Despite a Truly Horrible Title, Ray Garton’s ‘Frankenstorm’ is Quite Impressive (Review)

Written by: Vitina Molgaard

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that a few good men do nothing.”

-Edmund Burke

Ray Garton is the author of sixty books and the recipient of the World Horror Convention Grand Master Award. While horror is the man’s forte, this particular story incorporates some science fiction, while delivering a very undeniable visceral genre punch. The monster on display here is based on very real horrors, violence, greed; misuse of power and most definitely the image from the man who stands before the mirror trying to tamper with society and achieve fame shamelessly.

There is a storm heading toward Eureka, California, fueled by nature in the form of a hurricane. Coming along with it is the discovery of a secret government laboratory. One which has been using homeless people who have been kidnapped off the streets as mysterious test subjects. While conducting the experiments on people seems pretty much unknown to the general public, there have been a growing number of militants which have taken notice of the dwindling street population.

The captured subjects are being used to develop into murderous weapons of war. Unfortunately they’ve also become infected and are now losing control, a fact which one of the stories characters – a virologist named Fara McManus – finds intolerable. For Fara, it’s time to reach out to and attempt to stop the testing before things grow any worse.

Even if not loaded to the gills with gruesome vintage monster molds, this is assuredly a horror story, well-written and clearly worth examination. The way science and mankind are headed nowadays, something like this could easily be a reality, which makes it all the more uncomfortable. Reminiscent of a Ray Bradbury precautionary tale, Frankenstorm comes highly recommended, even if the title of the novel is severely off-putting (despite Garton’s amazing career, this one was passed down the HNR line multiple times; the reason being: no one wanted to even approach a novel with a title that sounds like an awful SyFy Network film).

Look beyond the stomach turning, cheesy title (this novel is neither stomach turning, nor cheesy, for the record) and pre-order this one right here. It’s worth it!

Rating: 4/5