Crabs on the Rampage by Guy N. Smith

(pb; 1981: fourth book in the ten-book Crabs series)

From the back cover

“The beach was filled with happy vacationers. They’d forgotten THE CRABS. . . like a bad dream chased away by the morning sun.

“We’d wiped out these mutant monsters. The giant creatures whose hunger raged for human flesh were dead.

“Or were they? Scientist Cliff Davenport feared the nightmare wasn’t over. But he didn’t know the terrifying truth. THE CRABS were back─disease-ridden, mad with pain. Mad with hunger.

“And on that beach were hundreds of men, women and children. Food for. . . crabs on the rampage.”

Review

Crabs is a solid, mostly by-the-numbers stalk-and-kill read, a well-written B-movie novel. Smith throws a few series-progressive twists in this melodramatic, also-works-as-a-standalone book, a setup for a much bigger ocean-born threat. I would be surprised if this is not the basis for a 1950s monster/Syfy Original film.  Followed by Crabs’ Moon.

The Sucking Pit by Guy N. Smith

(pb; 1975, 1989: prequel to The Walking Dead)

From the back cover

"Hopwas Wood is a place of mystery and for generations, tales have been told about an ancient gypsy burial site deep within.

"Jenny Lawson always knew she had Romany blood flowing through her veins and when given a secret book by her dying Uncle can't resist the urge to mix the ancient potions described inside. In a matter of hours the virginal jenny is transformed into a knife wielding nymphomaniac.

"Entranced by the mysterious Cornelius, Jenny uses all her womanly charms to persuade the wood's owner to let the gypsy's set up camp on their holy ground. Ex-boyfriend Chris, an investigative reporter, is horrified by the changes in the girl he once loved and embarks on a quest for the truth only to discover the terror that lies deep within The Sucking Pit!"

Review

Sucking is a solid, fun pulp novel with stock characters, salacious flirtations (its sex scenes are R-rated, not X-rated), blood and horror. Its plot moves lightning quick, sometimes too fast – e.g., when Jenny is possessed it is little more than an awkward eyeblink transition; also, when Chris and Pat fall in love, seconds after meeting, it feels forced and rushed. If you do not take it seriously, Sucking is a worthwhile guilty, sometimes awkward-sentence read, best borrowed from a local library or purchased for a bargain bin price. Followed by The Walking Dead.