The Seven Days of Cain (jhc)

Is anyone really innocent? On two continents, weeks apart, two people are brutally murdered: a Barcelona street performer and a New York playwright are each gruesomely tortured to death. In Britain, photographer Andy Bentley begins receiving mysterious emails. The messages refer to the killings and contain hints that the murderer has a personal connection to Andy. But what is it? Are the emails coming from the killer himself? And what, if anything, does Andy’s past have to do with the deaths? As the answers begin to take shape Andy will be forced to confront not only the consequences of his actions, but also the uncertainly of reality itself. Before that happens, how much that he loves will be destroyed?

From Publishers Weekly

British horror master Campbell (The House on Nazareth Hill) somewhat returns to form with a modern-day tale of psychological terror. British photographer Andy Bentley has a sedate life, working for the family firm and trying to figure out why he and his wife, Claire, can't conceive. Things begin to unravel after Max Beyer, a wealthy eccentric, hires Bentley to take a series of pictures intended to capture Beyer's disturbing true nature. Bentley has also been getting disturbing e-mails that may be connected to some brutal murders. After a short, unsettling prologue, the book takes its time returning to the horror plot line. The ultimate payoff is a bit of a letdown, with occasional lurches into silliness, but Campbell's characterizations and prose, especially in the opening sections, are solid. (Nov.) (c) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

The popular Campbell spins another exciting yarn, this time straddling the crime and horror genres. On two continents, weeks apart, two murders take place: a Barcelona street performer and a New York playwright are each tortured to death. In Britain, photographer Andy Bentley begins receiving mysterious emails that refer to the killings and contain hints that the killer has some personal connection to Andy. Campbell gets us wondering about several things. Why was the second victim trying to find out information about the first? Why were they both killed? What, if anything, does Andy’s past have to do with these murders? As the answers begin to take shape, the suspense intensifies. This isn’t one of those horror stories where things jump out at you from the shadows. It’s not a monster story, it’s a psychological thriller with a touch of horror that will keep readers glued to their seats. --David Pitt

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