Duma Key 
Stephen King (Hodder & Stoughton)

King returns to form with this doorstopper of a horror novel.

Duma Key is full of the patented King-style of extreme ‘little America’ hiding deep, dark secrets.

Edgar Freemantle is a damaged man, not only has he lost his arm and his marriage, his brain doesn’t seem to be working quite right after a horrific accident.

Retiring from his busy business, Edgar heads to Duma Key in Florida to make a new life and try his remaining hand at painting.

The island of Duma Key is home to a few other folks, lots of wild jungle and a mysterious history.

Meeting ‘Wireman’, Edgar begins to realise that his remarkable new paintings are touched by something that can endanger all their lives.

The detail of Edgar’s affliction, Wireman’s witticism and a memorably sympathetic description of an old woman show King’s writing at its best.

Yes, this is popular fiction; but just because it’s popular doesn’t mean it can’t be well-written.

King’s ability to make believable the impossible remains a key factor in why his novels continue to be best-sellers.

 

Verdict: Vintage King

 

 

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