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Summary

An instant classic, Brian Lumley's astonishing feat of imagination spawned a universe that Lumley has explored and expanded through more than a baker's dozen novels and novellas. Millions of copies of Necroscope and its successors are in print in a dozen languages throughout the world. Nominated for the British Fantasy Award, Necroscope has inspired everything from comic books and graphic novels to sculptures and soundtracks. This new edition of Necroscope uses the author's preferred text and includes a special introduction by Brian Lumley, telling how the Necroscope saga came to be.

Harry Keogh is the man who can talk to the dead, the man for whom every grave willingly gives up its secrets, the one man who knows how to travel effortlessly through time and space to destroy the vampires that threaten all of humanity.

©2009 Brian Lumley (P)2015 Macmillan Audio
Horror Supernatural Fantasy
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What listeners say about Necroscope

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Profile Image for Mr D Jones

I've waited years for this to come to Audible.

One of the best series of books I've read in over 30 years. So happy to be revisiting it. I hope Audible doesn't keep me waiting for the rest of the series.

17 people found this helpful

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Profile Image for Michael

At long last

Wanted this on audible for years and unlike some other titles I read years ago its as good as I remember. The narrator is very good too, hope they stick with him for the rest of the series. Please Audible can we have the next one soon?

12 people found this helpful

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Profile Image for Connie Rea

Necroscope

How to rate this book. I loved parts of it, but also found myself waiting for the *real* action to begin. Knowing that there are over 30 books to follow this one, I guess I will have to be satisfied knowing this was only the beginning and as such, maybe, it was designed to set up the story line and ensure I lusted for more....
I read Dracula last month. I won't bore you with explaining why I was utterly bored with it, actually finding myself yawning at parts. I only bring it up to say that when I read that book, I was looking for the type of feel this book gave me. A sense of evil that is timeless. Evil that has existed though out all the generations and still exists today. This book excited me in the way that I had hoped Dracula would. I could hear the ancient rasping voice of pure evil when the old Vampir spoke from his earthly tomb. I could actually feel the air grow chill. *This* is what I was seeking from the Count....Stoker did not deliver that feeling (for ME), but Lumley certainly did.

Here you have Boris Dragosani and his ability to tear apart the dead and learn their secrets...and then you throw in little Harry Keogh, who speaks for the dead, who the dead admire and, in fact, seek him out and what is there not to love! This same ability, two vastly different types of humans who can both speak to the dead, but displayed at two total different angles fascinated me.

It was also very interesting to have the KGB and other world intelligence agencies use all of these physic powers against one another. James Bond has entered a entirely new realm here. It's all so very believable. So how much does physic ability play in attaining intelligence from other counties? We all have heard of mediums being used behind closed doors to help track down killers, but what if these mediums were used AS THE killers? How true is the "evil eye"? What if one talked to the dead, not to reassure the living, but to learn of the dead's secrets...secrets that up until that point had been taken with them to the grave?

Parts of this book I felt were rich in detail and left me wanting even more...yet other parts I felt needed more detail and they, too, left me wanting more.....

I won't be going into any ancient forests in Romania anytime soon....that is one thing I know for sure.....

3 people found this helpful

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Profile Image for Skip From Cheshire

One of my favourite series finally in audible

This series blew me away as a teenager over 30 years ago. It was such a fresh of breath air when the horror market was dominated by (the excellent) Stephen King, Dan Koontz, in the USA and James Herbert and Clive Barker (also excellent) in the UK.

I love the fact that reading now, 30 odd years later, it's based in a time without mobile phones, social media etc. The first book sets us up with the promise of an astounding series to come and I can't wait to listen to the rest of them

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Profile Image for Richie p

great book, well read and performed

loved the book when I read it some years ago, thoroughly enjoyed this performance of the book.

2 people found this helpful

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Profile Image for 541N7

Wamphyri good.

I read this series of books around 20 years ago and loved them. From the art to the stories I was captivated. Older now I revisit them. are they as good? Not quite. It might be because I'm older now or just the age of the stories themselves. They definitely feel quite cheesy now but nonetheless still enjoyable and definitely one of the more unique takes on vampirism.
For the performance of the narrator, I wasn't too sure at first, his voice seemed too light, more suited to comedy than something so dark. His lightness aside, his range of male voices was excellent putting in a superb performance. As many others would, he definitely struggled when it came to his female voices.
This is a long story, probably longer than it really needs to be but it should hold you to the end. I always found the later books much better. Stick with it though and you'll likely become a lifelong fan as well.

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Profile Image for Mrs Tracy H Brogan

absolutely brilliant!

I have read this series twice and have waited almost 30 years for it to be an audiobook, it's the best I've ever read.

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Profile Image for Asante Lawla

loved it !! especially the performance.

Absolutely blown away by the performance of the narrator and really enjoyed the story. kept me guessing and was really creative with the genre.

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Profile Image for David Craggs

Loved it!

I really enjoyed Necroscope. Not only does it offer a great modern take on the vampire myth, but it also explores in depth the possibilities for someone who can actually speak openly to the dead. While there is plenty of tension and the book certainly has its moments, it does feel like the author is merely setting the scene for further books set in a world rich in supernatural horror.

I am going straight onto the next one.

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Profile Image for Anonymous User

Misogynist , Racist, Nonsense

What can one say about this book? It's terrible, uttery absolutely terrible ,you can't even let it fall into the so bad, it's good category. It's just bad ! The plot is scattershot at best, as far as I can tell the writer seems thinks it's bond meets the exorcist, when in fact it's Buffy meets a bad episode of Euro trash .The hero's powers increase when the writer runs out of ideas or ways to fix problems he comes up with and thus render any threat he might encounter null and void. Also there are sex scenes which are so bad and misogynistic I don't think author has actually met a living human woman ! The repeated use of the word Mongol to describe an evil character starts to make it almost impossible to listen to this book to top it all off ! How the hell this became a book series is beyond me! I've only given it one start because audible won't accept that this book was that bad it deserves nothing and has demanded I give it something.

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  • Tammy C.
  • 21-12-15

WAITED FOR YEARS!!!! Awsome horror series!

What did you love best about Necroscope?

The Lovecraftian vampire. These vampires don't glitter they are horrific, old and among us! If they really walked the earth I would live in a bunker.

What other book might you compare Necroscope to and why?

Really can't say. Brian Lumley's characters are unique. I have never read a series like it before or since.

What about James Langton’s performance did you like?

His English accent. Brian Lumley is English and the story, in part, takes place in England. The e-branch is in London. He does a great job of narrating.

Who was the most memorable character of Necroscope and why?

Harry. the reluctant hero.

Any additional comments?

I hope Audible records all of the Necroscope novels. it is the best series I have ever read. Period! Also, I am a real live person who enjoys good, engaging stories.

61 people found this helpful

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Profile Image for Jim "The Impatient"
  • Jim "The Impatient"
  • 08-01-16

ONE MUST NOT CURSE THE DEAD

THEY HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE
Wow!!!, what did I just listen to? This book has vampires, but it is not just about vampires. It has the KGB, but it is not just about the KGB. It also has Espionage, witches, a necromancer, ESP, The Evil Eye, Far seeing, wizards, evolution, Boris and Natasha (no Moose and Squirrel) and it has a Zombie Army, but it is not about any one of these things. It is as if Dan Simmons, Simon R. Green and Jack Ketchum got together to write a book. Actually, copyrighted in 1986, this was before their times.

WELL, THAT WAS HARRY
Unlike the other reviewers, I had never read Lumley before. I had seen his name at used book stores and wondered about him, but had never gotten around to reading him. It seems he has a sort of cult following of which my name can now be added. This is a very entertaining read. It is full of Pseudo Science, but it is not a comedy. It is a serious, scary read. It is a little long in the tooth, but stay with it. Chapter one will blow your socks off, than it slows down a bit, with a lot of remembering. At chapter eleven, the remembering is done and the action goes full force. Chapter one is gory and chapter 24 is pain filled. So, well written you will cringe. The amount of genre's contained in this read, is crazy. I have read other genre crossing novels, but most fell short. This is the first of a series and I hope Audible will pick up the rest of them.

109 people found this helpful

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  • Melissa
  • 19-04-16

PLEASE do audio editions for the sequels!

Really more like 4.5 stars, but I'll be generous because there were entire sections here that were 5-star worthy. The first 1.5 hours or so of the audio recording were a bit long-winded and made me worry that I'd been duped into reading a book solely about political espionage (or in this case, E.S.P.ionage). However, once that bit was over the story really unfolded and took off in a couple of different and more interesting directions. I really enjoyed listening to the sections focusing on Harry Keogh and his special talent (no spoilers here) and Boris Dragosani's "dance" with the devilish vampire Ferenczy. As for the level of gross and gory, the most graphic scene took place within the first hour or so, just to give the reader the picture of Dragosani's unique "gift." The novel was very intelligently written; it wasn't just a gore-fest with no substance. After the first 1.5 hours where the story was being set up and I was trying to keep track of the characters, I was never bored. (I tend to avoid very long audio books unless very highly recommended.) I understand that Necroscope is the first in an extensive series of books. I've already got my hands on the second and third installments--which it appears are not yet available in audio format.

10 people found this helpful

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Profile Image for John
  • John
  • 10-01-16

An old favorite debuts in (english) audio!

If you could sum up Necroscope in three words, what would they be?

Engrossing. Imaginative. Excellent.

What other book might you compare Necroscope to and why?

It doesn't really compare to other books in the horror genre, it's take on vampirism is unique, and the story combines elements of a spy thriller with ESP/supernatural discovery.

Which character – as performed by James Langton – was your favorite?

Harry Keogh, naturally. Dragosani is a close second. James Langton did a superb job. He may be my new favorite narrator.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, I had to discipline myself to stretch it out into multiple days.

Any additional comments?

I am very much hoping that Audible will bring the rest of the series to english speaking listeners (I note that it's been in the audible library in german since 2007 or so). At a minimum, at least the rest of the original 5 book series. Also, having James Langton perform narration for the remainder of the series would be very much appreciated; he was great.

19 people found this helpful

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Profile Image for Yucel Sifontes
  • Yucel Sifontes
  • 09-06-16

Slow start, BUT amazing..

The book got off to a slow start but after that it lead to an amazing story! I only wish more of the Necroscope publications were available. I would be one happy customer. For anyone deciding whether or not to take a chance on this book, TAKE it! It's truly a fantastic and original story.

14 people found this helpful

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  • Jeremy Preston
  • 31-01-16

Excellent!

What made the experience of listening to Necroscope the most enjoyable?

The story is fantastic and the narrator is wonderful. In fact, I would say the narrator is the best I have heard so far. If you are considering this book, get it. Lumley continually weaves stories within stories within stories without being too complex. It's layered, and a joy to listen to.

13 people found this helpful

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  • Sean McCrory
  • 15-01-16

Unique Story Concept

Where does Necroscope rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top 40, I've listened to a lot of audio books.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Necroscope?

When Dragosani first used his skill.

Which character – as performed by James Langton – was your favorite?

Dragosani

If you could take any character from Necroscope out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Harry. I liked his character very much.

Any additional comments?

I hope Brian decides to contract James Langton for all the remaining books. James is one of my favorite narrators, and his performance was wonderful, as always.

13 people found this helpful

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Profile Image for Angelia
  • Angelia
  • 12-01-16

definitely a five star book! I read the originals

I read the original books in the nineties, want more of his his books soon

17 people found this helpful

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Profile Image for Brooks1024
  • Brooks1024
  • 05-01-16

IT IS ABOUT TIME!!!

Would you consider the audio edition of Necroscope to be better than the print version?

No because that is like comparing apples to oranges.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Harry Keogh of course

Which character – as performed by James Langton – was your favorite?

Dragosani

Any additional comments?

I was first introduced to Harry Keogh by accident in the 10th grade 23 years ago when I read(out of order) Deadspeak. My mind was blown and I was instantly hooked. I have read every piece of literature i could find regarding the Necroscope world. To be able to finally listen to this book on audible was amazing. When are the next books coming out in English??

16 people found this helpful

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Profile Image for Sara Jade Woodhouse
  • Sara Jade Woodhouse
  • 19-01-16

Vampire Mythos with an Eldritch flair!

Would you consider the audio edition of Necroscope to be better than the print version?

I do not consider the audio edition of Necroscope to be better than the print version. It is virtually impossible to capture the nuance of the many voices that are present in Brian Lumley's incredible tale of horror and science fiction. This book needs at least the same treatment that they would give to on of the top ten bestsellers. Get a cast together and do these books right!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Necroscope?

There are so many revelatory moments in Brian Lumley's Necroscope and to talk about any of the however briefly would completely ruin the slow build that works so well.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

It would have been better to have more than one narrator.

Who was the most memorable character of Necroscope and why?

Certainly the most memorable character in Necroscope is the main protagonist Harry Keogh.

10 people found this helpful