Here Comes a Candle

Here Comes A Candle, Fredric Brown. Millipede Press, 2006. Limited 300. This is the third book in the Millipede line and it retains a consistency of theme not often seen in limiteds. All the books in the series are beautiful and deserving of the name limited. This volume bothers me for only one reason: the cover is taken from the 1922 film Nosferatu, a film that does not have a damned thing to do with this book (sure, the image is haunting/creepy, but shouldn't the cover somehow reflect the contents?). As mentioned, the series is focused in theme: each novel has dealt with some form of human psychology, whether following the slow breakdown of the mind or the odd "reality" of a demented mind. I've enjoyed each exploration and Brown's is no different. Despite being originally published in 1950 this novel has style and wit that allows it to be read today without losing any of its tension or, in the end, pain. The writing is fascinating and the story is good. Really good. There's a certain dread that builds to a point and is then sustained. It doesn't increase/decrease it just keeps your nerves taut . . . until the end. Although it can't be called horror, it is horrifying, at times. (Note: the writing does not have the overt style of the '50's noir, but it does have a gritty, crime tone to it that lends well to the telling; it does not distract nor detract from the story as the noir style sometimes does for me.)