HORROR FICTION REVIEW: BLOOD AND RAIN BY GLENN ROLFE

 One night can-and will-change everything.

Fall is the perfect time to indulge in a little werewolf horror and having just finished High Moor 3, I was in the mood to experience more werewolf carnage.

Enter Glenn Rolfe’s latest offering, Blood and Rain. Set in a small town in Maine, Blood and Rain starts off slowly and ends with a huge bang.

Something is loose in the small town of Gilson Creek, something that is sending fear into the hearts of this town’s residents. Residents who are used to living in a safe and worry-free community now have to deal with someone or something tearing people limb from limb.

Sheriff Joe Fischer is a widower taking care of his teenage daughter. Not only does he have to protect the town from the beast tearing people apart, but the safety of his family is first and foremost on his mind. However, this isn’t Joe’s first rodeo and he knows exactly what he’s up against, at least he thinks he does.

A few months ago, I had my first taste of Rolfe’s writing in Abram’s Bridge, a supernatural tale I loved.  So, when he offered to let me read Blood and Rain in exchange for a review, I jumped at the chance.

Let’s get the negative out of the way first, because there really isn’t much to discuss. Blood and Rain takes a long time to get going. While there is a little violence and gore at the beginning, the real tension doesn’t begin until about the last third of the book. However, during this time, we do get the opportunity to get to know some pivotal characters. I will tell you this, don’t get too attached to anyone.

During the climax of the book, one of the characters acts in a way that, to me at least, was completely unbelievable. I can’t get into it more than that without revealing a major spoiler, but when you hit that particular part of the story involving a Samurai sword, you’ll know what I’m talking about.

Okay, now the positive.

Yes, this book takes a while to get exciting, but when it does, look out. The last third of the book is filled with unrelenting tension that will make you chew off your nails and hold your breath. The characters you grow to know and love find themselves in a fight for their lives and although some lose the battle, you’ll find yourself cheering for those who come out alive.

Rolfe’s writing continues improving with each book he releases. His descriptions are more vivid than ever and he completely immerses his readers in each scene without being too wordy. The werewolves in this book are terrifying, the way werewolves should be. There is a high body count and Rolfe doesn’t hold back when it comes to the gore. I particularly enjoyed Nick’s story and the hell he went through during the course of the story.

Check out Blood and Rain for a solid, classic werewolf story with likable characters, plenty of atmosphere and a completely engaging conclusion.