McDowell, like McCammon, is a novelist from Alabama. I try to show support to local writers, so I started reading his books for this reason, and have been thrilled to find that I love his work.

"Guilded needles" is not only a great story, but a fabulous glimpse of New York in the 1880s. I had just finished Pinboroughs Mayhem and Muder, which is set in London 1880s, so thought this was the perfect time to read this and continue my journey through this time period.....and a delightfully dark journey it has been.

Although, I personally would not consider this a true horror story, it is certainly a morose tale. Other reviews include synopsis and character info, so I will forego those details. This is a powerful story of corruption, revenge, poverty, wealth, the soul wrenching darkness that pervaded large Cities in this period of history and the harshness of daily life for all, regardless of social status or income bracket. A definite future reread for me. Well done McDowall! ( )

This is a really strong 4 star for me. The atmosphere and language is amazing. I will almost certainly read it again. ( )

This is a really strong 4 star for me. The atmosphere and language is amazing. I will almost certainly read it again. ( )

Gilded Needles
By: Michael McDowell
Narrated by: R.C. Bray
This book has so many aspects to it that make it terrific and dark at the same time. The author sure knows how to set the atmosphere to dark and deadly! The story revolves around an area of New York that is crime ridden by the poor in 1882.. It also revolves around two main families. One poor and on the wrong side of the law and the other well off and upstanding citizens but has the power to make the law or control punishments.
It's very intriguing and I love how each character is so well developed! There are a lot of characters but they are easy to follow due to the strong development. The plot is unpredictable and the ending was excellent! Definitely going in my favorites list!
With R.C. Bray narrating it was a sure to be a success! Excellent job as usual! ( )

4.5 stars!

This book was SO MUCH fun! Set in the early 1880's in the city of New York in a district called The Black Triangle,(where crime runs rampant and poverty reigns), McDowell brings the city and this district vividly to life. Abortions, prostitution and gambling are just a few of the dark deeds that are common here.

Black Lena Shanks and family run their all female criminal empire here without interference from police or anyone else. That is until the The Tribune decides to run a series of articles about the Triangle in a supposed effort to clean up the district. (Said effort being mostly a publicity stunt designed to better the Stallworth family's standing in the community.)

At the heart of it, this is a tale of revenge. Black Lena Shanks runs her small empire in the Triangle until Judge Stallworth sentences 3 members of her "family" to death. From that point on, Black Lena is set on seeking revenge. When the Stallworth family members each receive an engraved invitation to their own funeral, the diabolical plans of Black Lena are slowly unveiled and woe to anyone that gets in her way.

Mr. McDowell's descriptions of the poverty and living conditions in the Black Triangle were harsh and unflinching. There's nothing supernatural going on in this book, as there is in so many other McDowell stories. The horrors here are all too human. I thought I would miss that supernatural element, but I didn't. In fact, I think this book shines as yet another example of McDowell's understanding of human nature. His observations are always spot on-sometimes cutting, sometimes humorous, but always witty and true. I found these observations even more entertaining than the supernatural stuff that McDowell did so well.

I have come to adore this author over the last year or so. It's easy to see why he was so popular among horror lovers in his day and I think it's easy for new fans like me to fall in love with his work now. He's written screenplays for popular movies, (Beetlejuice, The Nightmare Before Christmas), and those movies were great, but for me it's his novels that speak the loudest. His style, his descriptions, his observations-those are the things that make McDowell one of the greatest horror writers of his time, and even in this time. Maybe even of ALL time. I'm happy to debate the subject with you.

This revenge novel was excellent and I give it my highest recommendation! ( )