The Spear

The Spear is a 1978 horror-thriller novel by James Herbert that centers on a dangerous neo-Nazi cult operating in Britain. The story focuses on a conspiracy involving the Holy Lance - the spear said to have pierced Christ's side during the crucifixion. The plot connects modern-day extremists with Nazi occultism through their shared obsession with supernatural power. A cast of characters including a US general and an arms dealer become entangled in a dark plot to resurrect Heinrich Himmler through occult rituals. The novel combines historical elements like Nazi occult practices with supernatural horror and political conspiracy. The story moves between contemporary Britain and echoes of World War II as the characters race to prevent the cult from achieving its aims. The Spear explores themes of how evil and extremist ideologies can persist and resurface in new forms, while examining humanity's dangerous attraction to power and the occult. The narrative challenges readers to consider how the darkness of the past continues to influence the present.

Readers describe The Spear as a fast-paced occult thriller that loses momentum in its latter half. Many note it stands apart from Herbert's usual horror works. Readers appreciated: - The historical research into Nazi occultism - The tense opening sequences - The blend of real WWII events with supernatural elements Common criticisms: - Character development feels incomplete - The ending disappoints many readers - Plot becomes convoluted and hard to follow - Religious themes feel heavy-handed Ratings: Goodreads: 3.6/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 3.8/5 (120+ ratings) From reader reviews: "Started strong but fizzled out halfway through" - Goodreads reviewer "Too much exposition, not enough action" - Amazon reviewer "The Nazi occult aspects were fascinating but the story needed tighter editing" - LibraryThing reviewer "Less scary than his other books, more of a conspiracy thriller" - Goodreads reviewer

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🔸 The Spear of Longinus, also known as the Holy Lance, allegedly pierced Jesus Christ's side during the crucifixion and was sought by Heinrich Himmler's SS during World War II. 🔸 James Herbert wrote The Spear while working as an art director at an advertising agency, completing most of the manuscript during his daily commute on London trains. 🔸 The novel sparked controversy upon release in 1978, leading to legal discussions about the use of historical figures in fiction, particularly regarding its portrayal of Nazi occultism. 🔸 Nazi occultists believed the Spear of Longinus granted its possessor unstoppable power, and it was among several religious artifacts Hitler's regime attempted to collect. 🔸 The actual Spear of Longinus relic is currently housed in the Hofburg Palace in Vienna, Austria, though multiple churches claim to possess the authentic lance.