“Skin to skin. Blood to blood. Heart sister to heart sister.”

In Lucretia Grindle’s The Devil’s Glove: Salem Book 1 (May 2023), readers are transported to the chilling precipice of the Salem Witch Trials. This meticulously researched novel blends historical accuracy with supernatural elements. Grindle crafts a captivating tale of fear, mistrust, and the enduring power of human connection.

Set in the remote Puritan village of Falmouth, on the eve of the infamous trials, the story unfolds amidst the clash of cultures. A war is brewing between the English settlers and the existing Native American community, fueling suspicion and resentment. Grindle masterfully explores the themes of colonialism, othering, and the enduring human need for connection.

The Plot.

In 1688, on the eve of the Salem Witch Trials, we meet Resolve Hammond. A young woman with the unsettling gift of seeing beyond the veil of reality. When Avis Hobbs dies, Resolve’s mother, a healer with deep ties to the local Native American tribe, suspects foul play.

Despite the growing tension between the villagers and their Native American neighbors, Resolve’s mother remains silent, fearing accusations of witchcraft. But Resolve, privy to unsettling visions, senses a sinister truth. Who would poison Avis, and why does Avis’s daughter, Abigail, seem eerily pleased?

As the village descends into paranoia and the threat of war with the neighboring native community looms, Resolve must confront her unsettling gift and use it to uncover the truth, even as the men in power manipulate events for their own gain.

Highlights.

Lucretia Grindle is a wordsmith. I rarely find myself stopping to reread sentences and passages just because once was not enough. The prose in this book is unrivaled. Beautiful metaphors and turns of phrase adorn every page. I was so pleased to be reading on Kindle, highlighting line upon line, “murmur piles upon murmur like rotting leaves”, “feel for the flutter of the soul at the neck” and “the kitchen is a cave of shapes” are just a few of my favorites.

The research that Grindle must have completed for this novel must also be noted. This is not only obvious with the inclusion of real people but also in the immersiveness of the setting. Details so small you might miss them are dropped like rain throughout the chapters, each contributing to filling the bucket that is 1688 New England.

Drawbacks.

There are no drawbacks to The Devil’s Glove in so far as the plot, characters, and writing are involved. I did find some repeated metaphors and spelling errors; this however is not a problem with the story or the author but an editing issue that takes nothing away from the story or prose.
Not so much a drawback, but perhaps a misrepresentation was that The Devil’s Glove would tell the story of a mother and daughter who are suspected or accused of witchcraft. This is not this book. Although there is deep distrust between the Hammonds and the Puritan townsfolk, there is little in the way of actual accusations until the novel’s end.

The Final Take.

The Devil’s Glove is an exquisitely written novel that was a pleasure to read. It is reminiscent of Outlander with splashings of A Discovery of Witches. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of the sequel, This Work of Darkness. I will be beginning this as soon as this review is posted. After reading the last lines of The Devil’s Glove there is no way I’m wasting a second to find out what comes next.

Isaac Thorne’s “Tab’s Terrible Third Eye” is a gripping psychological horror that delves deep into the fears and anxieties of childhood, blending supernatural elements with raw emotional trauma. This novel is a masterclass in building tension and exploring the darker corners of a young mind.

At the heart of the story is nine-year-old Tab, an artist whose drawings serve as a coping mechanism for his inner turmoil. Thorne’s portrayal of Tab is nuanced and heartbreakingly real, capturing the vulnerability and resilience of a child grappling with forces beyond his understanding.

The narrative takes a chilling turn when Tab encounters an otherworldly creature, resulting in a mysterious, angry bump on his left temple. This wound, which refuses to heal, becomes the focal point of the horror. Thorne’s description of the bump – burning, itching, and summoning ghosts – is viscerally unsettling, creating a sense of body horror that will make readers squirm.

What sets this novel apart is its exploration of the power and danger of imagination. Tab’s artwork, once a source of comfort, becomes a harbinger of real-life disasters. The foreshadowing of events through his drawings adds a layer of tragic inevitability to the story, ramping up the psychological tension.

Thorne excels in blurring the lines between reality and supernatural horror. Is Tab’s “third eye” truly causing these calamities, or is it a manifestation of his trauma and guilt? This ambiguity keeps readers on edge, forcing them to question the nature of Tab’s experiences.

The apparent supernatural of Tab’s Third Eye

The introduction of a determined ghost adds another dimension to the story. This spectral presence, seeking to use Tab’s newfound power for its own ends, creates a conflict that goes beyond simple horror tropes. It raises questions about agency, the weight of responsibility on young shoulders, and the battle for control over one’s own mind and body.

Thorne’s prose is sharp and evocative, painting vivid pictures of Tab’s internal and external struggles. The pacing is relentless, with each new revelation or incident building upon the last to create a mounting sense of dread.

While the novel treads familiar ground in terms of childhood trauma in horror literature, Thorne brings a fresh perspective to the genre. His focus on art as both a means of expression and a conduit for horror is particularly effective, resonating with anyone who has used creativity as an emotional outlet.

Verdict

“Tab’s Terrible Third Eye” is more than just a ghost story or a tale of supernatural abilities gone awry. It’s a poignant exploration of childhood fears, the burden of perceived responsibility, and the struggle to control one’s own narrative. Thorne has crafted a story that will haunt readers long after they’ve turned the final page, leaving them to ponder the thin line between imagination and reality, and the power of perception in shaping our world.

This novel is a must-read for fans of psychological horror, especially those who appreciate stories that delve into the complexities of childhood experiences. Thorne proves himself a master of the genre, delivering a tale that is as thought-provoking as it is spine-chilling.

Don’t just take my word for it-go pre-order your copy now directly from the author (plus you can get cool bunny stickers! Look, Raist, bunnies!)

Where: https://www.isaacthorne.com/product/tabs-terrible-third-eye/

Available on: January 27, 2025 at 12:00 am (4.5 / 5)

Happy holidays! Where has this year gone??? Santa and I can’t believe it’s Christmas already, but I did manage to make you all a card again… Gotta keep with tradition or something. (Santa says I’m not thinking big enough…)

And to everyone celebrating other holidays and the solstice, may you have a blessed and wonderful season as well, I’m sorry I don’t do cards for that but I tend come from what I know, which appears to be inappropriate Christmas kitsch. Just like you’ve come to expect from me, I’m sure. Since that seems to make the rounds of all the holidays. 😉

Card reads Happy Holidays jingle bell jingle bell jingle bell rock!!! From You-Can-Jingle-My-Bell Santa and Jennifer Weigel here at HauntedMTL.

Image features a vintage doll (probably Merlin or Gandalf or the like) now dressed as Santa in a handmade Victorian style cloak with matching hat. He is holding his coat open to flash the viewer with a jingle bell ribbon hanging intentionally at his crotch.

This Santa was from a series of altered dolls I did back in the day, exploring different less appropriate takes on Jolly Old St. Nick.

As gifts, I present the other three…

Happy holidays and have a wonderful winter!

If you want to check out more of my altered dolls, I have posted several to Haunted MTL here:

Fashion Zombies

Heartbreak Hotel

Mummy Dearest

Catharsis

Fairy Wands

She Wolf

Queen of Everything

More Altered Dolls

Krampus

Bloody Mary