Into the Out of

Hard-working but mundane horror yarn from the veteran author of science-fiction mediocrities. Undercover FBI agent Joshua Oak is vacationing in Washington, D.C., when he witnesses a riot; and, along with Seattle telephone salesperson Merry Sharrow, he's drawn to Olkeloki, a Masai witch doctor and wise man who's Oxford-educated - and claims to be hundreds of years old. Olkeloki brings alarming news: the Earth is about to be invaded by "shetani," nasty creatures from the "out of," another dimension, sort of. At first Oak scoffs, but soon he's attacked by shetani - black, rubbery things equipped with an impressive array of fangs, claws, jaws, etc. So, as part of Olkeloki's plan to deal with the menace, the three proceed to Masailand, East Africa; there, after various adventures, they will enter the dreaded "out of' in order for Olkeloki to whomp up an ocular spell (involving glass eyes, third eyes, etc.) to shut out the creepy crawlies. Promising material in the main, but clumsily handled, with a contrived plot, plenty of padding, and a lifeless African backdrop. Mole's the pity that Foster simply isn't skilled enough to put this one across with the necessary conviction; still, horror regulars might experience a shudder or two. (Kirkus Reviews)