Book Review: A Whisper Of Southern Lights by Tim Lebbon

2008, Necessary Evil Press

Back in 2004, Don Koish and his Necessary Evil Press, in conjunction with author Tim Lebbon introduced and premiered the first in a proposed new series of novellas entitled "The Assassin Series." Book One, Dead Man's Hand, with wonderful artwork by talented artist Caniglia and a rousing Introduction by famed author Tom Piccirilli, introduced readers to two intriguing characters and a mesmerizing plotline that had initially been created by author Lebbon in his first novel, Mesmer (1997). The Second Book in the Series, Pieces Of Hate, was released the following year (2005), also containing artwork by Caniglia and this time around an Introduction by author Brian Keene. Now, author Tim Lebbon and Necessary Evil Press are releasing the Third Book in The Assassin Series, the new novella, A Whisper Of Southern Lights (2008). As with the previous two novellas, the new one contains stunning and evocative artwork by artist Caniglia, and this time the Introduction is provided by famed author Gary A. Braunbeck.

Where the first novella had been set in the Old Wild West of Deadwood, South Dakota and the second novella had been set in the Caribbean (Port Royal, Jamaica) during the era of swashbuckling Pirates like the legendary Captain Henry Morgan, A Whisper of Southern Lights is set in the war-torn landscape of World War Two era Singapore. While I have no intention of destroying any reader's enjoyment of this unique series of novellas by revealing too much, the storyline of all three, at its most basic, revolves around two characters, the Series' protagonist, Gabriel, and the Series' antagonist, Temple. Gabriel is the "good guy" (though "good" here is very much a qualitative measure) and Temple is most decidedly the "bad guy" - or more correctly - the "Bad Demon," in that Temple is, indeed, a demon and not a human being, though Temple can assume the guise, likeness and form of virtually any human he desires. The battle between these two strong characters began centuries ago in Wales, where Temple has just killed everyone in Gabriel's village, including his wife and two little children, and Gabriel encounters an old conjurer with snake-like eyes who feeds upon Gabriel's rage and grief, and instructs him that he must search out and kill the demon, Temple, a/k/a "The Twin." Gabriel is granted certain powers to help him in this quest. He is very difficult to kill, stops aging, and is granted an unusual, if somewhat painful method to track Temple. Temple, himself has willingly taken upon him/it self the persona of a hired killer and Assassin, hence the name of the Series. Temple is, as Gabriel soon finds, not exactly easy to kill, and is a very powerful entity who delights and revels in torture and death. As the Series unfolds, the author offers additional prime tidbits of information concerning both Gabriel and Temple, and their histories and "history." These parsimoniously provided clues and revelations are true treats left by the author for the enjoyment and edification of the reader.

The truly exceptional thing about the Series and each novella is that it gives author Tim Lebbon the chance to put on an awesome display of authorial artistry in combining various other genres with the ever-present Horror-based plot lines. The readers are variously treated to spot-on depictions of the Old West, of cowboys and gunfighters a la Zane Grey, sailing the Pirate and Buccaneer imbued high seas of the 1600's, and the gritty war stories of WW2 era Asia, circa the 1940's. Author Lebbon's spot-on descriptions, characterizations, and even underlying moods capture perfectly the quite different eras and atmospheres.

In Whisper, the third and latest installment in the series, readers are treated to Tim Lebbon's recreation of the horrors of the Pacific Theater during World War Two, and the all too relevant description as to the treatment and mistreatment of prisoners of war. As always, Lebbon's prose is nimble, sharp, and evocative. To read even one stand-alone novella in this Assassin Series is to become well and thoroughly hooked. For those who have not yet had the pleasure, A Whisper Of Southern Lights makes a wonderful introduction to this always riveting and vastly entertaining series. For those who have already read the previous two installments, Whisper is arguably the best yet. The revelation that author Lebbon brilliantly build towards throughout the novella, and shatteringly reveals in the very last six words of the tale, is itself not only worth the entire "price of admission," but brings the series to an entire new and higher level, and makes anticipating the next installment a delicious torture for all readers of the series. A Whisper Of Southern Lights receives my highest recommendation.