WE COME BEARING CURSES

Estranged brothers reunite to battle sadistic otherworldly creatures invading their hometown in Chamberlin’s debut horror novel.

At first glance, Haven Shire seems like a harmless, secluded community. But local police officer George Thatch has seen his share of violence, and the “tingle” he feels when imminent danger nears is abuzz. Horrifying beings from a parallel world have been creeping into the humans’ realm; one Haven Shire family may be ushering the monsters in. George’s younger brother, Phineas, is in Kansas City, offering his spiritual and psychic abilities with such services as exorcising apparitions. When he gets a vision telling him to come home, he and his colleagues, armed with guns and relics, make tracks for Haven Shire, the town Phineas left years ago. They join forces with George and his fellow cops in combating the relentless “Formoria.” These creatures, which steal human bodies, eat brains, and often come in the form of colossal insects, are merciless—though certain sinister humans may be even more of a threat. Chamberlin outfits this story with a dynamic cast. The brothers have an intriguing backstory; their late mother’s psychic visions were diagnosed as schizophrenic delusions. The female characters are also strong, including the half-Cherokee cop Sicily Manns and Mata, Phineas’ nonverbal deaf best friend and work partner, who communicates via sign language. The novel teems with violent imagery—brutal, gory deaths coupled with all manners of cruelty. While the story opens with a spine-chilling, nightmare-inducing sequence, the latter half favors action over suspense as the heroes fight monsters with bullets and homemade bombs. (The supernatural elements remain strong as magic and evoked curses prove to be equally formidable weapons.) The author deftly turns familiar sights into memorable ghastly ones, taking cues from religion, mythology, and Lovecraft to depict masses of tentacles, giant spidery legs, and “shark-like teeth.”

A spirited cast of heroes elevates this gore-soaked, monster-laden tale.