Vansihed bestselling author resurfaces with back to back book releases
CHARLIE LEFFLER
Cardinal Staff Writer
Book Review:
Speaks the Nightbird Vol. 1&2
By Robert McCammon
Ten years ago, Robert McCammon was on top of the literary world. There were rumors that his last two books 'Boy"s Life' and 'Gone South' were going to be optioned for movies. An older novel 'Swan Song' was being discussed as a mini-series project and was growing as a rival to Stephen King"s classic 'The Stand.'
His name was mentioned with King, Dean Koontz, Clive Barker and Peter Straub. McCammon seemed to have the world in his grasp.
Then in an act that rivaled the disappearance of Amelia Earhart, McCammon seemingly vanished over night.
Now, over a decade later, McCammon has stormed back onto the scene with a two volume story 'Speaks the Nightbird'. Volume I: 'Judgement of the Witch' was released on paperback in September while Volume II: 'Evil Unveiled', hit the bookshelves in October.
In an interview with Shawn Ryan of the Birmingham Post-Herald, McCammon stated that it was a dispute with New York publishers that made him vow to never write again. With his origins stemming from horror novels such as 'Baal' and 'Wolf"s Hour,' the publishing industry labeled McCammon as a horror writer much to his dissatisfaction. Then even while his last three hit novels fell into the category of mystery, McCammon was still unable to escape the genre that the had been listed under. In retaliation, he ceased writing.
Though the paperback edition has been released by Pocket Books, his return with 'Speaks the Nightbird' was published through the small independent River City Publishing.
Though the titles may indicate otherwise, 'Speaks the Nightbird' also belongs more in the genre of mystery rather than horror. However, the novels deal with horrific themes and show that sometimes the most frightening evil arises in the form of greed, lust, prejudice and superstition.
The novels take place in the 1699 frontier of the American Colonies. It is a time shortly after the Salem Witch Trials. Indians still live in the forests, pirates roam the seas and the Spanish present a constant threat in the south.
In the tiny failing settlement of Fount Royal, magistrate Isaac Woodward and his young clerk Matthew have been called from far off Charles Town to rule in the case of a woman accused of being a witch.
Rachel Howarth"s husband and the local reverend have been murdered. With crops failing, bad weather, disease and people moving out in droves, the remaining residents blame Howarth and accuse her of witchcraft.
However, when the magistrate mysteriously falls ill it is up to Matthew to discover the truth, and it seems like everyone in the settlement is harboring some type of secret. All the while he must keep what could be an innocent woman from being burned at the stake.
The novels are well paced and keep the reader flipping page after page proving that McCammon is still one of the masters of the craft. Although 'Speaks the Nightbird' does not fit in the horror genre, the story contains enough suspense and horror to make the prefect Halloween read.
For Ryan"s complete interview go to www.robertmccammon.com