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Fiction Review by The Gravedigger
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12.31.05
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THE BACKWOODS surprised me. Ed Lee's newest is a effective low-key gothic tale, sort of the opposite of his inbred horror novel, CREEKERS, yet still manages to be as entertaining. In fact, it reminded me much more of a Richard Laymon book than a Ed Lee one-and I equally enjoy each of those writers' works.A laywer named Patricia goes back to her home town for the funeral of her sister's husband, who was mysteriously killed. He was decapitated but his head was never found. The local population, a mysterious people who literally live off of the land (and on the sisters' property), may somehow be responsible. They reminded me of those townsfolk portrayed in H.P. Lovecraft stories, who worship 'The Other Ones', and I'm sure this is a slight nod to that mythos.Soon, Patricia begins having nightmares about her rape in high school and also starts having these strange sexual hallucinations. She re-connects with a childhood friend who is now the gardener and it's clear that he's still interested in her all of these years. Killing happen to the local folk-and these are perpetrated by thugs hired by a construction/development company, the owner of which wants to build houses where these people now live. These guys soon get their comeuppance in an extremely grisly way.Although this book is low-key for an Ed Lee horror novel, it does not disappoint. It will be interesting to see if the author will continue in this direction.Available from Leisure Books at www.dorchesterpub.com
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Rating: nan out of 10.0 - votes cast total
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