Shadows Over Somerset by Bob Freeman Guest Post

Virtual Tour Author: Bob Freeman Featured Book: Shadows Over Somerset

About Bob Freeman: Bob Freeman doesn’t just write and draw occult detectives, he’s also a card carrying paranormal adventurer who founded Nightstalkers of Indiana in 1983. A lifelong student of witchcraft, magic, and religion, Bob’s studies are reflected in his art, both as an author and illustrator. Bob lives in rural Indiana with his wife Kim and son Connor. He can be found online at
occultdetective.com

Guest Post:

Strange Magic(k)
by Bob Freeman

I was charged to produce a Top Ten list of the most accurate depictions of magic in movies and television. To be honest, that’s just too bloody difficult. Do I draw attention to Michael DeBarres’ wonderful turn as Malcolm Graves in 1984’s Ghoulies, or do I delve into more esoteric fare such as Eyes Wide Shut? Does Frank Langella’s Boris Balkan from The Ninth Gate make the cut, or do the Winchester Brothers from Supernatural present a stronger case?

Rather than traverse these murky waters of cinematic occultism, I thought I would instead turn your attention toward something you may have missed, something that I found both charming and impression in the way it depicted the magical arts.

I’m talking about Syfy Channel’s short-lived series, The Dresden Files.

Produced by Nic Cage and starring Paul Blackthorne as the spell-wielding private detective, The Dresden Files was a contemporary urban fantasy television series based on the novels by Jim Butcher.

Harry Dresden is a wizard. It says so right on his business card. It also reads: Lost Items Found * Paranormal Investigations * Consulting & Advice * No Love Potions * No Endless Purses * No Parties or Other Entertainment * Reasonable Rates. To supplement his meager income, he is a sometime consultant with the Chicago Police Department whenever things get a bit weird.

For a world that doesn’t believe in magic, there’s an awful lot of it around, and the series handles this better than most. It’s fun, entertaining, and has firmly established rules that hew pretty damn close to the real thing.

Now obviously this is a fantasy series, so there is plenty of the flashy, over-the-top sort of magic one tends to expect in these sort of things. This is what we call Evocation. It’s loud, noisy, and spectacular. It’s also a form of wizardry that requires a direct line-of-sight. Think of it as a loaded gun with sparklers.

The branch of the magical arts on the show that comes closest to representing something akin to magic in the real world is Thaumaturgy. Thaumaturgy adheres to the maxim, “as above, so below”. It is about creating magical links between objects or people and transferring magical energy through one to the other. Think voodoo doll. I make a doll, add a bit of your blood, hair, or nail clippings… you know, something personal… then I give the dolly a little poke and well, you get it.

The Dresden Files really impressed me. Unfortunately I was about the only one. The series was cancelled after only twelve episodes. It is available on Netflix and Hulu, and can be purchased on DVD. I recommend it highly, especially if you enjoy your supernatural fiction with more than a pinch of verisimilitude.

I don’t ask that magic be depicted factually, regardless of the medium, but I do require it to have internal logic and consistency. The Dresden Files did this. I only wish more creators treated magic with the same sensibility.

 
Shadows Over Somerset Book Synopsis: Michael Somers is brought to Cairnwood, an isolated manor in rural Indiana, to sit at the deathbed of a grandfather he never knew existed. He soon finds himself drawn into a strange and esoteric world filled with werewolves, vampires, witches… and a family curse that dates back to fourteenth century Scotland. In the sleepy little town of Somerset, an ancient evil awakens, hungering for blood and vengeance… and if Michael is to survive he must face his inner demons and embrace his family’s dark past. Shadows Over Somerset is the first Cairnwood Manor Novel.

  Author Links:
Website: www.occultdetective.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorbobfreeman
Twitter: @OccultDetective

Tour Schedule and Activities
8/25 Jess Resides Here Interview
8/25 I Smell Sheep Interview
8/25 Beauty in Ruins Guest Post
8/25 Shells Interviews Guest Post
8/26 The Cabin Goddess Review
8/26 Kentucky Geek Girl Top Ten List
8/26 The Official Writing Blog of Deedee Davies Top Ten List
8/27 Stuart Conover's Author Page Interview
8/27 Blog of Sheila Deeth Post on Art
8/27 Deal Sharing Aunt Top Tens List
8/28 Horror Delve Top Tens List
8/28 SBM Book Obsession Guest Post
8/28 Armand Rosamilia, Horror Author Guest Post
8/28 Willow's Author Love Top Tens List
8/29 Bookishly Me Review
8/29 The Rage Circus Vs. The Soulless Void Interview
8/29 Azure Dwarf Guest Post
8/29 Vampires, Witches, and me, oh my Guest Post
8/30 Sapphyria's Book Reviews Top Tens List
8/30 Bee's Knees Reviews Review
8/30 A Haunted Head Interview
8/31 Horror Tree Guest Post
8/31 The Rage Circus Vs. The Soulless Void Review
8/31 Seers, Seraphs, Immortals and more! Interview

Tour Page URL: http://www.tomorrowcomesmedia.com/bob-freemans-shadows-over-somerset-tour/

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  Amazon Links for Shadows Over Somerset:
  Kindle Version: http://www.amazon.com/Shadows-Over-Somerset-Cairnwood-Manor-ebook/dp/B00L9UYHKE
  Print Version: http://www.amazon.com/Shadows-Over-Somerset-Bob-Freeman/dp/1941706118