‘Lair’ by James Herbert

Lair

After the Outbreak in London, the mutant white rat has grown and mated, creating offspring that, like itself, crave human flesh. But the city is too dangerous for them now, so the vermin need a new place to hide. When the creatures are sighted in Epping Forest, ratcatcher Pender is sent to assess the situation. Unfortunately, with conflicting witness statements, the authorities are reluctant to take his word that the woodland must be evacuated…

This is book 2 of the Rats trilogy, and it’s a cracker. Herbert ups the ante with a gripping tale of woodland folk who haven’t a clue what’s coming. The hero this time around has his own axe to grind and as he and the army struggle to overcome the blood-thristy creatures, the plot throws bitey spanners into the works at every turn. The action is more gruesome than that of the first book and had me squirming at the gory detail, and as you’d expect, the denouement is a wonderfully bloody affair.