The Night Country by Stewart O’Nan

". . . a ghost?s eye view of the human mind."

"This year three ghosts watch and wait for the reaper?s harvest, for the ones who got away."

". . . a Halloween tale with teenage truth and irreverence, painting the scenes in dark slashes of confusion and glimmers of insight."

One more day until the anniversary of the tragic death of three teens, Toe, Marco, and Danielle. Tim and Officer Brooks have lived for this day, for the final reckoning. There were other casualties that fatal Halloween: Kyle’s face and half his mind, Tim’s future with Danielle, and Officer Brooks’ career, marriage and peace. The spell of All Hallow’s Eve waits for the seasons to turn back around to cast its magic net once more. Toe’s friends, Travis and Greg, remember Toe by baiting Brooks with Halloween justice. Kyle is the wild card, poised between a reunion with his lost half and reconciliation with his new half-life. And the three ghosts wait.

The Night Country is a ghost’s eye view of the human mind. Stewart O’Nan serves his Halloween tale with teenage truth and irreverence, painting the scenes in dark slashes of confusion and glimmers of insight. O’Nan takes his time revealing the plot, teasing you onto a seemingly endless harvest road, taunting with repeated hints and clues, until you suddenly hit a tree. The Night Country is benefitted by a second read.

Reviewer: J.M. Cornwell