Whisper Down the Lane by Clay McLeod Chapman

Inspired by the McMartin preschool trials and the Satanic Panic of the ‘80s, the critically acclaimed author of The Remaking delivers another pulse pounding, true-crime-based horror novel.

Richard doesn’t have a past. For him, there is only the present: a new marriage to Tamara, a first chance at fatherhood to her son Elijah, and a quiet but pleasant life as an art teacher at Elijah’s elementary school in Danvers, Virginia. Then the body of a rabbit, ritualistically murdered, appears on the school grounds with a birthday card for Richard tucked beneath it. Richard doesn’t have a birthday—but Sean does . . .

Sean is a five-year-old boy who has just moved to Greenfield, Virginia, with his mother. Like most mothers of the 1980s, she’s worried about bills, childcare, putting food on the table . . . and an encroaching threat to American life that can take the face of anyone: a politician, a friendly neighbor, or even a teacher. When Sean’s school sends a letter to the parents revealing that Sean’s favorite teacher is under investigation, a white lie from Sean lights a fire that engulfs the entire nation—and Sean and his mother are left holding the match.

Now, thirty years later, someone is here to remind Richard that they remember what Sean did. And though Sean doesn’t exist anymore, someone needs to pay the price for his lies.

Told on two timelines this story goes back and forth from a child of the 80s who became a media sensation after a psychologist "coached" him to recover memories that never happened, and the man he is today grappling with the guilt and consequences of the lies he told when he was five. 

This book has me trying to put myself in the shoes of younger readers. Would I have enjoyed this book as much if I was not old enough to remember the satanic panic of the 80s? If I were a younger person would I see a connection between the people who so wanted to believe that Satanists were munching on dead babies around every corner and the Qanon cult who believes that people are drinking the blood of children for political gain today? I just don't know the answer to that, because I do remember. I remember the media circus and my mother calling me to the tv to see various talk show hosts cashing in on the never ending parade of "satanic abuse survivors" and I remember we damned near believed it was real at the time. 

I can only give my own opinion, which is that this is a masterfully well written tale that will have you wondering whether guilt has caused Richard to lose his grip on reality or whether someone or something is out to get him.

5 out of 5 stars

Get a copy

Author's Website
 

Summer Sons by Lee Mandelo

 

Andrew and Eddie did everything together, best friends bonded more deeply than brothers, until Eddie left Andrew behind to start his graduate program at Vanderbilt. Six months later, only days before Andrew was to join him in Nashville, Eddie dies of an apparent suicide. He leaves Andrew a horrible inheritance: a roommate he doesn’t know, friends he never asked for, and a gruesome phantom with bleeding wrists that mutters of revenge.

As Andrew searches for the truth of Eddie’s death, he uncovers the lies and secrets left behind by the person he trusted most, discovering a family history soaked in blood and death. Whirling between the backstabbing academic world where Eddie spent his days and the circle of hot boys, fast cars, and hard drugs that ruled Eddie’s nights, the walls Andrew has built against the world begin to crumble, letting in the phantom that hungers for him.

Andrew is getting ready to join his best friend, when he instead learns of his apparent suicide. Now everything Eddie owned belongs to Andrew except for the knowledge of what really happened. Andrew knew Eddie better than anyone else in the world and he is positive that he never would have killed himself.

It took me a while to get into this story. The pace was slow at first, although I was immediately knocked over by the depth of Andrew's grief at the loss of his friend Eddie. As Andrew moves into what was once Eddie's house and now belongs to him, I didn't really care for his inherited roommate Riley or really any of Eddie's crowd. They grew on me eventually and by the time I realized I was angry with Eddie for having shared what Andrew thought was private, I was pretty heavily invested in Andrew's search for the truth of what really led to Eddie's death and whether he really took his own life. There is a supernatural element involved but it felt secondary to Andrew's grief and repressed sexuality. If you enjoy a slow burn horror this is for you.

4 out of 5 stars

I read an e-copy through Netgalley with no obligation to write a review.

Get a copy

More Than Evil - Audiobook by Bil Richardson

 

A MOVIE FOR YOUR EARS

New Audiobook of More Than Evil with full 3D sound design. Lots of music, sound effects and fully voiced narration by Sky Soleil. Coming soon!

HOW DO YOU STOP THE UNSTOPPABLE

A supernatural entity that has been imprisoned in the earth for millennia is released in a small town. It quickly spreads, leaving a trail of blood and carnage in its wake. Harlan is the local sheriff and he is in a race against time to save his family, his town and the rest of the world from this horrifying evil.

A sleeping evil in a small mining town has awakened after getting a taste of blood. Now the dead don't stay that way and it's up to the sheriff to save his town in this gory and gruesome tale.

This was a totally new experience for me, I have not listened to an audio book in years because back when I did, I was not impressed. I know lots of people enjoy them but for me, it is difficult to pay attention when someone reads to me, especially if I don't like their voice. 

However, More Than Evil is nothing like those flat robotic things I tried to listen to a decade ago. It is described as a movie for your ears and I somewhat agree with that but it is more satisfying than trying to listen to a movie with no picture. The rich narration and chilling sound effects remind me more of the old radio shows people listened to before they had tv. Back when there was no picture it was up to the actors and sound effects artists to conjure the images in your imagination. Of course some of the language and more graphic scenes would not have been allowed on the radio in those days, but horror fans of today will likely enjoy this "movie for the ears." I know I did.

4 out of 5 stars.

I received audio files from the author with no obligation to write a review.

About the author

Later by Stephen King

 

The son of a struggling single mother, Jamie Conklin just wants an ordinary childhood. But Jamie is no ordinary child. Born with an unnatural ability his mom urges him to keep secret, Jamie can see what no one else can see and learn what no one else can learn. But the cost of using this ability is higher than Jamie can imagine - as he discovers when an NYPD detective draws him into the pursuit of a killer who has threatened to strike from beyond the grave.

Later is Stephen King at his finest, a terrifying and touching story of innocence lost and the trials that test our sense of right and wrong. With echoes of King's classic novel IT, Later is a powerful, haunting, unforgettable exploration of what it takes to stand up to evil in all the faces it wears.

Later is a coming of age tale, but in Stephen King fashion our young hero Jaimie can see dead people. He sees them whether he wants to or not, and the first sighting when he is just a small tot is truly horrific.

Set in New York beginning just before the recession, we get to grow up with Jaimie, and his mom Tia certainly does some growing up too. Jamie never knew his dad, it's been him and his mom against the world for all of his young life until a romantic interest begins cutting in to their time together. Tia does not believe Jaimie right away when he first tells her what he has seen. Later she makes him promise never to tell anyone, but when it suits her she is the one to let the cat out of the bag, bringing some consequences neither of them bargained for.

The pace moves along at a pretty fast clip, and though it straddles the line between horror and crime, dipping a toe in each, it is most definitely Jamie's narrative that is the star of this book. Stephen King books have been hit or miss with me for the past several years, but I'm counting this among the hits. Watch out for those deadlights.

4 out of 5 stars

Author's Website