In 'Salem's Lot, writer Ben Mears returns to his childhood hometown of Jerusalem's Lot, Maine, to write a book about the Marsten House, a place that has haunted him since childhood. However, he soon discovers that the town is being taken over by vampires, led by the ancient and powerful Kurt Barlow. Along with a small group of allies, including high school teacher Matt Burke, doctor Jimmy Cody, and young Mark Petrie, Ben must confront the supernatural forces threatening the town. The novel explores themes of evil, faith, and the struggle against overwhelming horror, culminating in a desperate battle to save the town from the vampires[1][2][4].
In this book, George Selgin challenges the conventional wisdom that monetary policy should aim for price stability. He argues that a falling price level, driven by increases in productivity, is more beneficial for economic growth. Selgin uses historical evidence and theoretical analysis to support his argument, known as the 'productivity norm.' He contends that this approach would provide more honest price signals, reduce monetary distortions, and lead to better economic outcomes. The book has been praised for its originality and remains relevant in discussions on monetary policy[3][4][5].
Set in Chamberlain, Maine, 'Carrie' by Stephen King tells the story of Carietta 'Carrie' White, a 16-year-old girl who is ridiculed and bullied by her peers and abused by her ultra-religious mother, Margaret. Carrie discovers she has telekinetic powers after a humiliating incident in the school locker room where she gets her first period. The story unfolds through multiple narratives, including newspaper reports, court transcripts, and personal memoirs, detailing Carrie's transformation from a shy and isolated girl to a force of vengeance. After being humiliated at the school prom, Carrie unleashes her powers, causing widespread destruction and death in the town. The novel explores themes of ostracism, bullying, and the psychological trauma experienced by its characters[2][3][5].
American Psycho is a black comedy horror novel that critiques the superficiality and materialism of 1980s Wall Street culture through the character of Patrick Bateman, a charismatic but sociopathic investment banker. The novel explores themes of identity, consumerism, and the blurring of reality and fantasy. It is known for its graphic violence and dark humor, offering a commentary on the excesses of capitalist society.
In 'The Shining,' Stephen King tells the story of the Torrance family—Jack, Wendy, and their young son Danny—who move into the isolated Overlook Hotel in the Colorado Rockies. Jack, a recovering alcoholic and aspiring writer, takes the job as the hotel's winter caretaker to overcome his personal demons and reconnect with his family. However, the hotel, with its dark and violent history, exerts a malevolent influence on Jack, exploiting his weaknesses and threatening his family. Danny, who possesses psychic abilities known as 'the shining,' is particularly vulnerable to the hotel's supernatural forces. As the winter isolates them, the family faces terrifying events that culminate in a tragic confrontation with the hotel's evil presence[2][3][5].
In 'Lunar Park', Bret Easton Ellis crafts a metafictional narrative that begins with a satirical account of his early fame and then delves into a fictional life in the suburbs. The story intertwines themes of family, identity, and the blurring of reality and fiction, as Ellis confronts his past and the characters from his previous works. The novel is a blend of horror, satire, and introspection, exploring the complexities of suburban life and the author's own legacy.
In 'Imperial Bedrooms', Bret Easton Ellis revisits the characters from his debut novel 'Less Than Zero', now facing middle age. The story delves into the superficiality and ambition of Hollywood, exploring themes of obsession, betrayal, and existential angst. Clay, a successful screenwriter, becomes embroiled in a sinister plot involving murder and deception, forcing him to confront his own darker tendencies.
Los Angeles, 1981. A group of beautiful, rich, high school students are playing adult in their absentee parents' empty mansions, fueled by lust and prescription drugs, and filled with fear and disaffection. This is the world of The Shards, Bret Easton Ellis’ first novel in 13 years, part auto-fiction, part horror. The provocative and polarising author joins Alex Preston, award-winning author and journalist, to speak about the emptiness of adolescence, the lawlessness of the 80s, and how it feels to look back at it all aged 56 in 2023.
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Intelligence Squared 
