However, his former professor, Rufus Wall, happens by the petrol station where Simon works. Simon doesn't want to talk to him, but can't avoid it. Then Rufus makes an offer he can't refuse: he wants Simon to expand and rewrite his thesis for publication as a book. Since the offer included an advance of ten thousand pounds, Simon is able to quit his jobs and write full-time.

Other situations change, as well. Simon has been renting a room from Bebe and Warren Halloran, girlfriend Natalie's parents. They have decided they want someone else for their daughter and let Simon know they want him out of the room by the first of the year. Their strategy backfires when Natalie takes a job where Nicholas works. Nicholas is the guy Natalie's parents prefer. Then Simon moves in with Natalie and her son, Mark.

When Simon begins his research on little-known movie stars, little things begin to go wrong. It starts when he takes Mark to the circus, a bizarre affair called Clwons Unlimited. The ad contained the typo. The performance was more frightening than funny.

The Grin of the Dark is a psychological horror at its best. Simon is living a nightmare he can't end by waking up. Horror fans will love this one. Enjoy.