A malicious entity is out there, slithering across continents and through time. A shadowy woman is on her quest for immortality. She is collecting images, each one with the veiled figure of the otherworldly Tyrant taking hold.
Jake meets Mariko when they both miss a flight in Osaka. They are stunned to find they are each mourning loved ones who died under highly unusual circumstances; autopsies showing the reversals of internal organs. Their shared tragedy is linked to a woman-- known as "E"-- who vanished after the deaths.
Jake takes on the role of the investigator, tracking the woman's activity and the long line of horrific deaths in her wake. Initially he is able to interview the loved ones of the victims; their accounts are presented here as testimonials. Later he discovers a disturbing pictorial record of these tragedies on the dark web, covering 150 years and hundreds of entries.
The narrative unfolds deliberately, showing how "E" relates to each victim; and what she robs them of. Interspersed between each account is the developing story of her current activity. She is out in the Bisti Badlands of New Mexico with a seventeen-year-old girl who believes they are establishing a YouTube channel. This parallel storyline prevents the novel from becoming just a collection of short stories.
The label "literary horror novel" is always questionable, but it fits "Old Soul." This is a creepy journey with a truly evil protagonist whose quest to keep living shows no empathy or remorse for the lives and suffering of others. She is a manipulative predator, exploiting the fears and insecurities of her victims, all the while deluding herself that this existence is worthwhile.
This will not be for everyone. Newly introduced characters necessarily exit quickly, before there is much room for development. The exception is The Sculptor, a wonderful character who leaves an unexpected impression on "E." A little patience with the slow burn is rewarded, though, as the book pays off with a chilling wrap that will stay with you long after the lights have been turned off.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Jake meets Mariko when they both miss a flight in Osaka. They are stunned to find they are each mourning loved ones who died under highly unusual circumstances; autopsies showing the reversals of internal organs. Their shared tragedy is linked to a woman-- known as "E"-- who vanished after the deaths.
Jake takes on the role of the investigator, tracking the woman's activity and the long line of horrific deaths in her wake. Initially he is able to interview the loved ones of the victims; their accounts are presented here as testimonials. Later he discovers a disturbing pictorial record of these tragedies on the dark web, covering 150 years and hundreds of entries.
The narrative unfolds deliberately, showing how "E" relates to each victim; and what she robs them of. Interspersed between each account is the developing story of her current activity. She is out in the Bisti Badlands of New Mexico with a seventeen-year-old girl who believes they are establishing a YouTube channel. This parallel storyline prevents the novel from becoming just a collection of short stories.
The label "literary horror novel" is always questionable, but it fits "Old Soul." This is a creepy journey with a truly evil protagonist whose quest to keep living shows no empathy or remorse for the lives and suffering of others. She is a manipulative predator, exploiting the fears and insecurities of her victims, all the while deluding herself that this existence is worthwhile.
This will not be for everyone. Newly introduced characters necessarily exit quickly, before there is much room for development. The exception is The Sculptor, a wonderful character who leaves an unexpected impression on "E." A little patience with the slow burn is rewarded, though, as the book pays off with a chilling wrap that will stay with you long after the lights have been turned off.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
