The Influence got under my skin in the first few chapters as the creeping dread slowly built with each chapter. Ramsey Campbell creates an atmosphere where you know something is coming but you’re not sure when, and that is what makes a horror novel great, in my opinion.

Unlike what people expect from horror today, The Influence is much more atmospheric horror rather than action packed. There aren’t jump scares and gore, rather that feeling of dread and constantly bearing down on you as you continue to read. Ramsey Campbell paints vivid pictures with his words and put me right where he wanted me to be as a reader. I think some people may find this slow in the beginning, but this is the kind of horror I absolutely love.

This is my first Ramsey Campbell novel and it certainly won’t be my last. The Influence is a quiet, atmospheric, ghost tale that is my cup of tea completely. It deserves all the stars and is definitely in the running for my favorite read of 2019. Highly recommended.

A tale of life, death and a possible demonic possession. When the matriarch of the family dies her death opens up the door to many things for the family she left behind, a house, possessions and possibly her vengeful soul that did not want to be defeated by death. When her granddaughter starts to see a girl in white called Vicky, a girl who seems so secretive, who turns up unexpectedly and who seems familiar then her life starts to take on strange occurrences. The family members who do notice something amiss seem to find themselves ignored and disbelieved. How can Queenie have ahold on the living child Rowan and why would she haunt her from the grave. Carefully turn the pages lest you become haunted and find yourself locked in the tumultuous world that swirls around Rowan. Is she haunted, can she break free of Vickie’s influence. A supernatural tale of possession and wrath that will make the hairs on your arms tingle and stand up and goosebumps run riot over your skin. Read on as the bond of a mothers love for her child proves unbreakable when all around her don’t believe. A wonderful, hauntingly supernatural story that delivers a great read.