The Eleventh Door by James G. Carlson

The Door is Open

I fell in love with this book, no word of a lie. As a massive Barker fan, there were undeniable similarities in writing style and pace. The sheer detail and depth of imagination mixed with this tantalising and gripping tale, making for an incredible story. Madeline is very much a broken woman at the beginning of this story, living with the demons of her past in a shitty motel. She has become a PI just to survive, but also to feed her coping mechanism. So when her friend Lucus asks for help with a homicide case, well he uses everything he has to get to accept. Even going as far as inviting a victim's mother to their meeting. I mean it's a dirty tactic but it works, as she reluctantly agrees to look into the notes and case file to help. Learning more about Madeline as a person, really made me warm to her. I mean considering the case that broke her, it's understandable it had the effect it did. It also gives insight into the passionate person she was as a police officer. Making the read incredibly intense as I completely got invested in Maddie. I won't lie, the story almost mirrors the storytelling abilities of Paul Kane. Namingly one of my favourites, Gemini Factor. As this story takes on horror, crime style, and cosmic horror all in one. As the story progresses further, we find out the nature of the crimes, and meet a serial killer who is obsessed with killing to the signs of the zodiac. Then we have the supporting characters in the story, such as Flynn who is basically who I would be, but with rats in my jacket instead of flying squirrels. Also now I want Reggie the Hedgehog. But I'm a little in love with the back-and-forth relationship between her and Lucus, it hit me all in the feels. Chapters seemed to fly by equally as quickly with the pace, as the serial killer reveals himself. Putting all she holds dear at threat, while also pushing her obsession to the next level just like her last case. With the serial killer showing his hand this way, you understand how much of a threat she is to him. But I love how every page he appears on gives the reader a chill and fills them with a very unsettling dread. Which only gets worse when we learn of the past that created the monster that now exists. Bring in a fever dream batshit crazy collection of events, which bring cosmic horror to a new level. Especially with a fascinating character like Huxley in tow, you're guaranteed an interesting journey into the unknown. We watch on as Maddie fights her self loathing, addiction and guilt. Becoming the absolute badass we knew she was before life took her spirit and this does not bowl well for the mastermind of the story. The descriptions and attention to the otherworldly details have a very Weaveworld feel with a dash of Lovecraft that I am living for. Adding in the almost twin peaks vibes subtly put in there, I am in love with the progression of this story.

Another world

Really enjoyed this book. Excellent storytelling and descriptions of a world that is brand new. Elements of gore, humor, and thoughtfulness. Well well-written and totally worth checking out.

A new world

Really enjoyed this book. Excellent storytelling and descriptions of a world that is brand new. Elements of gore, humor, and thoughtfulness. Well written and totally worth checking out.

A full experience

This book is a full package. It’s got some horror, some touches of noir, dark fantasy, light heartedness, action, and great characters. I was invested from the start as we jump right in to the full flavor of the main character. Then we take a break neck turn into the grotesque and dark. Then things get weird. Then they get weirder. James also leans into his love of critters as he litters the tale with all sorts of strange and wonderful creatures. Sometimes a gritty detective story, other times a Barker-esque journey, this one is a great, and fun, read.

Fantastic, trippy, wonderful and hypnotic!

So this is like a mixture of horror and dark fantasy. Cosmic horror? Dark fantasy horror? Whatever it was, it was fantastic!! If you're a fan of Clive Barker, maybe check this out, I felt some strong Barker vibes. It left me feeling great, with a big smile on my face and a big book hangover!! Oh, and a yearning for my very own Little Lucas! (Read it ) Madeleine lives in a drunken, smoky haze in a sleazy motel room in Spiral City, haunted by the memories of her past. After a particularly horrendous case ended her career, she now works as a P.I. and an old colleague has come to her with an interesting murder case. But, she's scarred by her previous unsolved cases and is tentative to help, at first. When she agrees and then proceeds to investigate the house where the murders took place, murders at the hand of a serial killer using the 12 signs of the zodiac and their relating elements to torture his vicitms, she is confronted with some bizarre, sad and grotesque sights, sights that will stick with her, and change her going forward. After being issued a stark warning from the killer himself, the more she discovers about him, the more she fears him and his evil intentions. And when she challenges him, things quickly get out of control, and out of this world…. As her sanity descends ever lower, she discovers a whole new perspective and learns the reasons behind the killer's motives and just how to stop him. Eventually she comes across an old familiar face too, and tough memories and feelings are brought to the surface, along with a fantastic journey through another world. Realisations and understanding follow and Madeleine becomes empowered and determined to bring things to an end. We have all wondered if there's more out there than meets the eye, Madeleine takes us on a beautiful voyage through what might be. I got completely lost in that other realm, totally submerged and utterly oblivious to the real world around me. I wish I could have stayed a while longer…. This was a really easy read, a real "just one more chapter" page turner, completely immersive and addictive, Otherworldly and cosmic, full of an abundance of hideous creatures, beautiful creatures, equally hideous and beautiful landscapes, horror and splendor too. It literally goes places you would never expect, and it does so incredibly well. It's delightfully haunting, utterly chilling, fantastical, trippy, wonderful and hypnotic. I dare you to not be enthralled by this book.