In the Middle of the Night

Cormier in up-market 'Point Horror' mode. A Hallowe'en night disaster in a theatre leaves 22 children dead. 25 years later as the anniversary approaches, Denny's father (the theatre usher at the time of the tragedy) is still being persecuted by phone calls, from beyond the grave we are led to believe, blaming him for the accident. Angered by his father's stoic acceptance, 16-year-old Denny decides to break the rules, answers the phone when it rings and gets involved. This time the voice on the phone wants to talk to him. It is a woman's voice, teasing, tantalising, suggestive and Denny wants more of this and not the bright, fresh company of Dawn whom he has met on the school bus. The resolution is violent and Denny's responses complex. Horror fans will enjoy the story which flits back and forth in time whilst more sophisticated readers will be disturbed by the 'phone-sex' aspect.