First published 2012
Herman and Janet Erikson exist in separate worlds of grief after their daughter dies in a hit and run accident. They have abandoned hope in their marriage and themselves, moving through each day like ghosts. When their dog disappears into the coyote territory behind their home, Herman cannot bear another loss. He ventures into the harsh badlands to bring the animal back, unaware that his search will lead him to something far more dangerous than predators. Hidden in this desolate landscape lies a bottle containing water from the River Styx, the mythological boundary between life and death. The ancient gods have perished and their river has dried to nothing, but this remnant holds dark powers that survived their destruction. Herman's discovery of these waters will transform him in ways he never imagined, forcing him to confront forces that blur the line between salvation and damnation.
Genres: literary-fiction, fantasy, horror, dark-fantasy
Vibes: dark, emotional, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: grief, loss, supernatural
Setting: Coyote Territory, River Styx
Period: Ancient, Contemporary
332 pages · Paperback · Redrum Horror
Content warnings: death