🩸 Horror Fiction

The Dead Man Volume 1: Face of Evil, Ring of Knives, Hell in Heaven

✍️ Lee Goldberg
Reader Score
4.5
(1 review)
$14.95
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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A dead man hunts an evil entity through three distinct horror tales.

Matthew Cahill wakes in a morgue after being buried alive, only to realize he is no longer truly dead. He gains the ability to see supernatural threats, particularly the villainous Mr. Dark. The stories track his efforts to stop this entity’s plans across different settings. One tale involves a killing spree by an acquaintance. Another requires infiltrating an asylum to find a crucial madman. A third places him in a remote Washington town where a family feud escalates into bloodshed. Each narrative pushes Matt closer to understanding the nature of the evil he faces. The collection blends action with horror, using the undead perspective to explore themes of mortality and justice. Goldberg uses these varied scenarios to build tension and reveal the scope of Mr. Dark’s influence on the living world.

Key Themes
undead protagonist supernatural terror family blood feud
Literary Context

Published by 47north in 2012, this collection draws on American gothic horror traditions. It features a modern setting with supernatural elements rooted in classic undead lore. The stories reflect contemporary interest in dark humor and action-adventure narratives within the horror genre.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
Dean Koontz · Neil Gaiman · Clive Barker · Joe R. Lansdale
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 47north 📅 2012 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781612182599

📝 Description: The Dead Man Volume 1: Face of Evil, Ring of Knives, Hell in Heaven

Lee Goldberg presents a collection of supernatural tales in The Dead Man Volume 1. The narrative follows Matthew Cahill, who rises from a grave after an avalanche to find himself dead yet conscious. He discovers he can perceive entities invisible to others, specifically the malevolent Mr. Dark. This awareness draws him into conflicts where evil plans unfold with terrifying precision. The volume contains three distinct stories that explore these themes. In Face of Evil, Matt confronts a friend turned killer while tracking his antagonist. Ring of Knives requires him to infiltrate a lunatic asylum to find a madman who holds the key to defeating Mr. Dark’s rotting influence. The final tale, Hell in Heaven, places him in a small Washington hamlet caught in a violent four-family blood feud. Matt must intervene in this local conflict despite not understanding why his pursuer brought him there. This collection suits readers who enjoy action-adventure horror with dark humor and supernatural terror. It appeals to those interested in gothic traditions involving undead protagonists and moral ambiguity. The book does not suit readers seeking lighthearted comedy or purely historical fiction without supernatural elements. Goldberg structures the work as a series of connected adventures rather than a single continuous novel, allowing each story to stand on its own while advancing the overarching plot regarding Mr. Dark.

💎 Our verdict on The Dead Man Volume 1: Face of Evil, Ring of Knives, Hell in Heaven

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Goldberg delivers a potent blend of supernatural terror and action through Matthew Cahill’s undead perspective. The three distinct tales showcase his ability to adapt the gothic undead trope to varied settings, from asylum infiltrations to rural blood feuds. Cahill’s journey to understand Mr. Dark provides a coherent thread amidst the episodic structure. The tone balances dark humor with genuine dread, creating an engaging reading experience. While not for those seeking lighthearted escapism, it offers substantial value for horror fans. The exploration of mortality and justice adds depth beyond simple scares. Goldberg’s pacing ensures tension remains high throughout each narrative. This collection successfully merges action with psychological horror, appealing to readers who appreciate complex evil and moral ambiguity in their supernatural fiction.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

This collection appeals to readers who enjoy action-adventure horror infused with dark humor and supernatural terror. It is ideal for those interested in gothic traditions featuring undead protagonists and moral ambiguity. The narrative structure allows each story to stand alone while advancing a larger plot, offering variety without losing continuity. Readers seeking lighthearted comedy or purely historical fiction will likely find it unsuitable. However, fans of Matthew Cahill’s unique perspective on mortality and justice will appreciate the tension Goldberg builds across different settings. The book effectively uses the undead viewpoint to explore themes of evil and intervention. It provides a compelling mix of psychological dread and physical stakes, making it a strong choice for enthusiasts of connected horror adventures.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

Goldberg delivers a potent blend of supernatural terror and action through Matthew Cahill’s undead perspective. The three distinct tales showcase his ability to adapt the gothic undead trope to varied settings, from asylum infiltrations to rural blood feuds. Cahill’s journey to understand Mr. Dark provides a coherent thread amidst the episodic structure. The tone balances dark humor with genuine dread, creating an engaging reading experience. While not for those seeking lighthearted escapism, it offers substantial value for horror fans. The exploration of mortality and justice adds depth beyond simple scares. Goldberg’s pacing ensures tension remains high throughout each narrative. This collection successfully merges action with psychological horror, appealing to readers who appreciate complex evil and moral ambiguity in their supernatural fiction.

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