This book contains the full-length novel "Bad Dreams," and also the novella/short story "Bloody Students." Both were originally written in 1990, and the author says in his afterword that they're both really products of the 1980s. Newman is probably best known for his "Anno Dracula" series, and although I read that a long time ago and enjoyed it, I can't remember which of the books in that series I've read. So it's nice that this is a stand-alone. "Bad Dreams" is about an American journalist who goes to London to investigate the death of her drug-whore sister. It's gritty and lurid and lots of fun. Wicked sense of humor throughout. It turns out the journalist's sister fell prey to an old dream-sucking vampire that gluts itself on the subconscious. And blood. There are some great Nightmare On Elm Street-type sequences, where nightmares blend into other nightmares and you aren't quite sure if the protagonist is really awake or not. It's labyrinthine in a good way. The lurid sex, drugs, & rock & roll type atmosphere reminded me of all the things I loved about horror in the late '80s. I think I liked the short story "Bloody Students" even better than "Bad Dreams," though. "Bloody Students" is totally over the top, a viral contagion story that reminded me of the Thing, and 48 Days Later. Also a little bit of "Black Sheep," that horror movie with the rabid monster sheep. Except this story has rabid monster rabbits. Heads get pounded through floors, limbs get chain-sawed off, and there are tons of hideous mutations. It all takes place on an English university campus, beginning with an animal-rights protest. Good fun.
