IT WAS A monstrous month, that was for sure a dire and dreary month. ‘Harvey Swick was eaten by the great grey beast February.’ ‘Do tell.’Īnd, brushing away a tear, the detective would reply: And finally, as the wasted day dwindled to dusk, he’d trace the homeward trek, and as he set foot on the step from which he had departed that morning, and people asked him – as they would – why such a sweet soul as Harvey had died, he would shake his head and say: Then he’d sit at Harvey’s desk, and listen to the pitiful drone of the history teacher and the science teacher, and wonder how the heroic boy had managed to keep his eyes open. The detective would first follow Harvey’s route to school every morning, trekking through the dismal streets. Then, and only then, would the grim truth be discovered. It would become a celebrated mystery, which wouldn’t be solved until some great detective decided to recreate a day in Harvey’s life. Then maybe people would wonder why such a fine young lad had perished in his prime. More than likely he’d become so bored as the hours crawled by that one day he’d simply forget to breathe. Here he was, buried in the belly of that smothering month, wondering if he would ever find his way out through the cold coils that lay between here and Easter. “Barker puts the dark side back into childhood fantasy.THE GREAT grey beast February had eaten Harvey Swick alive. “Barker’s book puts the grim back into fairy tales and continues a noble tradition of scaring kids witless. “A dashingly produced fantasy with powerful drawings by the author” Mr Hood has ambitions for his new guest, for Harvey’s soul burns brighter than any soul he has encountered for a thousand years. The house and its mysterious architect are not about to release their captive without a battle, however.

It is only when the House shows its darker face – when Harvey discovers the pitiful creatures that dwell in its shadow – that he comes to doubt Mr Hood’s philanthropy.

There is a price to be paid, of course, but young Harvey Swick, bored with his life and beguiled by Mr Hood’s wonders, does not stop to discover the consequences. It is a place of miracles, a blissful round of treats and seasons, where every childish whim may be satisfied. Mr Hood’s Holiday House has stood for a thousand years, welcoming countless children into its embrace.

The thief of always by clive barker