An Oldie but Goodie

I first came across a review for Jinn while I was stripping mags at my very first bookstore job. The reviewer raved about this book and called it a Saving Private Ryan meets Alien. Of course I had to buy it, and in hardcover no less - on my limited college student/part-time bookseller income.

I got my book and read into the wee hours of the morning. It was fantastic. Part military horror (a sub-genre that I would personally like to see more of*) part paranormal thriller/supernatural mystery. I loved every bit of it. For years to come it would be (and still is) on my favorite book lists and bookseller recommends picks. 

This book did, however, make me realize that you can't always trust reviewers! It was clear to me after just a few pages that the reviewer in question had not read past the first chapter in which a soldier is gunned down and one of his comrades likens the damage inflicted to some sort of alien being popping out of his stomach. One line, that's it! Um, the same line is currently in the PW review posted on Amazon.

I was not disappointed, however, the book was amazing. It begins with a group of soldiers in WWII. Most of them are killed in battle and the remaining soldiers are unfortunate enough to end up getting picked up by a ship that sinks. It's been a while since I read the book (it was released in 2003) but I believe the soldiers were looking for a missing troop. Anyway, skip ahead in time and someone has discovered the sunken ship. When they raise it, they unleash a demonic force that begins to wreak havoc on Boston.  

Unfortunately, this is the only book ever to be released by the mysterious Matthew B. Delaney. It's currently on sale at amazon.com (60%) off and is available as a Kindle download. Surprisingly, after 5 years with no follow-up titles, the book is still in print. So, if you're in the mood for a great mystery/thriller/horror title that melds both history and mythology, give it a shot. Like I said, it still makes my top 10 lists. 

*A note on military horror: it's not at all something that I see much of in books (if there is more out there, let me know, please). I am much more familiar with the few films that are out there most notably Dog Soldiers - the best werewolf movie ever! Deathwatch is another pretty good one. The Bunker - don't remember much about this one so I can't tell you if it was good or not, and Below, another great one by the same director as Pitch Black.