Guy N Smith

Guy N Smith is a British horror fiction author best known for his pulp horror novels published primarily in the 1970s and 1980s. He gained particular recognition for his series of giant crab horror novels, beginning with "Night of the Crabs" in 1976. Smith was notably prolific, having written over 100 books across multiple genres including horror, western, and erotica, often publishing several titles per year. His horror works frequently featured creature attacks, ecological disasters, and graphic violence, establishing him as a significant figure in the British horror paperback boom of the 1970s. Beyond his crab series, Smith authored other horror novels including "The Slime Beast," "The Sucking Pit," and "Snakes." His writing style was characterized by fast-paced narratives and vivid descriptions of violence, earning both criticism and a dedicated following among horror fiction readers. While maintaining his writing career, Smith also worked as a gun magazine editor and operated a smallholding in Shropshire, England, where he bred birds. He continued writing into the 21st century, though at a reduced pace compared to his peak output in the 1970s and 1980s.

Readers consistently describe Smith's work as fast-paced pulp horror with straightforward plotting and graphic violence. Many cite his books as "fun, quick reads" that deliver creature-feature entertainment without pretension. Readers praise: - Quick pacing and short length (most novels under 200 pages) - Creative monster concepts, especially the giant crab series - Unapologetic approach to gore and violence - Simple, accessible writing style - Nostalgia factor for 1970s/80s horror paperbacks Common criticisms: - Basic character development - Repetitive descriptions and dialogue - Abrupt endings - Dated attitudes toward women and minorities - Uneven quality across his extensive catalog On Goodreads, Smith's books average 3.2-3.5 stars. "Night of the Crabs" leads with 3.5/5 from 500+ ratings. Amazon reviews trend slightly higher at 3.7/5, with readers often noting "exactly what you'd expect from 70s pulp horror." Multiple reviewers describe his work as "so bad it's good" and "guilty pleasure reading."

Night of the Crabs (1976) - Giant crustaceans emerge from the Welsh coast to attack humans.

Killer Crabs (1978) - The giant crabs return, this time terrorizing a tropical paradise.

Origin of the Crabs (1979) - A prequel explaining how the murderous crabs came to exist.

Crabs' Moon (1984) - Giant crabs attack during a lunar eclipse at a coastal resort.

Crabs on the Rampage (1981) - The crabs spread inland, attacking multiple British locations.

Sabat 1: The Graveyard Vultures (1982) - A warlock battles supernatural forces in modern times.

The Slime Beast (1975) - A prehistoric creature emerges from marshland to hunt humans.

Night of the Werewolf (1974) - A werewolf terrorizes the Welsh countryside during a full moon.

The Wood (1985) - An ancient forest harbors deadly creatures that prey on visitors.

Snakes (1975) - Venomous snakes overrun a rural English village.

Cannibals (1977) - A group of flesh-eating degenerates prey on travelers in Wales.

Locusts (1979) - A massive swarm of carnivorous insects devastates Britain.

Thirst (1980) - A drought leads to violent conflicts over dwindling water supplies.

The Walking Dead (1984) - Chemical warfare creates zombies in the English countryside.

The Sucking Pit (1975) - A mysterious bog consumes victims in rural England.

James Herbert writes British horror focused on violent creature attacks and graphic body horror. His books Night of the Rats and The Fog share similar themes with Smith's work about nature turning against humanity.

Shaun Hutson produces fast-paced horror novels featuring monsters and gore in working-class British settings. His writing style and subject matter parallel Smith's direct approach to horror and focus on visceral creature attacks.

Graham Masterton creates horror stories about supernatural entities and physical monsters threatening communities. His work contains the same blend of traditional horror elements and graphic violence found in Smith's novels.

Richard Laymon writes horror fiction centered on isolated locations and people facing deadly threats. His books match Smith's pacing and intensity while dealing with similar themes of survival against overwhelming odds.

Brian Keene tells stories about apocalyptic events and monster invasions in rural settings. His work contains the same mix of action-horror and creature features that characterize Smith's novels.