* Bailey, Dale The Fallen
(Signet 0-451-20763-7, $6.5, 281pp, pb, November 2002)
Fantasy novel, the first novel by the author of numerous well-received short stories and novelettes over the past decade, most in F&SF, including the Nebula-nominated "The Resurrection Man’s Legacy" from 1995. The book is packaged as a generic horror paperback, resembling a standard movie or tv tie-in, but the author's reputation, and the Amazon reader reviews all giving it five stars, suggest it worth seeking out. It's about a man named Henry Sleep who returns to his childhood hometown, Sauls Run, a seemingly blessed place in fact hiding bizarre secrets. (Mon 2 Dec 2002)
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* Hamilton, Peter F. Misspent Youth
(UK: Macmillan UK 0-333-90070-7, £17.99, 358pp, hc, November 2002, cover illustration Jim Burns)
SF novel; in contrast to the author's far future space epics, this is a relatively near-future tale about the first subject of a European rejuvenation effort: the 78-year-old patient emerges as a 20-year-old, with attendant hormones. The Amazon UK page has a review by David Langford, who calls it "a lot of fun"; reader reviews, perhaps reacting to the author's change of pace, express disappointment. (Fri 29 Nov 2002)
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* Hirshberg, Glen The Snowman's Children
(Carroll & Graf 0-7867-1082-9, $24, 324pp, hc, October 2002, cover design Kathy Kikkert)
Psychological horror novel, about the aftermath of a serial killer called the Snowman in 1970s Detroit, with cover blurbs from Ellen Datlow, Stewart O'Nan, Steve Erickson, and others. First novel by author of World Fantasy Award-nominated "Struwwelpeter" and earlier award nominee "Mr Dark's Carnival". (Wed 4 Dec 2002)
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+ Jones, Stephen, ed The Mammoth Book of Best New Horror 13
(Carroll & Graf 0-7867-1063-2, $11.95, 590pp, tpb, November 2002, cover design Pete Rozycki)
First US edition (UK: Robinson August 2002). Anthology of 23 horror stories first published in 2001 -- including Glen Hirshberg's "Struwwelpeter", and stories by Poppy Z. Brite, Ramsey Campbell, Elizabeth Hand, Kelly Link, Graham Joyce, and others -- plus an 80-page summary of the year in horror, a 40-page Necrology: 2001, and an appendix of useful addresses. Publishers Weekly's starred review appears on the Amazon page, and is also accessible from the editor's official web site. (Mon 2 Dec 2002)
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* Walton, Jo The Prize in the Game
(Tor 0-765-30263-2, $25.95, 253pp, hc, December 2002, jacket art Jean Pierre Targete, jacket design Carol Russo Design)
Fantasy novel, the third novel by this year's winner of the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer, set in the same world as earlier novels The King's Peace (2000) and The King's Name (2001), though it's not necessary to have read those two to read this one. This novel takes place during the first few paragraphs of Chapter 12 of the first novel, and concerns an accident leading to the death of a beloved horse that shatters friendships, and political alliances. The Amazon page has the PW review. The author's rather bare webpage is here. (Wed 4 Dec 2002)
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