Psycho: Sanitarium

WOW! Okay so I am completely blown away. If you told me that this was written by Robert Bloch before his death, I would totally believe you as Chet Williamson captures his voice perfectly. I really liked the descriptions of the place, the characters were unique with their own agendas, and that twist! Hats off to you, Mr. Williamson.

Would highly recommend even if you haven't read/seen psycho.

Chet Williamson has really established himself with his sequel to Robert Bloch's Psycho with this truly amazing book.

Placing the narrative between Bloch's Psycho and Psycho II, Williamson has done an excellent job in creating and full filling a perfect bridge between the original and Bloch’s lacklustre sequel. It is important to note that this is a sequel to the novel and not the Hitchcock film though both film and novel are closely linked, there are slight differences such as Norman being a heavy weight middle aged man in the novel against the Perkins characterisation that is famously remembered.

Bloch’s Psycho was the dawning of the serial killer novel with its late 50’s sensibilities and plot building. It captured the imagination with its tone and execution and at the time, was a truly shocking exploitation novel with its use of interior psychology.

After failed attempts to write a film sequel, Bloch decided to take matters into his own hands and wrote two sequels, Psycho II and Psycho House with various results. Bloch’s Psycho II is set a couple of decades after the events of Psycho. Although, a best seller in its own rights, it had no reflection on the film of the same name.

Williamson’s story is set between Bloch’s first two books in the series, fitting very comfortablely with his vivid characterisations, wonderful pacing and fantastic characterisations of Norman as he tries to control Mother and deal with his guilt over the murders at the motel in the original.

The story is driven forward by the psychological treatment of Norman using various techniques in the psychiatry world from drug use, ECT treatment and psychotherapy and it is very interesting how the world was changing in terms of these techniques. The 60’s made incredible strives in psychiatry during this time and Williamson has shown how the old ways were being put aside towards the new ways of treatment that were being developed during this time.

When the murders happen, the story unfolds to a whodunit which is handled masterly as the mystery unfolds. This is where Williamson exceeds in all his novels, he is able to take multifaceted plot strands and knit them together to provide a kaleidoscope of textures, rich characterisations, extremely intrinsic plot devices and motivation to spin a fascinating story.

Williamson has actually surpassed Bloch in writing style and he has ingeniously been able provide a superior sequel and perfect bridge between Bloch’s work. His writing of Bates is sympathetic, thought provoking and at times frightening when Norman is threatened or Mother comes to the fore. Norman is one of the true horror greats and Williamson has lovingly and truthfully written him as a three dimensional multi-faceted individual which at times is failed in the source material. Williamson has given him fantastic weight.

The characters surrounding Norman in the Sanatorium are well done and the surprise addition of a long lost relative creates an interesting opening and gives Norman a bright light in his drab existence. The supporting characters are at times, worse than the inmates that they watch over which gives a Nurse Rackitt feel to the proceedings as the plot awakens itself to the reader.

This is really a superior book to its sequels in every way and it is an ode to Bloch and to Norman that could have easily fallen flat if put in the wrong hands. Masterfully crafted, lovingly put together and incredible piece of fiction that demands to be read and cherished. Williamson is a true master and if you love well-constructed stories with believable plot twists, you can never go wrong with him as he is truly top of his craft.

Robert Bloch’s Psycho Sanatorium by Chet Williamson is one of the most accomplished sequels ever written and so far this is one of best psychological thrillers/horrors of the year. This is a truly recommend book and if you are a fan of Psycho, either the book or film, you cannot go wrong. This is a must read.

I was quite sceptical about this book, with another author taking over such a classic character and in continuation of the story. However, this is absolutely deserving of Norman Bates. It is very well written, with a real depth to the characters, surprising plot twists and an absolute corker of an ending. If you like psycho, the you're going to love this.

Chet has done Robert Bloch justice with this sequel to Psycho. Although a somewhat predictable ending, I loved it. A word of warning.... just don't read after dark.

I always wondered what happened to Norman after Psycho and now I know!

Set in a sanitarium for the criminally insane, we see how Norman is coping with what happened and the Dr who is trying to understand and pull him out of his shell.

After a slow build the first death occurs and we are then left wondering if it's a person doing it or the ghosts of former inmates.

Very well written characters, nicely developed and a good mix of good and bad people. The setting is wonderful and creepy and the story flows well until we reach the conclusion.

Highly recommended!