After a construction accident in which he loses his right arm and his divorce, Edgar Freemantle moves from Minnesota to Florida to begin what his psychiatrist described as a “geographic cure.”  He rediscovers his love of painting and finds that he is good at it, but his paintings seem to have something “more” to them.  On Duma Key he also finds a new friendship with Wireman, a kindred spirit seeking refuge there as a caretaker for Elizabeth Eastlake.  Elizabeth’s past also contains painful memories that have been reawakened bringing all of them together to face an evil entity named Perse.

Duma Key, Stephen King

The Author

Stephen King is a 73-year-old American author, his debut short story ‘The Glass Floor’ was published in 1967 when he was just 20 years old. He started his career as an English teacher, only writing part-time during evenings and weekends. Thanks to the publication and success of Carrie (1973) King started writing full-time . Duma Key was first published in 2008 but remains on my top 10 books of all-time.

Stephen King is my all-time favourite horror/thriller writers. I have read many of his books, watched many of his films/tv series, and follow him on Twitter!

The Book

Edgar is a strong character and has the perfect amount of background to help us understand what’s led him to this point of his life. He has got a marmite personality; he comes across as arrogant and closed off in parts but as his story unravels you start to understand why, and you begin to warm to him. There aren’t too many other main characters which help keep the story uncluttered and simple. In some parts, you even begin to question if the characters are real or figments of Edgars imagination or even supernatural… Maybe all the above!

Edgar narrates the story in a chronological order (with a few flashbacks to memories or events relevant to that part of the book). King puts the right amount of detail in to capture the imagination and allow your mind to build a clear picture. He makes the light and dark elements vivid; the sunshine of the Florida coast contrasting with the darkness of his artwork. Edgar has days filled with fun, laughter, and meeting new people, whilst the night are filled with memory loss, nerve racking visions, and un-answered questions. As the reader, you start to fear nightfall as much as Edgar because you can’t predict what’s going to happen. What will happen tonight? Are things going to get worse? Will we get closer to figuring out what is going on?

The book builds with intensity, it draws you in and keeps you on the edge of your seat. There is suspense, thrill, and fear inducing events throughout the book, so you’re not waiting until the last few chapters for the meaty bits to begin. This book is scarier than some films I’ve watched, it really hits the nerves, and gets hairs standing up.

Hit or Miss?

Definitely a HIT! Overall, it was scary, addictive, and I loved it! It literally made me jump with fear in parts; there was one part where Edgar is on the beach at night and an ‘entity’ drips on him. At the exact same time I was reading this paragraph, a drip from the aircraft aircon dripped on me! I screamed and jumped up!! The poor passenger by the side of me must have thought I was mental.

This book literally made me hide behind a pillow whilst reading it! Set the scene for a scary book night (or 3); turn off distractions, dim the lights (except for a reading light), and focus on this book alone… This book is sure to terrify you!

I’d love to see this as a film!

Who is your favourite author? Let me know your thoughts and if you read this oldie but goodie ❤

 If you love chicklit, check out my review of ‘I’ll Take New York’ ❤