Historical Fiction: The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

The latest book by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a tale of witches and magic and spells, spanning 90 years and two countries. The Bewitching offers readers a story about three different women and their fight against an evil that is willing to do terrible things to maintain its power.

The Situation: It is 1998, and Minerva, a graduate student at Stoneridge College near Boston, is struggling with her thesis. Sure, summer is here and that means the campus will be fairly empty, making it easier for her to focus and come up with something she can show her advisor in the Fall. But finding more information on obscure horror author Beatrice Tremblay has proven difficult, even though she also attended Stoneridge during The Great Depression. And once Minerva discovers that one of Tremblay's books was based on a true story, the 1934 disappearance of one of the author's friends, she is determined to find out more. Minerva is no stranger to tales of odd happenings and disappearances, as her great-grandmother, Alba, told her plenty of them, the most harrowing of which happened in 1908 in Mexico, when Alba encountered her own monster.

The Problem: When Minerva gains access to some documents and pictures that shed a little more light on both Tremblay, and the disappearance that inspired her book, she begins to have a strange sense that the same force that plagued the author and her friend, as well as her great-grandmother, may once again be at work as she attempts to learn the truth. In 1934, Tremblay's friend spoke of feelings of being followed and pursued. And in 1908, Alba tells the story of her family farm and the series of terrible tragedies that had most everyone convinced that the land was cursed. Minerva knows that academic stress is real and cannot be dismissed, but she also remembers what her great-grandmother told her, and there are too many similarities between then and now.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction novel that had also been placed into the horror category due to the discussion of witchcraft, curses, spells, and even seances. The book contains three different stories, during three different times in history. The main story involves graduate student Minerva in 1998 at Stoneridge College. Then there is horror author Beatrice Tremblay, also at Stoneridge College, but in 1934, when the girls' dorms still had house mothers. And in 1908, Minerva's great-grandmother, Alba, tells of the time shortly after her father's death when it seemed the family farm was cursed, and she knew witchcraft was at work. While Stoneridge College is fictional, Moreno-Garcia was inspired by her own time at a New England college, as well as by the myriad of horror authors who lived in and around the New England area.

My Verdict: This is the sixth novel that I have read by Moreno-Garcia, and it is easily my favorite. I will admit to being less interested in Alba's story than I was in the other two, but that was more because of my annoyance with Alba as a character than anything else. I would have liked more of Tremblay's story and more information about her time at Stoneridge, especially since the disappearance of her friend is Minerva's primary focus, but I suppose we did get more information about that through Minerva's research and interviews. The three stories were expertly brought together, allowing the mystery to unfold in a way that is not awkward or forced. 

Favorite Moment: I do enjoy most aspects of academic research, so watching Minerva go through old letters and photos, as well as visit library archives gave me a fair amount of joy.

Favorite Character: For the most part, Minerva prefers to keep to herself and is quickly exhausted by most social interactions. But she works hard, remains focused, and is determined to find the truth.

Recommended Reading: I recommend The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez. 

Horror Fiction: Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Today's entry will be the fourth book by author Silvia Moreno-Garcia to receive attention on this blog. Silver Nitrate was described as a horror mystery novel set in early 1990s Mexico that involved an unfinished classic horror film, as well as a secret hidden magic. 

The Situation: Montserrat is a gifted and dedicated sound editor, but lately it seems her boss is intent on pushing her out, favoring a younger male colleague to her, in a job that already does not pay all that well, even when she does have a fair amount of shifts. Her best friend from childhood, Tristán, could be a source of comfort if he was not so preoccupied with his own problems. Having moved out on his own after a breakup, he is also attempting to revive his acting career, while dodging questions from journalists who wish to ask about a tragedy from his past. They both see an opportunity when Tristán discovers that his new neighbor is cult horror film director Abel Urueta. The man insists he is cursed, and Montserrat and Tristán may be able to help him.

The Problem: Abel insists that the only way to lift the curse is to shoot the missing scene of an unfinished film. After learning the intricate and troubled history of not only the film, but the people surrounding the production, Montserrat and Tristán agree to help Abel, but this is when strange things begin happening. The pair may have been dubious when hearing stories of the Nazi occultist that Abel worked with, and the supposed magic that the dangerous silver nitrate film holds. But Montserrat insists that something is following her, and Tristán is more than a little unnerved when he begins to see the figure of his dead girlfriend. It seems that helping Abel remove the curse was only the beginning of their adventure, and both must be willing to put their skepticism aside if they hope to survive.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a horror novel set in late 1993-early 1994 in Mexico. Montserrat is a plain woman (by her own admission) who is fine with having few friends, and spending hours at her job as a sound editor. She has long been in love with her friend Tristán, but she knows he has never truly seen her, and is more than a little self-absorbed. Together, the two of them find themselves involved in a mystery of magic, curses, and a cult whose leader was a Nazi who pieced together his own system of magic in his search for unimaginable power, and as a way to push his own racist concepts. Wilhelm Friedrich Ewers may not have been a real person, but he is a composite of several Nazi occultists. And the same is true for Abel Urueta, who is a combination of Mexican film director Chano Urueta, and actor Abel Salazar. 

My Verdict: While the plot of this book is interesting, and it made me curious enough to continue reading through to the end, I cannot say that I found it all that scary. And at various points, I wondered if the narrative would have been better served if it focused solely on Montserrat, or solely on Tristán, as opposed to splitting the attention between the two of them. With that being said, both Montserrat and Tristán are fully realized characters with rich histories, as well as different approaches to the situation in which they find themselves. The introduction of a cult horror film director certainly added to the story, while also making it complicated to the point of it almost becoming uninteresting. A few intense scenes make for a compelling conclusion, but I am not sure if horror story lovers will find this one to be terrible engaging.

Favorite Moment: While Montserrat remains loyal to Tristán, this does not mean that she pulls punches with him. There are many moments when she refuses to put up with his nonsense, no matter how angry or desperate he gets. 

Favorite Character: Montserrat has her issues, but she is no fool. She knows when someone is attempting to get the best of her, and has no problem with being direct and getting to the point.

Recommended Reading: I thought The Supernatural Enhancements by Edgar Cantero was a hidden gem of a book that did not get nearly enough attention. 

Horror Fiction: The Spite House by Johnny Compton

In all honesty, I had largely ignored today's selection until seeing that the author would be reading from and signing his book at a local book store, as well as appearing at the San Antonio Book Festival on the 15th of this month. After reading the synopsis for The Spite House by Johnny Compton, I decided it deserved a spot in the blog. For one, it is horror fiction, a genre I do not read nearly enough of; and second, it is set in small and creepy Texas town, which I know can make for an unnerving setting when done well.

The Situation: Eric Ross and his two daughters, 18 year-old Dess and 12 year-old Stacy, have been moving from town-to-town for quite some time now. Eric will do whatever is necessary in order to take care of his daughters and keep them safe, and right now that means taking off-the-book jobs, staying in motels, and always being on the lookout. Dess is well-aware of what is at stake, and takes everything just as seriously as her father does. And while young Stacy may not be quite sure what is going on, she is clever and creative, and most importantly, obedient. When her father decides to accept an offer to stay in the "most haunted place in Texas," both girls understand that completing the job could mean the secure future they have searching for, even though no one before them has been able to remain in the house for very long.

The Problem: Eric may be doing his best to keep his past a secret, but he is not the only one. His new employer, Eunice, has a few secrets of her own, mostly related to the house she wants Eric and his small family to stay in, and its troubled history. Known as the spite house, all of the citizens of the town of Degener seem wary of the place, refusing to stay inside it for very long, and only coming inside if they truly have to. The people who came before Eric to attempt to do what Eunice wanted managed to come out alive, though there were issues. But Eric is determined to complete the assignment, with not only the six figure payout as motivation, but also to understand a few things about his own past, and what he has witnessed.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a horror fiction novel set in and around the fictional small town of Degener, Texas, where the strange spite house sits on a hill. The concept of a spite house is essentially a structure that has been built or altered solely for the purpose of irritating neighbors, or anyone interested in the land, or even in some cases, family members. There are many stories out there of people building houses or modifying them to intentionally block the view of another house, or somehow disrupt the building of something else. In this novel, vengeance, anger, and resentment are major themes, and are given a destructive power, almost creating a cautionary tale. Switching narrators throughout the story, the novel follows the Ross family, as well as those involved with the spite house, and weaves a creepy tale of what it may be like to have the past literally haunt you.

My Verdict: When described in one sentence, it would suffice to say that this novel is about a man who accepts an offer to stay in a haunted house with his two daughters in an effort to prove that there is something supernatural going on, and scary events ensue. It is the kind of thing many horror lovers will, and should, flock to. There is even the small town, and old woman keeping secrets, and a family man running from a mysterious past. All of the secrets and hidden terrors are revealed slowly, and the pacing of the novel is to be commended. But for me, this is a book that is all about the journey, as the final destination left a lot to be desired. However, for some, this may not be a bad thing, as the journey is interesting, and scary, just as it should be for a horror novel.

Favorite Moment: As someone who loves a good haunted house story, I love any moment that goes into deeper detail about how the house is physically constructed, especially if the detail is about something the house contains or was built with that is not included in most houses.

Favorite Character: Dess is a young woman who has been through more than most 18 year-olds, and who put her future on pause to make sure her little sister was taken care of.

Recommended Reading: I cannot end a post about a haunted house story without at least mention The Shining by Stephen King. Though more of a haunted hotel situation, I cannot recommend this book enough. 

Door Stop: The Essential Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe

Like many readers, my 'to read' list is all over the place, and of course includes books that I either bought, or were given to me an incredibly long time ago, and I have yet to actually read. The Essential Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe is one such book, and has been for close to 20 years. So I figured there was no better time than a pandemic to finally pick it up and finish it.

Genre, Themes, History: The Essential Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe is a collection put together by Barnes & Noble of the most noteworthy works of the early 19th century writer. The well-known and well-loved poem "The Raven" is present, as are short stories such as "The Tell-Tale Heart," "The Fall of the House of Usher," and "The Cask of Amontillado." Following the poems and short stories, and ending the collection is Poe's novel, The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket, which chronicles the harrowing adventure of Arthur Pym as he describes the many disasters the befall him on a trip out to sea. Most associate the work of Poe with dark imagery, despairing characters, and plotlines that deal with premature burial (both intentional and unintentional), as well as death and madness. What is often forgotten is that Poe also wrote satires and humorous stories with characters that are clearly unhinged, but resolute in their focus on an absurd task. Reading all of the works together will definitely reveal a certain continuation in theme and style for anyone willing to look for it.

My Verdict: I have said it many times that poetry is not really my thing, and that remains true, as "The Raven" is still the only one of Poe's poems that I enjoy. However, I did discover quite a few short stories that I had never read before, such as "How to Write  a Blackwood Article" and "A Predicament." Both stories contain ridiculous advice for writing articles, with "A Predicament" ultimately ending with *spoiler alert* the author allegedly having her head head cut off by the hands of a giant clock in an attempt to get the perfect story. But one story I always knew about but had never read was "The Pit and the Pendulum," which has now replaced "The Cask of Amontillado" as my new favorite short story written by Poe. It is terrifying in the best way (for those who enjoy horror stories), and would be a great way to introduce Poe's work to anyone who is unfamiliar. Of course, not every story or poem is as engaging as the ones mentioned - at least not for me - but I recommend this collection to anyone looking for a crash course in the gothic writer's work.

Favorite Story: I already mentioned how much I enjoyed "The Pit and the Pendulum." A man finds himself trapped in a dark room during the Spanish Inquisition, and must figure out how to survive, not realizing the many different types of traps and tortures that await him.

Favorite Poem: I recommend that everyone read "The Raven" at least once in their lives. And then follow it up with the clip from The Simpsons' original "Treehouse of Horror" episode, narrated by James Earl Jones.

Recommended Reading: I recommend Bram Stoker's Dracula if you wish to continue with the classic horror theme. 

Horror Fiction: Doctor Sleep by Stephen King

Stephen King's The Shining is a classic. Both the book and the movie have endured for decades, and for good reason. Originally, I had no plans to read Dr. Sleep, or even see the movie, even though I finally read The Shining a few years ago and loved it. But of course, things change, and now I am here to talk about the sequel to a beloved horror classic.

The Situation: Dan Torrance is all grown up, and his life is a mess. It would make sense for a man who experienced what he did as a child to be a little messed up, but from the looks of it, it would seem that Dan is actually trying to wreck himself and any future he could possibly have. After yet another night full of mistakes, and an even more regrettable morning, Dan finds himself in New Hampshire. With the help of new friends, and a lot of support, Dan begins to attend Alcoholics Anonymous, finds a job, a place to live, and even begins to hear from of his old friend Tony every once in awhile. It is through Tony that Dan gets connected to Abra, a young girl who can shine even more powerfully than he ever did. She will occasionally leave messages on the chalkboard in his room, most of them short and sweet, only to say hi or ask how he is doing. It is only when of them reads "redrum" through the reflection of his bathroom mirror that he begins to worry.

The Problem: What Abra can do is scary to those who do not understand it, specifically her parents. To others, it is a valuable life force that can aid in near immortality. When a group that calls itself the True Knot learn about Abra, they know they must have her. What keeps the, alive, known as 'steam,' has been running in short supply, but a child as powerful as Abra could keep them going for a good long while. With their leader, Rose the Hat, doing her best to track Abra down, the time has come for Dan to do for her what Dick Hallorann did for him back at the Overlook Hotel. Though over the years he has tried to turn down what he can do, mostly through alcohol, now it is back, and he has been able to use it at his job, earning him the nickname "Dr. Sleep." But Rose the Hat is strong, and she has friends. And Abra may be powerful, but she is still just a kid. To be rid of this particular kind of evil, Dan will have to confront what he has been running from, which is more than just old memories.

Genre, Themes, History: This is the sequel to King's 1977 classic The Shining, and it follows Dan Torrance into adulthood after years of alcoholism and aimlessness. The book also follows Abra Stone, a young girl with an extraordinary gift that has gained the attention of a life-sucking cult. This cult has more or less discovered the secret to eternal life, but unfortunately for them (and Abra), their supply of that secret is running dry. While they may be the primary villains of the book, there are also the nightmares, memories, and of course, actual ghosts that continue to haunt Dan. What happened years ago at the Overlook was terrifying enough. The ghosts (though that is not quite what they are) that followed him after were even worse. But the thing he cannot let go of - something from his blackout drunk days - may actually be his undoing. Much like with The Shining, alcoholism is front and center here, as is regret, power, and death.

My Verdict: As is often the case when a movie is made from a book, the book is so much better. I saw Dr. Sleep with Ewan McGregor, and it was good, but the book provides more answers, more details, a better overall story, and more fleshed out characters. It is no small thing to attempt a sequel to a long-standing classic, but King did it, and I was not disappointed. Many wondered what life was like for Dan and Wendy Torrance after the events of The Shining, and King answers that question with heartbreaking honesty, revealing that the years have not been kind to Dan, but that there is hope. And the introduction of Abra and the True Knot makes for a world that continues to be full of evil, but also growing powers that can stop it. Fans of King's work will love this one, as will fans of horror and suspense novels in general.           

Favorite Moment: *spoiler alert* When it is discovered that one of the kids the True Knot has fed on was carrying the measles, a disease their bodies are not ready to fight. 

Favorite Character: Everyone needs someone like Billy Freeman in their life. He is the guy that is willing to take a chance on someone because he has a "good feeling" about them, and always turns up when most needed.

Recommended Reading: King has written a lot of books, and in all honesty, I have read very few of them. So with that said, I recommend The Fledgling by Octavia E. Butler.

Horror Fiction: The Vanishing Season by Dot Hutchison

The adventure that began in 2016 with The Butterfly Garden now comes to an end. The Vanishing Season is the fourth and final installment in Dot Hutchison's The Collector Series. It has been a wild ride, and the conclusion will certainly be as thrilling and fascinating as the previous three books.

The Situation: Eliza Sterling has a job she loves, despite what it forces her to deal with. She even broke off an engagement to continue to work, which also caused a considerable rift between herself and her mother. As one of the newer(ish) agents with the FBI in the Crimes Against Children division, Eliza regularly comes face to face with some of the most gruesome, and also heartbreaking, crimes against innocent children. Just a few years before, someone was "rescuing" children from their parents by leaving them scared and frightened on the doorstep a fellow agent, but only after forcing them to witness their parents being brutally murdered. As terrible as it can be, Eliza could not imagine doing anything else, or with any other team. And when a call comes in that a little girl has been kidnapped on her way home from school, it is more or less another day on the job, until an unsettling connection is made to a cold case, and one of their own.

The Problem: Eight year-old Brooklyn Mercer has seemingly vanished on they way home from school. She usually walks home from school with her best friend, but she was sick that day. And due to conflicting schedules and crossed wires, Brooklyn's parents neglect to make alternate plans. Now an entire community is searching for the little blonde-haired blue-eyed girl, who coincidentally looks like a child-sized version of Eliza. With her own blue eyes and blonde curls, pretty much everyone is visibly startled after taking one glance at the agent. It is these physical characteristics that will link Brooklyn's disappearance with that of another blonde-haired blue-eyed girl a few years earlier, and in a different location. And yet another one a couple years before that, in yet another location. And another, and another, until the Bureau has gone over 30 years into the past. Not only does this bring the team closer to finding Brooklyn, but also to finding out what happened to Detective Brandon Eddison's sister Faith, who is on the list of girls who went missing.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a horror/thriller novel set in the modern day US. Following in the tradition of the previous three books, this one has switched to yet another viewpoint, this time following Eliza Sterling. It has been a few years now since she has joined the team, and she fits in well. She considers Mercedes to be more like a sister than a coworker; she feels like yet another stray that has been adopted by Victor and his wonderful family; and she has been dating Brandon for a couple of years now. The closeness of the team certainly allows them to work well together, but things get awkward quickly when one of them has a personal connection to a case, and the agents all have personal connections to each other. With this book, Hutchison brings to the forefront a cold case that she introduced in the The Butterfly Garden. Everything is coming together, and the characters that readers have gotten to know over the last four years make a final appearance as they all rally around one of their own.

My Verdict: While it does lack the intensity that set The Butterfly Garden apart from so many other books in its genre, at least for me, this is still an appropriate and fitting final novel in what has been one of my favorite book series going today. There is once again a killer on the loose, one that has been active for decades, and while there is plenty of focus on that, there is even more focus on the relationships between the characters: how they work together; why they work together; and what needs to happen when a little girl goes missing, and she is only one in a long string that spans over 30 years. It makes sense to end the series with a case that has plagued and tormented one of the main characters. And while the overall forcefulness has been paired down, it is at least in the interest of focusing on closure. 

Favorite Moment: When it is finally acknowledged how weird it is that Eliza looks like an older version of Eddison's missing sister.

Favorite Character: Hard to say really. Since this is the culmination of a series, there are characters coming out of the woodwork, and I have enjoyed the majority of them. So I suppose I will pick Victor Hanoverian, who serves as the de facto father to all of them. He takes care of his team, as well as quite a few of the victims the team has gotten to know over the years. When it is clear someone is not taking care of themselves, they ultimately have to answer to him, and his mother.

Recommended Reading: My favorite of the series is still The Roses of May. As for books outside of The Collector Series, I recommend Sadie by Courtney Summers.         

Horror Fiction: The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

First things first: No, I have not watched the Netflix series of the same name as today's selection, The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. And I only vaguely remember the 1999 movie starring Liam Neeson titled The Haunting. Before diving into the Netflix series, I decided it was time to actually read the book and see where the popular show got its inspiration.

The Situation: Dr. John Montague has decided to look for real evidence of psychic happenings, and after hearing the complicated and troubling history behind Hill House, he believes this is the perfect location to conduct his research. While searching for a team to assist him, he comes up with several names that he finds worthy, but only three actually show up, one of them being a man who stands to one day inherit the property. Theodora was selected because of her storied abilities regarding telekinesis, while Eleanor was selected because of an incident she was a part of as a child living with her mom and sister. Luke may some day be the owner of Hill House, but currently he is mostly known among family and friends to be little more than a thief and a cad. It is this motley crew that takes residence inside the foreboding manor, not knowing what exactly they will find.

The Problem: Even before entering the house, the new residents are greeted by the less than welcoming Mr. Dudley, and later his wife, Mrs. Dudley, who is responsible for cooking all of the guests meals. The older couple refuse to be anywhere near Hill House at night, making sure to leave before dark and return in the morning. With each guest assigned to a room of a different color, they all have strange experiences, mostly at night. And while they mostly got along upon their first meeting, the strange occurrences begin to change how the guests relate to and see each other. Eleanor is specifically affected, especially since many of the events taking place inside the house seem directed at her. But even while words appear on walls, doors and windows shut on their own, and an unknown force bangs on walls and doors at night, all four guests insist on staying, and it is unclear if they could leave even if they wanted to.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a horror story written by Jackson in the late 1950s. She wanted to write a ghost story after reading about psychic researchers who studied a house much in the way Dr. Montague intends to. While the events that take place inside of Hill House after the four guests make themselves comfortable are certainly cause enough for alarm, Jackson makes sure to give the house a very detailed and troubled history, one full of grisly deaths and at least one suicide. There is even contention over who should own the house and how it should be looked after. And when it comes to the surrounding village, the people who live around Hill House do not like to talk about it, and are certainly wary of those on their way to visit it. After giving the house a troubled history, and having it staffed by the cold Mr. and Mrs. Dudley, Jackson goes another step further and makes the point of having the house appear unwelcoming, if not downright ugly. None of the guests remark on its charm or beauty, instead opting to understand why many of those who rent it never stay for the full time. For someone like Eleanor, this all may prove to be too much. Out of the four of them, she seems to be the most affected by what happens at the house. It even shapes how she views and treats the other guests. Sometimes she loves having them around, and then at other times she is suspicious of them all and think they are laughing at her. It is more than a ghost story, and more than a haunted house story, allowing the reader insight into how fear can change how people relate to each other, while also revealing things about them. 

My Verdict: Seeing as the book is less than 200 pages long, I was interested to see how Jackson was going to fit her classic tale into such a small amount of pages. What follows is a slow, though quite careful and deliberate, unraveling of events that also serves to unravel at least one of the guests. Like any good horror story, there is a steady build-up, and when something does happen, the real horror is in the aftermath and how the guests choose to respond. Where many ghost stories, or stories about haunted houses, seem to fall apart for me is in the why and how, and the same holds true here. Even with the extensive history that Jackson gives to Hill House, it is still unsatisfactory as for as providing context for what is happening. Simply saying that a house is cursed is not enough for me to completely buy into the strange things going on inside of it. If anything, I was more drawn to what the strange occurrences were revealing to Eleanor about herself, and perhaps that was the point. 

Favorite Moment: The arrival of Dr. Montague's wife brings with it the expectation that something big is going to happen, if only because the woman is arrogant and insufferable and you hope whatever horrible thing is about to happen will be happening to her.

Favorite Character: Dr. Montague is a little bit silly; his methods are certainly not the best; and though he is the one in charge, he is kinda useless. Even so, out of the four main characters, he is my favorite, and the least tiresome. 

Recommended Reading: When it comes to books about haunted houses, The Shining by Stephen King will probably always be my number one. But another book to consider is The Supernatural Enhancements by Edgar Cantero.

Horror Fiction: Foe by Iain Reid

Both horror and science fiction are two categories I always struggle to find books that I am interested in, so with today's selection, I went for a little of both. Iain Reid's Foe takes place in a not so distant future, where humanity is getting ready for its first settlement away from planet Earth. However, the actual action of the story never takes place in space, and has everything to do with how people relate to each other on our own planet.

The Situation: Junior and Henrietta, or Hen, live a quiet life in an unnamed city. And when I say quiet, I am not just using the word as an idle descriptor. Junior and Hen live away from the city, away from people, on a plot of land where they rarely get any visitors, until one day they do. When Terrance shows up as a representative of OuterMore, a company that is working on setting up a habitat for human beings somewhere far away from Earth, the quiet life that Junior and Hen have built themselves shifts. Even before it is a guarantee that Junior will be selected for the first phase of the "transition," his and Hen's relationship is altered, causing her to be distant and anxious, and him simply wishing things would stay as they were before Terrance showed up. And when it becomes certain that Junior will be leaving, the couple receives the news that Hen will not be left alone in the house.

The Problem: Junior did not sign up to be part of the project, but there does not seem to be any getting out of it. After his departure becomes a guarantee, Terrance returns to the house to begin preparing. And while the work is being done to prepare Junior for his trip, there is even more focus on preparing his replacement. His identical replacement. OuterMore will be supplying Hen with what they assure the couple will be an exact replica of Junior. Technology has advanced far enough to where artificial humans can look, act, and even think and feel like real human beings. Naturally, Junior is not exactly okay with the idea, and neither is Hen, but again,  they do not have a choice. And as Terrance's tests and interviews, as well as his presence, become more intrusive, Junior gets more suspicious and paranoid that things are not as the OuterMore employee says. Why is Hen acting so strange? What does Terrance need to talk with her alone so much? Why does anything have to change?

Genre, Themes, History: This is a book I have designated as horror, but has also been designated by others as science fiction, or even thriller/suspense. Set in an unknown city and in a year not mentioned, it is a time when self-driving cars dominate the road, people spend more time on their tablets than anything else, most farmland has been taken by big corporations, and human beings moving to outer space has become a reality. That is most of the science fiction stuff. The horror comes into play the moment Terrance first shows up, because with him comes an immediate sense of unease and tension, a sense that something is not right and could in fact prove to be dangerous. Add in Terrance's announcement that Hen will be left with an exact replica of her husband once the real Junior leaves, and things get turned up a bit. The only thing more unsettling to Junior than Terrance's presence is Hen's behavior and reactions to everything that has happened. This is not the Hen he knows, and he desperately wants it to be.

My Verdict: This book is more fascinating than it is scary. Yes, it is tense and suspenseful, and Terrance's presence and methods made me uneasy. But ultimately, I just really wanted to know what was going to happen, and if Junior's suspicions were going to be unfounded. With only three real characters throughout the story, Reid managed to make all three if them incredibly interesting, while keeping Junior just clueless enough to where the reader would not be sure if his worries were unfounded or not. It would be easy for the almost constant setting of the house that Junior and Hen share together to become stale or boring, but Reid pulls it off, instead making the setting almost like a fourth character. I would not necessarily recommend this book as a horror title, or even science fiction. But it is certainly a study in human behavior and relationships.

Favorite Moment: When Hen confronts Junior with the truth behind why she plays the piano. 

Favorite Character: It is hard to get at Hen's true character when everything is being told through Junior's point of view, but that may be the point. 

Recommended Reading: Six Wakes by Mur Lafferty is a different sort of science fiction/suspense novel, instead taking place in the space between planets as opposed to here on Earth.

Horror Fiction: The Summer Children by Dot Hutchison

Today I am thrilled to be writing about the third book in The Collector Series by Dot Hutchison. The Summer Children follows the story of three FBI agents that were initially introduced in the first book, The Butterfly Garden. Thankfully, Hutchison decided to continue the story in The Roses of May, and now the book is becoming one of my favorite series to be in the middle of right now.

The Situation: Mercedes Ramirez has been a part of the FBI's Crimes Against Children division for almost ten years now, and she would like to be able to say that she has seen it all, that it nothing surprises her anymore, and that it does get easier, but none of that is true. Using her own past as motivation, Ramirez is fiercely determined to do what she can to protect kids against harm. Fortunately, she has the best and most supportive team she could have ever hoped for, with her longtime mentor and friend, Victor Hanoverian, and the man she sees more as a brother than a work colleague, Brandon Eddison. She has helped many children over her nine years on the job and has no plans of slowing down. And then it seems one of the many she saved has decided they want to help children too, but in a very different way.

The Problem: It begins when Ramirez finds an abused and shaken little boy on the front steps of her house. She does not recognize him, but he knows her, because the person who brought him there told him that Ramirez would keep him safe. He then tells the horrifying story of how the same person who brought him there also killed his parents and made him watch. It soon becomes clear that a vigilante had taken it upon themselves to exact justice against the boy's abusive parents. And when more children show up on Ramirez's porch, it also becomes clear that this person is not done. As more children are "rescued," and the methods get less exact, and the amount of time between murders begins to shorten, Ramirez and her team must race against the clock to find out who is doing this. Using her old case files as a guide along with the files at a local CPS office, the entire team taps into everything they can to stop this murderer in their twisted quest to do what they believe is right.

Genre, Themes, History: This novel is most often placed in the thriller category, but like Hutchison's other two novels, I prefer to give it the heading of "horror." The gruesomeness of what is happening in this book is twofold: first there are the murders of the parents, which are most often committed by a combination of gunshots and stabbing. Then there is why the murderer chose their specific victims. The murderer targets parents who are abusing their children, using complaints and CPS files as guides. Most often, the stories of what the parents had done to the kids is much worse than how they are killed. What Hutchison has done is give us a killer who is doing what many people believe these parents deserve, whether they are the abuser, or knew the abuse was happening and did nothing. And while the first book in the series was more or less told from the point of view of a kidnapping victim, and the second was told from Eddison's, this one is told by Ramirez. Her past as a survivor of sexual and physical abuse at the hands of a family member is what fuels her as an agent. And her history with the bureau is why the mysterious murderer chooses her house as the safe haven to send the rescued children. While rejecting the family she was born into, Ramirez has come to build a new family in her teammates, giving them a closeness than many at the FBI do not understand, with some of them thinking it is downright unprofessional. And just like with The Roses of May, we get to catch up with some of the girls from The Butterfly Garden and see how they are doing in life after captivity.

My Verdict: Switching points of view from one book to the next is always a gamble, but it once again pays off for Hutchison as the new perspective gives a fresh view of life as an FBI agent, especially one that deals with crimes against children. The crime scenes are still horrifying, and the stories of what the children have been through are unsettling, but the details are not given in a way that is meant to only make the reader uncomfortable. It is all told with a frankness that seems to acknowledge that this is the world we live in, and that it is not okay. While it may be hard to believe that the kind of closeness that exists between Ramirez, Hanoverian, and Eddison would ever actually be tolerated in the real FBI, it is nice to have it in this book and know that these are characters that can count on each other. Readers of horror will appreciate the honest details and the fear that comes from not knowing what will happen next, and when. Thriller readers will enjoy the search for the murderer and all of the clues coming together. All in all this made for an excellent third installment in The Collector series.

Favorite Moment: When Ramirez sees the apartment of the newest member of the team, Eliza Sterling, and is incredibly surprised by what she finds.

Favorite Character: Eliza Sterling sacrificed a lot to be a part of the team, and is a great addition. She fits right in with Ramirez, Hanoverian, and Eddison, and is even accepted by Priya, Inara, and Victoria-Bliss.

Recommended Reading: Shelter by Jung Yun explores the question of what obligation we have to help the people in our lives who have caused us harm.    

Horror Fiction: The Roses of May by Dot Hutchison

I was excited to find out that last year's The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison had a sequel, The Roses of May. While The Butterfly Garden had a definite ending, it does make sense to continue the story, even if it is in a different way with new lead characters, while the reader is able to learn about what is going on with the other ones. Either way, I knew I would be treated to a suspenseful story and some decent follow-up for the previous one.

The Situation: Priya Sravasti is a fairly ordinary high school student currently living in Huntington, Colorado, though she is taking her classes online, mostly in preparation for her eventual move to Paris. She is used to moving every couple of months due to the nature of her mother's job, so not being able to establish roots or make lasting friendships is nothing new to her. Also, since her sister's gruesome murder nearly five years ago, Priya has not felt much need to reach out to people. Her small circle contains her mother, the small group of military veterans who play chess in the park, and the three FBI agents that worked her sister's case, along with the cases of the other women that were killed by the same guy. The three FBI agents happen to be Victor Hanoverian, Brandon Eddison, and Mercedes Ramirez, the same three that are still working on the Butterfly Garden case that came to light four months before.

The Problem: Priya's sister's murder was never solved, and the killer is still loose, managing to give the FBI another victim every May for the last 16 years. Agent Eddison has stayed close to both Priya and her mother after being assigned to their case five years ago. So while he has the still very much active case of the Butterfly Garden, he also stays worried about Priya and how she is doing. Now it seems her sister's killer has followed Priya and her mother to Colorado, and intends to continue his streak. With the FBI agents stationed on the east coast, it is difficult for them to guarantee Priya's safety, even while coordinating with authorities in Colorado. They would love nothing more than to arrest this guy and put him away forever. But after watching the aftermath from the Butterfly Garden, Priya is not sure if that is the kind of justice she can be satisfied with. 

Genre, Themes, History: This is a fiction novel that most would categorize as a thriller, and it certainly is, but I like it under the horror subheading, because it is indeed horrifying. While the Gardener liked to collect girls, mark them as his own, and then rape them until they reached adulthood, when he decided to kill them and preserve them, the man who killed Priya's sister stalks his victims, and decides that they are either too pure to continue living and risk corruption, or they are corrupted already and deserve to die. Either way, whoever he locks onto is almost guaranteed to be dead before summer. The narrative switches between a third-person account of Eddison's life, and a first-person account of Priya's. Eddison is still his anxious and somewhat emotionally closed off self from The Butterfly Garden, but now the reader gets to see what he is like around people he genuinely cares about, and not just his colleagues or the suspects they haul in. As hurt and crushed as Priya was after her sister's death, she has managed to grow up to be almost as fierce and terrifying as her mother. She is certainly not interested in being a victim, whether that means ending up dead like her sister, or having to look over her shoulder for the rest of her life. While the novel is certainly tense and suspenseful, it is also a good look at how the hurt and pain of a tragic event can continue long after the actual event is over. It also looks at just how much girls and women have to put up with from creepy men from a young age. 

My Verdict: This is a story. I may have said the same thing about The Butterfly Garden, but whatever, it is true. The nice thing about The Roses of May is that it was not as hard to read as its predecessor, but was still just as powerful, if not more so. Priya is a fantastic protagonist, and getting to follow her around was a pure delight, even with the danger coming closer and closer, making the book all the more tense right up until the end. Also, it was nice to be allowed a view into Eddison's world, even though the seemingly obvious choice for that space would have been Hanoverian. In many ways, Eddison is the smarter choice, as he was almost an antagonist in the first book, but now we get to see why he is the way he is, and that ultimately, he is one of the good guys. Thriller and suspense lovers would enjoy this series and the direction it is going in. I also loved hearing from Bliss and Inara and getting even more closure from the events in the first book. 

Favorite Moment: It comes from one of the updates regarding a villain from the previous book. I will not say more in a restrained effort to not let out any spoilers. 

Favorite Character: Priya's mother reminds me a little of my own, perhaps without the disarming smile and grace. Everyone seems to know to stay out of Ms. Sravasti's way as soon as she enters a room. 

Recommended Reading: Obviously, it would help greatly to read The Butterfly Garden before picking up this one. But also, The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton would be a strangely appropriate choice.  

Horror Fiction: The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison

For the weekend of Halloween, I figured it seemed appropriate to cover a horror story, whether it be about ghosts and goblins, vampires and werewolves, or even ordinary humans doing horrific things, making themselves proper monsters in their own right. Dot Hutchison's The Butterfly Garden falls into that last category, as a story unfolds regarding a serial killer with a peculiar obsession.

The Situation: Maya has just been rescued from a place she had only known as the Garden. Years ago, she was kidnapped and woke up in a strange and bare room. The Garden belonged to a wealthy man, known to Maya only as the Gardener, who had a habit of collecting butterflies. Unfortunately, the butterflies he was interested in weren't the kind that change from caterpillars and fly around. The Gardener's butterflies are young women, ages 16-21, that he was holding captive near his home. And they become butterflies when he has tattooed wings on their backs and renamed them, making them his own. But now that officials have found the Garden and rescued the girls, Maya is the butterfly they most wish to speak with since she seems to be their leader, and the other butterflies don't want to talk to anyone until they talk to her first. And her name is not Maya, it's Inara.  

The Problem: For the most part, Inara is a straightforward person...until she isn't. She begins to tell her story to investigators Victor Hanoverian and Brandon Eddison, starting with her less than stellar upbringing, and her early days in the Garden. It is obvious that Inara is holding back something, and she takes her time telling the story, letting out important details as she feels comfortable. For the most part, Victor is willing to be patient, only prodding when necessary. Plus, he isn't in that big of a rush to hear about the many horrors of the Garden, including other ways the Gardener demonstrated his ownership; the visits from his sadistic and cruel oldest son; and why none of the girls ever reached past the age of 21. While the Gardener may have been captured and the survivors are now safe, the investigators are still racing against the clock as parents and family, some of which are incredibly powerful, are demanding answers only Inara can provide. Also, her name isn't Inara.

Genre, Themes, History: I decided to place this fiction novel under the heading of horror, but it could also go under thriller, or mystery, or even crime fiction. The story Inara tells about her childhood is sad and tragic. And then she's kidnapped, and the story goes from tragic to a living nightmare. At the very least, the Gardener is a serial killer as well as a serial rapist. But that isn't all of it. He is also delusional, as he seems to believe, at least on some level, that he has rescued these girls from something and is keeping them safe. He is manipulative as he justifies to himself, his captives, and his sons that what he does is for the best. He is obsessive, as everything he does has a certain order and process to it, and he runs the Garden on a tight schedule and oversees almost every detail. But ultimately, he is a sad and weak man with money and means to project that onto unwilling victims.

My Verdict: As hard as this book can be to read (and there are moments when it is really hard), there is an almost constant desire to keep turning the page, if only to see how it all ends. And given that the reader knows from the beginning that the Garden has been found and the survivors have been rescued, it is certainly a triumph that Hutchison still manages to hold the reader's attention, even though the outcome is already known. Also, the book isn't hard to read because of any fault or failure in the writing style or voice, but instead because of the horrors the butterflies have to endure. Sure, there are moments when it feels like Inara could tell the story a little faster and be more forthcoming with crucial information. And there was a point near the middle of the book where I wished I could have heard from one of the other survivors. But once everything comes together in the end, it is clear the every detail and delay served a purpose. It is a fascinating, original, and horrifying premise. But given how many women are discovered these days after years of captivity, and no one knew, it actually isn't all that far fetched. And maybe that is why it is so scary.

Favorite Moment: When Desmond, the youngest son, must confront his own role in all of the horror.

Favorite Character: Bliss (not her real name) may be one of the smaller women kept in the Garden, but she is certainly one of the toughest. She isn't afraid to call someone out or give them a piece of her mind, and in incredibly colorful language at that. 

Recommended Reading: Within These Walls by Ania Ahlborn is about a cult leader and the writer who becomes obsessed with telling his story, even going so far as to move across the country and live in the house the cult used to inhabit.      

Horror Fiction: The Shining by Stephen King

Like anyone who appreciates a good scary story, I have become familiar with more than a few movies that are based off of novels by Stephen King. But for whatever reason, I have read embarrassingly few of his actual books. But thanks to a Christmas gift from a friend, I have finally tackled The Shining, the movie of which is often considered to be one of the scariest ever made, although I personally believe The Exorcist should hold the top spot. Either way, the movie is absolutely terrifying, and even if it is well-known that is differs greatly from the book, I still expected the same level of horror to come from the pages.

The Situation: Jack Torrance, a recovering alcoholic, has been given a second chance at rebuilding his life, and possibly a new career, as the caretaker for the Overlook Hotel. High up in the mountains of Colorado, the Overlook is closed for the harsh winter months due to the epic snowstorms that hit the area every year. After losing his teaching job due to unfortunate incident with a student, Jack receives the caretaker job and relocates at the Overlook with his wife, Wendy, and his five year-old son, Danny. The trio have had their share of trials over the years, mostly due to Jack's drinking, but he honestly sees this as an opportunity to turn things around, and also use the Overlook's seclusion as a chance to work on his writing. Wendy swings between general anxiety over the change and all out fear, while only Danny seems to know for sure that something awful is waiting for them at the hotel.

The Problem: After the Overlook is officially closed for the season and the Torrances are its only inhabitants, things immediately begin to happen that can't just be explained away as hallucinations, or as symptoms of Danny's always strange behavior. The young boy has always been prone to strange visions and fainting spells, but neither Jack nor Wendy can explain away how accurately he can read their thoughts, or know what has happened on the complete opposite side of the hotel. Soon the entire family hears things such as voices in the ballroom, and the empty elevator moving up and down. And the only thing more disconcerting than Danny's assertion that something bad will indeed happen, or their increasing isolation as the snow continues to pile up outside, is that Jack seems to be exhibiting symptoms he only has when he's been drinking, and their isn't a drop of alcohol in the entire place. Every attempt to escape or find a way out is thwarted in one way or another, and it appears the Overlook hotel is intent on the family staying until it does whatever it wants to do. 

Genre, Themes, History: This is a horror story, one that isn't based on a real story or an actual place, like many horror movies and stories we hear today. Before page one, King writes that the Overlook and the people within it are all from his own imagination...although doesn't that make it even creepier to think about? In any case, almost all of the action takes place at the fictional resort hotel in Colorado. The Overlook has an incredible history full of murder, suicide, gang violence, jilted lovers, and dirty politicians. Despite its beauty and appeal, its long history is also full of stories of the many times it failed as a hotel, and its long string of closures. It has changed hands many times, and this only adds to the collection of ghosts and voices inside. Danny's ability to shine, a term used by the cook Dick Hallorann, who can also shine, makes him feel, see, and hear these voices more keenly the most, but they eventually make themselves known to everyone. Most adults would be crippled by such a thing, but the five year-old boy is able to withstand an incredible amount of abuse, which is fortunate as his parents are virtually no help at all. Jack may not shine, not like his son anyway, but he is affected by the hotel in a different, more sinister way, while Wendy finds all of her strength in her desire to protect her son. 

My Verdict: I don't have to say it but I will anyway: the book is better. For the most part, the general theme and story that Stanley Kubrick's movie tells is the same. But there are some key changes that were made and it's hard to understand why. So for those of you that haven't read the book and/or the movie, I will go ahead and issue a giant *SPOILER ALERT*, and say that you may want to just skip the rest of this section. First off, there are some brilliant bits with the hedge animals out front, as first it appears they are moving, maybe; and then they are moving, definitely; and then they are all out attacking and causing harm. Why Kubrick found the need to change that to an intricate hedge maze I'll never know, and I guess it doesn't matter. The man could do what he wants. If King could make a lion made out of hedges come across as terrifying from the page, surely Kubrick could do the same on film. But I also find it odd that he would have Hallorann be killed, when he lives in the book. And why leave the Overlook standing, along with the hedge maze, when both the hotel and hedge animals burn in a blaze of glory after a faulty boiler explodes in King's version? Finally, in the movie it's all about Jack going crazy and wielding an axe. In King's version, it is clear that the hotel has taken over and has its own agenda. If Kubrick kept that, it would have made for a different movie, sure, but still a terrifying and good one. And while it isn't explained exactly what the hotel is, the book's explanation of how things are happening the way they are actually makes sense and isn't terribly confusing or hard to follow. One thing many horror stories fail at is plausible explanations, next to decent endings. And The Shining certainly has both.

Favorite Moment: I just like the fact that ultimately the hotel was bested by a five year-old.

Favorite Character: It's near impossible to not love Danny's innocence, even though things would have been much easier for him and his mother if he were older and stronger. Those are the only two things that hold him back in any way. He's certainly smart enough, and has better discernment than most adults, which is maybe owing to the 'shine.' But it becomes clear pretty early on that if any one person from the Torrance family should make it out alive, if should be him.  

Recommended Reading: As I said, the number of Stephen King novels I have read is incredibly small, but a good horror story doesn't really get any better than The Shining. But I did really like The Supernatural Enhancements by Edgar Cantero, as well as Night Film by Marisha Pessl.          

Horror Fiction: Within These Walls by Ania Ahlborn

It's been a good long while since I have been able to cover a book that falls into the category of horror fiction, and Ania Ahlborn's Within These Walls seemed like the perfect candidate. The synopsis promised a haunted house, ghosts, and a mysterious cult leader. And with everything that went on in the book, I wouldn't have been surprised if there was also an Indian burial ground and creepy possessed children.

The Situation: Lucas Graham hasn't published a successful book in years. So when Jeffrey Halcomb, a man who was accused of killing a woman and her baby, while also convincing nine others to kill themselves, reaches out to him and offers him the story subject he has been waiting for, he naturally jumps at the opportunity. After having been arrested in 1983, Halcomb has kept completely silent about what happened in the house in Pier Pointe, Washington. He is willing to give Lucas, and only Lucas, an interview, but in order to receive something every media outlet and true crime writer has wanted, Lucas must stay in the very house where Halcomb committed his crimes. His wife, Caroline, is against uprooting the family from New York and moving halfway across the country, even if it is for the writing opportunity of a life time. Of course, she has no idea he already said yes.

The Problem: Before Lucas even introduces the idea of living in a former murder house in order to get the story of what really happened there, his relationship with his wife was already strained. And the one with his preteen daughter, Virginia, isn't much better. While Lucas and Virginia pack up to head to Washington, Caroline gets ready for a trip to Italy, with the man that Lucas knows she is cheating on him with. And while he is glad to have his daughter along with him and possibly a chance to fix whatever is broken between them, Lucas worries about his daughter finding out the real reason they are going to Seattle, and what really happened in the house they are now staying in. As time moves on, and Lucas' dream opportunity slowly turns into a nightmare, he still manages to hold on to the quickly fading hope that he'll get the story that will save his career. Meanwhile, Virginia is able to find out all about the house and Jeffrey Halcomb on her own, leading to her own side project. But with strange things beginning to happen in and around the house, it is clear that whatever motives they each may have for this trip are secondary to someone else's.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a horror novel set partly in modern day, and partly in the early 1980s. For the most part, the story follows Lucas and Virginia as they coexist in the house in Pier Pointe. But the entire story of what happened back in 1983 is also revealed slowly throughout the book, leading up to the day of the gruesome murder/suicides. A big part of both stories is the charming and enigmatic cult leader Jeffrey Halcomb, a man who managed to gather a following out of lost, addicted, or abandoned runaways and convince them that he is little less than a god. At first glance the group looks like a band of traveling hippies who never stay in one place too long and refuse to get real jobs, while operating out of the belief that the individual is nothing and that personal sacrifices are made for the good of the group. Halcomb makes the young recruits feel special; assures them they are not alone; and offers them safety and love, something they are all too eager to except. But his darker more sinister objective soon surfaces, and the more committed members of the group remain undeterred and still believe in their leader. It is an eerie look at what one person can convince someone else to do by saying the right words and being attractive enough. And it is the kind of terrible parenting that Lucas and Caroline offer up to their daughter Virginia that cause otherwise grounded people to follow someone like Halcomb.  

My Verdict: I am all about horror stories that are sufficiently terrifying without being crazy bloody. And this book fits that perfectly. Having people live in a haunted house where an awful murder and mysterious suicides took place is creepy enough. Simultaneously tell the story of a charming cult leader who seems to be able to get pretty much anyone to do what he wants, and you've got more than just a ghost story. Jeffrey Halcomb is the ultimate villain, pulling strings that people don't even realize are being pulled, including his most devoted followers. It's the kind of story that makes you wonder if Halcomb is really the charming and manipulative, or are the people he picks that broken and desperate? Maybe it is a little bit of column A, and a little bit of column B. Either way, it is an unnerving tale and one that makes you ask yourself how far you would be willing to go to please someone with an attractive personality, offering you everything you've always wanted. 

Favorite Moment: I'm not sure I can pick a favorite moment. Everything in this book is incredibly dark and there isn't one part that stood out that I can say I really loved.

Favorite Character: Again, I don't think I can pick anyone. Everyone in this book is either crazy, annoyingly desperate, or just stupid...or some combination of all three. Halcomb convinces people to do ridiculous things so easily. And just when it starts to look like someone has a will of their own, it is either too late, or the easily fold under the slightest pressure.

Recommended Reading: Marisha Pessl's Night Film follows another writer as he is trying to uncover the true story behind a famous director of cult classic horror movies after the mysterious death of the director's daughter. There are no ghosts, but there is a (seemingly) haunted house and many "followers" of the famed director and his movies.

Horror Fiction: The Supernatural Enhancements by Edgar Cantero

When I read the description for Edgar Cantero's The Supernatural Enhancements, I was excited to add it to my queue as a potential post for Halloween. On the surface it is a haunted house story, but there is so much more to it than that, just as the book jacket suggests. And for me, a haunted house story probably would have been enough, so anything more than that was almost guaranteed to make me happy.

The Situation: It's 1995, and twenty-something year-old A. has just been informed that he has inherited Axton House in Point Bless, Virginia. Apparently he has, or had, a second cousin twice removed who recently passed away. And since A. is the closest living relative to the now deceased Ambrose Wells, he inherits the massive house and everything inside. So along with his companion Niamh, an Irish mute teenager who can't weigh more than 90 pounds, A. leaves Europe for Virginia to check out his inheritance. Not only is his new home more house than he and Niamh could ever manage on their own, but apparently it is haunted. Everyone in the area seems to acknowledge that this is true, both directly and indirectly. And once A. has an encounter of his own, he and Niamh begin rigging the house with video cameras and audio equipment to see what they can find. 

The Problem: The ghost or spirit that inhabits the house is the least of either A. or Niamh's worries. The house is full of so many secrets, the pair almost don't know where to begin. It also appears that Ambrose was a part of some sort of secret society that gathered together once a year during the winter solstice, which is less than two months away. Soon there is a break-in, and then the pair receive a visit from a friend of Ambrose's, who clearly believes that the late Mr. Wells intended to leave something behind for him and is eager to find it. A. and Niamh begin finding clues left by Ambrose, clues which they believe could lead them to the very thing Ambrose's friend is after. But the one person who could assist them in solving the mystery, Ambrose's butler, took off shortly after his master's death. Also, A. begins having awful nightmares, making him believe he is losing his mind. Ambrose died by jumping out of his bedroom window, just like his father before him. And if A. keeps having the troubling visions and nightmares, he may end up following in his distant cousin's literal footsteps.      

Genre, Themes, History: I have chosen to categorize this as a horror novel, although really it could be mystery, thriller, or suspense, or any combination of the above. Axton House is a haunted house, as there is a spirit living there that A. actually encounters. But there are also clues left behind by Ambrose that lead to an even bigger mystery, and possibly an answer to what he and 19 of his friends were involved in that caused them to meet every December during the winter solstice. Plus, it doesn't seem that the ghost or spirit is responsible for the awful nightmares and visions that A. has been having. Many of the nightmares are somewhat tame and not at all alarming, but others are terrifying and cause A. to feel real pain unlike any dream he has had before. The Supernatural Enhancements is a horror story that doesn't only stick with the haunted house idea. There is also a treasure hunt, a secret society, hidden rooms, crystal balls, cryptograms, murder, and a hedge maze on the Axton House property, just in case the creepy serial killer feeling wasn't quite complete. And in the grand tradition of Bram Stoker's Dracula and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, the entire book is comprised of letters, video footage, audio recordings, and journal entries, which can always make a story like this seem a little more real.

My Verdict: I always maintain that it is hard to find a good modern day horror movie, and horror novels aren't much different. But for me, Cantero manages to pull it off. The Supernatural Enhancements is just the type of haunted house story I love. Basically, it isn't actually about the house being haunted, although that is part of it. And there isn't an Indian burial ground in the basement, and the characters haven't been dead the entire time either. There is a hedge maze, which may seem a bit cliche, but trust me when I say that its presence is worth it. The book is more than just weird stuff jumping out at the characters from the shadows of a massive mansion. There is mystery and adventure, in addition to the prospect of being scared witless. And the secret society that Ambrose appears to have been a part of is just icing on the cake. In fact, I feel like much more time could have been spent just explaining how that works and all of the different aspects of it, as well as its history. Just when the reader is getting real answers as to how everything works, the book ends. I'm not saying I feel cheated or was left unsatisfied, but this was one rare instance in which I believe a book would have been better if it were a little longer.

Favorite Moment: While having dinner with friends of Ambrose's, A. is asked by their hosts to say the prayer before the meal. A, being more or less Atheist, passes the task onto Niamh, who can't speak. Yet somehow, the food is blessed and everyone moves on.

Favorite Character: If I had inherited a haunted house with a dangerous history and a questionable future, I would want someone like Niamh with me. More than once A. refers to her as his protector, although what qualifies her for such a title isn't really made clear. But she does the job well, despite weighing less than 100 pounds and lacking the ability to speak. She's smart, clever, stronger than she looks, and doesn't say much. Not bad as far as traveling companions go.

Recommended Reading: I could go a couple of directions with this. I already mentioned Bram Stoker's Dracula and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. But there is also Marisha Pessl's Night Film, another modern horror/mystery novel. Also, if you're into books that contain letters and newspaper clippings and handwritten notes, then you may enjoy S. by J.J. Abrams and Doug Dorst.   

Horror Fiction: The Beautiful Thing That Awaits Us All by Laird Barron

After reading The Croning over a year ago, I decided I would give Laird Barron another try once his new collection of short stories came out. Finally, I have gotten around to picking up The Beautiful Thing that Awaits Us All, which contains nine short stories, all of which are pretty terrifying. I am fairly certain that if it was all just one continuous novel, I probably would not have made it all of the way thorough.

Genre, Themes, History: While each of these horror stories is completely different, with their own setting and characters and plot, there are themes that run through many of them, if not all of them. Almost every story involves someone, or an entire group of people, getting involved in something that they know nothing about, but it ultimately results in their undoing, or the undoing of someone close to them. In The Redfield Girls, death and tragedy seem to occur as the result of some "innocent" contact with a Ouija board. And in Jaws of Saturn, a man fights for his girlfriend against a hypnotist who is much more than he appears to be, only to possibly lose himself in the process. Almost every story also includes some sort of human sacrifice, most of which are unwilling. These aren't the usual ghost stories or simple murder mysteries that turn out to have nothing to do with the supernatural. In every story there is something incredibly evil and incredibly powerful running the show, whether the characters wish to acknowledge it or not. And many times, even those that willingly follow along aren't spared the worst of it. In many ways the stories read like the ones you'd here sitting around the campfire, especially since many of them take place out in the woods, far from civilization. Suffice it so say, none of them are for the faint at heart.

My Verdict: Although I usually avoid short story collections, I did like The Beautiful Thing That Awaits Us All much more than I did The Croning. Maybe it was the variety provided by the different stories, but despite the gore and death and destruction, I was eager to see how each story ended, though it was a guarantee it wouldn't be a happy ending, and I was eager to see what the next story would bring to the table. I did feel that some of the stories were wrapped up a little too neatly and/or quickly, such as Blackwood's Baby and The Carrion Gods in Their Heaven, but even so, they are stories worth checking out.

Must Read: My personal favorite in the collection was The Siphon. It was complicated and intriguing enough that it was fun to try to keep up with, but not so much so that you want to skip it and move on to the next story.

Okay to Miss: I didn't care much for Vastation, which seemed like less of an actual story and more of a history of some nonhuman entity that has been around about as long as the universe itself.

Recommended Reading: If you enjoy this collection of Baird's short stories, then I recommend The Croning. Also, if the mystery element of the stories is more appealing to you than maybe the horror and the presence of evil, then I recommend Marisha Pessl's Night Film, which is a murder investigation, but with some incredibly dark and sinister elements behind it.

Horror Fiction: Joyland by Stephen King

I'm not exactly a huge Stephen King fan. When I was much younger I had attempted to read both The Dead Zone and Pet Cemetery and wasn't able to finish either one. I was drawn to Joyland because it is short, has a great cover, and is about a haunted amusement park. I love amusement parks and I love roller coasters. I'll even go into the haunted house ride if there happens to be one, so Joyland seemed like a safe bet for me.

The Situation: Devin Jones has taken a job at Joyland the summer after his freshmen year at college. Eventually, he'll learn almost everything he needs to know in order to keep the small local amusement park running. Placed on a team with Erin and Tom, two people who will eventually become his best friends, Devin learns how to run every ride, sell every concession, and even becomes a master at wearing the "fur," which is a dog costume that every little kid wants hug, but almost none of the employees want to wear because of how intensely hot it gets. At first Devin holds onto the girlfriend he has back at college, Wendy, who is off having a summer adventure of her own. But when he receives a letter from her explaining that she has met someone else, Devin diverts his attention to the amusement park and playing sad records in his rented room while he struggles to sleep.

The Problem: Devin's broken heart eventually becomes the least of his concerns, especially after Rozzie, the Joyland fortune teller, happens to tell Devin a few things that turn out to be true. Also, there is the legend of Horror House and how it is supposed to be haunted by the ghost of a young woman who was murdered there a few years ago. Devin and his friends don't think too much about the stories and legends, until one of them is certain he has seen the ghost himself. The more Devin digs into the mysterious circumstances surrounding the girl's murder, and the ones that happened before hers, the more sure he is the the truth isn't too far away, whether he wants it to be or not. He also finds himself getting attached to a terminally ill boy and his distant mother. Devin knows such an attachment could lead to more heartache, even tragedy, but he continues to grow more attached, even with Rozzie's warnings that he can't save everyone. 

Genre, Themes, History: This is a horror novel that, unlike many books that are being published these days, doesn't center around zombies or vampires. King goes back to the good old fashioned ghost in the haunted house of an amusement park. There isn't much blood and gore, and no possession of any sort, just the spirit of a life that ended way too young hanging out in the place where that life ended. Also, aside from Devin's broken heart, there isn't much angst in this story. King returns to a classic theme that, despite the creepy factor, is oddly comforting. Themes include the afterlife, ghosts and spirits, visions of the future, unsolved murder, and the amusement parks' ability to maintain the dual nature of being both exciting and terrifying. Some of what King included in what he calls "the Talk," the language that amusement park and carnival workers use around the park and around each other, is real, but a lot of it he also made up. But having played some of the games you find at carnivals myself, I am sure a lot of what he included about about how some of the guns don't exactly shoot straight or how some of the targets are almost impossible to knock over, is pretty spot on. 

My Verdict: After my disappointing attempts at two of King's most well-known works when I was much younger, I was pleasantly surprised that not only did I make it through this book, but I genuinely enjoyed it. As I mentioned before, the return to the ghost story was sort of comforting after having been inundated with vampires and zombies over recent years. And again, I couldn't be more pleased with the setting of the old school amusement park. Something about abandoned or empty amusement parks absolutely creeps me out. But when they are full and thriving with all of the rides going, they are exactly where I want to be. I think King perfectly captured an amusement park's ability to get you so excited to ride or see something that was designed to "thrill" or just plain scare you. I guess the same can be said for how audiences keep coming back for King's books whenever he writes a new one. Some people just enjoy being scared, as strange as that sounds. And that is the point (one of many) this book makes. 

Favorite Moment: When Devin manages to save a little girl's life who got so excited to see the park's mascot, Howie the Happy Hound, that she choked on her hot dog. 

Favorite Character: Fred Dean is the man who hired Devin for the summer job. He's old school, a little ornery, but ultimately he knows the amusement park industry and wouldn't steer Devin wrong. He even goes out of his way to make sure one of Devin's guest has the time of his life the day he visits Joyland. 

Recommended Reading: Well, if I had ever finished any other Stephen King books I would undoubtedly recommend one. So instead I think I'll go with Erin Morgenstern's The Night Circus. It has the similar feel of the eerie but incredibly mysterious and inviting, and also with a little murder mystery thrown in there as well.