Anathema by Nick Roberts

 

Bryan and Ellie Stockton hope they left behind their demons when they move to their idyllic new home in southern West Virginia. Above all, they want a fresh start for their young son, Derrick, who witnessed the tumultuous first years of their marriage – years that were rife with substance abuse, rage, and resentment. Their bright hope for the future is darkened when a child disappears from their neighborhood. The couple becomes suspicious of a reclusive resident with a degenerative brain disorder. Strange events begin to happen in their house just as Derrick tells them about a new friend who visits him at night. Their son may be acting out from the trauma he endured, or he could be the obsession of something much more sinister.

Can there be anything more horrifying than a creepy neighbor stalking a child? 

Bryan and Ellie are struggling with their own past addictions, hoping to begin a new and better life for themselves and their son, Derrick, they move to a new neighborhood. A fresh start for them all. 

When Derrick begins talking about a new friend he has made, his counselor and parents believe it is just an imaginary friend, a way to deal with his past trauma. But strange things begin to occur in their home, noises, missing objects, and Derrick telling his parents things he should not know. 

Things only get worse from there and they find themselves in a fight for their lives. 

This was one creepy story that had me on edge throughout. The twists were surprising and became more and more evil and often unexpected. The tension was always high and often had me pausing. There are graphic scenes that made me chilled to the bone and there is pure evil that dwells within this story. The ending was horrifying if not a bit sad but also gratifying as well. 

I read this in a day and that says a lot!

Excellent! 

5 stars

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