Title: Legacies
Author: F. Paul Wilson
First published August 1, 1998
436 pages, Mass Market Paperback
ISBN: 9780812571998 (ISBN10: 0812571991)
Rating: 4.07
Overview
The job of Repairman Jack is not your everyday handyman gig. His services are not advertised, and he is not listed in the phone book.
He only works for cash, has no social security number, and will do whatever it takes to get the job done. Dr. Alicia Clayton, a pediatrician who has inherited a house full of secrets, seeks Jack’s help.
The house is haunted by painful memories, and Alicia wants it destroyed. But every person Alicia turns to for help ends up violently killed.
What is the powerful secret hidden in the house, and why is Alicia’s brother, Thomas, so eager to get his hands on it? Repairman Jack is determined to find out, but he must act fast before Thomas and his goons get to it first.
About the Author
Meet Francis Paul Wilson, an author hailing from Jersey City, New Jersey. He’s a master of the science fiction and horror genres, crafting captivating novels and short stories.
His first novel, Healer, was published in 1976, and he’s been a force in the writing world ever since.
On top of his writing career, Wilson is also a practicing family physician. He began his journey as a writer in 1970, making his first sales to Analog and continuing to hone his craft throughout the seventies.
In 1981, he took a leap into the horror genre with his international bestseller, The Keep, and established himself as a defining presence in the field throughout the rest of the decade.
But Wilson didn’t stop there. In the 1990s, he explored new genres, transitioning from science fiction to horror to medical thrillers.
He even ventured into interactive scripting for multimedia companies like Disney Interactive.
One of his most notable collaborations was with Matthew J. Costello, with whom he created and scripted FTL Newsfeed.
This daily program ran on the Sci-Fi Channel from 1992-1996, cementing Wilson’s place as a true genre hopper and creative powerhouse.
Editoral Review
Legacies by F. Paul Wilson is a gripping novel that explores supernatural elements in a contemporary setting.
The author, F. Paul Wilson, is renowned for his prowess in writing horror and thriller novels, and Legacies is no different.
Published in 1998, Legacies is a book that has stood the test of time and remains an enthralling read more than two decades later. The book’s plot centers around Jack McAllister, a man who has the power to heal others but at a great personal cost.
Jack is haunted by his past and is desperately trying to outrun his past mistakes. He’s approached by Sam Hagen, the last surviving descendant of an ancient civilization, to help find a cure for his critically ill daughter.
Jack must navigate various obstacles to uncover the secrets of the ancient civilization and save the girl’s life. Wilson’s writing is concise and well-crafted; he combines different elements such as mythology, religion, and supernatural powers with finesse.
The author’s style is engaging and sets the tone for the plot’s fast pace, making the book a page-turner. The themes of family, legacy, and redemption are carefully woven together to create depth in the plot.
The main characters are well developed, and the reader can feel a sense of attachment to them. Jack’s inner turmoil and self-doubt are relatable and humanizing, making him a believable protagonist.
The antagonists in the story are also well fleshed-out, causing fear and raising the stakes for Jack and his allies. Legacies is a well-rounded book that incorporates aspects of the supernatural genre while being grounded in reality.
Wilson’s attention to detail, captivating plot, and memorable characters make Legacies a must-read for fans of horror and thriller novels. While the book’s pacing is brisk, it is not without flaws.
The ending is a bit rushed and could have been better executed. Additionally, some of the plot twists are predictable, detracting from the book’s overall suspense.
Despite these minor faults, Legacies is an excellent book that deserves a read. For fans of horror and supernatural novels, Legacies is the perfect blend of gripping and thrilling content.
However, readers who aren’t fans of the genre may find the book too intense or hard to follow. Overall, I would rate Legacies a solid 4 out of 5.
Its strengths outweigh its weaknesses, and it’s a well-crafted, well-written novel that’s sure to leave a lasting impression on the reader. Fans of the genre will undoubtedly enjoy this book, and it’s one that F.
Paul Wilson and his fans will be proud of.
