Grey Shapes [Hardcover]

The Bookfinger edition of Grey Shapes was very well done, especially when you consider that these were fairly inexpensive books when they were originally published. The only problem with the Bookfinger books is that the black cloth used marks easily, as the publisher Joseph G. Amedeo admitted in an interview. Bookfinger republished 7 of 8 of the titles from this series about the detective Gees. The Bookfinger editions are photo reproductions of the original books, so you will not find the typo's that you might see in some of the POD editions recently published. All but the first title in the series(Gees First Case)is in the Occult Detective genre.

Grey Shapes is the first of the cases that Gees solves that are of an Occult nature. The story begins when a client asks Gees to help him with a series of sheep killings on his property. At first Gees is reluctant to take the case, but is convinced to give it a try because the killings seem a bit uncanny. This is the first time that it is seen that Gees is a student of folklore and the Occult. Gees is very reluctant at first to attribute the killings to anything other than normal causes. He gradually has to admit that some strange force, with intelligence, is at work killing these sheep for a specific motive. I do not think I am giving too much away to say that in the end Gees finds that the sheep are being killed by Werewolves. The story is full of suspense and has much to keep you reading on even after it becomes apparent what the end must be.

In my opinion Grey Shapes is the best of the Gees series books, but I know I will get some argument from other readers about that. Maker of Shadows is also one of the best of the Gees titles and all titles in the series are definitely worth reading. The only story in the series that is not easily found is The Kleinert Case, and it is well worth reading if you can track down an extremely rare copy. The Kleinert Case is at least marginally Occult even though some references state that it is not.

If you enjoy the Jack Mann Gees series titles you may want to try tracking down some of his Coulson series titles which are more adventure novels although at least one or two are Fantasy/Lost Race titles. The author also wrote many more books under the name E. Charles Vivian, both Fantasy titles and also a large body of Mystery titles. He is also known to have written as Charles Cannell and Barry Lynd. In total the author wrote at least 90 books.

Oh my gosh this was good and I am not usually into the supernatural. You can't really put it down until the end. The writer spins a story that never leaves the reader bored. Quite the opposite. The romantic,spooky location, the more than interesting chracters, the hero detective who never gives up, the evil supernatural characters...this book has it all. KKS

Gees is a bored adventurer. When his administration person tells him he has a possible case, involving sheep, he is a bit sceptical, but isn't doing anything else, so goes to investigate.

Not quite as mundane as he thought, with a bet, some Norse mythology, and a shapeshifter or two to be sorted out.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 3 reviews  4.3 out of 5 stars