The Judas Inheritance
Today’s novel has a Symi connection. Although it’s not named in the book, those who know Symi may recognise the island on which the story takes place. It’s a dark tale inspired by the economic downturn seen in Greece in recent years, and in particular, the increase of suicides during that time. It’s not got a lot of laughs in it! It does, though, have some historical truth in the history the story explains, and there are things in it which exist. The plaque on the wall, for example, and the location of the finale is a house I was at only the other week.
The Judas Inheritance is the story behind the film ‘The 13th‘, or is it the other way around? Either way, the film is based on my original draft, and the novel was written in full, from my screenplay treatment. As usual, there’s more in the book than the film (and, I hope, it makes a bit more sense). This story is written in the first and third person, to give us a film feel with the present tense observer in some chapters and the first person past voice through diaries and other devices in others. Anyway, here’s the blurb.
An ancient curse? Desperation in the economic crisis? What is causing the suicides of so many adults and children on this small Greek island? When Chris Trelawney arrives on the island to take away his late father’s belongings, he finds that he has been left little more than a mystery. Was his father mad at the time of his death, or did he actually believe that he had awakened a powerful evil? An ancient evil that now stalks the islanders, growing stronger by the day. A curse that will cause the death of everyone around Chris unless he allows himself to believe that such things exist. But when he discovers the truth, Chris realises that death is the easy option.
“I enjoy reading James’ whimsical and slightly caustic blog about Symi and also his other lighter read Jason and that Sargonauts. I need not have worried. The writing relies on your imagination to picture the ‘evil’ and is a fine piece of psychological fear writing rather than the currently more popular slasher type.
James manages to skilfully alternate between a first person and a third person narrative, no mean feat in itself, and the final third of the book is a page turner reminiscent of Stephen King at his best with a final twist on the ferry home which I did not see coming.” Amazon review.
