April 11, 2012
Make mention of the word “Cryptozoology” and for most people with an interest in the subject – and quite justifiably, too – it will conjure up imagery of such beasts as Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, Ogopogo, Mokèlé-mbèmbé, and…well, the list goes on and on.
Then there are those creatures that have become staple parts of Cryptozoology, but that are far more out of place than specifically unknown – such as Britain’s ever-growing list of big-cats.
And, then we come to those weirder “things,” those that seem to be distinctly “paranormal” in nature (however we might define that emotive word!), such as Britain’s Owlman and the nation’s many phantom black dogs, and the legendary Bat Man of Houston, Texas.
Whether or not this latter category of creature should actually have a place in Cryptozoology is an interesting issue to ponder upon, and something I’ll return to in a future post.
But, there’s a reason why I bring this matter up. In just a few short months from now, a new book will be published that, finally, will tell the full and unexpurgated story of one of England’s most infamous sagas of, some say, Cryptozoological proportions and others say of the supernatural.
Depending on how you perceive Cryptozoology, and where you draw the line as to what amounts to a Cryptid and what does not, you’ll either find the following of deep interest or you won’t, but, I’ll mention it anyway!
The book in question, written by Fortean Paul Screeton (and to be published by CFZ Press) is The Hexham Heads; the deeply weird story of alleged werewolf-like manifestations in northern England in 1972 and their ties to a pair of carved stone-heads that are themselves just about as controversial as the beasts of the book.
Paul is certainly no stranger to the story of the Hexham Heads (he penned a small publication on the subject, Tales of the Hexham Heads, back in 1981). But, his new title is set to provide the reader with the definitive, book-length study of the phenomenon.
For fans of all things of a werewolf variety, The Hexham Heads is not to be missed!
About Nick Redfern
Punk music fan, Tennents Super and Carlsberg Special Brew beer fan, horror film fan, chocolate fan, like to wear black clothes, like to stay up late. Work as a writer.
Filed under Books, Breaking News, Cryptid Canids, Cryptozoology, Forteana, Lair of the Beasts