Review: The Paleontologist

4 stars. This totally snuck up on me - I'm just about to hit my third trimester, and it's the busiest time of year at work - so I read the first portion of this book half-asleep. But by the end I was genuinely loving it. It checks a lot of boxes: a compelling mystery, a museum setting, archeological digs, DINOSAUR GHOSTS?! plus throw in sort of a... prehistoric treasure hunt, some exhibition design, evil pottery?! I'm all in. Though not as complex or thrilling as a Pendergast novel, I think fans of Preston and Child's series will enjoy this very much.

Dr. Simon Nealy has just taken a job at Pennsylvania's Hawthorne Museum of Natural History, despite a horrific personal connection to the space: it's where his younger, half-sister was abducted decades ago. As he acquaints himself with his new place of work - smack dab in the middle of the covid pandemic - Simon begins to unravel the museum's dark past, revealing ties to his sister's case, dark cover-ups, a shadowy conspiracy... and threats to his own life. 

There's so much more here - themes of trauma, privilege, addiction, grief, guilt, fear, and the connection between past and present - and Dumas weaves all of this into the central narrative deftly. Sure, it's a little cheesy at some points (okay, really cheesy), maybe the author tried to pack a little too much in, but it never feels preachy. The villain is a bit cartoonish... the whole climax/victory felt a bit like the end of a Scooby Doo episode - in fact, the whole book could've been an episode of X-Files - but that's not a criticism. In this case, it's passionate praise.

I hope this is the start of a series! I loved Simon, and he makes a really endearing paleontologist slash doctor slash detective slash hero. I liked the thread that touched on him seeking reassurance from his previous partner, an unfortunate symptom of his trauma. He's kind of weird and goofy and charming and I would love to see him tackle a monster-per-book. The minor characters, too - well-done. Nobody felt forced, out-of-place, totally in service of the plot, or try-hard. It was just really great worldbuilding. 

I also really appreciated the horror. The audacity of that premise! To present some of the more eerie plot elements without even a sniff of self-consciousness or insecurity, avoiding the urge to over-explain or intellectualize... I enjoyed letting it all unfold and wash over me. It was delightful. I appreciated it. 

One thing I'll add: I myself have spent 10 years in nonprofit development, lol. How should I react to Fran's character? Do I take offense? Do I look in the mirror? Do I laugh? Do I rejoice in her triumphs? A little bit of all of the above? Listen, it's an incredibly challenging job/sector - but we all make our choices, and someone has to do it. In the end Fran's arc was one of my favorite things about the book.

I dunno - a lot of reviewers should (and do) acknowledge when a book isn't bad, it's just being read at the wrong place, wrong time for them. This might be one of those cases of right place, right time... but I think I'll stand by it. I had a lot of fun.

The Paleontologist on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: The Ritual

3 stars. This is my third Adam Nevill book, and I really adore his premises and ideas. He's creative, original, and dedicated - you can tell he spends a lot of time really considering the head spaces of his characters and wallowing around in them accordingly. I absolutely love the movie adaptation of The Ritual - it's tight, well-designed, and scary - but there's a lot to enjoy and draw from the book as well.

We're dropped into the middle of the forest with four old friends on a hiking trip in the middle of Scandinavia, two of whom are struggling from exertion and injuries. The wilderness expert in the group, Hutch, decides to lead them on a shortcut through an old forest and Luke, our troubled, feeling-left-behind protagonist, reluctantly agrees. It all goes wrong though, really, really wrong - and continues to get worse from there.

One-part wilderness survival story, one-part monster/creature feature, one-part battle against humans wielding ancient magic for nefarious purposes, with maybe a sprinkle of body horror for good measure, this book does indeed feel like several in one, which is characteristic of Nevill. I know some readers take issue with that but I don't know, I can slide from one situation to the next pretty easily. One thing for sure: it's feel-bad horror. It's horror you read with one eye, because you don't want to look but you can't look away. 

Gruesome and descriptive, Nevill is an author that really occupies all of your senses. To read this is almost an exercise in endurance - your stamina will be tested right alongside the characters'. At the same time (and I noticed this in his other books as well), he spends a lot of time focusing on the mindset of suffering. The great intermingling of panic, fear, pain - there are pages dedicated to the mental scrambling that takes place when your body is broken and arguing with your will to survive. 

It's a must-read for horror fans. It broke me out of a bit of a slump... if, like me, you enjoy a bit of Norwegian black metal lore woven in with your forest horror (doesn't everyone??) you'll be satisfied. No shortcuts, please.

The Ritual on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Small Town Horror

3 stars. I hate to say only 3 stars - because I really loved Bone White and am a Ronald Malfi fan in general. People say he writes like Stephen King and yeah, he sort of does! But this one just didn’t click as well for me. It’s good horror - classic, even. It utilizes tropes in fresh ways and has a real banger of an ending. Something about it, though… I’m getting ahead of myself.

Small Town Horror is aptly named. Andrew Larimer is our primary narrator, called back to his childhood hometown to help a friend whose wife has gone missing. It’s immediately clear that some dreadful secret, some shared traumatic experience, haunts Andrew, his friend and a few other old acquaintances - literally, it haunts them. As the terrifying encounters add up, the dark past comes to light, and Andrew must face (so cheesy): the ultimate reckoning.

Many, many others have pointed out the whole “group of childhood friends reunite to fight evil” thing - sometimes it’s really fun to read a story that pays adequate tribute to It, other times it’s way more fun to just read It. I think where this differs is how unlikeable the characters are - they are not heroes, and it’s kind of hard to root for them, so reading sort of feels like watching dirty water circle a drain.

But there are some really fun moments along the way. Malfi lovessssss incorporating a lot of horror elements. I wonder if he was influenced by The Fisherman… there are some interesting water-based scares. I predicted the major twist early on, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad twist, only that my brain works that way.

So, yeah. I liked it! And again, great, great ending. Tig’s arc was particularly nasty and wonderful. I’m really excited to read more by this author. I could see fans of Jennifer McMahon enjoying this.

Small Town Horror on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Horror Movie

5 stars. I've had a few days to chew on this, and I'm not sure if five stars is the right move, but I really can't ignore a few facts: 1) it's the first book to really compel me in a while. I could not put it down. 2) When I finished it, all I wanted to do was turn back to the beginning and start all over again. And also to purchase a copy immediately. 3) It's a lot of things I really love, admire, and look for in horror: found footage-esq, incredibly meta, a borderline psycological study of the genre (and its fans), and reminiscent of one of my favorite authors, SGJ. 

This is my fifth Tremblay. I feel like he's a uniquely controversial author: a lot of readers out there find him to be hit-or-miss, and also, a lot of his books are both adored and hated. People really disagree about his work. In reading the reactions to this book in particular, it seems like many readers took issue with the ambiguity? But also, hated everything else he wrote and for some reason decided to read this anyway? And in some cases, literally didn't even understand the narrative? (Guys: he didn't get his pinky cut off twice. He's an unreliable narrator. He leaned into the lore. It's twisted.)

So, since we all apparently love to talk about it, here's how my scorecard looks: loved A Head Full of Ghosts. Was really shocked and impressed by the audacity of The Cabin at the End of the World. Enjoyed the really zippy, straightforward horror of Survivor Song. Found the writing - the figurative writing - to be incredibly immature in Disappearance at Devil's Rock. I know now to expect ambiguity, maybe an experimental format, some genuinely creepy moments, and a great premise. IMO, Tremblay delivered successfully here on all of those levels.

There's a lot to be said about art, and the making of it. It's probably worth noting the type of art we're talking about here: deep, dark, disturbing horror designed with, and designed to inspire, obsession. The story is about this, and also tries to be this. As someone who has always been far more interested in the analysis of creation than creation itself, yeah, this is right up my alley. So please go in knowing it's not just a "cursed film" trope story - it's got a bit more philosophy woven into the fabric.

Let's get into specifics: Horror Movie is about the making of a low-budget horror film in the 90s, the minds that went into it, its pseudo-release into the world, and the cult following it attracted. It contains the written recollections of the only surviving crew member, The Thin Kid, along with excerpts from the "original" script. We as readers are escorted through the origins of The Thin Kid's participation, the production, the aftermath, and finally the inevitable reboot. 

Rather than trying to defend this book with like, arguments (you can never actually win anything on the internet), I think it might be better to just make a couple of points about what this book is not: as mentioned, it's not a traditional cursed film book. It is not written in a traditional format. It does not give clear answers upfront, throughout, or at the end [some people took issue with Tremblay dropping hints?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Guys, what?!?!?!? Authors drop hints all the time without full context - roll with it, live with it?!?!?!]. It is not even that scary, at the end of the day. 

If it's not for you, great. But I really enjoyed it. If you want to pick it apart with me, even better. But if you want to hate for the sake of hating... smh. Don't be the guy at the convention who demanded to see his finger. Don't be that guy.

Horror Movie on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Rolling in the Deep

3 stars. How fun is this?! Reads just like the beginning of a classic monster movie. Perfect for summer and perfect as a palette cleanser in-between long fantasy books and heavy literary horror. I have yet to read Drowning Deep but it's on my shortlist and I look forward to appreciating it even more with this context. 

Imagine Networks commissions a documentary on mermaids (real or myth), and sends a well-equipped, expensive expedition to the Mariana Trench to capture some footage and/or scientific evidence. There's a production crew, a ship crew, a group of scientists of various specialties, interns, and some actual mermaids - outfitted with tails and everything - to ensure the network draws in the viewers they need no matter what. You know the rest.

It's an excellent premise. I enjoyed the clear research and commitment to detail. It's very front-heavy, with a very long intro to the characters that somehow makes it seem draggy/like the action is very delayed AND like the climax/action/ending is rushed. It's true that for the first 50% you're just waiting, and for the final 50% you're like... wait what? Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye.

I always admire and respect Seanan McGuire's intent to represent. She does a nice job in certain stories, in others it's a little heavy handed. Here it's the latter. Granted, some folks truly need to be hit over the head with some of this stuff - sometimes I do too!!!! But the way she incorporates her lessons/messages - unsubtly - feels ungraceful, and even distracting sometimes.

It's just my opinion. This is a silly review for a somewhat silly story. It's fun - it really is. While I wouldn't call it scary, there are some delightfully creepy moments. Read it on a hot summer day at the beach. Read it on a boat! I dare you to read it and stare into the ocean without wondering what might be staring back.

Rolling in the Deep on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Craft: Stories I Wrote for the Devil

3 stars. Very, very interesting piece of literary horror here. It's extremely meta - writing for writers, I think - and references current events, politics, cultural touchpoints, etc. But even at its most proselytizing / sanctimonious, I kind of dug it. Horror is not a new lens through which to examine very real-life things like racism, immigration, sexism, injustice, politics, etc., but this felt really fresh all the same. Would be great on a college syllabus.

Craft is a collection of short stories woven together by a writer who slept with the Devil one Halloween night decades ago. These stories feature a wide range of premises, concepts and formats - from magical realism to body horror to hauntings to surrealism - and they are all incredibly captivating in their own ways. I wouldn't exactly call it subtle or particularly groundbreaking, but it is fascinating, eye-opening and unique.

And what a week I picked to read something like this. My American bones ache these days and I am grateful for brilliant stories to help me process. They are surprisingly warm for taking place in such a cold, dark world. I recommend.

Craft: Stories I Wrote for the Devil on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Dark Tales

4 stars. Proud of myself for finishing a book, although it probably took me twice as long as it normally would have to get through these wonderful stories. Nobody needs me to talk about why Shirley Jackson is an icon - truly, there isn't a single word out of place in any of these bangers - and now that I'm sort of used to her cadence, I'm going to miss being able to rely on her satisfying twists. 

There's an assortment of delights here, some focused on the spooky and supernatural, others dark fantasy, still others the disturbingly dark side of humanity. Some of these stories are predictable - telegraphed by the title - and others sneak up on you, landing with a heart-thumping jolt. Some will really stick with me. I woke up one morning thinking about Louisa, Please Come Home, and The Bus - my favorite - will probably dance around in my head for weeks. I'll defend the perfect end of The Summer People to anyone who asks.

As always, Shirley explores - I would maybe even say, turns upside down - themes such as family, memory, small towns, marriage, friendship, and seems to delight in painting for us the many faces of evil. Each story is like an episode of The Twilight Zone, with slightly different levels of noise and flavor and tone. Not all of them are accessible (The Honeymoon of Mrs. Smith is kind of opaque), but all of them are a joy to read. She's a master at distracting you - immersing you - before pulling out the rug.

Dark Tales is a classic that belongs as part of the horror curriculum. I look forward to slowly making my way through all of the Shirley classics, because it's nice to gulp down her crunchy prose, but also, it's fun to see how her legacy lives on in the horror it has inspired. Don't make my mistake - this is not meant for April/May. Read this in October.

Dark Tales on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Gothic

3 stars. Horror about horror writers irks me a bit - Stephen King does it (and everything else) well, but think like... Kill Creek, or that one episode of Creepshow about the hat - eerily similar to this book, actually - these premises, they smell like... stale desperation, and maybe even a little resentment. I get it - writing is fucking hard!! the pressure!! the reality of it!! sounds pretty horrific!! - but I've read or encountered enough of these premises that I react almost like ... yeah, I get it. Writing is fucking hard, the pressure of it, the reality of it, yadda yadda yadda. Sure, why not, let's go meta with it. Fine. You were staring at a blank page, so you developed a concept around staring at a blank page. Girl, I guess so. 

This book is about an evil, murderous desk. Acquired by an aging, formerly best selling horror author - after being hunted down and chased by various evildoers and powerseekers over the centuries - the desk wreaks havoc on the author's life, career, and relationships. Previously some sort of sacrificial altar, the desk uses the author for its nefarious purposes and spreads its darkness and damage throughout society.

A few things that also really grated: the female characters, the try-hard humor in the inner monologuing of every character, the commentary on romantic relationships, the oddly-placed sexual references (as well as some of the other instances of, shall we say, low-brow jokes - not against them in general! Just when they give me the ick), and the excessive use of figurative language. There is also some pretty seriously awful fatphobia. Maybe this stuff was meant to be a throwback to the pulps from the 70s/80s, but it fell really flat for me. And structurally, I think this could've been better as a short novella, or a much longer, expanded, epic saga, with fleshed out characters and longer arcs.

All that being said: sometimes you just really need a bloody, angsty, feudal, vengeful, crazy, twisted, disgusting, basically classic piece of horror. Just the usual stuff - soaked in a delicious type of inky evil that's fun if not fresh. A fun horror beach read, if, like me, you enjoy reading the dark stuff in the sun.

Gothic on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Lone Women

4 stars. I love a good mystery box - in this case, a literal mystery box - and I love when it's utilized in unique ways. In this book it's blended nicely with horror and lends itself to a nearly perfect premise; it certainly kept me engaged for the first half of the book. The big reveal was interesting and fascinating. Lone Women is bound to make you think.

It follows Adelaide Henry on her move from California to Montana in the early 1900s. She carries an impossibly heavy steamer trunk, and is looking to disappear. Big Sandy welcomes her at first, providing a sense of community in the town's quest to survive the harsh landscape. But Adelaide can't settle, nor can the town be at peace; her trunk holds a very dangerous secret, and they all must learn to survive it.

A must-read for horror fans, especially ones looking to scratch an itch for something Western. It's compelling, unique, and intense. I docked a star because it felt a little like the author... pantsed it, for lack of a better word - no outline, no plotting in advance, just writing as the narrative came to him - and I think the characters suffer slightly for it. This isn't necessarily a complaint, but certain elements felt very... random.

Still, it's so much fun. Definitely unpredictable (except for one certain character's "twist"). Maybe a little cheesy. The opportunity to explore this time and place is very welcome. I'm a little unclear on a few things, but that's fine. What I gleaned and learned and chewed on reading this book made it entirely worthwhile.

Lone Women on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: I Remember You

3 stars. I really treasure Scandinavian noir - especially mysteries/thrillers set in Iceland. I've been twice and - at the risk of offending any locals - feel very at home there. And yes, it really does present a perfect backdrop to explore the dark side of humanity. Unfortunately, this one didn't really capture me the way I was hoping it would - I'll get into why, but it doesn't mean I don't recommend it - it's obviously a successful contribution to the genre. 

I Remember You weaves together two tales: 1) that of a married couple who travel to an isolated village with their widowed friend to fix up an old house, and 2) that of a psychiatrist investigating the vandalism of a school that is seemingly connected to the disappearance of his young son. The main players in both stories have disturbing supernatural experiences that unravel clues and push revelations with devastating consequences for everyone involved.

Pros: the setting - omg - I just love it. Such a unique type of remoteness out there in Iceland, especially in winter. Some of the spooky moments are very well done, invoking imagery just begging for adaptation. The ending, as well, really took things to a place I admire. That final page almost had me forgiving some of the things I didn't enjoy.

Cons: predictable. Unlikeable characters - and not the crunchy, interesting kind - the bland, annoying kind. Perhaps one too many narrative elements/connections, many of which had me sort of scratching my head trying to piece things together. I practically skimmed a lot of it... I just wasn't hooked. I couldn't concentrate on it.

I would recommend this as a bridge between Scandi noir/crime thrillers and horror. It's gateway scary - maybe a little amateurish. But that doesn't mean it's bad; only that I'm maybe not the right audience. Still, I found myself wishing for a lot more here. 

I Remember You on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads