There is a row of books on top of one of the shelves in my little library (it’s actually not that small any more) that I’ve owned for a very, very long time. They are all paperbacks and all dusty, discoloured and cracked and that’s just how they should be considering how many times I’ve read them.
The shelf is right at the top of my horror collection, and every book on that shelf has the name James Herbert on it.
I often attribute the beginning of my interests in writing to “I Am Legend” by Richard Matheson, and that would be the first book that struck a note, but it is by no means the only one.
I haven’t read a James Herbert novel for a good few years, but I do have a brand new copy of every unread release sitting on another shelf (my “unread” shelf) just waiting for me. One day I will read them all.
You entertained millions with your crazy stories and influenced many to take up the pen and follow you. It’s sad to look at my book shelf and think that there won’t be another book to add to it.
RIP James Herbert.