The Old Man's Request

I've read four books in the Utgarda series, and I adored them all. So much that is resonant of H. P. Lovecraft and other Weird Fiction of the 1920's and 1930's, of that hopeful yet subconsciously disillusioned era between "the War to end all Wars" and the next, possibly even worse, World War, colours this series. For a lover of History and of Weird Fiction, this is a total delight. The characters are well-delineated, the plot is simultaneously exciting and adventurous. Mr. Stieglitz talentedly paints his monsters and monstrous otherworldly settings. I highly recommend this series, whether or not one is already familiar with the Lovecraft Mythos and classic Weird Fiction of the early 20th century.

I really liked this book. It was fast paced from beginning to the end. Sure there were a few eyebrow raising events, but this is just the beginning of a hair-raising trilogy.. 
Can't wait for the next two !

Joab Stieglitz has written a interesting story and I will be interested in reading the rest of the series. This was well written and worth the read.

The Old mans request is the first book in a trilogy by Joab Stieglitz, the story follows three main characters Professor Anna Rykov, Father O'Malley and Dr Lamb an unlikely trio that come together because Jason Longborgh the universities trustee is dying and  calls them in because when he was younger him and his friends released some kind of malevolent spirit in a house and he needs their help in returning it.

The book took a bit of getting into it, Whilst I was reading it I felt there were bits missing which was why it took a while to get into it but it did come together in the end and I liked the  characters and the story was engaging  so I will probably go on to read the others.

This was a really fun read with an exciting plot that sucks you in. I also got a liking for several of the characters, such as the Russian anthropologist Anna Rykov, Doctor Harry Lamb, and Father Sean O'Malley. Now I'm keen on reading the rest of the series. If one is into mysteries and horror, The Old Man's Request is worth the read.

The Old Man's Request is the first book in the Utgarda series by Joab Stieglitz. Released 3rd Nov. 2018, it's 113 pages and available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats. The author is an experienced gamer and it shows in the narrative. This is a very plot driven horror novel set in a very Lovecraftian/pulp type universe.

It's a group mission plot with several specialist adventurers and lots of encounters with nasty supernatural creatures and malign human agents. The author has a deft touch with atmospheric horror and there are a number of well done jump scares scattered throughout the book (not easy to do on the written page).

There are some rough spots with the dialogue, it's stiff in some places, but not egregiously so. The plotting is uneven, but again, not substantially and doesn't destroy the flow of the book. It reminded me in a lot of ways of my old regular tabletop gaming group. For readers who enjoy that gamer 'vibe' this book will likely be a hit.

It is horror and there's a fair bit of graphic violence, along with demonic/infernal content. For readers who are sensitive to the subject matter, blood, gore, etc, it might be a tough read.

Three and a half stars.