Extremely interesting premise that goes on for far too long. There were about four different times that this novel could have ended satisfactorily, but it just.kept.going. ( )

One of Barker's most underrated yet masterful works, COLDHEART CANYON is overflowing with unrelenting imagination from its moving beginning to its tearful end and all the ghostly depravity in between. ( )

Perfect Barker level gross/sexy. ( )

Mesmerizing. Intriguing. Compulsive. Frightening.

Loved the coherence of the overall story. Plot kept interest high. Many times difficult to put down.
Never a set plotline so each turn of the page was a treat and unexpected move.
Highly recommended.

The most visceral ghost story I've ever read, which is probably why it's my favorite. As is usually the case, Barker comes up with new angles to the premise that highlights how unoriginal most writers are, such as the tiled chamber that transports those within to a hellscape frozen in time, or the warped hybrids resulting from celebrity dalliances in beastiality, ideas with teeth that land like a bracing slap in the face after you've been long-anesthetized by the anemic "young adult" baby food that clogs every shelf in the bookstore.

The most effective thing about the novel is how savagely it critiques Hollywood narcissism; the reader ends up amazed the denizens of Tinsel Town manage to produce even decent movies, much less great ones, considering the absurd realpolitik of the process. If I have to level one criticism of the book, it would be that Tammy, an obsessed fan of the protagonist, falls out of love with him a little too easily. There are points where its hard to buy her as the voice of reason without going through a little more growing. ( )