December 2, 1937 - January 2, 2024

Gone But Certainly Not Forgotten

International Best Selling Author Brian Lumley sadly passed away at his home this January. He was the winner of many prestigious awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Horror Writer’s Association in 2010. Famous for his groundbreaking Necroscope® series, he went on to become one of the top writers in the Horror field. Although Brian had crossed genres between Horror, Sci-Fi, and Fantasy, Brian had many other series under his belt such as: The Primal Lands, Hero of Dreams, Psychomech, Titus Crow, etc. And of course, all the Mythos stories with his own twist.

After a 22-year stint as a Royal Military Policeman, he had a long and prosperous lifetime of doing what he loved to do, bringing continued enjoyment to all his readers and listeners. Brian has written approximately 60 books along with many, many short stories, and novellas.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Ann (Silky) Lumley, his daughter Julie and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He may be gone but his legacy will live on in the hearts of us all. Especially me.

Barbara Ann Lumley

January 28, 2024

From one ex-soldier to another, Mr Brian Lumley, since the day I first picked up one of your novels in an Army library during the first days of basic training, your writings have entertained and inspired me, all the way through 24 years of service and will continue to do so for the rest of my life I have absolutely no doubt. I wish we had met in person and am so sorry that we never will in this plane of existence. You will be mourned and missed all the way until the great tearing down of the mountains! Thank you for all your writings. As you did in life, I am sure you will continue your work with the great teeming majority now who will welcome you as a warm candle in the dark. Rest in peace, father of the Necroscope, champion of those gone before us, a dart son and inspiration for millions across the world. You will be missed. Thank you Brian, and to Barbara Ann Lumley, Silky, my deepest condolences on your loss. I wish you all my best in this difficult time. Joe.

In the 90s, at the dawn of email, Brian was kind enough to answer an email about his creative process for a dissertation my wife was working on. It was a lovely missive about maps and history I treasured. I wish the vagaries of technology would have allowed me to save it permanently. But it lives forever in my head and heart. Beyond a great author, the world lost a good man. Many condolences to his friends and family on their incalcuable loss.

I want to thank everyone who is kind enough to post a condolence here for posterity. I'll always have this to remember how well Brian was appreciated and I will appreciate it very much. Thank you all so far for your wonderful comments. Gratefully Yours, Barbara Ann (Silky) Lumley

I first began reading Brian’s work after seeing the cover of DeadSpeak when it was first published. It grabbed me, but the story grabbed me even more. From there I became a voracious reader of everything Brian wrote and collecting everything from him that I could. I was lucky to come across Dave on the internet during the very early days of this website. That was an incredible chance meeting because it eventually resulted in me being able to meet Brian and Silky. I was lucky enough to be allowed to write a column in the Newsletter for a few years and even honored to be able to be a small part of the Necroscope compendium. And that type of experience encapsulates Brian as a mentor and amazing person. He was incredibly kind and welcoming to people. He shared advice and loved telling a story. Meeting his friends and sharing a drink with him and them was wonderful and something I’ll never forget. You understand a person some when you get to meet their friends and Brian’s friends were a joy to meet as well, which speaks to who he was. He was a tremendous writer and even nicer man and someone that had a tremendous impact on my life and someone I will never forget. I’ll raise a glass of Metaxa to you friend. Cheers Brian, we’ll miss your voice, warmth and friendship. 
 

Silky, my thoughts are with you and your family, thank you for sharing Brian with all of us, know his impact was felt by many, just like Harry’s golden darts.

I used to be a big reader (Mum was a librarian), I'd still buy books but get through a chapter and it would stay on my bedside table till I eventually put it away. One day I went into a local book store and explained this to the staff member. He suggested I try the first Necroscope book. Couldn't put the thing down. Then the next then the next, now years later I'm stuck at Plague Bearer. Can't wait for a normal issue of this.
Anyway, thank YOU Brian Lumley for getting me reading again. Your imagination of other worlds and character development resonated with me so much and I cherish the books I own. Thank you. Such sad news to hear of your passing.

Condolences to family. Stay strong and remember fondly and constantly.

Condolences to this community of dedicated and passionate acolytes. 

Rest well kind sir.

Dan Attard
 

I have been reading Mr. Lumley's work for over 25 years now. I first read Necroscope in sixth grade, and it started a lifelong love of horror, sci-fi, vampires and all that's gone along with the stories. Brian's works are always in constant rotation in my reading or audiobook listening list. I just recently started my 12th re-read of the Necroscope series, so it's with a heavy heart but renewed purpose and energy that I am continuing on to the siege of Harkley House. 

I'm going to add in the comment I left on Facebook here as well because of how I felt when I wrote it-

He now numbers among the Great Majority and will continue to write amazing stories. So very sorry for your loss. Rest in Peace Brian.

Silky,
I am so very sorry to hear that Brian had passed.  It has been several years, but I 'll never forget the kindness you both showed me when you came to conventions in the D.C./Baltimore area.  Brian would tell some great stories and answer so many questions.

I recall the last convention I met you guys at and he offered those of us fans that were sitting with him to bring our books down to the bar the night before the convention... he would sign them that night so we didn't have to stand in line the next day.

He was a great writer, but he was also a great guy.  I am so thankful I actually went to those conventions and met you both and Dave.

-Mike C

 

How strange is life, I drove past the Britannia Hotel on Palatine Road in Wythenshawe yesterday afternoon on my way back from football, and as I looked up at the stern 1970’s plain exterior a large smile spread across my face as I recalled meeting my hero, who just happened to be an author in that very building & along with an eclectic bunch of wonderful misfits and strangers who I will always think of from time to time throughout my life had a truly wonderful time.

Brian you were warm, humble and amazing company and made mock of the warning of never meeting your hero’s, I hope you’re at peace now amongst the great majority but know what joy you brought to so many.

TTFN

Peter (Helmet Head) 😔

I wish I was able to meet you in your life Mr Lumley. I could not have conceived of the impact you have had on mine upon turning those first pages.
Rest in peace, Sir.

And to Silky, best wishes and my deepest condolences.

When I first read the news of Brian’s passing my reaction was the same as learning of a death in the family, as it has been for us all here. I've spent so many hours in his literary-company that I'd come to know his style by instinct, and his work was as familiar to me as a close friend. The shock and numbness subsided and turned to sadness (and gratitude, it has to be said), then at various points over the following week I’d suddenly remember Brian's not around, perhaps pottering over tidying up a story, and that emptiness briefly swelled up again. And yet every time this happens I also remember that I'm not even friends-and-family in the technical sense, I'm just a fan.

Brian and his writing have been a part of my life for three decades now, and while I know he was easing into retirement it's a jolt to realise that flow has now stemmed. I never had the chance to meet him in person but we exchanged a couple of letters, and his graciousness and enthusiasm in replying to me is both humbling and overwhelming.

We both grew up in pit villages in the North East of England, and adulthood took us both further afield (although our stories diverge there, I'm not cut out for the services and I'm no great international traveller). Certainly in terms of County Durham, London, Devon and Edinburgh, Brian wrote about streets I've walked around, which is where I think the connection was first cemented in Necroscope (which I first read while I was still pining for my Northlands). His atmospheric sense of place mingles with my own experience and I can innately feel the setting. Although to be fair, I haven't visited Romania, Greece, or Starside and I can smell the air there too, so let's put it down to Brian's skill as an author rather than anything I might be bringing to it.

As well as showing me what real vampires are capable of, it's also Brian (via Titus Crow) who properly opened the door for me into Lovecraft country, lands I'm still in the midst of exploring courtesy of messrs HPL and Derleth. Many miles and authors left to go there, but none so exciting as in the company of Henri and Titus.

But in the meanwhile, Brian will live on through the words he’s given us; a legacy for us to continue enjoying and to pass on to future generations.

Sleep well Mr Lumley, you've earned it. And I still owe you that brandy 🥃

Ian.

Ok. It’s taken me a while to get my thoughts together. I apologise in advance if this comes out a bit disjointed.

I first met Brian in  1978 at Chichester. He was one of the staff at the training centre an me, a new recruit. Even then he was well disciplined but approachable. We met again 2 years later when I was in the process of leaving the army. I worked for him in the admin team and he persuaded me to give it another try. Thankfully I did and spent another 10 years in service

we met again in 1999 at KC1 abd the rest is history.

Brian was always gracious and a fantastic orator. I watched over the next few years  as he enthralled fans at the Cons and I cannot remember him ever as anything except friendly and grateful  to his many fans.

He was a great role model for any budding author and always willing to sign your book(s) and chat over a brandy (Metaxxa). 

I was lucky enough to have met up on holiday in Thassos and he made sure We really got a feel for the Island. I will always remember him coming out of the sea with an octopus stuck to his chest.

You will be missed my friend and although we were saddened by your passing, we will always be grateful to have known you

Oh my Silky ... I had no idea.  I just found out today and I echo the thoughts of many who have posted already.  While I loved all the novels, all the short stories, all the times reading Brian's words made the hair on the back of my neck stand up, it was Brian himself that I will remember most.  From the first time I met the two of you in Providence in 1997 (tempus fugit), and for the several times afterward, both of you treated me so graciously.  I remember the first time we met and Brian had brought gifts for me and many others.  He'd already known which of his books we each loved and had brought us each inscribed copies.  To this day, that copy of The Compleat Crow is one of my most treasured books.  It was always so great to sit and talk to him and listen to him tell a story.

You have my sincerest condolences.