Blind Panic Graham Masterton Leisure Books ISBN: 9780843962680

Misquamacus, the Native American medicine man we first encountered in Masterton's first novel The Manitou (1975) is back in another attempt to wreak revenge on "the white man".

This time his magicks are causing people all across America to go blind, resulting in car wrecks, plane crashes and general fear and mayhem. (What is it about people that the first reaction to a potential plague is always rioting and looting.) No one is immune, the President of the United States being an early victim.

Graham Masterton is reliable. He rarely fails to deliver a decent enjoyable read. This continues the trend. It's good. The plot moves along nicely with enough spooky magic bits to keep any horror fan happy. There's a decent level of suspense and, despite this being his fifth book Manitou book, a plot that keeps you guessing.

It also benefits from one of Masterton's best recurring characters, fake psychic Harry Erskine (from the previous Manitou books). Erskine is funny, irreverent, upbeat. He's the kind of character you take to instantly. He seems to take on the supernatural with little more than sarcasm but you go with it. You want him to win.

Despite both hero and villain being repeat offenders don’t be put off reading this. It works as a standalone novel and all you'll get if you've not read the earlier books is a desire to do so immediately.

Page updated 28 May, 2010