One of my favourite authors writes another 5 Star book. Another astounding horror story -I can’t wait for the next one.

A series of violent murders break out in the Tooting area of London, inexplicably linked by items of second-hand clothing. DC Pardoe and DS Patel are assigned to the case and, as the murders continue and get more and more gory, they start to wonder is something supernatural is behind the killing.

Ghost Virus was a LOT more gory than I was expecting. It’s the kind of book where crime/mystery and horror cross over – not for the faint hearted or easily grossed-out. But, at the same time, the graphic details weren’t unnecessary or merely there for shock factor; they were a part of the story, making them an unpleasant but effectual feature of the book.

To be honest, the premise sounds completely ridiculous: clothing becoming possessed by evil spirits and killing people. Not only that, but apparently the clothing is unstoppable (my first thought: grab a flame thrower). But, in fact, it’s great. I loved the writing. The detectives are classic (fictional) British cops, the kind we see all the time on telly and love. (There was a lot of cockney slang used throughout the book, though, which non-British readers mind find difficult to understand).

The relationship between Jerry and Jamila felt genuine and was fun to read about. They came across as believable partners with an attraction to each other, and none of it was forced. Thanks to the intense situation they find themselves in, neither of them act upon their feelings until a pretty realistic time, so the romance fitted into the story as a nice undercurrent and never eclipsed the plot.

Overall, Ghost Virus is gory, gross and a lot of fun. Definitely worth a go.

Ghost Virus by Graham Masterton is a horror novel.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Head of Zeus, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My Synopsis: 
There are strange deaths occurring in Tooting, a borough of London England. When DC Jerry Pardoe and DS Jamila Patel are called to the home of a young Muslim girl who had her face splashed with sulphuric acid while in her own bed, they aren’t sure if it is a suicide, or perhaps an honor killing.

However, when more strange deaths occur, they can hardly believe they are starting to look at second-hand clothing as a possible murder weapon. It is difficult to fathom how a coat can attach itself to someone, its fibers melding with their flesh, turning the innocent wearer into a killing machine. But that seems to be happening, and as the bodies begin to pile up, the police try to keep things out of the press.  But this may be too much for even the press to handle.

My Opinions: 
This was probably one of the most bizarre horror novels I have read. The idea of coats rising up and killing people would be hilarious if Masterton hadn’t made it so gruesome. Still, it was difficult not to see the true silliness in the plot, and early on, I wondered if I should continue reading. However, as the pages drifted by, I developed an interest as to where this was headed next. The author truly has a descriptive flair which he uses to describe limbs being torn apart and intestines removed. The gore abounds, and the premise is unique, but it still seemed too ridiculous.

Bottom line, this one just wasn’t for me. I’m going to try to read something else by Masterton, because he’s been around a long time. I can’t see this being his best.

One more thing….this one isn’t for the squeamish. Oh, and it will make me think twice before buying used clothing.

Ghost Virus, from Graham Masterton, reminded me very strongly of the paperback horrors that were so popular in the 80s and 90s. It's a fun and gory spectacle; yes, you'll need to suspend your disbelief, but if gory, straightforward horror is what you're into, this is a solid read.

"... I’m convinced now that this infection is spiritual, rather than viral."

I've been a fan of British author Graham Masterton since reading THE MANITOU in the mid-1970s. He writes more than horror books (including sex manuals) but he's best known for his horror offerings.

This book, after I got into it a ways, didn't seem like one I'd enjoy. It seemed like a rather preposterous premise. But Masterton has done it again - scared the stuffing out of me. I will never look at used clothing the same again.

The story takes place in and around Tooting, England - a district near London. Detective Sergeant Patel and Detective Constable Pardoe are called in for some very unusual, gruesome killings, where the murderers are claiming to be someone else. The murderers all have in common the fact they were wearing second hand clothes when they did their killings.

Be warned that this is a gory, gruesome read (think Jeffrey Dahmer). Masterton has a huge talent of turning the mundane into the grotesque. This is another Graham Masterton creepy crawly have-to-read.

I received this book from Head of Zeus Books through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.

Thankyou to Netgalley and Graham Masterton for the opportunity to read this novel.
I was given my first Graham Masterton novel to devour at the age of 14. Since then, I have read every single one of his novels and loved them all. Ghost Virus is no exception.  
I certainly enjoyed the concept of haunted clothes as it is so different to the horror novels I have read in the past.. Be warned though.   This book is definitely not for the faint hearted.  I had to devour this book in one sitting. I needed to know how it would end for the detectives involved in the investigation. 
If you enjoy gruesome and gory, you will enjoy Ghost Virus.

Masterton returns to the horror genre with this supernatural chiller about possessed clothes that cause those that wear them to kill. 
What sounds like a fun and quirky premise is actually quite a dark and macabre book, largely in part to Masterton’s graphic descriptions of the crimes — which turn out to be horrible acts of murder, self mutilation and cannibalism. 
The problem is these crimes are then countered with more playful moments, such as a police showdown with a horde of flying clothes, giving it a Christine meets Seven kind of vibe that proves an odd fit. 
It’s an interesting premise and an engaging read but one that’s ultimately let down by its mash of tones.

Thanks to net galley, Graham Masterton and publishers, Head of Zeus, for the opportunity to preview this book.

It's a weird one! I haven't read any of the authors previous books and so, I wasn't sure what to expect. What I got was a thrilling supernatural murder mystery for fans of horror. I enjoyed the weird premise of clothing causing people to turn into murderers. However, what I couldn't stomach were the constant gruesome descriptions. These descriptions were just too much for me, causing me to shout out loud, stop reading and flicking through to miss them at times. 

Overall, it's certainly different, I can't really recommend it, although, the clever storyline did make me want to see how it ended.....gruesomely ....

Copy furnished by Net Galley for the price of a review.

Creepy crawly coats, scuttling sweaters, grasping girdles, slapping shirtsleeves, raincoats on the rampage.  A second skin, rivers of blood, gore galore, and a surfeit of guts. 

The writing is fine, but the plot segued into silliness and then boldly leapt into the realm of the absurd.  If this is meant to be horror, then it is not my brand.  If the purpose is to parody, then mission accomplished.

I usually enjoy books by Graham Masterton but this was just too much of a horror story for me! Very gruesome descriptions and a fascinating plot. lovers of the horror genre will enjoy this book. Thank you Net Galley for my copy. I reviewed on Goodreads, Amazon and Facebook.

Like a good scary horror? Then this book is for you. How does Graham Masterton do it? I don't know but he does it really,  really well. He has the ability to draw you into a book after the first few pages and you don't want to stop reading till the end. Thank you Mr Masterton and please don't ever stop writing.

An act of suicide by acid marks the beginning of bizarre acts of violent insanity across London, heralding an invasion by a supernatural force that lurks within second-hand clothing?!?

Graham Masterton has taken an idea that initially had me shaking my head in disbelief and created a horror novel that delivers equal parts chills and gore, balanced against a solid police procedural, where the forces of the law react realistically to a supernatural threat that is literally beyond comprehension. 

This one had me locking my laundry in the washer....a freaky fun fest of clothing carnage.

Highly recommended.

It was a interesting horror novel that  gives a new meaning to the term fashion police. I would  recommend it  those who like  gruesome  horror.

I have given Ghost Virus five stars.

Let me start this review by telling you that as a person who works with second hand clothing, I will NEVER be able to look at my job the same ever again!

I read Graham Masterton's "Spirit" as a child and despite thoroughly enjoying the horror within, I have never read anything else by him but I was absolutely thrilled to discover that I was just as captivated by his writing now as I was then.
Very rarely do I read a horror that chills me to my bones and that is exactly what the author did with Ghost Virus. The story line was equal parts terrifying and silly, with lots of gory scenes added to really capture the reader's attention.

I was absolutely addicted to this wonderfully quirky tale of possessed clothes, with all of it's grit.

He truly is a master of horror and I am now wondering why it's been so long since I delved into one of his books.

Not to be taken too seriously, as the concept is rather far fetched. That said it's a good scary story well written. A couple of explainations a little lacking but largely very well written - I really enjoyed this book. Taken in context I'd recommend to anyone. Nice twist at the end that leaves things open.

Ghost Virus is perhaps one of the most absurd concepts for a horror book in recent memory.  Absurdity alone is not enough to dissuade recommendation of a book, but the absurdity needs to be acknowledged by the audience as well as the material.  Ghost Virus does not do so.  It takes the general concept of haunted clothing - yes clothing - and treats it sincerely. 

The book follows the investigation of bizarre deaths that are very quickly tied to coats - yes coats.  Any further details would be spoilers as the most basic reader can imagine what a title like Ghost Virus and the concept of killer garments can fill in all the gaps necessary.  (No spoilers here, the title is obviously no spoiler and the description of the book by the publisher states its related to garments.)

Masterton's legacy will outshine this ghost coat novel, and for that I'm thankful.

What a fantastic story, Graham Masterton has always been a master of horror but this is on another level.

The storyline is really interesting and something new, Graham Masterton has you hooked from the first page and it finishes with the last sentence in the book.

This is Not for the faint hearted as very descriptive so can make your toes curl!!! Great story which keeps you hooked!!

This book has one of those first sentences that reels you in. You have to keep reading to find out why someone would want to burn their face off. I will say, as a warning, that this book is not for those faint of heart. The description of the deaths are brutal. I definitely mean that in a great way because the writing is incredible. It puts you right there, front and center while all the gore happens. The balance between the POV's could have been more focused on our detectives for me but I understand why it's important to see the different affected people. I thought the build up in this novel was fantastic and it kept me reading the whole time, even if I was breathing really heavily during some of the more gruesome parts! Great book!

I hadn't previously read anything by Graham Masterton, but had heard his name pop up in horror circles often enough that I knew I'd have to give him a go. That said, I'm not entirely convinced Ghost Virus is the best place to start, given its odd balance as a work that is both flat-out silly and a serious procedural with a whole lot of deliciously descriptive violence and carnage betwixt it all.

The fact is, the central premise behind Ghost Story is absolutely ludicrous. That premise? Killer clothes. And I don't mean in the sense of keen fashion and sharp ensembles, but literally clothes that murder - jackets that slaughter, sweaters hungry for blood, windbreakers that would snap your neck and dismember you in the street. Killer. Clothes. It's the sort of schlocky mass-market 80s pulp, or straight to SyFy Channel by way of The Asylum films, that is deliriously, eye-rollingly bad...but also perversely entertaining in its own charmingly idiotic way. It helps, some, that Masterton's own characters cannot believe the threat terrorizing their London suburb of Tooting Bec either, oftentimes rolling their own eyes right alongside readers. One almost has to wonder just how much expert-level trolling Masterton is conducting upon readers with this one. The police, at regular intervals, speak the reader's mind as they confusedly stammer, "None of this makes any sense." 

Granted, Masterton makes a basic attempt at trying to square this ultimately nonsensical work against the rough framework of Tooting's diverse neighborhood, drawing on Pakistani and Lithuanian lore, with talk of djinns and ghosts and various other regional folklore. No matter what kind of hodgepodge justifications Masterton knits together to explain the inexplicable, the threat at the core of Ghost Virus is still utterly preposterous. 

However, if you can either accept, or better still, look past the harebrained idea of demonic second-hand clothes, Ghost Virus is actually a pretty fun, pulpy romp that fans of the crazier 80s horror paperbacks should enjoy. The central premise is outlandish, but it's at least entertaining and Masterton's writing is smooth enough to keep the pages turning. And the violence. Dear lord, the violence! Masterton doesn't shy away from details, and there's a number of well-done, graphically depicted shock scenes as the owners of these possessed clothes wreak havoc on themselves, their lovers, and neighbors. There's moments of awful violence throughout, and if you revel in gore, Masterton will blanket you in buckets of blood and piles of innards.

My advice? Ignore the goofy premise, and read this one for the shock scenes. If you're a fan of silly horror, you ought to eat this one right up.

[Note: I received an advance copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley.]

When a young Pakistani woman has her face burned off with sulphuric acid, it's up to D.C. Jerry Pardoe and D.S. Jamila Patel of Tooting Police to investigate the horrific crime. At first they think it's suicide or a possible honour killing but it soon becomes apparent more disturbing and other-worldly forces are at work. 

Meanwhile, across London, there's an outbreak of sickening acts of violence and murder. The strange thing is, all the perpetrators are wearing second-hand clothing. Is it possible their clothes are somehow possessed by the dead? As the bodies pile up, Jerry and Jamila must act quickly to save London from the deadly grip of the Ghost Virus.

Graham Masterton is the author who ignited my love of reading over 35 years ago. I've been a huge fan ever since and have read a vast amount of his work. He's my go-to guy for all things dark and creepy. This new book, although very light-hearted in comparison to other works, was great. It combined humour with the ridiculous and I loved it. Can you imagine being chased down the street by the contents of your wardrobe?!! 

I get the distinct feeling Masterton had a lot of fun with this book and I'm sure it was his intention that his readers would too. However, I do think he'll come in for some criticism from those more familiar with his darker, demonic novels. Me? I thought it was a good bit of hilarious fun and really enjoyed it.  

* My thanks to Graham Masterton for decades of pleasure, NetGalley and Head of Zeus.