Moreno-Garcia’s novel takes place in 1993, Mexico City. Montserrat is a movie sound editor during a period of resurgence in filmmaking in Mexico during the 1990’s. Although not mentioned in the novel, cinema in Mexico during the early 90’s released great films by filmmakers who are relevant in Hollywood today; such as Guillermo del Toro (Cronos, 1993) and Alfonso Cuaron (Solo Con Tu Pareja, 1991). Montserrat is struggling to make ends meet as her employer, Antares, is attempting to phase her out of the job. Her childhood friend, and platonic love-interest (is that a thing?), Tristan, is a washed-up actor attempting to make a comeback following a tragic accident befalling him and his ex-girlfriend. When Tristan discovers mail belonging to his neighbor, acclaimed filmmaker Abel Urueta, he conjures an opportunity to meet the famed director as he, and Montserrat, are huge fans of his work. The informal meeting between the three quickly shifts into a pursuit to complete the unfinished work of Urueta, Beyond the Yellow Door, which only known by movie aficionados, was rumored to be destroyed. Urueta claims the film donned a curse that, much like radiation from a nuclear bomb, has poisoned those involved in its’ production. The way to lift the curse, is to complete the sound editing by dubbing the film’s final scene’s dialogue and thus, completing the film. Urueta’s presenting the remaining film canister for Beyond the Yellow Door, as serving as the main plot device, is where the novel’s plot unfolds.

Silver Nitrate expands on personal trials of each character, and how their involvement in reversing the film’s curse could potentially invoke good fortune for each of them. I cannot vouch for the novel’s scares, as I personally did not find it chilling. The narrative lingers along the fringes of supernatural-thriller with some horror elements. But don’t let that deter you from exploring its’ pages. Silver Nitrate is a solid, character-driven, story that weaves the thrills of horror, the occult (with Nazis), and mystery; meanwhile paying homage to classic cinema. The weight of each character’s personal trial can be felt with every turn of the page. Moreno-Garcia truly has a distinct voice in her writings and holds true to her authority as writer. Silver Nitrate not only shows Moreno-Garcia’s commitment to her research of cinema, but her love for it as well. Check this book out.

The Only Good Indians tells the story of four Blackfoot Native Americans, Lewis, Ricky, Gabe, and Cassidy located on a reservation in northern Montana. One night, as the four young men venture on a hunt, treading illegal territory that’s meant for the Native elders, they come across a group of elk at the foot of a hill. Reigning bullets onto the elk below, the four men annihilate the herd without blinking an eye. In the midst of the massacre they’ve created, they come to find that one of the elk was pregnant, with her calf still alive. Ten years later, the massacre that ensued haunts them to their core. Lewis, the one who killed the pregnant elk, becomes enslaved to hallucinations of a woman donning the head of an elk. He begins to fear for the sake of his sanity, and even contemplates some vengeful entity come to seek justice. Yet when Lewis’s dog is suddenly killed by trampling, it becomes clear his visions may be more than just his mind, but something sinister encroaching into his reality.

As the novel progresses, Jones examines the departure from Native American culture within each character. This exploration makes obvious the collision between old traditions and modern Indian life, from interracial marriage (Lewis marries a White woman named Peta), acclimation to life outside the reservation, as well as buried traditions that are vaguely remembered. Bearing some weight on the outcome of their circumstances, the four men put their “archaic” beliefs to rest; how could there possibly be a vengeful entity seeking them out in pursuit of justice? Cassidy’s relationship with Jo, a woman from a different tribe (Crow Indian), provides some steady ground for his well being; in contrast to Gabe, who seeks solace in alcohol while dealing with his estranged relationship to his daughter, Denorah.

As the demons from their past seek to haunt them, it is ultimately their self-destructive tendencies and eventually their growing paranoia, that bind them to a web of hatred and retribution spun by the evil that hunts them. Driven to murder, betrayal, mutilation, and paranoid delusions (or are they?), The Only Good Indians is a novel that delivers on the horror. Stephen Graham Jones’s follow-up is just as enjoyable. Enjoy! Thanks for reading!

Master of the Moors, published in 2008, takes place sometime around the 1800’s within the moors of Dartmoor by Brent Prior (village). A tragic occurrence unfolds in one particular foggy night as the search for a woman in the moors turns deadly when the rescuing party falls victim to an unseen, sinister force amidst the unforgiving darkness that consumes them. Years later, we find Brent Prior as a village plagued with loss as its’ inhabitants are resigned to a constant feeling of impending doom. The haunting visuals effectively reels the reader into the pages of Burke’s evocative writing; materializing each word in building the atmosphere and tension of Master of the Moors. 

In Brent Prior, we find aging groundskeeper, Grady, responsible for tending to the manor of his employer, Mansfield, who’s currently in a catatonic state since the fateful night in the moors years prior. Mansfield’s children, Kate and her blind younger brother Neil, tend to be the subject of ridicule, mainly due to Neil’s loss of sight. As tensions build amongst the townsfolk, the arrival of a stranger (donning frayed bandages) wielding a disfigured semblance initiates a series of disappearances, as well as a mysterious fog that shrouds Brent Prior. The town is under siege by a force none can explain. Yet as the townsfolk find comfort within the confines of Brent Prior, away from the dangers of the moors, it is the mysterious fog that brings the threat of the moors to their doorstep.

Burke unleashes the forces of revenge, passion, love, and terror in a character driven narrative that often led me to blurring the lines of good and evil throughout my read. Each character arc was far from predictable, and often times offered a fair share of surprises that had me put the book down to gather my thoughts. Perhaps this was attributed to how ‘real’ these characters felt, making them so much more flawed and unpredictable. Yet I found myself revisiting several sections of the book and found little clues regarding each character that really put things into perspective; such as one’s intrinsic qualities could be the instrument of their own demise.

As an American, I found the dialect to be a nice departure from the more recognizable Americanized expressions I’m used to. Burke has a knack for keeping dialogue natural; not once did I ever feel discourse is out of place in any of his work.

Master of the Moors presents a terrifying novel about how the repercussions of love, loss, and revenge can bring out the wickedness deep within. What I found most intriguing was the malice not only lies within the moors, but inside Brent Prior itself. Kealan Patrick Burke has an impressive, as well as versatile, body of work that I always enjoy reading. Master of the Moors is a highly recommend read and a great start for those who’ve never ventured into Burke’s world. About three years ago I reviewed a novella by Burke titled, Sour Candy, that I’ll give a notable mention to. It’s that good.

Thanks for reading!