity questioned, and your very understanding of the world around you shattered, as you meet the one and only Harry Keogh. This psychic extraordinaire, the titular “Necroscope,” has the uncanny ability to communicate with the dead, using their collective knowledge and experiences to navigate the treacherous realms of the supernatural.

In this first installment of the Necroscope saga, Lumley introduces us to Harry, a man whose unique talents have made him a target for the Wamphyri – a race of powerful, immortal vampires who seek to exploit his abilities for their own nefarious purposes. As Harry is drawn into a deadly game of cat and mouse with these bloodthirsty fiends, we’re treated to a non-stop thrill ride filled with mind-bending twists, pulse-pounding action, and a level of cosmic horror that will leave you questioning the very nature of reality.

But Necroscope is more than just a standard vampire tale. Lumley weaves in elements of espionage, government intrigue, and even time travel, creating a rich and immersive world that feels both grounded in the familiar and utterly alien. Harry’s journey, as he struggles to come to terms with his powers and the responsibilities they entail, is both heartbreaking and empowering, making him one of the most complex and captivating protagonists in modern horror fiction.

What sets Necroscope apart is Lumley’s unerring eye for detail and his ability to craft memorable, fully-realized characters. From the tortured, tragic figure of Harry Keogh to the ruthless, almost unstoppable Wamphyri, every player in this cosmic dance of the damned feels like a living, breathing entity, with their own motivations, flaws, and personal tragedies.

Then there’s the sheer imaginative power of Lumley’s worldbuilding. The Necroscope universe, with its intricate web of psychic abilities, interdimensional travel, and ancient vampire lore, is a testament to the author’s creativity and his mastery of the genre. You’ll find yourself constantly on the edge of your seat, desperate to uncover the next mind-bending revelation or pulse-pounding set piece.

So, if you’re looking to dive headfirst into the twisted world of Brian Lumley with his most famous series, Necroscope is an absolute must-read. Prepare to be haunted, horrified, and utterly enthralled by the adventures of Harry Keogh, the Necroscope. If you liked this first book, you’ll probably love the rest of the 14 other Necroscope novels. Keep an eye out for #4 “Deadspeak.” It’s a favorite.

2. The Taint and Other Novellas (2007)

For those of you who crave a deeper exploration of Lumley’s Cthulhu Mythos roots, look no further than this stunning collection of longer tales, The Taint and Other Novellas. Showcasing the author’s deft hand at crafting cosmic horror that would make even Lovecraft himself shudder, this anthology is a must-read for any self-respecting devotee of the dark and the strange.

Now, I know what you’re thinking – “But Herm, I thought Lumley was all about those vampires and that Necroscope business. What’s this Cthulhu Mythos nonsense?” Well, my friends, the truth is that Lumley’s horror fiction encompasses far more than just the world of the undead. In fact, his early work, including several stories set within the Cthulhu Mythos, display a mastery of the eldritch and the uncanny that rivals even the legendary Lovecraft himself.

In The Taint and Other Novellas, Lumley takes us on a journey into the heart of darkness, where the boundaries between reality and the unknowable void beyond our comprehension begin to blur and crumble. From the chilling title story, in which a man’s desperate search for a missing friend leads him to uncover a cosmic horror with tentacles reaching far beyond our world, to the mind-bending “Dagon’s Bell,” where ancient, fish-like entities threaten to upset the fragile balance of the universe, this collection showcases Lumley’s uncanny ability to weave tales that both fascinate and terrify.

But it’s not just the cosmic horrors that make this anthology a must-read. Lumley also delves into the more personal, psychological terrors that haunt the human condition. In stories like “The Taint” and “The Burrowers Beneath,” he explores the ways in which our deepest fears and darkest impulses can manifest in ways that are both horrifying and tragically human.

So, if you’re ready to venture beyond the boundaries of the known and delve into the darkest recesses of the Cthulhu Mythos, then The Taint and Other Novellas is the perfect starting point. Prepare to have your mind bent, your senses assaulted, and your grip on reality tested in the most deliciously disturbing way.

3. The Burrowers Beneath (1974)

Prepare yourself for a world of cosmic horror, occult investigations, and worm-like monstrosities. The Burrowers Beneath is the nightmare rollercoaster you’ve been waiting for.

This 1974 novel kicks off the gloriously bizarre adventures of Titus Crow, an intrepid occult investigator who fearlessly confronts the eldritch abominations of H.P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos. Along with his trusty sidekick Henri-Laurent de Marigny, Crow uncovers a sinister plot by the ancient Chthonian race to take over the world from their tunnels deep beneath the Earth’s surface.

But don’t expect a dry, academic treatise on the occult. Oh no, Lumley gleefully cranks up the pulp adventure to 11, mashing up Lovecraftian horror with the over-the-top action of Edgar Rice Burroughs. Purple prose abounds as our heroes battle tentacled horrors and journey to hidden corners of the globe where every monster of myth seems to lurk. It’s a delirious, no-holds-barred romp through the Cthulhu Mythos that fully embraces the “weird” in weird fiction.

Sure, the plot is a bit meandering at times, with epistolary excursions and chapters that read like standalone short stories[5]. And yes, Crow and de Marigny often take a backseat to side characters who seem to do most of the heavy lifting against the Chthonians. But that’s all part of the book’s quirky charm! The Burrowers Beneath is unapologetically odd, and that’s what makes it such a delight for fans of cosmic horror and fantasy adventure.

So if you’re looking to explore the stranger corners of the Cthulhu Mythos, or just want a fun, fast-paced read full of squirming horrors and occult intrigue, give The Burrowers Beneath a try. It’s the perfect gateway drug to the wild world of Titus Crow, and a must-read for any Lovecraft aficionado looking for something a bit different. Just watch out for those pesky Chthonians beneath your feet.

4. Psychomech (1984)

Now, I know we’ve been exploring the more cosmic and otherworldly terrors that Lumley has to offer, but let’s not forget that the author is equally adept at crafting chilling tales of the more earthly variety.

And so I give you “Psychomech” – a high-octane blend of ESP, Nazi mad science, and pulse-pounding action that’ll leave your brain buzzing.

Meet Richard Garrison, a tough-as-nails British Military Police Corporal who finds himself entangled in a web of psychic intrigue after saving the family of Thomas Schroeder, a wealthy German industrialist with a penchant for exploring the outer reaches of human potential. But Garrison pays a heavy price for his heroism, losing his sight in a fiery explosion that also leaves Schroeder crippled.

Determined to repay his debt, Schroeder whisks Garrison away to his swanky German estate, where he reveals his obsession with extra-sensory perception (ESP) and his plans to create a machine that can amplify psychic abilities[7]. Enter the Psychomech – a device born from the twisted experiments of a Nazi scientist, now poised to unlock the full potential of the human mind.

But as Garrison grapples with his newfound blindness and his growing feelings for the lovely Vicki Maler, sinister forces are gathering in the shadows. The treacherous Terri and the scheming Wyatt will stop at nothing to seize the power of the Psychomech for themselves, even if it means betraying Garrison and unleashing a new breed of superpowered beings upon the world.

Lumley masterfully ratchets up the tension as Garrison races against time to unravel the secrets of the Psychomech and confront his deepest fears. With each twist and turn, the novel delves deeper into the dark recesses of the human psyche, blurring the lines between science and the supernatural.

But it’s the final act where “Psychomech” truly shines, as Garrison undergoes a mind-bending transformation that will leave readers reeling. Lumley pulls out all the stops in a climax that’s equal parts horrifying, exhilarating, and profoundly moving.

It’s safe to say that if you dug this novel, you’ll probably love the rest of the Psychomech series; there are 3 in all, a trilogy of terror if ever there was one.

5. The House of Doors

And now we come to the final entry on our list – a standalone Lumley masterpiece that truly showcases the author’s talent for crafting eerie, atmospheric horror that will leave you questioning the very nature of reality itself. Prepare to enter the House of Doors, where the boundaries between the mundane and the metaphysical are shattered with bone-chilling results.

The premise of this chilling tale is deceptively simple: a mysterious house, with doors that lead to ever-more-terrifying dimensions, has appeared in the heart of a small town. When a curious group of locals decide to investigate the enigmatic structure, they find themselves drawn into a nightmare of cosmic proportions, one that challenges their most fundamental understanding of the world around them.

But make no mistake, The House of Doors is far from a straightforward haunted house story. Lumley’s masterful worldbuilding and his ability to craft deeply unsettling atmospheres elevate this novel into the realm of true cosmic horror. As the characters delve deeper into the mysteries of the house, they are confronted with realities that defy all logical explanation, each door leading them further down a rabbit hole of terror and existential dread.

What distinguished this particular Lumley work is the sense of unease and dread that permeates every page. From the very first moment the house appears, there’s a palpable sense of wrongness, a feeling that something deeply unsettling is lurking just beneath the surface. And as the story progresses, Lumley ratchets up the tension, slowly peeling back the layers of reality to reveal a nightmare that is both fascinating and utterly horrifying.

But it’s not just the creep factor that makes The House of Doors such a standout. Lumley also weaves in deeply personal and emotional elements, exploring the ways in which the characters’ own fears, insecurities, and traumas shape their experience of the unfolding horror. The relationships between the protagonists are particularly well-developed, and their struggles to maintain their humanity in the face of the unknowable add a poignant layer to the proceedings.

Lastly, there’s the sheer imaginative force of Lumley’s worldbuilding. The various dimensions that are accessed through the house’s mysterious doors are each uniquely unsettling, offering up a cornucopia of cosmic terrors that will leave you reeling. From the twisted, fungal landscapes to the nightmare realms where the very laws of physics seem to bend and warp, the author’s creativity knows no bounds, and it’s this sense of the uncanny that truly elevates The House of Doors above the standard haunted house fare.

The Wrap-Up

And there they are – five of the best Brian Lumley novels to sink your teeth into if you’re a first-timer. From the mind-bending psychic adventures of the Necroscope saga to the cosmic horrors of the Cthulhu Mythos, and even the more earthly terrors of standalone works like The House of Doors, Lumley’s fiction offers something for every discerning horror fan.

Leave some comments below, if you enjoyed this post, or if you have opinions about what should have been included on the list. LOD values your thoughts and diverse perspectives are always welcome.

Thanks for reading, and pleasant screams to you all. As for me, I’m off to watch a couple of horror flicks on Shudder to break in the weekend.

Adios!