The Repairman Jack Series
Encyclopedia
The Repairman Jack series is the name given to thirteen (as of 2009) horror
/thriller novels written by American author
F. Paul Wilson
, as well as several standalone short stories.
-based "urban mercenary" who calls himself Repairman Jack
. Jack is a man with no last name or legal status who makes his living "fixing" situations for people who cannot find help elsewhere. His work has not only led him into violent encounters with the criminal underworld, but also into the midst of a behind-the-scenes cosmic battle for Earth between two supernatural forces: one known as the Ally, which is benign towards humanity, and one as the Otherness, which is hostile towards it and generally considered "evil
".
and ends with Nightworld
. However, these books are also part of another series of novels by Wilson known as The Adversary Cycle
. The Repairman Jack series was restarted with Legacies
in 1998. This newer series is following chronologically from the events of The Tomb to the events immediately preceding Nightworld.
himself. The top photo is of, in almost every case, skyscrapers or the NYC skyline
, while the bottom is usually an image of a place or object integral to the novel's plot; for instance, a subway station for Hosts
or a sunken ship for Infernal
. See below for an example.
Horror fiction
Horror fiction also Horror fantasy is a philosophy of literature, which is intended to, or has the capacity to frighten its readers, inducing feelings of horror and terror. It creates an eerie atmosphere. Horror can be either supernatural or non-supernatural...
/thriller novels written by American author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
F. Paul Wilson
F. Paul Wilson
Francis Paul Wilson is an American author, primarily in the science fiction and horror genres. His debut novel was Healer . Wilson is also a part-time practicing family physician. He made his first sales in 1970 to Analog while still in medical school , and continued to write science fiction...
, as well as several standalone short stories.
Story
The series revolves around the adventures of a ManhattanManhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
-based "urban mercenary" who calls himself Repairman Jack
Repairman Jack
This series of novels uses realistic, thriller-like situations to tell a story with a broad supernatural theme. It is technically a spin-off branch of the aforementioned larger, overarching supernatural horror series, The Adversary Cycle.- Introduction :...
. Jack is a man with no last name or legal status who makes his living "fixing" situations for people who cannot find help elsewhere. His work has not only led him into violent encounters with the criminal underworld, but also into the midst of a behind-the-scenes cosmic battle for Earth between two supernatural forces: one known as the Ally, which is benign towards humanity, and one as the Otherness, which is hostile towards it and generally considered "evil
Evil
Evil is the violation of, or intent to violate, some moral code. Evil is usually seen as the dualistic opposite of good. Definitions of evil vary along with analysis of its root motive causes, however general actions commonly considered evil include: conscious and deliberate wrongdoing,...
".
Timeline
The series proper begins with The TombThe Tomb (novel)
The Tomb is the first volume in a series of Repairman Jack books written by American author F. Paul Wilson. It is also the second volume in a series of six novels known as The Adversary Cycle. It was recently updated for 2004, in order to tie in chronologically with the following Repairman Jack...
and ends with Nightworld
Nightworld (novel)
Nightworld is the sixth and final volume in a series of novels known as The Adversary Cycle written by American author F. Paul Wilson. First published in 1992 by New English Library in England and Dark Harvest in US...
. However, these books are also part of another series of novels by Wilson known as The Adversary Cycle
The Adversary Cycle
The Adversary Cycle is a series of six novels written by American author F. Paul Wilson. Originally known as "The Nightworld Cycle" , John Clute, in his section on F...
. The Repairman Jack series was restarted with Legacies
Legacies (novel)
Legacies is the second volume in a series of Repairman Jack books written by American author F. Paul Wilson. The book was first published in 1998 by Headline in England and by Forge in the US .-Reception:...
in 1998. This newer series is following chronologically from the events of The Tomb to the events immediately preceding Nightworld.
Cover Art
Most of the mass market editions of the series feature a uniform cover design. The title and Wilson's name appear in a black box across the middle, with a circle jutting out of the top containing an obscured figure apparently meant to be JackRepairman Jack
This series of novels uses realistic, thriller-like situations to tell a story with a broad supernatural theme. It is technically a spin-off branch of the aforementioned larger, overarching supernatural horror series, The Adversary Cycle.- Introduction :...
himself. The top photo is of, in almost every case, skyscrapers or the NYC skyline
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, while the bottom is usually an image of a place or object integral to the novel's plot; for instance, a subway station for Hosts
Hosts (novel)
Hosts is the fifth volume in a series of Repairman Jack books written by American author F. Paul Wilson. The book was first published by Gauntlet Press in a signed limited first edition then later as a trade hardcover from Forge and a mass market paperback from Forge ....
or a sunken ship for Infernal
Infernal (novel)
Infernal is the ninth volume in a series of Repairman Jack books written by American author F. Paul Wilson. The book was first published by Gauntlet Press in a signed limited first edition then later as a trade hardcover from Forge and a mass market paperback from Forge ....
. See below for an example.
Novels
- The TombThe Tomb (novel)The Tomb is the first volume in a series of Repairman Jack books written by American author F. Paul Wilson. It is also the second volume in a series of six novels known as The Adversary Cycle. It was recently updated for 2004, in order to tie in chronologically with the following Repairman Jack...
(1984) - LegaciesLegacies (novel)Legacies is the second volume in a series of Repairman Jack books written by American author F. Paul Wilson. The book was first published in 1998 by Headline in England and by Forge in the US .-Reception:...
(1998) - ConspiraciesConspiracies (novel)Conspiracies is the third volume in a series of Repairman Jack books written by American author F. Paul Wilson. The book was first published in March 1999 by Gauntlet Press as a signed, limited edition...
(1999) - All the RageAll The Rage (novel)All The Rage is the fourth volume in a series of Repairman Jack books written by American author F. Paul Wilson. The book was first published by Gauntlet Press in a signed limited first edition then later as a trade hardcover from Forge and as a mass market paperback from Forge .Reviewer Charles...
(2000) - HostsHosts (novel)Hosts is the fifth volume in a series of Repairman Jack books written by American author F. Paul Wilson. The book was first published by Gauntlet Press in a signed limited first edition then later as a trade hardcover from Forge and a mass market paperback from Forge ....
(2001) - The Haunted AirThe Haunted Air (novel)The Haunted Air is the sixth volume in a series of Repairman Jack books written by American author F. Paul Wilson. The book was first published by Gauntlet Press in a signed limited first edition then later as a trade hardcover from Forge and a mass market paperback from Forge ....
(2002) - GatewaysGateways (novel)Gateways is the seventh volume in a series of Repairman Jack books written by American author F. Paul Wilson. The book was first published by Gauntlet Press in a signed limited first edition then later as a trade hardcover from Forge and a mass market paperback from Forge ....
(2003) - CrisscrossCrisscross (novel)Crisscross is the eighth volume in a series of Repairman Jack books written by American author F. Paul Wilson. The book was first published by Gauntlet Press in a signed limited first edition then later as a trade hardcover from Forge and a mass market paperback from Forge ....
(2004) - InfernalInfernal (novel)Infernal is the ninth volume in a series of Repairman Jack books written by American author F. Paul Wilson. The book was first published by Gauntlet Press in a signed limited first edition then later as a trade hardcover from Forge and a mass market paperback from Forge ....
(2005) - HarbingersHarbingers (novel)Harbingers is the tenth volume in a series of Repairman Jack books written by American author F. Paul Wilson. The book was first published by Gauntlet Press in a signed limited first edition , later as a trade hardcover from Forge , and finally as a mass market paperback from Forge ....
(2006) - BloodlineBloodline (Repairman Jack novel)Bloodline is the eleventh volume in a series of Repairman Jack books written by American author F. Paul Wilson. The book was first published by Gauntlet Press in a signed limited first edition and later as a trade hardcover from Forge .-Plot summary:The novel begins a bit after Gia and Vicky...
(2007) - By the Sword (2008)
- Ground Zero (2009)
- Fatal Error (2010)
- Dark at the End (2011)
- NightworldNightworld (novel)Nightworld is the sixth and final volume in a series of novels known as The Adversary Cycle written by American author F. Paul Wilson. First published in 1992 by New English Library in England and Dark Harvest in US...
(1992)
Short Fiction
- "The Wringer" (in Night Screams)
- "A Day in the Life" (in Stalkers + The Barren & Others)
- "The Last Rakosh" (in The World Fantasy Convention 1990 Program Book, integrated into All The RageAll The Rage (novel)All The Rage is the fourth volume in a series of Repairman Jack books written by American author F. Paul Wilson. The book was first published by Gauntlet Press in a signed limited first edition then later as a trade hardcover from Forge and as a mass market paperback from Forge .Reviewer Charles...
) - "Home Repairs" (in Cold Blood (Ziesing 6/91), integrated into ConspiraciesConspiracies (novel)Conspiracies is the third volume in a series of Repairman Jack books written by American author F. Paul Wilson. The book was first published in March 1999 by Gauntlet Press as a signed, limited edition...
) - "The Long Way Home" (in Dark at Heart (Dark Harvest 1992), now available as a digital download from Amazon.com)
- "Interlude at Duane's" (in Thriller anthology, 2006)