TEW Spotlight Review of The Crimson Boy

The Crimson Boy
By Patricia Kathleen McCarthy

Within the increasingly popular genre of Erotic Horror, Patricia K. McCarthy has created a modern-day tour de force with her latest offering, “The Crimson Boy”, the second instalment of her three part “Crimson” series.

And indeed what a triumph! “The Crimson Boy” is a gripping thriller about vampires, hybrid vampire-humans, murder, suspense and romance…all sugar coated within a shroud of intense sexuality and eroticism.

The story revolves around Samuel, a man whose apparent (and relative) normalcy cloaks an incredible secret; namely that he is in fact a half human, half vampire hybrid. He and his devoted, human wife Magdalene live together in the Canadian city of Ottawa, and share both an incredible love and unbreakable bond. When Magdalene becomes pregnant, she and Samuel prepare to grow their love into a family.

That love is soon to be tested, however, with the arrival of Samuel’s father. Sir William Simon Hennessy is nine hundred and twenty seven years old, and the one true Vampire on Earth. Sir William has created a legion of half human, half vampire children and is fanatically pursuing his goal of creating an entirely new hybrid species. He has his own wicked designs when it comes to the future of Samuel and Magdalene, as well as their unborn child.

Around this underlying story develops a plot that tantalises and terrifies the reader, inspiring powerful feelings of eroticism in equal proportion to shocking acts of violence and decadence. Nothing is as it seems, with multi-level plots and underhanded schemes driving the action towards its furious conclusion that sets the scene for the eagerly awaited finale to the series, enticingly titled “The Crimson Woman”.

This is a novel of incredible contrasts that the author has engineered to perfection. This duality of the characters, the story and the writing style adds so much depth and quality to the novel that, at no time, can the reader be sure of what to expect next.

Sir William, for example, is the quintessential gentleman, attractive, refined and irresistibly charming. Yet when his true self is released an unstoppable beast breaks forth, destroying and devouring at will.

Samuel himself is an intelligent and thriving professional whose acumen for business will surely see him rise to the top of his field. Yet he dabbles in shady deals and outright crime, exposing his successful life to potential disaster at any given moment. For a hybrid vampire, he is all too human.

The contrasts extend beyond the characters into the actual story as well. At one moment “The Crimson Boy” is a sexually charged romance, the next a graphic horror and then a gripping thriller. Many authors tread a delicate line when they attempt this complexity of plot, and risk confusing the underlying flow of the work. Patricia McCarthy, however, manages to accomplish it in such a manner that the reader is taken on a roller coaster ride of emotions.

In my opinion, however, McCarthy’s greatest contrast is seen in the elegance of her writing style, which poses a contrasting conundrum with the action it is detailing. Smooth and sophisticated word craft lull the reader into a sense of comfort, and allows the story to flow on unabated by the (at times) disturbing imagery those words are creating.

In the tradition of the finest Quentin Tarantino movies, the shocking deeds that unfold within the pages of “The Crimson Boy” play in the reader’s mind like a mesmerising dream, and you can’t quite believe what is happening at any given moment despite the comfort offered by the stylish story telling.

Take for instance the very first scene, which weaves intense eroticism and shocking horror as Sir William and two of his hybrid sons play a game of sexual cat and mouse with the young woman who, unbeknownst to her, is soon to be placed on the menu. The atmosphere McCarthy stimulates is dark and potent, sexual and sadistic.

This sets the scene for what is to follow, as chapter after chapter sweeps by gripping the reader in a vice lock of merciless curiosity.

In fact, this novel (and trilogy by extension) can be easily envisaged translating beautifully into film. If an adapted screenplay could be carefully developed, the potential for a great erotic-horror flick is exciting!

Finally, I need to point out that you don’t need to have read the first instalment of the trilogy, which is “The Crimson Man”, before taking up “The Crimson Boy” (which was the case for me). Each novel can be enjoyed as a unique adventure, although obviously the full story and appreciation of the characters will be enhanced within the full scope of the series.

Like the relentless blood lust of the Vampire however, try stopping at just one bite! “The Crimson Boy” is a fantastic novel that will leave you both aroused and completely consumed under its spell. You will crave more…bring on “The Crimson Woman”!

Ed's Note: "The Crimson Boy" is one of the most unique and exciting erotic horror releases we've come across at TEW. Learn more about this outstanding author and her work by heading to the website of Patricia K. McCarthy