THE VENGEANCE

by Robert C. Sloane ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 16, 1983

Remember the diabolic, decapitation-minded ""trolls"" who terrorized the suburban Marino family in A Nice Place to Live (1981)? You don't? Well, for those who do, here's a simple-minded, slightly less gruesome/lurid sequel--with troll Hyrmgar arriving on Long Island to avenge the death of his mother and brother, the trolls who were finally demolished by Nick and Christine Marino. First Hyrmgar, posing as an insurance-investigator, identifies the Marinos as the killers. (Trolls, you'll recall, can switch from monster-form to any human shape they like.) Then he starts dropping hints--by decapitating a few Marino acquaintances and assorted knick-knacks. So the Marinos, with son Joey and Aunt Henrietta (the would-be comic relief), flee to a ski-village in Vermont, where they open a restaurant and breathe easy for three years. Then, however, while Sloane pads things out with a local debate about a new ski-resort, signs of troll-presence start showing up: decapitated livestock, etc. Furthermore, twelve-year-old son Joey is acting strangely--with obscene taunts and erotic outbursts. (Could it just be puberty?) So the question arises: which of the Marinos' Vermont friends and acquaintances are really troll Hyrmgar--and his sister--in disguise? Also: can Joey, who seems to be soul-possessed by the trolls, be reclaimed? And, after Hyrmgar reveals himself (no big surprise) and goes into his unintentionally funny troll-tirade, there'll be a bloody showdown, with Nick making the ultimate sacrifice. Cartoon demonics for genre addicts--who may or may not appreciate the arch, oddly cheery repartee that fills out the intervals between beheadings.

Pub Date: Sept. 16, 1983

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Crown

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1983

Categories: FICTION