2006-07-24 Do not read while you are home alone.

Katy Logan did not marry Gordon Smith because she loved him. Instead, Katy wants a fresh start for herself and her young daughter, Jett. Katy hopes that getting away from the big city and settling in the Blue Ridge Mountain town of Solom would benefit everyone. Katy would feel as though she is loved by her new husband, Jett would get away from drugs, and Gordon would get a dutiful wife. But after residing only a short time on the Smith farm, things become strange. Kate is obsessed by Gordon's first wife, Rebecca. In fact, Kate often smells Rebecca's perfume and hears the dead woman's words. Rebecca's spirit still lives in the farm house. But is Rebecca there to help the new wife or seek some sort of revenge?

Legend says that Harmon Smith was a Methodist preacher that rode the mountains in the early 1800s. Legend also states that the preachers from the three different congregations had conspired to slay Harmon Smith, the old Circuit Rider, in the woods. No one knows where Harmon's body really is. Some say it is in the river. Some say Harmon's remains are in three different graves. Every now and then, the Circuit Rider returns to claim a sacrifice before leaving again. The townsfolk know that Harmon has returned. But one sacrifice does not seem to be enough this time. Harmon seems able to control the area's goats, the carnivorous goats. Harmon is after something different this time. Something evil has been dormant and is now growing. Soon a bloody harvest will begin.

***** It gets no creepier than this! Fans of King and Koontz are finally beginning to see that Scott Nicholson's dark tales are just as devious, if not more so. I had nightmares for two nights after reading this latest work of horror. For those of you brave enough to open the cover of this title I can only give this bit of advice: Do not read while you are home alone. Stellar! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.