Fun Friday Ash by James Herbert

 Part one

It is a good strong start to this book, I personally find it amusing to read that Ash is unsure of doing the job. We all know he will take it as it would be a very short book if he didn’t. I am enjoying this book already. I love that Ash is a skeptic, as not every spooky place is haunted, or occurrence is paranormal. A skeptic that is willing to, as they say in the business, ‘Debunk’ in other words find other explanations for strange things happening makes for the best paranormal investigators. Yes, I am a skeptic but have had experiences I cannot explain other than that a place is haunted, but I will always go in first of all not believing until as I have on a few occasions been proved otherwise. The author certainly knows what he is writing about. I don’t want to put this book down. 

The short chapters make the book an easy read. I love it already. However, I am not sure, as yet, to the point of chapter 6. I felt I had missed something as it jumped from one thing to another insignificant, at a moment apart.

It seems I wrote too soon, I can see the point of chapter 6 now and chapter 7 is a long chapter. It is, however, still an easy read so still all good despite the longer chapter. The chapters are, it seems the perfect length to cover all that needs to be, long or short it doesn’t matter after all.

Well that was an unexpected read. They haven’t even arrived at the castle yet. Again we know they do or he at least does, otherwise this again would be a very short book. As to what has happened or going to happen between plane and the castle is intriguingly unknown/unclear as far. Although, is there one possible theory on the plane? Oh well, I have another theory now. This is really good and yes, definitely chilling. I love it. I did have 3 quick theories whilst reading 2 chapters, settling on the 3rd one as said ‘They know’ and certainly have made it/themselves known. First of all I struggled to see the point of this chapter, but by the end the reason became perfectly clear. I just had to be patient and read on.

I have mixed feelings about Ash not knowing too much about the castle. personally , I feel that an investigator should collect as much information as possible so that they can not only ask, what is known as ‘Trigger questions’ they can also leave out ‘Trigger objects’ as well. As certain words and/or certain objects linked to the life or death of a person can/could provoke a reaction during an investigation. I don’t like the long, long drawn out way to the castle it was too long. I know it is meant to be isolated but it seems extreme.

This book does go on to explain, not wanting to find out too much information about the castle. This book does highlight that there are many correct ways of carrying out an investigation. This is good as there are also incorrect ways, but happily the author knows his stuff as they say, so this is brilliant.

Part two

When it mentions on the back of this book that it is ‘Controversial’, ‘His most’. This book is certainly getting so yes, with a capital C. the next part is fine by me although it is sad that the nurse felt that she couldn’t no longer be a friend when Delphine may need one where she is.

Chapter 20 wasn’t a very nice chapter to read. Also at the end, I don’t know what he was trying to achieve? Sneaking up on an assassin clearly isn’t as easy as he thought. 

It seems Mr Ash has a fan. The castle, yes, I see as a strange place. This should be a very interesting read overall, I hope. It certainly seems that way so far. The castle is certainly interestingly secretive.

On the back of this book it says that, ‘You wonder what is fact and what is fiction’, well I am already finding that I am wondering, especially when I read about various and expensive drugs/treatments they are using at the castle. Well there is the connection between castle and plane. I like it, yes, despite the sad passing that isn’t nice to read of anyone dying.

Part three

Well that was intriguing and I want to say ‘Unexpected’, but as I read I came to very quickly realise that anything is possible in the castle. First of all surely CCTV of the grounds, if I remember rightly would show what the wildcats and Twigg have been up to and secondly, I don’t think it is wise to give too much information away on how to hide, basically, evidence, yes, having read the back of this book and the first little part I knew that there were secrets/people that were deemed no longer around  included in this book. So now having read about one of them it is interesting to think about and clever as to the way the story about what happened to them is written, in a long drawn out way so you obviously know who it is but they are not actually mentioned til the end of the chapter. I wonder who else I will read about? This makes this book more intriguing. I do wish the names of the patients/clients in the castle were mentioned. Although it is intriguing to try and work out who they are. However, it is good to read the names of some of the inhabitants.

I would recommend not to read chapters 37 and 38 if you have just eaten or are about to eat. These chapters are not pleasant to read. Nor is chapter 39 for another reason.

What I get from the next chapter 40 is that nothing and I mean, however, secret something seems to be, nothing stays secret for long. Word just seems to get out somewhere along the line.

Now, this book gets even more controversial. It certainly makes you think and I like, a good book should make the reader want to read on so i don’t want to put this book down. This book is certainly a thought provoking clever book.

Chapter 55 and 56 and 57 are edge of your seat stuff. They are not nice to read but there is still a lot of the book to read and I and you would know that no real harm could come to them. This part does go on for an excessive amount of time. Although it keeps me reading it. It is prolonged and not nice to read. I believe Ash maybe on to something at the end of part 3.

Part four

Just when I think I am reading about a particular person confined within the castle the chapter ends before the person is identified. However, with the clues I do think I know who it is. I am now glad that however, careful you think you are being, this highlights that anyone could be watching/notice what you are up to. From what I read I do believe the plan could be scuppered. I am intrigued even more now. 

This book reminds me of a cross between James Bond by Ian Fleming, where it seems all hope is lost only to be saved/turn out ok in the end, Ghost Hunters (TAPS) with Jason Hawes and Ghost Adventures with Zac Bagans. I will see if this carries on to the end. This book doesn’t cease to surprise with the names and stories of the inhabitants of the castle. I really don’t know how to exactly describe them overall.

It does seem strange that at the castle they want Ash’s help, yet when he tries to force the issue of ‘Evacuation’ he is told basically they can’t. Yes, although I can see why, I have to question why they keep asking Ash for his help and opinion, when they clearly can not/will not follow up on it. This book still doesn’t cease to shock, as to who is in residence at the castle. Also despite, I want to say, twist from the information at the very beginning of this book, I still believe there is more to that story as to who else is there under that/the circumstances of what happened. However, there are more important things going on to think about first. I just want to know how hot and dangerous it is going to get for Ash. I can also see why this kind of had to happen in the book as people may start searching for further information. Although yes, gruesome about the ‘Oxygen’. I do think it was a great worthy inspired idea. The ending, although drawn out, does keep you on the edge of your seat. I want to say that ‘A part of the story about one particular person has come full circle as he is ‘Still missing’. After that this book has a, I would say, ‘Very big ending’. This is an amazing fascinating book to read overall.

Thank you for reading

Sandra