Tag: Occult Horror

‘Memorials:’ The Haunting Must-Read New Horror Novel by Richard Chizmar

‘Memorials’ is the new horror novel by Richard Chizmar. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Horror novels captivate readers by tapping into deep-seated fears and the unknown, offering a thrilling escape from reality. They engage the imagination, inviting readers to confront the darker aspects of human nature, often exploring themes of mortality, isolation, and the supernatural. The suspenseful plots, eerie atmospheres, and unexpected twists keep readers on edge, fostering a sense of catharsis through the release of tension. They provide a safe space for exploring fear, allowing readers to experience adrenaline-pumping emotions without real danger. This blend of psychological intrigue and visceral excitement is what makes horror fiction so irresistibly compelling.

I love horror novels and have been reading them since elementary school. There’s a new horror novel out by Richard Chizmar, “Memorials,” that has been getting rave reviews, especially from Stephen King.

“Scary and hard to put down. You might be advised not to read it at night.”
—Stephen King

Richard Chizmar is the coauthor (with Stephen King) of the New York Times bestselling novella Gwendy’s Button Box and “Gwendy’s Final Task,” and the solo novella Gwendy’s Magic Feather. Recent books include the New York Times bestsellers “Becoming the Boogeyman” and “Chasing the Boogeyman,” “The Girl on the Porch,” “The Long Way Home,” his fourth short story collection, and Widow’s Point, a chilling tale about a haunted lighthouse co-written with his son Billy Chizmar, which was recently made into a feature film. His short fiction has appeared in dozens of publications, including Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine and The Year’s 25 Finest Crime and Mystery Stories. He has won two World Fantasy awards, four International Horror Guild awards, and the HWA’s Board of Trustees award. Chizmar’s work has been translated into more than fifteen languages throughout the world, and he has appeared at numerous conferences as a writing instructor, speaker, panelist, and guest of honor.

“Memorials” – 1983: Three students from a small college embark on a week-long road trip to film a documentary on roadside memorials for their American Studies class. The project starts out as a fun adventure with long stretches of empty road and nightly campfires where they begin to open up with one another.

But as they venture deeper into the Appalachian backwoods, the atmosphere begins to darken. They notice more and more of the memorials feature a strange, unsettling symbol hinting at a sinister secret. Paranoia sets in when it appears they are being followed. Their vehicle is tampered with overnight and some of the locals appear to be anything but welcoming. Before long, the students can’t help but wonder if these roadside deaths were really random accidents…or is something terrifying at work here?

Marty Roppelt’s ‘Mortal Foe’: A Rollercoaster Ride Through the Shadows

‘Mortal Foe’ by Marty Roppelt. Photo: Amazon

Marty Roppelt was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio and enjoys writing in the paranormal and horror genre. He has written a series of short Christmas stories to raise money for St. Herman’s House, a homeless shelter in Cleveland. In his first novel “Mortal Foe,” a picture is worth a thousand words, but what if that image can only be seen through the lens of one special camera? (Amazon, 2024)

“Mortal Foe” – Buddy Cullen dreams of his grandfather’s death just before it happened. After his death, he inherits his grandfather’s antique camera which captures an image that haunts him and seeks his death. Can Buddy survive the curse that he sarcastically dubs “Popcorn”—a curse that no one wants to believe exists and stalks the city of Cleveland, beginning with its baseball team—a mortal foe?

Review:
The story is set in Cleveland, Ohio and begins with Buddy Cullen, a journalism professor, waking up from a nightmare about his grandfather Jimmy Cullen. In it, he sees his grandfather, who’s a photographer, and within the nightmare, he has an out of body experience and becomes Jimmy and experiences his last night alive. Buddy and his girlfriend Kelly attend Jimmy’s wake at O’Leary’s, his father’s Irish pub. There, he takes a picture of Jimmy’s friends with his old camera. This picture, and others that Jimmy took throughout his life, will haunt Buddy and he believes they are linked to the curse of the Cleveland Indians. Together with RJ, his best friend, and Erika, RJ’s sister, they investigate these pictures which inevitably opens hell on earth for Buddy and will endanger his loved ones in ways he never saw coming.

“Mortal Foe” is a gripping thriller that deals with the complexities of family and the human condition. Roppelt masterfully creates a narrative filled with suspense and intrigue, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with each twist and turn. The characters are well developed and their relationship with each other moves the story along at a steady pace. Buddy is a flawed but compelling character, struggling with his own moral dilemmas while chasing down a formidable antagonist. From the beginning, with Buddy awakening from a nightmare: “Don’t show the darkness any fear,” readers are immerse in his world, where menacing shadows lurk everywhere.

There is heavy sports talk since the narrative centers around baseball, specifically the Cleveland Indians, but you don’t have to know the sport well to get caught up on the story, which intensifies after Chapter 11 when Buddy starts seeing all sorts of creepy and scary images. The language is vivid and descriptive: “Mannion wears the profound loss of a close friend like a floor-length, black overcoat” and brings the story to life.

Overall, “Mortal Foe” is a must-read notable addition to the thriller genre, showcasing Roppelt’s talent for creating an engaging and thought-provoking story. By exploring the themes of death, faith, family, friendship, and good vs evil, it is a treat for baseball and supernatural fans alike. The author’s attention to detail and ability to build tension is evident throughout the book, making it a page-turner that’s hard to put down. It’s recommended for fans of suspenseful, character-driven narratives. 

“The shadow approaches my bed. The odors intensify with each step, both the reeking of too many roses and the stench of corruption. Decay. Death.”

*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Rating: 4 out of 5.