My Five Word TL:DR Review : Slow burn, but ultimately satisfying

This is a book that is full of ideas. It’s clever, well developed and after quite a slow start and some initial setup delivers an intense story with fully fleshed out characters and a perfect setting.  Supernatural,horror, the occult, Nazis dabbling with the unknown.

The story involves two characters who are both involved, in very different roles, within the film industry.  Tristan was an upcoming actor when his career took a downward spiral following the death of his girlfriend in a car accident allegedly involving drink and drugs.  Montserrat is a skilled sound editor whose prickly exterior and abrupt no-nonsense way of dealing with people frequently results in her losing assignments to younger or less experienced co-workers.  Both of them have money concerns which ultimately acts as their motivation.  The two have been friends since childhood.  Montserrat protecting Tristan from school bullying and eventually developing something of a crush on him (that was not reciprocated). The two have an on-off friendship dictated by Tristan’s relationship status.  He usually abandons Montserrat when somebody ‘new’ comes onto the scene and then calls her again when things go pear-shaped and she rallies round to pick up the pieces.  In spite of that they have a strong bond.  In fact, the friendship between the two is one of the really strong aspects of the story.  They have this whole ‘good cop/bad cop’ thing going on, a sometimes brutally honest way of talking to each other and their friendship is a great twist on the ‘damsel in distress’ with Tristan being the one most often in need of rescuing.

In terms of the plot. Well, this involves a lot of set up in terms of classical horror movies (which our two main characters share a love of).  They become acquainted with an old horror director who became almost infamous for an unfinished movie that was said to be cursed, a curse that he believes can be lifted, indeed can bestow good luck, if the film is completed.  And this is the start of the creepiness. I won’t elaborate further about the plot other than to say this is a story of magic, cults, worship and strange phenomenon.

I’m not entirely sure I would say this was horror. I found it more creepy and unsettling than horrifying.  The concept is intriguing and well developed and the story seems to follow these peaks and troughs where something really shocks or surprises you and then there’s a slight lull while our two characters go in search of more clues.  But, when the creep factor does come forth it certainly delivers the goosebumps. Shadows, ghosts, flashes of things out of the corner of the eye or reflections in mirrors of things that simply aren’t there.

The story takes place in Mexico City during the 90s. I loved the way the setting is developed.  It’s so rich, which isn’t to say it’s overly detailed or elaborately described. The author has a way of relaying information during the course of the narrative, snippets thrown in about holiday customs, food, shops, etc. They seem like relatively small details but they build up to form a rich tapestry and they help you to sink into the place.

In terms of criticisms.  Well, I did mention that this is a slow burn.  There’s so much to unload here. Information about film making, classical movies, magic, the occult, not to mention developing the characters and slowly revealing what’s really taking place. This isn’t a book that you can race through. It’s not a fast paced, slasher bloodfest, it’s much more thought provoking and it’s a story that you have to exercise patience with.

Overall, I can’t deny that this was a slow start for me but regardless of the initial pacing issue I became hooked to the characters and the story.

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks.  The above is my own opinion.

My rating 4 of 5 stars