I just finished a book I
received from a fellow author, not for review
but for pleasure. That’s what writers often do, they exchange books. I’ve known
Tony Tremblay for a few years now. I first met him face-to-face at an anthology
conference, aka ANTHOCON, in Portsmouth New Hampshire. Pretty much every author
I know that writes in the horror field I met at that conference. Almost
everybody ended up on my friend's list,
but Tony Tremblay stuck out for a couple of reasons.
First off, and this is a no bullshit statement, he is one of the nicest
guys you’ll ever meet. He loves where he lives, loves the people who surround
him, including other writers, and he has an aura of positivity that is neither
forced or fabricated. Tony Tremblay is the real deal. A proud resident of Goffstown,
NH and a huge supporter of the horror
community. But that’s not all. He’s passionate, talented and yet he remains
humble. So,
now I’ve buttered you up and you might think, “Look, he’s plugging a novel for
his buddy. Isn’t that nice?” But here’s the thing that writers also do. They
tend to go silent when the material doesn’t taste right. As to exchanging
books, writers pass each other books, but many end
up in a slush pile of To Be Read that is sometimes compromised when said writer
goes whoring with a favorite bestselling author. There is also the time factor.
I’m not a fast reader, never have been and even if I was my TBR pile is in the
100’s. And yes, writers I like to get bumped
up the line. So, it didn’t take long before I wrapped my hands around a signed
hardcover of THE MOORE HOUSE by TONY TREMBLAY. The look and feel of a professionally
bound hardcover are a great introduction to any book. The cover is simple leather brown with even
simpler artwork. An ancient cross. The feel adds to the invitation, the matte
cover feeling like a thin skin of raw leather.
As I opened the book, I read Bracken McLeod’s
introduction and upon finishing, I thought,
“Now what the hell am I going to say to top that?”
With McLeod’s foreword in my rear-view mirror, I started reading…
The Moore House is thought to have a black soul,
based on its history and reputation. It is the nucleus of evil acts. Suicide, disappearances,
murders that include dismemberment, can all be connected to the Moore House. But
no one gets convicted of these crimes. The murders that are discovered and
investigated are predestined to become cold cases.
And then there is that other school of thought.
Perhaps the house itself is the killer, inhabited by an evil, not of this world?
Catholic Priest, Father MacLeod leads a team of
three excommunicated nuns, Nora, Agnes, and
Celeste, to investigate the Moore House at the behest of a local businessman,
Kevin Lewis. Lewis’ granddaughter has been missing for some time and he believes
that the house has something to do with it. With connections in the Vatican,
Lewis uses his influence to send MacLeod’s team to the Moore House to explore
the possibility that the dwelling might be possessed.
That is what they do, with each woman possessing
an ability to pinpoint the presence of paranormal or demonic activity, they
sweep the property with zero results. Satisfied, Father MacLeod departs, while
the three women stay on and are compelled to go into the house following a uniformed
police officer who thinks he sees the missing Lewis child and requests their
assistance.
What ensues is imprisonment and a web of trickery
on the part of the houses demonic presence. The sins of the team itself are inventoried individually as the
devil’s disciple casts its influence on the trapped women. Meanwhile, Father MacLeod returns to save the women and brings help,
including the businessman, Lewis and a local pawnbroker who seems to know more
than is letting on.
In the Moore House, Tremblay revives the demonic possession tale with purity and strength.
A melding of Ghost Story
meets The Exorcist is what is
suggested. Having read both books I can understand the analogy. But this story
reminds me of another of demonic possession book, John Farris’ SON OF THE
ENDLESS NIGHT. Not so much because of a similar
storyline, there isn’t, but the style of the writing feels the same. That’s a
compliment. Tremblay remains true to the legend
surrounding exorcism and has researched the subject matter for which he uses as
his backdrop. His non-villain characters are flawed, forgivable, and even likable. His villains are to be despised and
feared. And of course, there is the house itself. Impervious to arson, able to
change and cloak its victims using its black soul while playing host to a top-tier demon.
I’m not going to tell you anything else about the
plot, I’m not going to ruin it for you. I am going to tell you that I enjoyed
this story a lot. Even though I stated only weeks ago that I was “so over” haunted
houses. Tremblay gets a pass on that complaint because he tells a wicked story
and his characters easily become your characters. I even felt a little twinge,
because it reminded me somewhat of my debut novel, THE EQUINOX. Again, not because
the stories are the same, but the writer of Moore House has the same feeling I was trying to portray in my first full-length novel. That is also a compliment.
This is Tony Tremblay’s debut novel with Twisted
Publishing, an imprint of Haverhill House Publishing. He has also published a
short story collection called SEEDS OF
NIGHTMARES. This debut novel is worth checking out. If you’re a fan of John Farris
or classic King, you won’t be disappointed. Also, there is a bonus at the end
of this book. Tremblay leaves you with an introduction and a short tale, dessert
after the main course. That is THE REVEREND’S WIFE.
It is available in hardcover, paperback and on
kindle.
Get it on Amazon
Enjoy.
MJ Preston
