Simmons makes this novel feel like a spy thriller at times, a horror novel, and a science fiction novel. The science fiction/horror novel is a novel unlike anything else and the interesting combination of genres makes it worth checking out.

This is a long book, but it feels worth it as the action never slows down. That is why seeing the novel win the Bram Stoker Award feels right. The mind-controlling people in the book don’t have any real names but they are called vampires which feels accurate. The writing is great, the plot is well-thought out, and the characters are fleshed out and feel very real. After reading the novel, I agree that is deserved every award it got. Will they get their revenge or be three more dead bodies left behind by these agents of chaos? Background and Commentaryįirst published in 1989, the novel won the Bram Stoker Award, the Locus Poll Award for Best Horror Novel, and the August Derleth Award for Best Novel. But they learn that the conspiracy goes very high, and some rich and powerful people are involved. Natalie, Saul, and Gentry get caught in something much bigger than them as they try to take down the mind controllers. Gentry cannot make sense of the multiple dead bodies and suspects that Saul knows more than he is letting on. Sheriff Rob Gentry and Agent Haines interviewed Laski as he was in town and knew one of the people in the fight. Natalie’s father was one of the people killed and she wants answers. With multiple victims, Charleston is left in chaos. A big fight breaks as Melanie and Nina possess and control people and kill the other one. That leaves Melanie paranoid, and she changes her usual routine of staying home and goes out instead. Willi’s plane explodes the next day and Melanie suspects that it was Nina and that Nina plans to get rid of both of them.

Carrion Comfort by Dan Simmons