The Overnight

The Overnight by Ramsey Campbell (2005)

Reader's Annotation

The fog never lifts at the newest TEXTS mega bookstore. Damp fog things shift books, and blurry print spreads like a fungus as staff begin to die.

Summary

Woody, an American, was recently transferred to England to open a new branch of TEXTS, the American mega bookstore, but there's something strange about the new location: the fog never lifts and customers stay away in droves. Every morning books have been shifted about and are damp to the touch. Blurry print spreads to books and computer screens like a fungus. The store's first big inspection is fast approaching as one staff member is killed by a hit-and-run driver and another loses the ability to read. Woody's only hope to get the store in shape is to schedule all remaining staff to work overnight before the inspection.

Evaluation

The point of view changes with each chapter, cycling through all the staff members of the bookstore. As a result, the book gets off to a slow start. I found it hard to get to know and identify with the many characters enough to develop sympathy for them, especially when many of the characters come off as rather unlikable. Nevertheless, the story does pick up, and I do come to like several of the characters enough to care what happens to them. The events and imagery are very creepy and atmospheric, and the novel comes to a satisfying conclusion. I would recommend this book to those who like lots of creepy imagery and enjoy visualizing a book like a movie. Those who like more complexly realized and sympathetic characters may be disappointed. Readalike authors are Dean Koontz and, to a lesser degree, Stephen King.

Genres: Horror
Subgenres: Supernatural Horror