by Ronald Malfi
First published 2017
Stillwater is drowning slowly, its buildings waterlogged and its population scattered by repeated floods. The latest deluge leaves behind more than mud and debris. Something has taken up residence among the remaining townspeople, something that feeds on human flesh and blood. The surviving children whisper about vampires in hushed tones, but their parents know better. This creature defies easy categorization. It nests within their community, selecting victims with deliberate care. As more residents vanish, those left behind must confront an entity far worse than any folklore monster. The thing that came with the floodwaters represents a terror beyond their understanding, one that transforms their already dying town into something approaching hell on earth.
Genres: mystery, horror, supernatural, thriller
Vibes: dark, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: monsters, small-town-horror
Setting: Stillwater
321 pages · Paperback · Journalstone
Content warnings: body-horror, graphic-violence