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December

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'December' by Phil Rickman is a haunting tale set in an old abbey where a group of musicians attempt to record an album on the night of John Lennon's death. The story unfolds over two timelines, exploring the tragic events that occurred during the recording session and the repercussions faced by the musicians years later. Rickman's writing style evokes a sense of eerie atmosphere, blending elements of horror, mystery, and the supernatural with a focus on music and Welsh history.

The narrative delves into themes of psychic abilities, haunted pasts, and the lingering impact of historical tragedies on individuals. Rickman intricately weaves together a complex plot involving a diverse cast of characters, each grappling with their own demons and haunted by the events of that fateful December night. Through layers of suspense and dark storytelling, the book explores the battle between good and evil, culminating in a near-perfect ending that leaves readers intrigued and captivated.

Characters:

The characters are richly developed, each grappling with their pasts and personal demons, creating a relatable yet flawed ensemble.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is multi-layered and atmospheric, combining dark themes with moments of humor and emotional resonance.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot features a group of musicians dealing with the fallout from a tragic recording session in a haunted setting, interwoven with historical and supernatural elements.

Setting:

The setting is a key element, centered around a haunted abbey that deeply influences the narrative and characters.

Pacing:

The pacing varies, with a slow start that transitions into a gripping narrative as the story unfolds.
He lies in the blood on the office floor, and he doesn’t move. A short while later, two cops are turning him over, real careful, and seeing the blood around the holes—four holes, maybe five. And then ...

Notes:

The novel "December" is set in December 1980 in a haunted abbey in Wales.
Four musicians, part of a band called Philosopher's Stone, try to record an album there.
The recording session coincides with the night John Lennon was murdered, adding to the atmosphere of the story.
The musicians each have their own ghosts and obsessions, affecting their lives after the recording session ends in tragedy.
Fourteen years later, the abandoned tapes resurface, prompting the band to reunite.
The story combines elements of horror, mystery, and music industry insights.
The book features a richly designed collector's edition with illustrations and photographs.
The novel explores themes of healing and confronting past traumas through music.
Phil Rickman intertwines real historical events with fictional characters and narratives.
Characters from "December" appear in Rickman's later works, creating a connected universe.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for December include themes of trauma, mental health struggles, depictions of violence, and references to death and supernatural horror.

From The Publisher:

In the ruins of a haunted medieval abbey, four musicians hope to tap into the site's dark history-an experience that almost destroys them

Thirteen years ago on a cold December night, a rock band called The Philosophers Stone gathered in the ancient ruins of an abbey to record their new album.The evening ended in bloodshed and death. Now, the tapes from that fateful recording session have been released as The Black Album, and the scattered members of the band know it's time for a reunion. Time to return to that dark December night-for one final performance.

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About the Author:

Phil Rickman is the author of the Merrily Watkins Mystery series.

 
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