Review: Thunderhead

4 stars. Jump scare! Turns out my spooky season is literally every season except actual spooky season, which is when I pivot for a second and read a fucking archeological thriller by the popular duo Preston & Child!? Trust me, no one is more surprised than I. I have no idea what compelled me to check this out from the library (I'm pretty sure it was Reddit) but it really is so out of character... in a good way. It's a good lesson: I need to stop discriminating against books like this. It was pretty great. I actually kind of loved it.

Thunderhead follows archeologist Nora Kelly, who, after a terrifying encounter with mysterious, violent, animal-like figures in her childhood home, discovers a letter sent by her father, who went missing years ago on an expedition to find a sort of lost city of gold situation in the American southwest. This letter contains enough information about a possible location that she's able to assemble a team and explore the area, hoping to find answers about her father, knowledge about the Anasazi, the location of the mysterious city, and gold. Not necessarily in that order.

But it's never that easy!! A straightforward archeological treasure hunt filled with damaged, emotionally invested personalities with conflicting agendas? In an isolated, rural, uninhabited area of the country with no service and flash floods? For gold?! NEVER! Nora and her team really go through it in this book (speaking of which, TW re: the horses - I knew to skip ahead, I suggest you do as well), almost to the point of obstacle fatigue, but everyone describes this as a page turner for a reason.

Okay, a couple of things around why I docked a star: one) I had trouble keeping the team members straight. It was like one person too many or something... the authors did a delightful job making them each distinct from each other, but I couldn't bring myself to care about any of them because, sort of like a slasher, there were simply too many for the group to survive. Two) an unbelievable romance. Sexual tension is hard to write, man. Believe me, that's why when you find a well-written example you tend to return to it again and again because it's magical. This was not a well-written example. Three) which brings me to my third point: the way the women are described. Sure, this book was written in 1999. But let me just tell you that the phrase "shapely rear" is now a joke in my house and not likely to be forgotten any time soon. Four) the aforementioned horses. 

Things to commend: one) the authors did their research. It's so fun!! My favorite movie is National Treasure and this gave me all of those vibes. Two) while certain elements are obviously foreshadowed, for the most part the story - with all its twists and turns - is ultimately fairly unpredictable! Three) excellent villains. I loved that it had both monsters as well as the conflict/interpersonal drama within the group. Four) so much great, nerdy, yummy, archeological... stuff. Glyphs. Ruins. Pottery. Bones. Ancient boobytraps. Treasure.

Anyway, did this pack the biggest emotional wallop ever? Not for me - and I do think the authors sort of meant it to. But that's okay! I really enjoyed myself. I actually want to read some more books by them, maybe more in this series? I'm new to armchair archeology but I'm really into it. So... yeah. Cheers to taking unexpected turns and making discoveries.

Thunderhead on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Waif

5 stars. I love books like this - stories that are so different, and unexpected, and full of so many twists all you can do is hang on for the ride and let the narrative wash over you without feeling like you have to work out a puzzle or solve an equation to identify the killer (this isn't a murder mystery, but you get the idea). I raced through it - because it really is that refreshing.

Waif opens with a woman, Angela, upset over the state of her toxic marriage. She encounters a man in the grocery store, which sparks... some crazy behavior, by both herself and her husband, which in turn sparks some even crazier events... I'm being intentionally vague; go in blind. By the end you'll have followed Angela into an entirely new life - a new identity, a new sense of self, new priorities - maybe even a new reality entirely.

"Women's wrongs" could potentially be an entire genre of books at this point. I love it. Angie wields her dissatisfaction in extremely disturbing ways, but it doesn't really feel wrong. She's a little bit... delightfully insane. It's a challenging book, and will be unsettling for certain readers - check TWs.  The author doesn't shy away from tackling themes such as body dysmorphia, abuse, control, desire, shame, insecurity, sexuality. That's the tip of the iceberg. I personally can't get over that ending, in a good way - as sharp as it gets. So sharp it hurts.

Read this if you're in the mood for something that is both incredibly horrifying and incredibly thought-provoking. 

Waif on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Howls from the Dark Ages

3 stars. This book is a super disgusting, bloody fun time. It seems to me like Between Two Fires sparked a huge interest in medieval horror - but nothing has lived up to its success since (not surprising, considering it's one of the best books I've ever read). Howls from the Dark Ages makes a valiant attempt. And I kind of want more.

While some of these stories are standouts, there isn't really a bad one in the bunch. Each one was the perfect length for my commute on the train. From a medieval perspective, there's a lot to enjoy: castles, dusty manuscripts, flickering candles, shining armor, bloody swords, heavy crowns. And from a horror perspective, there's something for everyone: creeping dread, extreme revenge, body horror, religious fear and trauma, monsters, creatures, evil in every shape and form - fungi, even. And as with all great horror each story explores how humanity fits into it all - its temptations and capacity to embrace darkness the scariest thing of all.

My favorites included In Thrall to This Good Earth, The Final Book of Sainte Foy's Miracles, A Dowry For Your Hand, and The Fourth Scene. Many of the images from these will stick with me for a while. Putting together an anthology like this must have been a ridiculous challenge: everyone involved deserves applause for including such variety considering the common threads plus the tropes we all know, love, and expect. The central narrator/tour guide was a clever touch and while kind of gimmicky I couldn't help but smile at it. 

I'm not typically a short story girly but I'm learning to enjoy and appreciate their value. I'll be checking out many of these author's additional works and keeping an eye out for more medieval horror to come. Absolutely worth your time, especially during spooky season, if you dare...

Howls from the Dark Ages on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: The Last Days of Jack Sparks

4 stars. I am thisclose to giving it 5, because I want everyone to read this immediately so we can discuss over a bottle of something... non-alcoholic (all of Jack's drinking turned me off that for a bit lol. There are some vivid hangovers in this puppy.). 

Phew, okay - this might take a few paragraphs for me to work through. As someone who reads (and watches) a healthy amount of horror, I always appreciate a refreshing take on a beloved trope. This is undoubtedly a very unique, unexpected story full of surprises and wild spins on concepts like hauntings, possessions, paranormal investigations, even a bit of found footage. Expect a crazy ride with some captivating twists and turns.

It's an epistolary novel that features a collection of documents (including a manuscript, emails and other forms of correspondence) gathered by the brother of the late Jack Sparks, a sort of shock-jock journalist intent on disproving the existence of the supernatural. The manuscript (which may or may not be authentic) shares Jack's journey into the unknown after he attends an alleged exorcism. 

I certainly picked the wrong week to read about a semi-controversial British comedian-type character, didn't I? It was genuinely difficult to get certain accused famous figures out of my head, which also probably informed my opinion that Jack isn't likeable in any capacity - I disagree with any takes that say Jack is sort of a rugged, charming anti-hero. He's an asshole, end of story. Bex was also kind of a confusing character to me, and I had some trouble keeping track of the other minor characters (I do love a good group of investigators, though.)

But the journey Jack goes on is truly breathtaking. A little reminiscent of Cloud Atlas, or the incredible, affecting Australian mockumentary Lake Mungo, Jack's story hurdles him towards intersections - points of connection of all kinds - in a way that ends up very loopy by the end, and I do mean that in every sense of the word. Pay close attention; even as things start to clear up there are still surprises in store.

As far as the writing goes, I actually found it to be a bit... dense. I practically skimmed quite a bit, trying to cling onto the narrative thread without getting lost. This was probably profoundly stupid of me, as it turns out the little details easily dismissed are super important, but I managed to grasp just enough to be suitably satisfied when things clicked into place. Did they actually though? Click into place? Who knows. That's part of the fun.

(I looked high and low for theories and/or explanations around some of the more ambiguous aspects and couldn't find much. I half expected there to be full Reddit threads dissecting every clue with visual representations like venn diagrams and flowcharts. Maybe I should start one.)

Overall, this is a must-read for horror fans. It's very meta, and there are some wonderfully eerie, spooky sequences and even some darkly funny moments. I've heard it's quite good on audio - maybe that would've felt like a better experience for me! Regardless, I see this becoming a true classic in years to come. Read it before the inevitable adaptation comes out!

The Last Days of Jack Sparks on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: His Bloody Project

3 stars. I struggle with where to fall with this one, because it's so clearly a well-written, well-researched, thoughtful piece of work indicative of a very intelligent, talented author. I couldn't put it down, for what it's worth, and I absolutely adore epistolary novels, so I found that aspect really engaging and fun. But I think ultimately it wasn't a home run for me because, to be very frank, I was expecting a last-minute twist, so I spent my whole reading experience anticipating that and looking for clues.

His Bloody Project "collects" various documents related to a murder that occurred in rural Scotland in the late 1800s. Included are witness statements, a transcript of the trial as well as the murderer's confession and account of the crime. We as readers learn through these documents about the events leading up to the murders, the history of the town, the victims and the manner with which justice is sought. 

I recommend it as long as you go in knowing: this is not a mystery, or a thriller, or even a why-dunnit. It's a piece of historical fiction that offers an incredibly detailed, thorough image of a time and place. And it's an examination of a "true" crime through an almost academic legal lens. It's essentially a long Wikipedia article, and if this sort of thing interests you, you will love it. If you are looking for a more traditional crime thriller, or as I mentioned before - a twist, you should stay away.

Also, I have some questions!! Multiple interesting considerations were only hinted at or barely examined, when they could have lent additional depth to this. Many other reviewers have noticed that these are clever hints implying a darker conspiracy at work, and I'll continue to think about that - maybe even re-read a few passages. The "villain" was a little cartoonish and I didn't totally buy the main character's path from A to B to Murder - do these play into the bigger picture? Hmmmmmmm.

Anyway, I can't not mention the bigger themes: oppression, suppression, repression, prejudice, religious fervor, access in isolation, tradition, justice, psychology, sociopathy, duty and honor and obligation, the definition of "civilized," the purpose of law, the futility of law, the faults of law, I could go on and on. It's good stuff, it really is. I have no regrets and I'm glad I read it. GREAT title, too.

His Bloody Project on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: In the House in the Dark of the Woods

3 stars. Not what I was expecting at all, even though I knew to expect something strange and far out there! As best as a summary as I can manage: a woman heads into the forest to pick berries for her family, gets lost, goes missing. She then has a long series of very unusual, enchanting, mysterious, almost magical encounters with those who dwell in the woods and finds herself trapped - or perhaps flings herself willingly - into a cycle where her choices will impact far more than her quest to return home.

1 star for slaying a style of writing I've never really encountered before: not only was it very different and unusual, but it was good and beautiful and refreshing. Not different for the sake of being different. Different because it lent to the setting, the voice, the tone, the narrative itself. It further distinguished the book as its own thing - see below. 

1 star for the setting. I'm such a sucker for Colonial horror, especially with witches and crackling fires and magic herbs and fouled wells and berries with cream and bonnets and religious fervor and the decidedly male determination to conquer what is wild and shouldn't be tamed. Take the movie The Witch, turn it inside out, then tip it sideways and then zoom out - this is the type of story you'll find.

1 star for being completely untethered. I considered docking a star for this, but I've so rarely encountered a story that doesn't really reference, or connect, to anything familiar (and boy oh boy did my brain try - over and over again to grasp at whatever it could) that I can't help but admire it. Aside from the most prival (primeval) tropes, like the evil in the woods, and maybe a few lessons about consequences and making promises, this is truly its own thing.

I think maybe I'll remember this story by its moments - by its individual threads versus the whole tapestry. The blurb uses the word "ingenious" and I don't think that's wrong... but it's maybe a little too ingenious, for me. Reminds me of something almost academic. But I truly respect it. And I would like to read more by this author. I might even re-read this one, if I feel like a rabbit hole again.

In the House of the Dark of the Woods on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Sallow Bend

3 stars. Not bad at all, and truly a whole lot of fun! I love a good carnival. Highly recommend this for spooky season or if you're in the mood for a good, adventurous small-town ghost story. It follows several members of the town of Sallow Bend, to which the carnival has just arrived, as they deal with the disappearance of two girls followed by a series of super unfortunate, tragic, mysterious deaths. Between the local law enforcement, the carnival workers, the school's awkward janitor and the mother of a previous victim, the town rallies as best as they can against what quickly becomes clear is a supernatural threat.

The book is full of shining horror moments. Between the carnival, a spooky old cabin, and the villain's ability to glamour the whole town, there's a lot to be found that will satisfy a horror reader. Ultimately, though, it isn't that scary. The multiple POV format doesn't exactly lend itself to anything other than repetitive conversations, and also unspools some narratives that never get resolved. (Look to Stephen King for successful examples of going deep and wide.) The carnival aspect is appreciated and creates a kind of trope-y nostalgia, but there was just something... missing.

Maybe I wanted more answers, or more of Hester's story, or maybe the ending wrapped things up a little too neatly. I can't quite put my finger on it. But hey, as I mention often in my reviews/responses: I've never written a book, and it seems quite difficult to do. I won't not recommend this because the vibes alone are pretty awesome. I'm excited to read more from this author! And it kept me very entertained on the train.

Sallow Bend on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: A Lush and Seething Hell

5 stars. See, there's 5 stars, and then there's... 5 stars. A rating that makes you question every 5-star read before it, because none of them could’ve possible been this good. This book is definitely everything I look for in horror and more. It's a top contender for a Kelly Choice Award and I've already recommended it to friends and family. It's great on multiple levels: premise, writing style, imagery, characterization, themes, and narrative. It is full of disturbing moments and creative scares; it weaves mystery, folklore, culture, and history into two stunning and vibrant and distinct-but-similar sibling stories. 

Let's get into it.

The Sea Dreams it is the Sky

"You do not know what I’ve been through,” he said. “And I do not know what you’ve suffered. There is a beyond to every woman and man. There is a beneath. There will always be misery in the world."

I suppose this story starts with a violent political coup in a fictional South American country. A young woman, who escapes the chaos and lands in another country, encounters another refugee of sorts: a much older, once-infamous poet. They strike up a kinship, perhaps out of shared trauma, and eventually he asks her to watch his apartment so he can return home for not entirely obvious reasons. She discovers many treasurers there, including a dark and mysterious manuscript that references the poet's extremely dark past and uncertain future.

I found this novella to be absolutely beautiful, brilliant, mind-blowing... even a little sexy. It's rare for me to want to highlight, or write down quotes, and I was fighting that urge every few pages. Isabel is wonderfully formidable and... prickly. I liked that about her. The story needed that. And her relationship with The Eye clicked. His characterization was a little less unusual, but very compelling. I rooted for them both.

But, of course, this is horror. Cosmic horror no less. And there's a delicious antagonist and a slippery - but terrifying - central conflict. Some of the details (the original text's title being translated to A Little Night Work, for example; and the content itself - known to the reader by vague reference only) were downright brilliant. BRILLIANT. The little motifs and recurrences - feed the cat, for your protection - I had fun with this. I had FUN with this. It reminded me of when I first encountered Stephen Graham Jones. 

My Heart Struck Sorrow

"A piece of music draws you on, leading you places you’ve never been. You’d never think of journeying to."

This story follows a Library of Congress employee, returning to work after the tragic and untimely deaths of his wife and son. He and his colleague travel to the house of a recently-deceased ancestor of a pivotal figure in folklore preservation, who spent time in the 30s traveling the South and recording folk music for the Library. They find a stash of old records, his field journal, and much more than they bargained for. 

This should've been my favorite based on the premise alone (I have a thing for musical horror), but it didn't impress me as much as TSDIITS. But there's so much to enjoy here, too. I have so many questions, which I'm sure is partly the point. It's like I want more, but also it could've been a little shorter. It's another frame narrative, with a story within the story, and there are a surprising amount of penises. That isn't a complaint, exactly (I'm a little tired of female breasts), but a couple times I was like ... is that necessary? Just consider yourself warned.

It's very clear that Jacobs did his research (for both of these) and that absolutely lends itself to the writing. I live in Alexandria, and I'm deeply familiar with the LOC, and he kind of nailed both (the part where he ruminates on justifying his existence for grant money... I felt that lol). I'd love to hear some theories about what the heck happened at the end, though. Maybe some brave soul will do a little rendition of Stagger Lee? I'd be into it. 

...

Both of these stories explore potent, relevant, real-world themes: racism, war, absolute power, cultural and political trauma, America's failures (American as failure), corruption, oppression, guilt, punishment, justice or lack thereof, and the darkness found in humanity. There's a lot to think about. Some of it - especially in MHSS - made me uncomfortable. Jacobs checks himself through Hattie's character, but those moments felt a little contrived, or try-hard, like a last-minute safety net. 

Anyway. As with all horror, not for everyone. But yes, yes, a thousand times yes for me. I haven't really read anything like it, and now I'm really hooked on this vibe. Look out for a re-read, because I won't be able to stay away.

A Lush and Seething Hell on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Maggie's Grave

5 stars. Two Maggies in a row for me, having just finished No One Gets Out Alive, and this one was way too much fun. I've discovered a new favorite author! I can't believe Maggie's Grave combines so many of my favorite tropes into something so fresh and unique. I want more! I wish it was longer! I want everyone to read it so we can discuss the creative kills! 

Three hundred years ago, a group of puritanical Scottish townsfolk executed a falsely-accused witch named Maggie Wall and sacrificed her baby. And now, she's back. The town has shrunk to almost nothing, but she's determined to destroy, rampage and kill every one of her murderers' descendants until she finds what was taken from her so many years ago. But she's not the only threat looming over the little corner of Scotland.

Truly, this was so good. Dark, funny, and a little strange. Maggie Wall is a perfectly rendered monster and the kills are absolutely INSANE!! It was maybe a little predictable (though I did not see that final twist coming), but I didn't mind at all - I was enjoying myself. It all felt very cozy and familiar, in a good way. This should get adapted! Or turned into an anthology episode or something. 

Read this if you're looking for: crisp, easy writing, fast-paced action sequences, small towns, folklore, brutal kills, satisfying revenge, randomly amazing descriptions of beer, a few surprisingly sweet moments, disturbing imagery (TW: naked old people - think sagging butts and flopping penises) and a killer ending. Perfect for Halloween season. Team Maggie! 

Maggie’s Grave on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: No One Gets Out Alive

4 stars. What the in the batshit whackadoodle ever loving fuck did I just read?! Like, what room did I just walk out of, dazed and blinking and disturbed and relieved and kind of annoyed? I felt in over my head with this one, but boy was it a crazy ride. Very excited for it to haunt me when I least expect it. I'll say upfront: I do suggest checking out TWs! Also, I've watched the adaptation and while it's very different, it's very, very enjoyable! Highly recommend!

The story follows Stephanie, a young woman who flees her mentally ill stepmother, landing in the city with very little money and no job prospects in a dreadful economy. Essentially homeless, she takes a room at a dirty boarding house with a flaky landlord, determined to make it work. Her first night in the house, though, is far from peaceful. Creepy voices and strange noises emanate from the floors and walls, and the temperature fluctuates beyond explanation. Stephanie's circumstances grow more and more desperate as she has to decide: stay in a haunted house, or leave with nothing?

When I say that's just the beginning, you should believe it. That's like the first quarter of the book. Things take a huge turn halfway through, and get even crazier before finding an odd but acceptable resolution. I didn't mind the length so much - the journey made me really invested and interested in Stephanie's fate - but the writing itself could've used some editing. There is a lot - A LOT - of time spent in her head as her anxiety spirals. There are a lot - a LOT - of words dedicated to her questioning everything from every angle, examining every option, analyzing every possibility. I'm not saying this wouldn't happen (and I guess it does sort of escalate the tension as you yell at her to run), but I'm saying it got a little repetitive. 

I'm also not entirely sure if the plot maybe was a little bit meandering? Especially in the second half. Nevill does such a terrific job writing moments - he truly has a dark gift for crafting dreadfully descriptive and horrifying episodes - but sometimes his story felt like a vehicle for the moments, not the other way around. Which isn't exactly a complaint (especially talking about horror - it's all about the scary moments), I'm just genuinely trying to sort through why I felt like the narrative lacked a bit. Or felt a little random at times.

Stephanie is a fierce heroine, though, and I never for one second dreamed of abandoning her. And Nevill also skillfully introduces us to one of the most creative, abhorrent villains of all time in Knacker. Knacker manages to offend every single one of the five senses. It's brilliant characterization - cartoonish but in a good way. I squirmed every time I encountered him on a page, which was surely the goal.

I'm glad I committed to this. It's horror in the truest sense of the word and I think it'll be considered a classic soon if not already. I can’t wait to continue my journey with Adam Nevill!

No One Gets Out Alive on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads