In a swamp somewhere in Florida, danger lurks more deadly than the alligators and snakes that live there. Tales of strange humans living in the area are whispered by the town's people. A troubled teen, Kelly, moves to the town with her family and discovers something sinister happening to the children of the swamp. As Kelly and a new friend investigate, they uncover the mysteries of the swamp and the enigmatic figure known as the Dark Man. The book is set in the swamps of the coast of Florida and follows the journey of Kelly as she navigates through hallucinations, mysterious connections, and dark secrets.

The plot revolves around Kelly's experiences with the old, sinister man from her dreams, her struggles with fitting in, and her connection to the mysterious occurrences in the swamp. The writing style captures the eerie atmosphere of the dark, murky swamps, creating a suspenseful and engaging read that keeps the readers hooked till the end.

Characters:

Characters include compelling figures like Kelly and Michael, but others feel underdeveloped or stock.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is accessible and atmospheric, with a style that leans towards young adult rather than adult horror.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers around a mysterious Dark Man, sinister events in a Florida swamp, and unfulfilled connections in the narrative.

Setting:

The story is set in Florida, primarily in dark and atmospheric swamps that enhance the horror elements.

Pacing:

The pacing generally maintains engagement but has moments where it may feel uneven or slow.

In her dreams, his face would come to her out of the darkness of sleep, leering at her, horrible features twisted into a malicious smile, his fingers—the clawed talons of a carnivorous bird—stretching...

Notes:

The story features a character named Kelly Anderson who has been haunted by visions of a sinister old man.

Kelly attempts suicide but survives, prompting her family to move to Villejeune, Florida for a fresh start.

In Villejeune, Kelly befriends a boy named Michael Sheffield, who shares similar experiences with the old man.

The setting includes eerie swamps in Florida, filled with strange inhabitants and unsettling rituals.

The book contains themes of mystery, magic, and a connection to a malevolent figure known as the Dark Man.

Readers found the atmosphere of the swamps to be particularly creepy and well-described.

The story involves a high infant mortality rate in the town, suggesting something sinister at play.

Some critiques mention a lack of depth in character backgrounds and an unsatisfying resolution to the plot.

Despite mixed reviews, some readers found it entertaining, calling it a quick read that was engaging enough to finish.

The book touches on elements of youth, aging, and has hints of a cult-like atmosphere.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book contains content warnings related to suicide, mental health issues, and dark themes surrounding children and cult practices.

From The Publisher:

Villejeune, Florida. A secluded little town at the edge of a vast, eerie swamp. Far from prying eyes. Far from the laws of civilization. Here folks live by their own rules - dark rites of altars and infants, candles and blood.

Years ago the Andersons left town with a dream. Now they are back. To live out a nightmare. Something has been waiting for them. Something unspeakably evil. It feeds on the young and the innocent. And soon it will draw their teenage daughter into its unholy embrace....

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About the Author:

John Saul's first novel, Suffer the Children, was an immediate million-copy bestseller. His other bestselling suspense novels include Perfect Nightmare, Black Creek Crossing, and The Presence. He is also the author of the New York Times bestselling serial thriller The Blackstone Chronicles, initially published in six installments but now available in one complete volume. Saul divides his time between Seattle and Hawaii.

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Darkness

John Saul