"Inferno," directed by Dario Argento

Movie, 1980

Dreamy horror, full of deserted buildings, surreal sets, a progressive rock soundtrack and blood. All these elements are wonderfully realised, giving the film an excellent tension, although the story seems a little confused and the acting, every now and again, stultifying. The violence is nasty, although this goes with the territory. An effective piece, all in all; at least it would have been if only the story and direction could just have been given a little more of a leg up over the grisly set pieces.

"Lady Oracle," by Margaret Atwood

Novel, 1976

Enthralling novel about identity and self-determination, in which narratives are used to explore relationships drawn in sweeping fashion and sometimes bizarre characters interact with occasionally fantastical plot elements. While the ending might feel a little woolly, this is essentially a compelling, empathetic account of the heroine, whose guises and disguises see her running away from herself and constantly, compulsively reinventing herself. A book for literature buffs who can handle seances and characters called The Royal Porcupine.

"A Serious Man", directed by Coen Brothers

Movie, 2009

A film which looks good, has some funny moments, but which doesn't quite snap and engage the viewer perhaps as much as it might have done. The plot revolves around a seriously unravelling, but very typical and "comfortable" middle-class family and touches on a number of domestic crises, many of which involve mental health issues. In doing so, there aren't, however, any real points made or markers set, and the narrative drifts rather than drives.

"Holy Disorders", by Edmund Crispin

Novel, 1945

Engaging, subversive and occasionally very witty detective romp, focusing on the goings on in a small cathedral city in Devon, which can't seem to retain a share of extant organists. A book whose laconic approach, whimsical-cum-sinister settings and continuing warnings against witchcraft and Nazism place it very much 'of its time' and snug within its genre, although the writing sparkles and the plot's dastardly invention foreshadows 1960s tongue-in-cheek fantasy. An immensely enjoyable read.

"The Woman in Black", by Susan Hill

Novel, 1992

Effective ghost story, packing suspense and creating an evocative, oppressive atmosphere. Much of this is probably attributable to the first person narrative, taking the reader into a world which is written in what appears to be very deliberately 'olde worlde', with a groaning bucket load of mist, marshes, haunted houses and phantoms. While the style occasionally threatens the power of the narrative, in the final analysis, it doesn't, leaving a feeling of a good read by the end of the story.

"Epitath for a Spy", by Eric Ambler

Novel, 1938

Effective, nicely paced and well-told story of a man's dilemma and problems after he's arrested under suspicion of spying against the French just before the Second World War. The careless and bungling nature of the protagonist and the fact he's played by many of the other characters in the book give a refreshing feel to the book, although there's also some ill ease at the slightly metaphysical dilemma the hero finds himself in. A smooth, entertaining book, at once familiar in its form, though refreshingly differing it at the same time.

"Don't Point That Thing at Me", by Kyril Bonfiglioli

Novel, 1972

Adventures of an art enthusiast and amateur gentleman sleuth, with more than a touch of Wodehouse, some very non-reconstructed 1970s views towards women and "foreigners" and briefly dark passages punctuating the sprightly overall tone of the book. The mixture of keen plotting and a brisk pace make for a compelling read, and while the book isn't really an absolute classic, there's more than enough entertainment and points to make an interesting read.