Book Review: Hallows Eve

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Hallows Eve     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Al Sarrantonio
Class/Genre:   Fiction   Horror   Celtic
Cemetery Dance, Sep 2005, $40.00

For twelve years Corrie Phaeder has been a successful Los Angeles-based photographer, who once vowed never to return home; as that is the center of his nightmares. However, his career suddenly collapses and his girlfriend Monica abruptly dumps him so even he cannot explain why he suddenly is taking the train back to pumpkin-farming Orangefield, New York in October. Ironically the place thrives on Halloween yet that is also the most evil time of year there.

Samhain, servant of the Dark One, has selected Corrie and his seven years old neighbor Regina Bright as the victims of his mischief. First he must crash the kid’s innocence with eerie unexplainable incidents and manipulate cop Bill Grant who believes Corrie got away with matricide and did something to now librarian Kathy Marks before fleeing town. Samhain sends John the scarecrow to cause further havoc by killing people with Bill believing Corrie is the culprit.

This is an interesting sequel (see ORANGEFIELD) that readers of Halloween horror thrillers will enjoy. The action-packed story line is at its best when Samhain and John confront Corrie and Reggie. However, the homicides that are intended to psychologically manipulate and motivate Bill to bring down Corrie seem disconnected to the main skirmish. Still with a visit to Samhain's domain adding to the fun, Al Sarrantonio provides a solid Halloween horror thriller starring the Celtic Lord of Death.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner