This would make for a great Halloween read. Disturbing and eerie, it captured the southern gothic atmosphere perfectly; the plot unfolded slow like molasses at first, but the gradual build up culminated in a darkly satisfying finale — with an unexpected twist. Beautifully written. ( )

This was a fast, fun horror novel that in many ways restored my faith in the idea that dual timelines can really work in a horror novel without destroying the pacing. Too many times lately, I've gotten immersed in horror novels with dual timelines that left me feeling more annoyed with the structure than not, but here the strategy worked perfectly. And what's more, Powell blends tropes of horror and even romance so seamlessly together in a manner that I find difficult to describe. At some moments campy and at others nothing short than 'literary', the story maneuvers past reader expectations and offers up so many moments and sentences that are truly striking, it's very simply a fun, surprising read.

On one hand, I wish it had been longer, but on the other, it was pretty much perfect. Maybe I wished sometimes for a little more depth, and really did want something to sink into for a longer period, but at closer to novella length, it worked pretty darn well.

Recommended. ( )

I've been looking for a Southern Gothic book and this was perfect!! ( )

If you like your books with a palpable feeling to it, this should definitely be on your list. This is an original gothic romance with bank robbers, ghosts, and pedophile priests deep in the Southern swamplands.
It starts normal enough with 1930s photo journalist Eugene being on scene for a bank robbery that ends in a murder, but the two criminals aren't what they seem and Eugene gets swept up into their web that tangles with his past, present, and what's left of his future. The ending should definitely take you by surprise but in the best way.
This story is very multi-layered and it's another example of the impressive skill Powell has at world building in such short stories. It's a definite recommend. ( )