The dead and the monstrous will not leave Kyle Murchison Booth alone, for an unwilling foray into necromancy has made him sensitive to-and attractive to-the creatures who roam the darkness of his once-safe world. Ghosts, ghouls, incubi: all have one thing in common. They know Booth for one of their own . . .

Customer Rating:
Summary: Interesting
Comment: I have to say I enjoyed the stories in this book. They were so different, but connected at the same time. Also, I enjoyed how strange the main character is. This is a good book and I'd recommend it to everyone.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: I loved every bit of this book.
Comment: This is a book of short stories which can be read separately or as a novel. The protagonist is Kyle Murchison Booth who is a museum archivist. Booth as he is known is eccentric and yet loveable.

It begins with a bang. The first story is "Bringing Helena Back" and I couldn't put it down until I had finished this story. I was hooked.

Story #2 is one of my favorites: "The Venebretti Necklace" a short story reminiscent of Poe. It also introduces a new character Claudia Coburn who I hope will appear in other writings by the author.

The next story "The Bone Key" is eery and unnerving and I loved it. A must read as well are the stories "The Wall of Clouds" and "Drowning Palmer."

All the stories (10) are beautifully written, almost old fashioned, and a delight to read. I certainly hope Monette does more of these because now that I have finished I want more stories with Booth!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Intelligent and Creative
Comment: These collections of short stories are very subtle mysteries. I was not sure what to expect since I have never read anything by this author nor have I read a book with short stories before. However I was pleasantly surprised and found each story intriguing. This is not, as one other reviewer noted, a blood and guts gory book but rather an old fashioned ghost tales. The main character is written in such a way that he seems real and you find yourself understanding his emotions. I found the Wall of Clouds and Listen to the Bone to be the best tales in the book. This book is enjoyable to read and I would recommend it to others.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: In the Best Tradition of Gothic Supernatural Horror
Comment: On the cover it says: The Necromantic Mysteries of Kyle Murchison Booth. The book consists of ten short stories and the intro says the author was highly influenced by M. R. James and H. P. Lovecraft, but wished for a bit more character development.

Booth is a retiring character who works as an archivist at a museum. The setting feels quite Victorian and Gothic, but there are phones, though not much more evidence, so far, of a modern world. The first story is "Bringing Helena Back"--and if that sounds creepy, it is. These are stories reminiscent of old fashioned horror, full of eccentric characters, dark secrets, vengeful spirits. There's no warm and fuzzy ghosts back to save the living. Life can be tragic and disturbing in this world. Cursed necklaces, family secrets, common human failings that turn tragic, murder, haunting, demons... it's all here.

I love a good ghost story and it's been too long since I've read one. This collection is among the best.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Superior literary creepiness
Comment: I love it when an author takes the time and trouble to include an introduction, or forward. Monette took the time, and what she said about literature and horror struck a chord with me. Monette names James and Lovecraft as two important influences on her desire to write fantastic fiction, noting that although she loves their use of language and crafting of story, she missed a more modern examination of the sexual and psychological aspects of characters.

The stories in The Bone Key are pure gold. Short, with as much of the stories left to the imagination as she puts into words, the language is reminiscent of the old fiction Monette says she loves. Her character, Kyle Murchison Booth, is eccentric yet sympathetic and appealing. Since he is such a shy, lone man it takes time to accumulate knowledge of the other people in his world. But slowly and surely Booth's experiences begin to build a population of interesting fringe characters -- some dead, some living. Booth's brushes with the unnatural are simultaneously creepy and thought-provoking.

If you're looking for subtle, literary stories with themes of horror (and how the most excruciating horror arises from the way people treat each other), try The Bone Key. You'll read these stories more than once!

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