First published 1993
Strange deaths plague the quiet town of Rio Verde. Bob Jones, a local insurance investigator, finds himself drawn into a mystery that defies rational explanation. Bodies appear drained of life, witnesses speak of impossible shadows, and the town's residents grow increasingly paranoid. Jones teams up with others who refuse to accept the official explanations. They discover that something ancient and malevolent has been summoned into their world. The entity feeds on human fear and grows stronger with each death. As the supernatural force spreads its influence, Jones must confront forces beyond his understanding. The investigation becomes a desperate fight for survival as the boundary between the natural and supernatural worlds collapses. Jones faces a choice between his rational worldview and accepting a reality where ancient evils can be called forth to terrorize the living.
Genres: mystery, horror, supernatural, thriller
Vibes: dark, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: ancient-evil, supernatural-investigation
Setting: Rio Verde
Hardcover · Headline Book Publishing
Content warnings: violence