“The Night Strangler” by Jeff Rice

Another solid horror novel from the 70's. -- 4 Stars

After reading and very much enjoying Rice’s “The Night Stalker” a couple of months ago, I went out of my way to locate his sequel, “The Night Strangler.” I am pleased to say that the effort was worth it!

Unlike “The Night Stalker,” I never saw the TV movie adaptation of “The Night Strangler,” so I went into it with no preconceived notions or expectations, beyond having enjoyed the first book.

The formula is very similar, but the villain is not. I like how the first book handled vampires, but this sequel has Carl Kolchak chasing a very different kind of monster. Not a werewolf or mummy or any other choice that must have been obvious in its day, but an alchemist! I will refrain from spoilers beyond that, but I found the choice and execution unique and satisfying.

I enjoyed the return of Carl Kolchak. And although I also enjoyed reading about his interactions with editor Vincenzo, I had a problem with the explanation for Vincenzo’s presence. Which brings me to the reason I could not give this book 5 stars.

First, it was again plagued by many annoying typos, if not quite as many as were in the first book. But second and more important, I did not care for the constant coincidences employed to bring the supporting cast into the picture.

From Kolchak’s editor to a fellow reporter down to the college professor who helped him in “The Night Stalker,” all of these familiar faces managed to find their way, with very little explanation aside from Kolchak himself, from Las Vegas to Seattle where “The Night Strangler” takes place. There’s a short moment of “Wow, you’re here in Seattle, too?”, some lip service to the fact that it’s a surprising coincidence ... and that’s it. It was distracting in its implausibility.

But again, setting aside what is a small portion of a well written novel, I enjoyed “The Night Strangler” enough to recommend it to anyone who liked “The Night Stalker,” and wish Rice had written more Kolchak novels.