Darker Days
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By Thomas Olde Heuvelt
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1 review
When the darker days fall, the debt must be paid, . . . get ready for the chilling new folk horror from the Hugo Award-winning, bestselling author of HEX – from the publisher of The Exorcist and perfect for fans of Shirley Jackson and Stephen King.
‘One of the most vital and exciting voices in modern horror.’ Mike Flanagan, award-winning director of ‘Doctor Sleep’ and ‘The Haunting of Hill House’
‘No one builds agonizing tension like Thomas Olde Heuvelt. Darker Days is his best yet.’ Catriona Ward, bestselling author of The Last House on Needless Street
In Lock Haven, a quiet little town in Washington State, there is a very special street.
Bird Street. The residents of Bird Street are all successful, wealthy, healthy and happy. And their children are all well-mannered and smart and high achievers.
At least they are for eleven months of the year.
In November, however, the ‘Darker Days’ begin. For November’s the month when things take a turn for the worse: accidents, bad luck, familial conflict and illness take hold. And it is in November that a stranger comes to Bird Street to collect the debt owed by the residents.
Because, you see, there is a price that must be paid for all the happiness and good fortune they enjoy for the other eleven months of year. And that price is one human life. Every November. Without fail.
And so it has been for over a hundred years. To ease their guilt, the residents of Bird Street seek out individuals – usually the elderly or the terminally ill – who wish to die with dignity and are content to be helped on their way.
But this year, things don’t go to plan. This year events take a terrifying turn . . .
Propulsive and haunting, Darker Days is a devastating modern take on the Faustian pact, and begs the question: how far would you go for your own happiness?
Praise for Darker Days and Thomas Olde Heuvelt
‘Totally, brilliantly original’ Stephen King, bestselling author of It and Carrie
‘Possibly the most frightening prologue ever written’ Guardian
‘This is Olde Heuvelt at the height of his powers.’ Alma Katsu, award-winning author of The Hunger
‘A daring and uncompromising jewel of horror fiction.’ Eric LaRocca, award-winning author of Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke
‘Creepy, gripping, and original.’ George R. R. Martin, bestselling author of Game of Thrones
‘Takes the horror/thriller genre to a whole new level.’ Sarah Lotz, award-winning author of The White Road
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Provided by Penguin Random House and The Reading Agency
Bird Street hides a deeply disturbing secret. Every November, with house shutters drawn and mirrors covered, the Darker Days descend wreaking havoc and despair on the residents until a ritualistic human sacrifice is made in the woods to the rear of the properties. In a quasi-ethical attempt to assuage the annual collective guilt, victims are preyed upon from seemingly willing terminally ill patients and hopeless depressive types, who are first sedated, then killed by lethal injection. Born in highly unusual circumstances, gifted children, bipolar Olympic potential diver, Kaila, and her brother, consummate pianist, Django, become inextricably entangled in the predicament of their parents and community. The novel explores what happens when a pact made with a murky devilish dictator figure can no longer be fulfilled. Desperation ensues, suitable victims’ manifest reluctance to end their lives, accidents occur and instability prevails throughout.
Thomas Olde Heuvelt’s book is a page turner, but definitely not for the faint hearted as its subject matter is grotesque. It is a modern horror story with vivid description and well developed, unforgettable characters. Surprisingly, it is very hard for the reader to dislike the protagonists and their neighbours and not to long for an escape route to emerge from their culpability.
If you enjoyed Catriona Ward’s novel ‘The Last House on Needless Street’, Darker Days is tailor made for you. A total success and wonderful read.
