SMALL TOWN SLASHERS

In Gernhaelder’s debut horror novel, the arrival of a mysterious man in a small town leads to the revelation of old secrets.

In 2011, journalist Jenny Maysure is having dinner with her boyfriend, Larry Hirsch, in the only diner in her small town of Traders’ Point when a drifter comes in from the rain. Upon seeing Larry, the man grabs him and asks him if he’s a man named Heis; he’s not, and it’s soon revealed that no one in town seems to know anyone by that name. The drifter, who calls himself Maverick Dunn, gets a room at the Hunters’ Lodge, where he meets Hank and Sue, the latter of whom takes a shine to him, but Hank is suspicious. Maverick asks Dr. Ike Sindell about Heis as well before purchasing guns and a knife from Brusard’s Sporting Goods. Meanwhile, Jenny, who works for the local paper, starts to look into who this Heis person could be. After the drifter disappears from Hunters’ Lodge, multiple murders strike the area. Sheriff JayChow is hesitant to say they’re the work of a serial killer, so it’s up to Jenny to sniff out the truth, using information from her cousin in the FBI and clues the killer left behind; along the way, she finds out who Maverick really is and what Heis did so many years ago. However, the investigation strains her relationship with Larry, who already struggles with his distant father, Stan. Overall, this is a fast-paced and exciting thriller with many unexpected twists, which, in turn, highlight and support the character development. The large cast and brisk storyline make it a bit hard to keep track of everyone at times, but every major player receives detailed characterization. Jenny’s determination to get the full story feels authentic and important given her connections to seemingly everyone in town; Gernhaelder makes clear just how much Jenny cares about them all. Larry’s relationship with his dad is also handled well, and the many plot strands eventually weave together in a believable way.

A thrilling mystery with surprises and a lot of heart.