Welcome back to Books With Cause. Let’s dive straight into my latest review.
Nat Cassidy is an author whom I’ve been meaning to read for some time. Two of his books, Mary and Nestlings, were both Goodreads’ Horror Aficionados recommendations last year, but both were nearly impossible to get my hands on. Although it does look like Nestlings will be getting a UK publication later this year. So I may finally be able to check it out.
More recently, When the Wolf Comes Home was a Horror Afficionados pick, and the library had it. So I didn’t have to wait nearly as long to dive into this one.
WTWCH focuses on Jess Bailey, a struggling actress and member of an improv group who are all united by their daddy issues. While she auditions and waits for her big break, Jess works in a diner to pay the bills and make ends meet. While cleaning out the toilets, before finishing her shift, she pricks her finger on a used needle and is understandably terrified that she might be infected with something.
She heads home to freshen up before heading out to get a blood test. But when she gets home, she finds a mysterious little boy hiding in the bushes outside her apartment. The boy doesn’t know his own name and seems terrified beyond belief. Something terrifyingly evil is after the boy. Jess feels compelled to keep the boy the same. Before they know it, she and the boy find themselves on the run together. And that’s when all hell really breaks loose. Because the boy appears to have inexplicable powers. Powers that can change Jess’s life, along with the world around her.
When the Wolf Comes Home is a wonderful horror novel that evoked memories for me of Stephen King’s Firestarter. Nick Cutter also likens it to an episode of The Twilight Zone. Either way, it doesn’t take long for this book to get started. It’s thrilling and terrifying in equal measure, and many of the pages fly by.
Bravo, Mr Cassidy. A tremendous read, and I look forward to enjoying another of your books sometime in the future.
My Goodreads Rating: ★★★★☆(4 stars)
