This book was getting plenty of hype pre-release in the horror community. It hasn’t been unknown for things (films, books, TV shows, albums) to suffer from this pre-conceived notion that they’re going to be the best thing ever. Sometimes things can fall flat on their arses from this beast.
Thankfully, I can now concur with this aforementioned hype. Yes, The Devil’s Pocketbook is, well, bloody great!
To talk plot for just a moment, the story involves Erik and Lara, a couple on an off-season getaway to a fishing village so they can spread the ashes of their child. It’s been a tough time (of course, that phrase doesn’t do it justice) for these two, but some time away by themselves could perhaps bring them some closure.
Things then take a dramatic turn for the worse, if that was even possible.
Stricken with grief (naturally), the couple are struggling with life and their very relationship. That is until they discover this strange orb-type thing floating in the sea which, once opened, presents them with just what they need.
An almost-dead child, in need of love, affection, and a bath, seems a strange thing to find in this situation, but Erik and Lara aren’t seeing things properly right now. Or perhaps there is other sinister work at play.
This child is welcomed into their makeshift family home, and treated like their own daughter. Erik is reluctant at first, and pleads with Lara to inform the authorities, which is what most people would usually do when they find a random child. But for Lara, this is her chance to become the loving mother she was always destined to be.
And then comes the mind-fuckery.
Who is this strange creature, because she’s not an innocent child. And that is not spoilerific, before you shout at me. I will say no more about this.
What follows is a folk horror tale with a village holding an ancient custom complete with rituals and sacrifice and all the other good stuff. The scenes were so well crafted I could feel the gale on my neck and the salt on my tongue. I certainly got Shadow Over Innsmouth vibes here (without the fishy folk), as well as the Legend of Old Gregg (if you know, you know).
But what makes this book so good is the desperation of Erik and Lara. Not that I’m some kind of grief junkie, but their struggles make the horrors that lay in wait so much more terrifying. I’ll admit, the title had me picturing Satan with a small notebook in his back pocket in case he thought of any nasty shit he could pull, but what goes in within these pages is much darker than anything that mythical creature could come up with.
So what are you waiting for? Get a copy of this and prepare to have your socks horror-d off! (I’m not sure that’s a thing but perhaps it could be?)
Props to Ross Jeffery for this tragic, moving, and bloody scary read!
Categories: book review
MORGAN K TANNER, Writer of Horror 
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