Atmosphere is the name of the game in this new novella by the British writing team of Maynard and Sims (Shelter), presented here as an attractive chapbook published by Nyx Books. A period piece set in the '50s, around the London theatre scene, Double Act is first and foremost an old-fashioned weird tale in all the best ways.

Walter Cocker is the funny half of the comedy act "Cocker and Hass," a duo in the twilight of their career. When the act's straight man, Charlie Hass, dies suddenly, Walter starts to experience strange occurrences. Known philanderer Charlie's secrets begin to come out of their hiding places, each of them taking a chip off Walter's view of his long-time friend and partner. Walter tries to do well by Charlie's memory, even while learning, among other things, that Charlie never forgave him for his one great transgression. As Walter begins to see that what the Wally and Charlie audiences once applauded was a sham, he also sees what drove Charlie to the edge. Now, contemplating his own future as an unwanted single act, Walter follows the clues to their most tragic conclusion, a place where Charlie wasn't Charlie, and where Walter wasn't needed. Twisted versions of personality, identity, and illusion intersect to create the appropriately moody atmosphere.

Double Act recalls some of Charles Grant's work and his signature style—it's low-key, low-gore, and yet intricate and so very atmospheric. Len Maynard and Mick Sims clearly enjoy taking the reins of the modern ghost story. In this novella, they give it a decidedly retro, classic twist. Their voice is spot-on for the time and setting, and cover art by Peter Mihaichuk lends a solid hand. If there's a quibble to be had here, it's that more length would make the cover price a bit more reasonable. But the story's creepy quality, its sense of time and place, and its melancholy narrative surely make this chapbook a must for fans of the writing duo or aficionados of the ghost tale written as if Agatha Christie had edited Henry James. As they say in the theatre: Bravo!