“The Black Fedora” is a horror novel by Guy N. Smith, published in 1985. It’s one of Smith’s standalone works, known for its blend of suspense, action, and supernatural elements.
Plot Summary
In “The Black Fedora,” the protagonist finds himself drawn into a chilling mystery surrounding a sinister artifact—the titular black fedora. When the fedora falls into the possession of the protagonist, strange and inexplicable events begin to occur, leading him to believe that the hat may be cursed.
As the protagonist delves deeper into the history of the black fedora, he uncovers a dark and malevolent force that lies at its heart. With the help of a determined group of allies, including a skeptical journalist and a fearless psychic, the protagonist must confront the evil that haunts the fedora and put an end to its reign of terror before it’s too late.
But as they delve deeper into the secrets of the black fedora, they realize that they may be facing an enemy more powerful and ancient than they ever imagined. With the fate of the world hanging in the balance, the protagonist must summon all his courage and cunning to defeat his enemies and save humanity from destruction.
Themes and Style
- Supernatural Horror: “The Black Fedora” explores themes of cursed objects, dark magic, and supernatural evil, with the protagonist battling against the forces of darkness and corruption.
- Mystery and Suspense: The novel is characterized by its suspenseful plot and mysterious atmosphere, as the characters unravel the secrets of the black fedora and confront the ancient evil that lies within it.
- Action and Adventure: Smith incorporates elements of action and adventure into the story, with the protagonist and his allies embarking on a perilous journey to confront the evil that threatens to consume them.
Reception
“The Black Fedora” received generally positive reviews from readers and critics, who praised its atmospheric setting, gripping plot, and memorable characters. The novel’s blend of horror, mystery, and supernatural suspense resonated with audiences, making it a standout entry in Smith’s bibliography.
Author Background
Guy N. Smith (1939-2020) was a British author known primarily for his horror fiction. With over 100 novels to his name, Smith’s works often featured elements of the supernatural, the macabre, and the grotesque. He gained widespread recognition for his ability to craft thrilling and suspenseful horror narratives.
Legacy
“The Black Fedora” remains a beloved standalone novel in Smith’s body of work, offering readers a chilling and atmospheric tale of supernatural terror. Its enduring popularity speaks to Smith’s talent for creating compelling narratives that blend horror, suspense, and supernatural elements in equal measure.
“The Black Fedora” was one of those ideas which came about in the most unusual and unexpected situations, handed to me on a plate as the saying goes.
I had been invited to a wedding in a small Welsh town back in 1990. The church was crowded but one of the congregation immediately attracted my attention, a chap in his twenties, dressed in black from the tip of a wide brimmed fedora down to his boots. Unbelievably a cigarette dangled from his mouth! Before the service started the vicar came down the aisle and asked him to remove his headgear and sternly told him that smoking was forbidden in church. I discovered later that the “cigarette” was just a slip of rolled up paper!
Later at the reception I made a point of singling out this black clad guy. The fedora was back on his head and the imitation cigarette in his mouth. I had already designated him as a character for a book but had no idea in what role nor a plot. His name was Martin and he was absolutely delighted at my idea. In fact, he insisted on loaning me his fedora for an unspecified length of time.
So I worked on a plot and “The Black Fedora” was published by Sphere in 1991. It was highly successful and was reprinted in the same year.
However, there was a real life sequel about a year later. I was invited to take part in a stage show in Llanidloes, Powys, a mixture of various unrelated portrayals. They wanted me to act the part of the “Man in the Black Fedora.” Martin was behind this idea and he wanted his hat back in the most dramatic fashion. As I stepped on stage he appeared with a pistol in his hand, demanding the return of his headgear. I handed it over and then, from out of the small audience, another black fedora whizzed and landed at my feet amidst cheers from those watching. This time the hat was mine for keeps, the drama arranged by Martin unknown to myself. What a night!
Guy Wearing a Black Fedora
This novel is a mixture of crime, mystery and horror. One of my favourite characters was born and next month we shall look at its sequel.
Guy N. Smith
