I read 2.5 stories. The author's writing style and I don't match. To try to explain, I'd say I think he writes 'old fashioned' though the book isn't old. I also thinks he leaves out too much detail. Perhaps its to provide mystery and atmosphere. I know it's a short story collection and you've got to cut out something but I like my stories clearer. To each his own.
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Reading The Grey House and I'm thinking it seems so familiar. I am wondering what other story did I read that was so similar to this. Enter isfdb.org. I search for The Grey House by Basil Cooper and realize I have read this story in another anthology. many, many years ago. The Mammoth Book of Zombies *facepalm* but wait, where are the zombies?

~ Amber Print 1* - silent horror movies. I think they changed depending on who was watching them. They also became characters in the movie. Big fire.

~The Grey House 2* - restoring old house but sexual sadist werewolf seems to have lived there and as it is restored, I believe he returns

~ The Gossips DNF ( )

To be frank going into this book I had reservations considering that the only previous Basil Copper story I read I really didn't care for but I sure am glad that I took the chance on this book! I highly enjoyed all the stories except for the last one "Charon" which was rather lame, but I guess you have to find at least one story which doesn't sit well with you. The first story "Amber Print" was very twisted and interestingly enough old silent films is a hobby of the author. "The Grey House" was awesome! The story progressed very nicely and even though you have an idea of the ending it is still really screwed up. "The Gossips" was another really good story which although not quite related had me thinking about Pickman's Model by Lovecraft. "A Very Pleasant Fellow" was another really good story, I wish I had the little machine in it to take care of a few problems of my own : ) Overall a great set ot tales worth reading throughout the evening hours!! ( )