Could this be inspiration for the movie Oculus? See 1 question about The Heirloom…. Lists with This Book. Entertaining 80's horror by Masterton at the time writing as Thomas Luke and publishing this one same year, , as the imho vastly superior The Hell Candidate. This one, while keeping to a very classic horror theme, does not terrify at the same level - possibly for being surprisingly non-visceral for the author.
It is a good read, and I went through most of it with a smile on my face. The ending disappoints some, as the end game does not feel up to par and the final confrontation does have a Entertaining 80's horror by Masterton at the time writing as Thomas Luke and publishing this one same year, , as the imho vastly superior The Hell Candidate. The ending disappoints some, as the end game does not feel up to par and the final confrontation does have a bit too much hand-of-you-know-who in it for my tastes.
The Heirloom - Wikipedia
Do check out my friend Kinksrock's review as well! This novel was initially published the same year as The Hell Candidate , my favorite Graham Masterton novel and one of my favorite horror novels, so I'm not surprised that I also liked this one. Masterton was at the peak of his creativity, coming up with unusual horror situations and writing about them with skill.
In this one, an antique dealer comes into possession of a strangely designed chair that brings misfortune, and he can't get rid of it. If he tries, it just comes back. The chair a This novel was initially published the same year as The Hell Candidate , my favorite Graham Masterton novel and one of my favorite horror novels, so I'm not surprised that I also liked this one.
The chair affects the seasons around his house, time, and what is portrayed in paintings, and it is part of a larger diabolical plot that the protagonist must figure out if he is to save his family. I enjoyed this novel, and recommend it, but I have one criticism that I must mention. There is one point where Masterton needs the protagonist to find out more of what's going on, but the way he does it is a cop-out. Rick Dellatolla the protagonist is at the condo where another antique dealer is staying, the phone rings, and the person on the other end leaves a message with Rick that just happens to give him enough information to know what's going on.
No one involved in such a plot would leave any sort of a message like that one with anyone other than the person he intended to reach.
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Masterton should have figured out some other way for Rick to get the information. I suppose if the book were written today, he'd see an email pop up on the guy's computer and read it, but such a plot device would not have been available in View all 4 comments.
Dec 11, Sara rated it it was amazing Shelves: Wow, what an amazing horror story, it had my on the edge of my seat chewing my nails, I highly recommend it: Sep 19, Alexander Draganov rated it it was amazing. Jul 02, Sharon rated it liked it. Again, not the kind of book I would normally read but somehow I acquired it so I thought I'd give it a go.
I found it is so well written I really enjoyed it. Strange goings on begin happening and as he tries to get rid of the chair it keep returning and things get really strange and evil as the plot goes Again, not the kind of book I would normally read but somehow I acquired it so I thought I'd give it a go. Strange goings on begin happening and as he tries to get rid of the chair it keep returning and things get really strange and evil as the plot goes on. And if you have nothing left to strive for, then, quite simply, all those positive energies within you turn around inside of you and build up as negative charge.
Aug 03, Daria rated it liked it. Jakkolwiek dziwnie to nie zabrzmi, ale Jun 06, Peter rated it it was amazing. Quite a quick and thrilling read about a possessed mahogany chair. I liked the reference to Charles Dickens having owned the devil's chair too! The explanation of those paintings really adds some spice to the scary and fast paced story. Early 80s horror classic and must read!
Aug 19, Anthony rated it liked it. Written as Thomas Luke back in the 80's. A pretty straight forward light horror tale. Not as intense and gory as his other works but worth a read especially for Masterton fans.
The Heirloom
Feb 26, Barbra rated it liked it. This is an early Masterton horror. I have to say that this book didn't pull me in as much as many of his others have done. Not a bad book but not one of his best. Antique specialist, Rick Dellatolla, knew a good deal when he saw one.
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They lost track of time once inside their This is an early Masterton horror. That was when Rick decided to destroy the chair - before it destroyed everything he'd ever cared for. But by then it was too late to stop the Evil that seemed determined to remain with Rick as a gift for the rest of his entire, hell-filled life May 07, Geoff Battle rated it really liked it. A good old school horror yarn. Masterton, as usual, pulls no punches which some great grisly scenarios. The peripheral characters are a little shallow, but easily forgiven considering the genre.
A simple and entertaining read. An interesting and very entertaining story. Very Very Unique horror Story. More of a God Vs Satan Story than a paranormal story. My Rating would be 7. Original idea but very campy execution. I could see this being a cheesy but iconic 80's classic. Like hell has broken out. Did the face carved on the chair move?
Lovely old-fashioned horror story, atmospheric and well written. Heirloom I always enjoyed books by this author.
This was a quick, good read. The plot was great, the suspense was greatly appreciated. As with all of Graham Mastertons books I'm hooked cover to cover. Exquisite, deep, enchanting imagination from the author. Dec 27, Elusive rated it liked it Shelves: In 'The Heirloom', antiques aficionado Rick leads a relatively happy life with his wife and son but everything changes with the arrival of an antiques seller.
Desperate to offload a grand mahogany chair which has an intricate design, the seller throws in tons of other furniture for free! The moment Rick buys the chair though, his family is plagued by a chain of terrifying and ultimately life-threatening events.. When the viewer spends more time trying to figure out why something has happened instead of experiencing it This film has interesting ideas drawing on asian folklore, and is very beautiful to look at especially the main house set, fix the leaks and I'd move in like a shot but while I could bear the slow pace at the begining due to building the atmosphere, it never seemed to pick itself up to make itself special to the viewer.
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