A great review that I missed when it first came out on The Horror Review (and soon to be reprinted in Dark Discoveries magazine):
Reviewed by Stuart Conover
What can I say aside from David A. Riley’s Moloch’s Children
short of the fact that if you love the idea of a haunted house, a
writer with an overactive imagination, Satanists, and so much more – you
will love this book! Honestly even though it took place in more modern
times it felt like a throwback to the slow build suspense work and the
strong hints of Satanism that were both quite popular in the 60’s and
70’s. Riley knows not only how to strikingly set the mood but build upon
that foundation to have an entire story weaved together which will keep
you wondering what will happen next.
The main focus on the novel is the Elm Tree House which has a long
and sordid history. Or should I say that the grounds it stands on do and
it has acquired it by association. That hasn’t stopped Oliver Atcheson
who is recovering from the loss of his wife to purchase the property.
His dream for it is to create an artist’s colony there and with the
steal he purchased the mansion at it seems like a dream that will easily
be made a reality. That is of course until the repair bills start
piling up as well as what the locals think about the place.
We also get to learn about others who are both interested in Oliver’s
project or have become associated with him. Of course anyone who knows
anything about the house seems to be holding some of the information
back and we have plenty to discover as the pages turn.
They’ll be turning quickly too because for everything question that
is answered, two more pop up. In a move where the suspense constantly
builds as well there is no way to put the book down until you get to the
bitter end.
In some ways I was reminded of Ti West’s film The House of the Devil
though there really is no direct comparison between the stories. Still,
much of the way I felt the mood and descriptions worked here really
seemed to apply to both the film and novel.
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