From its haunting cover art to its sleepless, spine-tingling finale, C. Flemish’s debut novel, Diablo Canyon, is a historical horror masterpiece sure to captivate fans of Dean Koontz. This award-winning author masterfully weaves together three distinct historical eras, blending unsettling folklore and dark occult elements to create a chilling supernatural tale rooted in a gripping modern-day narrative.
Drawing from thorough research and personal experiences with nature, Flemish skillfully integrates prequel subplots into a cohesive and compelling narrative. This eerie and suspenseful tale, with its "echoes of the past, whispers of the forgotten," delivers a chilling dose of macabre horror fit for the big screen.
Flemish weaves a compelling narrative that seamlessly blends the historical backdrop of the 1920s with the lives of vivid characters, including bandit Tiburcio "Tibu" Vásquez, an Indigenous tribe, and Jack Morrison, a modern-day writer. At the heart of the story is Jack Morrison, a deeply flawed and tormented protagonist. Struggling with excessive drinking and a crumbling marriage to his wife, Allison, Jack wrestles with his own failures. As a disillusioned writer, his despair deepens when Allison confronts him about his shortcomings—not only in his work but also in their relationship—and voices her suspicions about his involvement with other women. Her piercing words push Jack to the edge, forcing him to confront his escalating despair and grapple with thoughts of suicide as his life begins to unravel.
Jack is determined to rebuild the happiness and stability his life once held, pouring every ounce of effort into putting the pieces back together. Seeking a fresh start, his family moves to a secluded home on the outskirts of a small town, hoping the tranquility will bring them the peace they crave. But their hopes are short-lived. Soon after settling in, strange and unnerving occurrences begin to disrupt their lives. Peaceful nights give way to hauntingly vivid nightmares that plague every member of the household. With each passing day, their unease deepens, a growing sense of dread whispering that something far more sinister lurks within their new surroundings. And they are not wrong.
This excerpt from Diablo Canyon provides a haunting glimpse into Flemish's chilling visions that he weaves throughout the novel.
Jack staggered back, shielding his face. They crawled across his skin, skittering through his hair, filling his ears with their maddening drone. The man’s body deflated, his skin collapsing inward, shriveling like an old, discarded husk. His eyes sank deep into his skull, leaving behind only two gaping, black voids.
Then he laughed.
Deep. Hollow. Inhuman.
The voice slithered into Jack’s mind.
You are mine now, Jack. You. Are. Mine.
Jack’s body locked in place, the laughter reverberating inside his skull.
Then, silence. The flies scattered. The only thing left was a pile of drenched clothes. Jack panted, sweat mixing with lake water. This can’t be real.
Sirens wailed in the distance. Dogs howled in response. Jack knelt, his hands searching through the soggy fabric. No body. No blood. Nothing. A chill crawled up his spine. Then, a whisper in his ear.
“We will see you soon, Jack.”
Among his array of eccentric characters are monsters, the most terrifying of which is the formidable Dwyrolith. This massive, nightmarish creature looms with leathery, black wings resembling a manta ray swollen to monstrous proportions. Its gaping maw, lined with fangs dripping with slobber, exudes a putrid stench that assaults the senses. Adding to its menace is the ominous presence of a murder of enormous crows that follow in its wake. Alongside these horrors are unique supporting figures: a gatekeeper, an enforcer, and an enabler, each with their own distinct roles. The violence and gore are vividly rendered, leaving nothing to the imagination, as the reader’s senses are engaged through richly descriptive imagery of sight, sound, and smell.
At times, the violence is quite intense as the hero, Jack, battles relentlessly to rescue the dying town from a sinister, hidden horror that preys on its heartbroken citizens. As Jack uncovers the dark secrets lurking beneath the surface, the stakes grow higher, and the danger becomes more palpable. The terror-filled storyline weaves suspense and action seamlessly, grabbing the reader from the very first page and refusing to let go. With each twist and turn, the fight for survival becomes more desperate, pulling readers deeper into the chilling, atmospheric world of the novel.
Readers, take caution—this is a story that will have you leaving the lights on. Not for the faint of heart or the easily unsettled, it’s a tale that doesn’t promise a restful night’s sleep. With a gripping conclusion that begs for a sequel, it’s clear that C. Flemish’s other works are a must-read.
Reviewed by: Carole
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