BOOK REVIEW: THE CREEPER BY A.M. SHINE

26/9/2022

There is a very fine line between excellent and genre-defining, a line very few books cross, but one that The Creeper jumps across that line with both feet.

The Creeper by A.M. Shine

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Head of Zeus (15 Sept. 2022)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1801102171
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1801102179

A Book Review by Jim Mcleod

"Three times you see him. Each night he comes closer..."

When you have been reviewing horror fiction for as long as I have, it is easy to become jaded and somewhat stuck in a rut regarding your reactions to what you read. Yes, you enjoyed it, and yes, it was good, but that wondrous elation felt when reading the likes of Clive Barker, Brian Lumley, Hailey Piper, or Paula D. Ashe for the first time just wasn't there. However, now and then, a book comes along that re-ignites your passion for the genre, and The Creeper is one such book.

Now you will hate me for saying this; I hate myself for saying this, but the less you know about this novel, the better. Trust me, there are several vital scenes whose impact will be dulled if you have even the slightest of prior knowledge, not so much twists and turns or giant reveals of the like favoured by Shyamalan, but scenes that are so powerful in their ability to scare you right to the core of your being. I'm not joking here; there were at least three points where I had to put this book down and take a moment or two to soothe my thumping heart and frayed nerves.

If you want a basic plot summary, here you go; a pair of students are sent to a mysterious and isolated village by an odd academic scholar to find the truth about The Creeper. And all hell breaks loose as modern Ireland sensibilities clash with Irish mythology's dark and dangerous worlds.

Trust me, that summary doesn't do any justice to what you are about to witness within the pages of this terrifying tome.

People often talk about the landscape as a character within a novel. Shine has done an exceptional job at creating not just a believable setting for the novel with his descriptions of the bleak Irish countryside that surrounds the village of Tír Mallacht, but by using it as a powerful driving force with regards to the sense of isolation and disconnection of Tír Mallacht, with the modern world. You are totally invested in the horror that centres on Ben and Chloe as they investigate the legend.

It is clear that Shine has mined his own experiences of being a history graduate, as the interactions and methodology of Ben and Chloe's interactions with the locals were spot on. Imagine a local place for local people, where the softening touch of the blackest of humour is replaced with even more soul-sucking terror.

Shine's descriptions of the community and the dynamics of how it survives not just in a modern world but from the threat of The Creeper reminded me somewhat of a twisted version of The Wicker Man, but just remember you need to follow the rules if you want to survive in this community.

The dynamics between Ben and Chloe are another high point of this novel, their journey from wide-eyed, keen to make an impression and some serious money, to abject terror as the Creeper latches onto them and tears their semi-idyllic world apart.

As for Dr Alec Spalding, I loved this character; the reclusive, slightly odd, but not quite Howard Hughes odd academic who sends Ben and Chloe on their nightmarish adventure is a wonderful creation. The parallels between the isolation of the village and its people, mirroring the isolation of Spalding, was a clever touch, with both being prisoners of their faith and duty. It's a pity that this novel is entirely self-contained, especially about his character, as he genuinely is a magnificently realised player in the novel. Imagine Mr Burns trapped in The Masque of the Red Death.  With Machiavellian dealings, deep paranoia and a bittersweet sense of isolation even from those who probably do care about him, he is a complex and satisfying character to base this novel around.

We can't discuss this novel without some mention of The Creeper. However, I am going to be as vague as vague can be on this issue. Suffice to say; that this is one of the most fascinating monsters committed to the page in recent memory. It's a creature that could be discussed for hours regarding the notion of what a monster is, whether monsters are born or created, or do they become monsters because of the world around them. Never mind, who is the al monster of the novel? But let's just say that Shine's descriptions of the monster when it is finally thrown into the spotlight is pure terror; I still don't like looking out the windows at night; such is the power to terrify that this creature has been imbued with.

In terms of the narrative, this is distinctly a book of two halves. Initially, Shine exquisitely handles the exposition with a claustrophobic, creepy and spooky foreshadowing of what is to come. Things are hinted at; clues are scattered throughout, but nothing is fully revealed until the second half of this novel explodes at you. The balance between these two halves is perfect, with part one permitting the main characters to develop sufficiently so that we genuinely care about what happens to them when the proverbial Irish peat bog hits the fan. And as for the second act of The Creeper, if you don't finish this with your heart beating out of your chest, sweat dripping off your forehead while thinking out loud, "Oh my God, that was brutal but brilliant", well, there must be something wrong with you.

There is a very fine line between excellent and genre-defining, a line very few books cross, but one that The Creeper jumps across that line with both feet.

Further Reading

A.M. SHINE IS CREEPING AROUND THE IRISH LANDSCAPE

The Creeper
by A.M. Shine

The Creeper Kindle Edition by A.M. Shine (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

The Creeper is a masterful tale of horror and suspense from one of Ireland's most talented emerging authors.

Superstitions only survive if people believe in them...

Renowned academic Dr Sparling seeks help with his project on a remote Irish village. Historical researchers Ben and Chloe are thrilled to be chosen – until they arrive.

The village is isolated and forgotten. There is no record of its history, its stories. There is no friendliness from the locals, only wary looks and whispers. The villagers lock down their homes at sundown.

It seems a nameless fear stalks the streets, but nobody will talk – nobody except one little girl. Her words strike dread into the hearts of the newcomers. Three times you see him. Each night he comes closer...

That night, Ben and Chloe see a sinister figure watching them. He is the Creeper. He is the nameless fear in the night. Stories keep him alive. And nothing will keep him away...

Reviewers on A.M. Shine:
'A dark, claustrophobic read.' T. Kingfisher

'Readers get an intimate glimpse into the fraying edges of each character's psyches... Will appeal to fans of Kealan Patrick Burke, Josh Malerman, and Scott Smith.' A.E. Siraki, Booklist

'An ideal read for the Halloween season, or any time you want some spookiness in your life!' Beauty and Lace