Paul Adams returns to his hometown twenty-five years after a teenage friend, Charlie Crabtree, committed a ritualistic murder and vanished. The crime was inspired by Charlie’s obsession with lucid dreaming and a sinister entity he called the Red Hands. When a new body is found staged in an identical fashion, Detective Amanda Beck links the copycat act to Paul's past. Paul must confront his fractured memories of the Gritten Woods and the dark influence Charlie exerted over their childhood peer group while caring for his dying mother.
Psychological thriller enthusiasts who appreciate plots centered on urban legends and the blurred line between dreams and reality will value this narrative. Readers gain a detailed look at how childhood trauma persists into adulthood and how collective delusions can drive teenagers toward extreme violence. The book provides an examination of the mechanics of lucid dreaming as a tool for escapism and control. It appeals to those interested in atmospheric mysteries where the primary conflict stems from unresolved history and the unreliable nature of memory.
Practical, clear-cut and escapist; an easy read.
Best for readers like The Escapist Adventurer. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2020
- Language
- EN
