Welcome back to Books With Cause. Let’s dive straight into my latest review.
Much like my previous post, this is another Horror Aficionados selection. I’ve been reading their recommendations for a few years now, and it’s gotten to the point where I’m reading some authors for the second, third time, or even more. With Christina Henry, I’ve previously read The House That Horror Built and Horseman. I think the former was a little while before I started this site, but I did review Horseman almost a year ago. When authors are getting repeated recommendations on Horror Aficionados, I take that as a good sign.
Mattie lives on the side of a mountain with her husband, William. Their cabin is well off the beaten track, and they never see another living soul. One morning, Mattie finds a mutilated fox on their doorstep. William realises they’re not alone on the mountain. He believes there’s a terrifying wild beast at large, and he intends to capture it. The pair of them go out looking for the creature, and they come across three cryptid hunters. William gets into a disagreement with them and orders them to leave “his land”. The hunters argue that it is public land and they have every right to be there. They also seem to recognise Mattie. But she is certain she’s never seen them before in her life.
Near the Bone is a story about coming to terms with your own identity and learning which kind of monsters are the most dangerous.
This was a book that made me feel cold purely from association. The cover of the book is mostly white. And then as soon as I read the back of the book, it mentioned them living on a mountain, and I always associate mountains with snow. When William and Mattie went out looking for the beast, I pictured them in big, thick coats with fluffy hoods. Like I say, it made me feel a little cold, but after the summer we’ve just had, I didn’t dislike that. It may have been a different story if I was reading this book in the winter.
Again, I can’t say too much without giving away a major plot point. But I will go as far as to say that this book reminded me of The Last Thing to Burn by Will Dean.
If you know, you know.
My Goodreads Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3 stars)
