This is not a by-the-numbers sequel but is a whopper of a story, with King at the top of his form. The Shining was the intriguing, spooky story of young Danny Torrance, a boy with a psychic gift or ''shining''. It was made into a movie, which King hated but which had Jack Nicholson in it, so did reasonably well.
Some 35 years later, King revisits the character of Dan Torrance, whose life was scarred by the events at the Overlook Hotel.
Like his father, Dan is a raging alcoholic. He's a drifter who ends up at a small New Hampshire town where, improbably, salvation awaits.
Dan becomes a figure of great importance at a nursing home - this is where the ''Doctor Sleep'' title comes from - and meets a young girl called Abra, also gifted, also troubled. The pair connect through their ''shining'' ability and prepare to face a chilling enemy.
King loves his spooks and here he concocts a spectacularly malevolent bunch called the True Knot. No need to give much away, but be prepared to shudder at many pages.
- Hayden Meikle is ODT sports editor.
