by Manly Wade Wellman ‧ RELEASE DATE: Dec. 7, 1984
Another outing for wandering balladeer Silver John, who pokes into supernatural crannies and defies evil by means of his pure heart and silver-strung guitar. This time John investigates the moaning Cry Mountain, a place of ill-repute where John finds sorcerer Ruel Harpe (with three witches) behind a stockade--defended by giant killer bees, Bigfoot, and other irascible creatures. Harpe has large ambitions: to kill off most of the world's population, turn the rest into placid peasant farmers, and rule them as a god. He tempts John with wealth, power, sex; John promptly rejects all, and comes to realize that Harpe's power depends entirely on the amulet he wears. Engagingly narrated in John's Appalachian dialect: the usual folksy, woodcrafty fare, with a thin and formulaic plot, but satisfying enough for faithful fans.
Pub Date: Dec. 7, 1984
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: -
Publisher: Doubleday
Review Posted Online: N/A
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 1984
Categories: FICTION
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Hey there, book lover.
We’re glad you found a book that interests you!
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Trouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Trouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Don’t fret. We’ll find you.