Ash (David Ash)

I discovered James Herbert back in the 1980s when I read "Domain" and I have ever since anxiously awaited each new novel by the so-called "British Stephen King." This book is the third of the David Ash novels about an investigator of paranormal activity. I loved "Haunted" and "The Ghosts of Sleath," so I was so excited to find out that James Herbert was publishing a new David Ash novel. "Ash" does not disappoint. This time around Ash investigates the paranormal happenings at the old and mysterious Comraich Castle in Scotland, a place where very rich, very troubled people go to "disappear." As other reviewers have noted, the book could have been edited a bit, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I am deeply saddened that James Herbert passed away in March 2013. He will be missed.

I've read a few James Herbert books and this sounded an interesting sequel to The Ghosts of Sleath. Suitably creepy reading for a dark winter's night or three. My only quibble would be that occasionally Herbert insists on graphically describing every brand and detail of clothing and occasionally he's gone overboard on his research and insists on putting everything in the book - for example an rather exhaustive list of pharmaceuticals of differing types. As someone who lived in Scotland, not far from the house of the Mitford family off the Isle of Mull, I loved the setting and concept.

Loved the first two of the series but this third one was a real chore to sit down and read. Not one of the worst books that I've ever read but worst of the series.

Won't even try to give an intelligent review. Most awful book I've ever tried to finish. Got half-way through, gave up and threw it in the trash and I've never done this with any other book.

A FAVORITE author! Amazing read!

I've grown up reading James Herbert, while he hasn't always hit the mark with every novel, he has always been a true classic horror writer. Unfortunately this is the worst novel he has written. I found myself constantly having déjà vu, it's like the novel borrows a bit from all the previous books and the characters are never believable. David Ash falls deeply in love almost as soon as he arrives at the main location of the book and it is ridiculous in the speed it happens. The previous David Ash novels were enjoyable but this is overlong, badly written and feels like a rehash. It's sad that this turned out to be James Herbert's final novel.

I am a fan of James Herbert and the book ASH did not leave me wanting except for more of his books. I thought the mix of horror and politics was believeable and made for the right flavor of the book. iI read the book in a couple of days it was that interesting.

Interesting character development; pace of plot just a little beyond belief, almost too fast to the point where any real human would have dropped dead half way through

Yet another awesome book from James Herbert! Great read from beginning to end with all sorts of twists, turns & surprises. This poor guy gets himself into all sorts of scrapes, trouble should have been his middle name? Excellent, well thought out character's with quite a few familiar names will have you all saying a lot of Ahh's, Ooh's, Ohh's & phrases such as, "so that's what ...." & "OMG I don't believe it?" As well as many more I won't mention so as not to give too much away? Just trust me when I say, it's the best David Ash book that I've read so far?! Enjoy ;-)

I bought this in 2012 (one for my dad, one for me) but have only just got round to reading it, having been very busy, partly forgotten about it...and also putting off not having any more James Herbert to read.It’s a shame that the last work from James Herbert is so poor. Some of the plot ideas are too preposterous, even for a horror novel, but it would have been bearable if the actual writing had been better. A lot of the passages read like a first draft - there’s not the usual JH polish, but being the final novel before his death, I do wonder if this is down to ill -health.That said, my dad loved it. I think it’s one for completists only.

Good last novel from James Herbert, feels almost like greatest hits compilation as it has many themes of Herbert's previous novels ( Packs of ferocious animals, deranged maniacs, supernatural forces and of course the return of Ash, to name but a few. ). Blending fact with fiction, this was Herbert at his most playful ( even incorporating a Rats novel in joke )and his supporting cast of both fictional and real characters gives this novel a real sense of blockbuster scale. This isn't by any means one of his greatest works, the almost relentless action of the second half losses much of the tightly plotted tension of some of his previous books, though if you've read and enjoyed The Fog, The Dark, Domain or The Ghosts of Sleath then you'll be on familiar ground of Herbert working on a broad canvas. Worth a read if for no other reason than one last scene involving a hoard of rats, what more fitting subject for this great authors final book.

First let me start by saying the previous David Ash books were excellent, and without out James Herberts books I would have not been tempted to pick up a book as a teenager.The actual over all concept of the story is good, Alas I think it was trying to be too complex and became disjointed, imperfect and in the final chapters rushed and left too many loose ends and. lots of questions not answered. Fortunately he leaves behind him a fine body of work.

I purchased this for 99p on my Kindle and what a waste that was.I have liked many James Herbert books but this one is the worst.He has used many real characters in a fictional book which made it laughable. He used the Queen, Princess Diana, Prince Charles, Gaddaffi, Hess, Lord Lucan and Hitler to name a few; using the Royal family was certainly in poor taste.The first part of the long book was mainly taken up with a short flight, a drive to the castle and from the gates to the castle. Can a writer really spend well over a100 pages writing about that journey?There was a background history to the castle which was fine, a good 'build up' to the evil bit, but what happened to the malevolence? Did it get blown up with the castle?There were too many sub plots and I believe he actually didn't have a clue what he was writing about.Sadly, I don't rate this book at all,