James Herbert: Rest In Peace

Now this was a shock. James Herbert, the legendary genre author known for novels such as The Fog, The Rats, The secret of Crickley Hall, The Ghosts Of Sleath, Once and many more, died today at the age of 69. His books are absolutely dripping with a style which is at once supremely English and easily accessible by readers worldwide.

Erring usually more towards chills rather than all-out carnage, his writing remains pumped full of atmosphere and tension where many other horror writers' work has lost some of its power. Not Herbert's. His luxurious prose and slow-burning plots ensure that each of his books felt like visiting a stately home of the imagination; beautiful and inspiring.

Herbert is survived by his wife and three daughters, and I think I can safely say that millions of readers like me around the world would like to pass on our sincere condolences. A giant has fallen, but his legacy will ensure his drive and talent lives on for a very long time to come.