Chizmar, Richard

This is a must for any library keeping abreast of the current zeitgeist of horror. It will appeal to more literary readers as well, as Chizmar is an expert at his craft. Some good companion books are My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix, Edgar Cantero’s Meddling Kids, and Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s Silver Nitrate.

The final part of this trilogy wraps up the intriguing character arc of Gwendy, a character brought to life by Chizmar’s and King’s words, as well as the voice talents of Marin Ireland. Fans of King’s “Dark Tower” series will recognize the occasional nods to the mythos, but readers who have never read the books will still be drawn into this story, where the tension comes from Gwendy trying to stay ahead of those after the box and her own deteriorating condition.

For true crime and horror fans, this one’s essential.