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Cold Moon Over Babylon
In the small and sleepy town what is waking the dead?
Black thunderheads are shrouding Babylon. The deathly river is turbulent and threatening—and Margaret Larkin has disappeared, like her parents long ago.
Something or someone wants all Larkins dead.
As the cold moon rises over Babylon the murderer strikes again, and from the chill, dark waters of of the river an unspeakable terror slowly emerges.
Black thunderheads are shrouding Babylon. The deathly river is turbulent and threatening—and Margaret Larkin has disappeared, like her parents long ago.
Something or someone wants all Larkins dead.
As the cold moon rises over Babylon the murderer strikes again, and from the chill, dark waters of of the river an unspeakable terror slowly emerges.
254 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1980
About the author
Michael McDowell
70 books2,386 followersMichael McDowell is a prolific horror writer who has distinguished himself with a varied body of work within the genre. He was born in Enterprise, Alabama, in 1950 and died of AIDS-related illness in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1999.
His first horror novel, The Amulet, relates the tragedies that befall various individuals who come in possession of a supernatural pendant in a small town.
In McDowell's second novel, Cold Moon Over Babylon, a murdered woman's corpse is dispatched into a river, but her spirit roams the land, and in the evening hours it seeks revenge on her killer even as he plots the demise of her surviving relatives.
Don D'Ammassa, writing in the St. James Guide to Horror, Ghost & Gothic Writers, noted that McDowell's ability to maintain a sense of mundane normalcy against supernatural activity provides the novel with "a fine balance between reality and unreality," and he called Cold Moon Over Babylon "one of the best ghost stories ever written at novel length."
A similarly disturbing tension between dull reality and the supernatural is produced in The Elementals, wherein a host of visitors come to stay at a secluded house occupied by embodiments of elemental forces.
McDowell's Katie, meanwhile, concerns a clairvoyant serial killer whose powers of perception enable her to evade her trackers. The attractive but deranged heroine of this novel manages to conduct her murderous activities despite the awareness of her parents, who are content to derive financial gain from their daughter's crimes.
Madness is central to McDowell's Toplin, which details the vile imaginings of a man who suffers from mental illness but nonetheless determines to conduct himself within society. D'Ammassa praised Toplin as "perhaps the best novel ever written from the point of view of a schizophrenic."
Among McDowell's other writings is the six-part serial novel Blackwater, a chronicle of a southern family drawn to the supernatural. In addition, McDowell has also supplied the screenplays for various films, including director Tim Burton's horror comedy Beetlejuice and his animated production The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Stephen King called McDowell one of the "finest writers of paperback originals in America today." Tabitha King was asked to complete McDowell's unfinished novel Candles Burning, which was published in 2006 to good reviews. Concerning his career, McDowell never tried to be something he wasn't. "I am a commercial writer and I'm proud of that", he said in the book Faces of Fear in 1985. "I am writing things to be put in the bookstore next month. I think it is a mistake to try to write for the ages."
His first horror novel, The Amulet, relates the tragedies that befall various individuals who come in possession of a supernatural pendant in a small town.
In McDowell's second novel, Cold Moon Over Babylon, a murdered woman's corpse is dispatched into a river, but her spirit roams the land, and in the evening hours it seeks revenge on her killer even as he plots the demise of her surviving relatives.
Don D'Ammassa, writing in the St. James Guide to Horror, Ghost & Gothic Writers, noted that McDowell's ability to maintain a sense of mundane normalcy against supernatural activity provides the novel with "a fine balance between reality and unreality," and he called Cold Moon Over Babylon "one of the best ghost stories ever written at novel length."
A similarly disturbing tension between dull reality and the supernatural is produced in The Elementals, wherein a host of visitors come to stay at a secluded house occupied by embodiments of elemental forces.
McDowell's Katie, meanwhile, concerns a clairvoyant serial killer whose powers of perception enable her to evade her trackers. The attractive but deranged heroine of this novel manages to conduct her murderous activities despite the awareness of her parents, who are content to derive financial gain from their daughter's crimes.
Madness is central to McDowell's Toplin, which details the vile imaginings of a man who suffers from mental illness but nonetheless determines to conduct himself within society. D'Ammassa praised Toplin as "perhaps the best novel ever written from the point of view of a schizophrenic."
Among McDowell's other writings is the six-part serial novel Blackwater, a chronicle of a southern family drawn to the supernatural. In addition, McDowell has also supplied the screenplays for various films, including director Tim Burton's horror comedy Beetlejuice and his animated production The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Stephen King called McDowell one of the "finest writers of paperback originals in America today." Tabitha King was asked to complete McDowell's unfinished novel Candles Burning, which was published in 2006 to good reviews. Concerning his career, McDowell never tried to be something he wasn't. "I am a commercial writer and I'm proud of that", he said in the book Faces of Fear in 1985. "I am writing things to be put in the bookstore next month. I think it is a mistake to try to write for the ages."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,093 reviews
October 20, 2017
There's a killer on the loose in the small town of Babylon, Florida. He likes to use the Styx River to wash away his evidence.
But the Styx River is the source of a supernatural force.
And the more horrors committed by this killer, the stronger the supernatural becomes.
The innocent have been murdered ... the river wants atonement.
Michael McDowell has a story to tell ... lend him your ear. .
Cold Moon trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdLEC...
Looks like a B grade movie to me but a couple of scenes looked fun. Especially a scene where Margaret's ghost rides about on an invisible bicycle.
page 20
Belinda on Evelyn Larkin's front porch
"'I didn't see anybody, Miz Larkin, not a soul 'cept Mr.Geiger, down under the bridge, fishing, as usual. I don't know how he keeps his business going. He ought to open a branch down under the bridge, 'cause he's there more than he's at his place in town."'
page 25
Margaret Larkin stops her bike ride to speak with Nina, roadside
"Margaret replied that her grandmother was well, and invited Nina out to the house to pick all the blueberries she wanted, before the season became very busy.
Nina thanked Margaret for the invitation, and then both turned briefly to watch a vehicle approach and pass them on its way out of Babylon. It was a lumbering black hearse, about twenty years old, that had been converted into a fishing wagon. Half a dozen cane poles stuck out the back."
page 27
Margaret under attack
"A man leapt out of the dense shrubbery. He dashed into the middle of the road. Above his black pants ... he wore no shirt. Covering his head was a black leather hood, tight-fitting and fastened on the side, with slits cut above the eyes and nose. The mouth was zippered shut."
How could this happen within sight of her own house?
She stared in front of her, at the familiar bridge, the Styx River, and the window of her grandmothers's bedroom.
She could have counted the teeth in the zipper that was closed over the mouth. Individual drops of rain spattered violently against the taut black leather."
Despite her continued struggles, her captor had advanced onto the bridge, ... Margaret drew in her breath as she was lifted higher and turned sharply in the man's arms.
How could a man be so strong? How could he---"
page 83/84
Ginny Darrish trying to comfort Evelyn Larkin
"'What's Margaret's sign?'When was she born? I'm gone look up her horoscope."
"Margaret was born on the twelfth of October. You don't think any horoscope is gone tell us where Margaret is, do you, Ginny? You cain't really believe that?' Evelyn's voice was guardedly hopeful.
'I do believe it, I believe every word of it. Margaret's a Libra ... I know all about Libras." Ginny pulled out of her purse a small much-worn paperback book. "Let me see: for yesterday, it says: A journey postponed."
The two women looked at each other.
"You suppose that means she was on her way back here and she got delayed somewhere?" said Evelyn energetically.
"I don't see what else it could mean!" cried Ginny triumphantly.
"What does it say for today?" said Evelyn anxiously.
Ginny turned a page: "Time to settle old scores."'
page 264
narration/James Redfield
"His tilting head turned toward the patio, caught the slightly gleaming outline of a human figure traced in water on the screen. In the failing light, he noticed a trail of water, small puddles from the patio screens to the door into the hallway. James Redfield cried out feebly: "Miss Pie! Miss Pie!"
The full moon rose over Babylon."
But the Styx River is the source of a supernatural force.
And the more horrors committed by this killer, the stronger the supernatural becomes.
The innocent have been murdered ... the river wants atonement.
Michael McDowell has a story to tell ... lend him your ear. .
Cold Moon trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdLEC...
Looks like a B grade movie to me but a couple of scenes looked fun. Especially a scene where Margaret's ghost rides about on an invisible bicycle.
page 20
Belinda on Evelyn Larkin's front porch
"'I didn't see anybody, Miz Larkin, not a soul 'cept Mr.Geiger, down under the bridge, fishing, as usual. I don't know how he keeps his business going. He ought to open a branch down under the bridge, 'cause he's there more than he's at his place in town."'
page 25
Margaret Larkin stops her bike ride to speak with Nina, roadside
"Margaret replied that her grandmother was well, and invited Nina out to the house to pick all the blueberries she wanted, before the season became very busy.
Nina thanked Margaret for the invitation, and then both turned briefly to watch a vehicle approach and pass them on its way out of Babylon. It was a lumbering black hearse, about twenty years old, that had been converted into a fishing wagon. Half a dozen cane poles stuck out the back."
page 27
Margaret under attack
"A man leapt out of the dense shrubbery. He dashed into the middle of the road. Above his black pants ... he wore no shirt. Covering his head was a black leather hood, tight-fitting and fastened on the side, with slits cut above the eyes and nose. The mouth was zippered shut."
How could this happen within sight of her own house?
She stared in front of her, at the familiar bridge, the Styx River, and the window of her grandmothers's bedroom.
She could have counted the teeth in the zipper that was closed over the mouth. Individual drops of rain spattered violently against the taut black leather."
Despite her continued struggles, her captor had advanced onto the bridge, ... Margaret drew in her breath as she was lifted higher and turned sharply in the man's arms.
How could a man be so strong? How could he---"
page 83/84
Ginny Darrish trying to comfort Evelyn Larkin
"'What's Margaret's sign?'When was she born? I'm gone look up her horoscope."
"Margaret was born on the twelfth of October. You don't think any horoscope is gone tell us where Margaret is, do you, Ginny? You cain't really believe that?' Evelyn's voice was guardedly hopeful.
'I do believe it, I believe every word of it. Margaret's a Libra ... I know all about Libras." Ginny pulled out of her purse a small much-worn paperback book. "Let me see: for yesterday, it says: A journey postponed."
The two women looked at each other.
"You suppose that means she was on her way back here and she got delayed somewhere?" said Evelyn energetically.
"I don't see what else it could mean!" cried Ginny triumphantly.
"What does it say for today?" said Evelyn anxiously.
Ginny turned a page: "Time to settle old scores."'
page 264
narration/James Redfield
"His tilting head turned toward the patio, caught the slightly gleaming outline of a human figure traced in water on the screen. In the failing light, he noticed a trail of water, small puddles from the patio screens to the door into the hallway. James Redfield cried out feebly: "Miss Pie! Miss Pie!"
The full moon rose over Babylon."
August 11, 2014
Reread via audiobook 10.14.24-10.17.24
Narrated by the fabulous Scott Brick, this re-read just confirmed my previous thoughts. This is a brilliant book about life in the small southern town of Babylon, near the Styx River. It's about guilt, ghosts, and vengeance. No one writes about small towns and southern families like Michael McDowell.
Last year, I was finally able to get my hands on some Michael McDowell books and I loved them. A good friend of mine,( Tressa, that would be you!), had been recommending them for years, but they were all out of print and difficult to find. I was very excited when I discovered that Valancourt Books was bringing some of these novels back. And, BONUS! My excitement was well founded because this book, (and all the others) was a blast!
Evil in a small town is one of my favorite themes, and if it's a town in the south, all the better. This author has the speech patterns down, since he's from Alabama, and it's reflected in the dialogue throughout this tale.
The story begins with the mysterious death of young Margaret Larkin and the effect that it has on her family. The Larkin family has it tough to start with and this might be the final straw. From there,the mystery spreads throughout the town, on past the possible murder suspects, and into the Styx River. (Just a short way downstream the Styx joins with the Perdido, which was the crux of The Blackwater Series by this author.)
The beginning sets the scene and from that point, the story continues to get dark. Very dark . And horrific. Truly horrific. The victims of violent crime rarely rest in peace and they get NO rest in this amazing, dark fiction novel. The last 25% of this book was un-put-downable. It races to the final and dark conclusion and the reader has no choice but to hang on tight!
Michael McDowell was an exceptional author and screenwriter. He contributed to the screenplays for Beetlejuice and The Nightmare Before Christmas, among others. This novel was outstanding and I highly recommend it to any horror fan, but especially to fans of late 70s and 80s horror! Trust me, you will kick yourself if you wait any longer to jump into the River Styx. Seriously, you will.
*A free e-copy of this novel was provided by Valancourt Books in exchange for an honest review. This is it!*
Narrated by the fabulous Scott Brick, this re-read just confirmed my previous thoughts. This is a brilliant book about life in the small southern town of Babylon, near the Styx River. It's about guilt, ghosts, and vengeance. No one writes about small towns and southern families like Michael McDowell.
Last year, I was finally able to get my hands on some Michael McDowell books and I loved them. A good friend of mine,( Tressa, that would be you!), had been recommending them for years, but they were all out of print and difficult to find. I was very excited when I discovered that Valancourt Books was bringing some of these novels back. And, BONUS! My excitement was well founded because this book, (and all the others) was a blast!
Evil in a small town is one of my favorite themes, and if it's a town in the south, all the better. This author has the speech patterns down, since he's from Alabama, and it's reflected in the dialogue throughout this tale.
The story begins with the mysterious death of young Margaret Larkin and the effect that it has on her family. The Larkin family has it tough to start with and this might be the final straw. From there,the mystery spreads throughout the town, on past the possible murder suspects, and into the Styx River. (Just a short way downstream the Styx joins with the Perdido, which was the crux of The Blackwater Series by this author.)
The beginning sets the scene and from that point, the story continues to get dark. Very dark . And horrific. Truly horrific. The victims of violent crime rarely rest in peace and they get NO rest in this amazing, dark fiction novel. The last 25% of this book was un-put-downable. It races to the final and dark conclusion and the reader has no choice but to hang on tight!
Michael McDowell was an exceptional author and screenwriter. He contributed to the screenplays for Beetlejuice and The Nightmare Before Christmas, among others. This novel was outstanding and I highly recommend it to any horror fan, but especially to fans of late 70s and 80s horror! Trust me, you will kick yourself if you wait any longer to jump into the River Styx. Seriously, you will.
*A free e-copy of this novel was provided by Valancourt Books in exchange for an honest review. This is it!*
October 21, 2019
Cold Moon Over Babylon by Michael McDowell is a 2015 by Valancourt Books publication. (Originally published in 1980
A Classic old-school ghost story!!
The Larkins, owners of a blueberry plantation, have been struggling to stay afloat for years. But their bad luck has turned to tragedy, when fourteen- year old Margaret disappears. Margaret’s grandmother is convinced that a rich, powerful local family has murdered her granddaughter. But the local sheriff is not convinced. Meanwhile, the Larkins are about to lose their farm and their bad luck just keeps getting worse.
Despite this, there is an unknown presence emerging – one with a powerful desire to exact revenge….
There is a long story behind how I discovered this book, but for the sake of time, I’ll just tell you that my husband stumbled across a movie version of the book and asked me if I’d heard of Michael McDowell. For those who wonder how on earth my DH didn’t know who Michael was, movies like Beetlejuice and Nightmare Before Christmas are not his cup of tea by a long shot. Even if they were, he rarely pays attention to movie screenwriters despite being a huge movie fan.
When he asked me if I knew who MD was, I perked right up. Not because I’m a fan of his screenplays, but because of his novels. My introduction to Michael’s books came through Tabitha King, who finished the book Michael had been working on when he died. Curious, I went looking through a needle in a haystack for some of his other books, finally paying a fortune for a copy of ‘The Elementals’ in pretty poor, but readable condition, on eBay.
Michael McDowell wrote Southern Gothic like nobody’s business and I became an instant fan. But I’d never heard of this book. It’s not easy finding a copy and once again, my subscription to Scribd paid off. This version is the 2015 digital release, and I do believe finding the original paperback is not an easy task.
Wildly curious, I dove into the story with gusto. Although the plot has a few almost laughable warbles, the crime elements, the dialect and scenery, combined with the Southern flavor of the novel kept me invested in the story all the way through. But, at the end of the day, it’s the atmosphere, and McDowell’s writing chops, that sells this one.
The supernatural elements are in keeping with the time frame in which the book was originally published, and with the author's writing style, with more of a psychological edge to it. The suspense slowly builds, as the reader waits with bated breath, and with no small amount of eager anticipation, for the other shoe to drop.
The story may be a little understated for some, who may lament the slow burn, and the age factor. But, but all things considered, the book holds its own admirably.
While this may not be one of McDowell’s very best tales, it is still a solid ghost story and a nice hidden gem. Now that Valancourt has reissued a nice quantity of McDowell’s work into digital format, I’m all in! I can’t wait to get started!
If you like Southern Gothic, don’t let the age of these books dissuade you from giving them a try! McDowell's writing is not to be missed! Good stuff!!
A Classic old-school ghost story!!
The Larkins, owners of a blueberry plantation, have been struggling to stay afloat for years. But their bad luck has turned to tragedy, when fourteen- year old Margaret disappears. Margaret’s grandmother is convinced that a rich, powerful local family has murdered her granddaughter. But the local sheriff is not convinced. Meanwhile, the Larkins are about to lose their farm and their bad luck just keeps getting worse.
Despite this, there is an unknown presence emerging – one with a powerful desire to exact revenge….
There is a long story behind how I discovered this book, but for the sake of time, I’ll just tell you that my husband stumbled across a movie version of the book and asked me if I’d heard of Michael McDowell. For those who wonder how on earth my DH didn’t know who Michael was, movies like Beetlejuice and Nightmare Before Christmas are not his cup of tea by a long shot. Even if they were, he rarely pays attention to movie screenwriters despite being a huge movie fan.
When he asked me if I knew who MD was, I perked right up. Not because I’m a fan of his screenplays, but because of his novels. My introduction to Michael’s books came through Tabitha King, who finished the book Michael had been working on when he died. Curious, I went looking through a needle in a haystack for some of his other books, finally paying a fortune for a copy of ‘The Elementals’ in pretty poor, but readable condition, on eBay.
Michael McDowell wrote Southern Gothic like nobody’s business and I became an instant fan. But I’d never heard of this book. It’s not easy finding a copy and once again, my subscription to Scribd paid off. This version is the 2015 digital release, and I do believe finding the original paperback is not an easy task.
Wildly curious, I dove into the story with gusto. Although the plot has a few almost laughable warbles, the crime elements, the dialect and scenery, combined with the Southern flavor of the novel kept me invested in the story all the way through. But, at the end of the day, it’s the atmosphere, and McDowell’s writing chops, that sells this one.
The supernatural elements are in keeping with the time frame in which the book was originally published, and with the author's writing style, with more of a psychological edge to it. The suspense slowly builds, as the reader waits with bated breath, and with no small amount of eager anticipation, for the other shoe to drop.
The story may be a little understated for some, who may lament the slow burn, and the age factor. But, but all things considered, the book holds its own admirably.
While this may not be one of McDowell’s very best tales, it is still a solid ghost story and a nice hidden gem. Now that Valancourt has reissued a nice quantity of McDowell’s work into digital format, I’m all in! I can’t wait to get started!
If you like Southern Gothic, don’t let the age of these books dissuade you from giving them a try! McDowell's writing is not to be missed! Good stuff!!
November 8, 2017
Well now I need to watch the creepy movie!!
November 28, 2021
An excellent Southern Gothic tale!
Cold Moon Over Babylon has tragedy, evil and revenge pouring out of its southern heart.
Michael McDowell has a great way of writing horror, especially located deep down in the southern part of the United States.
In this case, Cold Moon Over Babylon is located in the panhandle of Florida.
Humidity, slow talking, easy living and being part of a small community is the backdrop for tragedy and a killers’ evil deeds and sinister motives.
The Larkin family has already suffered death and tragedy, so when 14-year-old Margaret Larkin goes missing, the town of Babylon, Florida can’t make sense of her disappearance.
Margaret would never cause stress or anxiety to her grandmother Evelyn who’s been taking care of Margaret and Jerry since their parents died.
What happened to Margaret and can Evelyn get anyone to listen to her?!
This book is a great blend of horror, supernatural elements and revenge coming down on the head of the town of Babylon.
I loved all the main characters and enjoyed hating the killer!
The pacing of the book was well done and I could not stop reading the last 20-30% of the book.
While flying back home, I was in my own haunted setting with the lights turned off and the glow of my Kindle device illuminating my face.
I was reading about revenge, atmospheric hauntings, and loving every minute of it.
Definitely get to this one if you love Southern Gothic tales and books in the horror genre!
Cold Moon Over Babylon has tragedy, evil and revenge pouring out of its southern heart.
Michael McDowell has a great way of writing horror, especially located deep down in the southern part of the United States.
In this case, Cold Moon Over Babylon is located in the panhandle of Florida.
Humidity, slow talking, easy living and being part of a small community is the backdrop for tragedy and a killers’ evil deeds and sinister motives.
The Larkin family has already suffered death and tragedy, so when 14-year-old Margaret Larkin goes missing, the town of Babylon, Florida can’t make sense of her disappearance.
Margaret would never cause stress or anxiety to her grandmother Evelyn who’s been taking care of Margaret and Jerry since their parents died.
What happened to Margaret and can Evelyn get anyone to listen to her?!
This book is a great blend of horror, supernatural elements and revenge coming down on the head of the town of Babylon.
I loved all the main characters and enjoyed hating the killer!
The pacing of the book was well done and I could not stop reading the last 20-30% of the book.
While flying back home, I was in my own haunted setting with the lights turned off and the glow of my Kindle device illuminating my face.
I was reading about revenge, atmospheric hauntings, and loving every minute of it.
Definitely get to this one if you love Southern Gothic tales and books in the horror genre!
May 11, 2018
✨️ Immaculate ✨️
February 14, 2021
Where is Margaret?...
COLD MOON OVER BABYLON
by Michael McDowell
5 stars. July 1965, Jim and JoAnn Larkin, owners of Larkin Blueberry Farm, were fishing in their little rowboat on the Styx River...
The husband and wife saw a gunny sack floating by and pulled it into the boat...
When they opened the sack, they found it full of rattlesnakes...
The two were never seen again, and the job of raising their children, Jerry and Margaret, and running the blueberry farm fell to their old grandmother Evelyn Larkin...
One stormy night...
Fourteen year old Margaret was riding her bike home from school. As she cycled onto the Styx bridge...
A man wearing a leather mask with a zippered mouth attacked and brutally murdered Margaret...
He tied her body to her bike and threw her off the bridge into a deep part of the Styx, in sight and just yards away from the Larkin farmhouse...
For several days, Jerry and Evelyn fretfully searched for Margret...
But...
Margret was face up and downstream in the Styx, the current causing her eyes and mouth to open in wonder at sudden death...
Meanwhile...
Throughout the small Alabama town of Babylon, people were asking each other...
Where is Margaret?...
When Margaret's body was eventually found, the question became: Who killed Margaret?...
This novel is one of the best southern gothic horror stories I've ever read. One can almost feel the river silt between their bare toes, such is the wonderful prose. It's one of those stories that I hated to see end because I became attached to the characters.
This story is a horrifying thriller that might just have you looking over your shoulder while reading.
Recommended!
COLD MOON OVER BABYLON
by Michael McDowell
5 stars. July 1965, Jim and JoAnn Larkin, owners of Larkin Blueberry Farm, were fishing in their little rowboat on the Styx River...
The husband and wife saw a gunny sack floating by and pulled it into the boat...
When they opened the sack, they found it full of rattlesnakes...
The two were never seen again, and the job of raising their children, Jerry and Margaret, and running the blueberry farm fell to their old grandmother Evelyn Larkin...
One stormy night...
Fourteen year old Margaret was riding her bike home from school. As she cycled onto the Styx bridge...
A man wearing a leather mask with a zippered mouth attacked and brutally murdered Margaret...
He tied her body to her bike and threw her off the bridge into a deep part of the Styx, in sight and just yards away from the Larkin farmhouse...
For several days, Jerry and Evelyn fretfully searched for Margret...
But...
Margret was face up and downstream in the Styx, the current causing her eyes and mouth to open in wonder at sudden death...
Meanwhile...
Throughout the small Alabama town of Babylon, people were asking each other...
Where is Margaret?...
When Margaret's body was eventually found, the question became: Who killed Margaret?...
This novel is one of the best southern gothic horror stories I've ever read. One can almost feel the river silt between their bare toes, such is the wonderful prose. It's one of those stories that I hated to see end because I became attached to the characters.
This story is a horrifying thriller that might just have you looking over your shoulder while reading.
Recommended!
October 5, 2023
Cold Moon Over Babylon is a classic Southern Gothic tale that sets the bar high for others. I can't tell you how many times this book has been recommended to me over the years.
I am so happy that I finally made time for it, because I absolutely adored it. It's so good.
This story is set in the small, rural town of Babylon, Florida. We follow many folks in the town, but the main drama centers around the Larkin family after the youngest member, Margaret, disappears on her way home from town.
She was riding her bike home when she disappeared. Her grandmother and brother suspect foul play, but others aren't immediately as alarmed as the family. The police even suggest Margaret, 14-years old, had run off with a boy.
Eventually, Margaret's body, tied to her bicycle, is found in the local Styx River, just by the Larkin property. That puts the theories to rest. Margaret was viciously murdered.
We follow Margaret's remaining family, her Grandmother, Evelyn, and her brother, Jerry, as they fight to find out the truth about what happened to Margaret.
This story is beautifully told. It is gripping from the start. The level of atmosphere that McDowell was able to bring to the page feels inspired. I could not only picture everything clearly in my mind, but I could feel it and smell it. It seriously moved me in so many ways.
My heart ached for the Larkin family, especially Jerry, trying to keep his Grandmother together in the face of another family tragedy.
I also thought the villain in this one was so well done. They're a character you are going to hate. You are going to cheer for their demise. Following their perspective is like getting a front row seat in a sociopath's mind.
Additionally, don't even get me started on the horror imagery. Oh man, there are some creepy-ass scenes in this one. The entities haunting Babylon post-the crimes against the Larkin family. Yikes!!
One of my favorite scenes featured a character, Nathan Redfield, driving home from the liquor store and something, or someone, is after him. It was so vivid. It scared me, like legit scared. I had to turn more lights on.
I highly recommend this one. If you are a Horror fan, particularly if you enjoy Horror stories with a lush, small town feel, you have to pick this one up. I was so impressed.
Fabulously done by McDowell. I can't wait to read more of his work. I have a feeling I will love his other novels just as much and hope to get to them soon.
RIP -- Michael McDowell: June 1, 1950 - December 27, 1999.
I am so happy that I finally made time for it, because I absolutely adored it. It's so good.
This story is set in the small, rural town of Babylon, Florida. We follow many folks in the town, but the main drama centers around the Larkin family after the youngest member, Margaret, disappears on her way home from town.
She was riding her bike home when she disappeared. Her grandmother and brother suspect foul play, but others aren't immediately as alarmed as the family. The police even suggest Margaret, 14-years old, had run off with a boy.
Eventually, Margaret's body, tied to her bicycle, is found in the local Styx River, just by the Larkin property. That puts the theories to rest. Margaret was viciously murdered.
We follow Margaret's remaining family, her Grandmother, Evelyn, and her brother, Jerry, as they fight to find out the truth about what happened to Margaret.
This story is beautifully told. It is gripping from the start. The level of atmosphere that McDowell was able to bring to the page feels inspired. I could not only picture everything clearly in my mind, but I could feel it and smell it. It seriously moved me in so many ways.
My heart ached for the Larkin family, especially Jerry, trying to keep his Grandmother together in the face of another family tragedy.
I also thought the villain in this one was so well done. They're a character you are going to hate. You are going to cheer for their demise. Following their perspective is like getting a front row seat in a sociopath's mind.
Additionally, don't even get me started on the horror imagery. Oh man, there are some creepy-ass scenes in this one. The entities haunting Babylon post-the crimes against the Larkin family. Yikes!!
One of my favorite scenes featured a character, Nathan Redfield, driving home from the liquor store and something, or someone, is after him. It was so vivid. It scared me, like legit scared. I had to turn more lights on.
I highly recommend this one. If you are a Horror fan, particularly if you enjoy Horror stories with a lush, small town feel, you have to pick this one up. I was so impressed.
Fabulously done by McDowell. I can't wait to read more of his work. I have a feeling I will love his other novels just as much and hope to get to them soon.
RIP -- Michael McDowell: June 1, 1950 - December 27, 1999.
May 4, 2017
A classic! Family business at its worst. What a deranged murderer (I don't want to spoil anything here). The author really knows how to tell a thrilling story.
September 6, 2021
Ghoulish happenings in the Florida Panhandle
Very good ghost story by McDowell, Cold Moon Over Babylon is a cautionary tale for psychopaths. Beware the revenge of a loving Southern family if you know what's good for you. Sweet Margaret Larson is a fourteen year old girl who meets a human devil. The description of their encounter is one of the most disturbing things you'll ever read.
This is the second book by McDowell that I have read. The first was The Elementals which I loved. He can spin a good yarn; it is tragic that he died so young.
Very good ghost story by McDowell, Cold Moon Over Babylon is a cautionary tale for psychopaths. Beware the revenge of a loving Southern family if you know what's good for you. Sweet Margaret Larson is a fourteen year old girl who meets a human devil. The description of their encounter is one of the most disturbing things you'll ever read.
This is the second book by McDowell that I have read. The first was The Elementals which I loved. He can spin a good yarn; it is tragic that he died so young.
January 15, 2021
“As if expressing wonder at sudden death, she gaped sightless through the black cold waters of the Styx to the moon overhead.”
My first five star of the year! I simply loved this book from start to finish. The pacing, the atmosphere, the writing, the small town vibes, the creepy and unsettling imagery, all of it worked perfectly. ALL OF IT
Here’s the set-up: set in a typical sleepy Southern town where the sun shines hot and the swamps are shrouded in fog, young Margaret Larkin is brutally murdered, leaving behind her brother and grandmother. That is, until a human shape takes form from the murky waters of the local river… It sounds good, no?
Cold Moon Over Babylon is essentially part ghost story/part murder mystery. The ghost story aspect was CHILLING, the imagery that McDowell described just got right under my skin and gave me goosebumps. His descriptions were fundamental in creating such a creepy atmosphere, as he slowly turns up the tension and scares. The slow build is worth it, trust me!
I honestly couldn’t tell you the last time a book actually shook me to my core in the way this one did. Something happens that I just did not see coming and I applaud McDowell’s bold decision. I was completely absorbed by this story from the first page to the final page – not only is McDowell an accomplished storyteller, but his writing is beautiful and the pacing and overall flow is executed flawlessly.
I’m fangirling a tad, but I can already see Cold Moon Over Babylon reigning supreme when it comes to my Best of 2021 list. Absolutely LOVED this! 5 stars.
My first five star of the year! I simply loved this book from start to finish. The pacing, the atmosphere, the writing, the small town vibes, the creepy and unsettling imagery, all of it worked perfectly. ALL OF IT
Here’s the set-up: set in a typical sleepy Southern town where the sun shines hot and the swamps are shrouded in fog, young Margaret Larkin is brutally murdered, leaving behind her brother and grandmother. That is, until a human shape takes form from the murky waters of the local river… It sounds good, no?
Cold Moon Over Babylon is essentially part ghost story/part murder mystery. The ghost story aspect was CHILLING, the imagery that McDowell described just got right under my skin and gave me goosebumps. His descriptions were fundamental in creating such a creepy atmosphere, as he slowly turns up the tension and scares. The slow build is worth it, trust me!
I honestly couldn’t tell you the last time a book actually shook me to my core in the way this one did. Something happens that I just did not see coming and I applaud McDowell’s bold decision. I was completely absorbed by this story from the first page to the final page – not only is McDowell an accomplished storyteller, but his writing is beautiful and the pacing and overall flow is executed flawlessly.
I’m fangirling a tad, but I can already see Cold Moon Over Babylon reigning supreme when it comes to my Best of 2021 list. Absolutely LOVED this! 5 stars.
April 26, 2023
"Look down fair moon and bathe this scene, Pour softly down night's nimbus floods on faces ghastly, swollen, purple, On the dead on their backs with arms toss'd wide, Pour down your unstinted nimbus sacred moon."
3.5 🌟's
Initial Thoughts
This is my third book by Michael McDowell and it's been a bit of a mixed bag so far with this author for me. While I was blown away by his amazing haunted house drama, The Elementals, I was a bit disappointed with his debut novel, The Amulet. The former had some exceptional character work whereas those in the later were a touch lacking. It's possibly the most important aspect of fiction for me. I reviewed both stories previously if you want a more detailed breakdown of what I thought.
The beauty of McDowell's novels are they harken back to a golden age of eighties pulp horror. It was his good friendStephen King who described him as the greatest author of horror paperbacks. High praise indeed! His books do have a certain charm to them and the quality of his prose set him apart from most other authors in that market.
It's worth noting that this particular novel was adapted into a movie in 2006 starring "the Doc" Christopher Lloyd. It's simply called Cold Moon but it's rating is pretty dire. So for now I'm sticking with the book.
The Story
As always with McDowell, this one is set in the deep south in the town of Babylon, located in the Florida pan handle on the cusp of the Alabama state border. We begin with an opening prologue that details a tragic incident involving a couple, Jim and Joanne Larkin, who are out fishing on the river Styx. Wait a second, isn't that the same name as the one that takes you direct to the underworld in Greek mythology? What could possibly go wrong? Anyway, it's a shocking start that really grabbed my attention.
We then fast forward ten years and there's a masked murderer on the loose who targets the daughter of the departed couple who's now fourteen. Tragedy strikes the Larkin family for the second time and sees them pushed to the brink. But a strange and unearthly presence inhabits the town of Babylon and ghostly fingers reach from beyond the grave. What is done cannot be undone and there is always a price to pay.
"He imagined he had been hypnotized by the moon, thrown into one of those trances that were common enough at night, on lonely stretches of road, to solitary drivers."
The Writing
McDowell shows more ambition in this novel than he did in his previous one, The Amulet, as he blends a crime drama with a supernatural horror. His prose are to the point, but have a certain flair that worked in mixing the two elements effectively. Although I did pick up on an over reliance on adverbs, which I'm not a fan of.
As with the previous two novels, this author absolutely nails the location. He's an absolute master of describing these southern landscapes and the way of life that really made me feel a part of it all. It becomes a living, breathing entity that easy to visualise and this was essential in establishing the horror elements. When night falls and that cold moon rises the sleepy town transforms into something very unsettling. It's dark, atmospheric and slowly crawls underneath your skin. I've got to say the horror elements in this were really well done and a step up from the author's debut novel. My only real criticism is certain aspects are a touch repetitive.
"Behold, I shew you mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall all be changed."
The Characters
My big criticism with this novel was definitely with the characters. There was promise shown with the two central protagonists of Evelyn and Jerry Larkin but they weren't effectively developed and I didn't get fully invested in either. Consequently, when bad things start to happen the necessary empathy just wasn't there and there was little emotional impact.
Plus we've got one of the most useless police officers in Sheriff Ted Hale who does his best to give cops (like myself) and fathers (like myself) a bad name. It's not that he's a bad person but he has zero perception of danger and he's a pretty forgettable character for someone who plays a key role.
And the biggest surprise for me was the dialogue. Where it was something that sparkled in the the previous novels it was a bit of a let down in this one. Two characters in particular really got on my nerves with the repetitive and childish conversations.
The standout character had to be the villain. Not saying who he is, as that would spoil the party. But as the novel progresses he becomes the main character and this certainly made things more entertaining. He's an absolute psychopath and it was fun to get inside his mind, a pretty scary place. But it certainly doesn't make up for the other throw away characters.
What I did like though was how nobody in this book was safe. There's some shocking twists and turns that really kept me on my toes and I didn't know how this one was going to end.
Final Thoughts
So a very mixed experience with Coldmoon Over Babylon. While it was very readable and entertaining, it would rank nowhere near my favourite horrors. That was something I was hoping for and I'm still chasing that elusive high that I got when I read the Elementals.
Honestly, if McDowell's bibliography was more extensive I'd be considering taking a break. But there's only two more short novels before his Blackwater saga, which is considered his masterpiece. So I'm just going to grow a pair and push on. There's going to be a point where it all comes together for this author and hopefully it's in his next outing...Gilded Needles. At the least it sounds a very interesting book.
Wish me luck!
Thanks for reading and...cheers!
October 19, 2023
A non-stop spook adventure with supernatural shivers and diabolical villains. The town of Babylon is a character itself, peopled with rural residents who are perhaps too trusting of their friends and too mistrusting of their elders. Many turn up as corpses, mutilated and bloated in the nearby river. Worse still, they have a hard time staying dead.
With a killer on the loose and a growing list of undead pulling strings, it seems no one in town is safe. Will anyone make it out alive, or will Florida's River Styx claim all?
It takes time to ease into McDowell's game here. The town of Babylon is carefully constructed page by page and it's not until four or five chapters that you realize the world-building is quite impressive. A large cast of characters is notoriously difficult to write, especially in so few pages, but he makes it surprisingly easy to keep track of the major players.
Occasionally the story comes across as thought-provoking. There's an interaction with timeless themes of insanity and guilt. I'm thinking about Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart" and the way Lady Macbeth can never quite wash the blood off her hands, even as she shows no outward remorse for her murderous plots.
Our villain here is a monster through-and-through, but the supernatural element extracts subconscious guilt out of him. This drives him even more crazy, and susceptible to deeds eviler than even he had planned.
Generally, however, profound themes do not seem to be a significant focus. This is a teen slasher of a novel, but with elevated prose and great use of setting.
Compared to McDowell's masterpieces Blackwater and The Elementals, it feels like a lesser work. Still, a standout in the field of Southern Gothic horror. Not that long ago McDowell was completely out-of-print and destined to be forgotten. Thankfully a revival has brought him back from the dead as well, and as a standard-bearer of the genre. There was even a film adaptation of Cold Moon Over Babylon, titled simply Cold Moon, that came out in 2016. I haven't seen it yet, but it looks to be faithful to the book and has Christopher Lloyd in the cast.
Overall, I would recommend The Elementals as a better entry into the wild and marvelous world of Michael McDowell. Cold Moon Over Babylon is still a delight though, and far better than most 1980s horror paperback fiction.
With a killer on the loose and a growing list of undead pulling strings, it seems no one in town is safe. Will anyone make it out alive, or will Florida's River Styx claim all?
It takes time to ease into McDowell's game here. The town of Babylon is carefully constructed page by page and it's not until four or five chapters that you realize the world-building is quite impressive. A large cast of characters is notoriously difficult to write, especially in so few pages, but he makes it surprisingly easy to keep track of the major players.
Occasionally the story comes across as thought-provoking. There's an interaction with timeless themes of insanity and guilt. I'm thinking about Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart" and the way Lady Macbeth can never quite wash the blood off her hands, even as she shows no outward remorse for her murderous plots.
Our villain here is a monster through-and-through, but the supernatural element extracts subconscious guilt out of him. This drives him even more crazy, and susceptible to deeds eviler than even he had planned.
Generally, however, profound themes do not seem to be a significant focus. This is a teen slasher of a novel, but with elevated prose and great use of setting.
Compared to McDowell's masterpieces Blackwater and The Elementals, it feels like a lesser work. Still, a standout in the field of Southern Gothic horror. Not that long ago McDowell was completely out-of-print and destined to be forgotten. Thankfully a revival has brought him back from the dead as well, and as a standard-bearer of the genre. There was even a film adaptation of Cold Moon Over Babylon, titled simply Cold Moon, that came out in 2016. I haven't seen it yet, but it looks to be faithful to the book and has Christopher Lloyd in the cast.
Overall, I would recommend The Elementals as a better entry into the wild and marvelous world of Michael McDowell. Cold Moon Over Babylon is still a delight though, and far better than most 1980s horror paperback fiction.
June 11, 2022
This is my third McDowell novel after The Elementals and Blackwater, and he never fails to exceed my expectations.
Behind him was the moon, frigid and enormous, imparting a dense primeval phosphorescence to everything before him. Only his own body remained in shadow.
Cold Moon Over Babylon is a near perfect Southern Gothic about small town relationships, greed, and vengeance. I seriously cannot recommend this book enough. Michael McDowell was a true master of atmosphere.
She cleared her lungs of the black water of the Styx, and pushed open the top of her coffin.
Behind him was the moon, frigid and enormous, imparting a dense primeval phosphorescence to everything before him. Only his own body remained in shadow.
Cold Moon Over Babylon is a near perfect Southern Gothic about small town relationships, greed, and vengeance. I seriously cannot recommend this book enough. Michael McDowell was a true master of atmosphere.
She cleared her lungs of the black water of the Styx, and pushed open the top of her coffin.
February 9, 2017
4.5/5. Another excellent read from Michael McDowell - true throwback slow-burn horror. At this point, I'm going to say his writing is easily superior to King. Review will be up next week!
May 15, 2015
Southern Gothic at it's absolute best. Excellent characterization and non-stop intrigue and suspense. I wish I'd heard of this author sooner, and I look forward to reading more of his work.
January 14, 2019
What must be said about the late Michael McDowell is he had a pitch-perfect sense of pacing: his plotting is almost mechanical, built to achieve the greatest result. Cold Moon Over Babylon is a slow burn — my favorite kind of horror! — with hard, memorable scares thrown in.
What must also be said about McDowell is his sense of locale. Being from Alabama (and being quite familiar with the Florida-Alabama line, where this novel takes place), I can say the characters and the settings feel authentic; one cannot help wanting to fall into the world this author has created . . . you know, minus the scary stuff.
Cold Moon Over Babylon is the perfect sort of horror-drama, and I’m glad it (and McDowell’s other paperback originals) is now getting the attention it deserves.
What must also be said about McDowell is his sense of locale. Being from Alabama (and being quite familiar with the Florida-Alabama line, where this novel takes place), I can say the characters and the settings feel authentic; one cannot help wanting to fall into the world this author has created . . . you know, minus the scary stuff.
Cold Moon Over Babylon is the perfect sort of horror-drama, and I’m glad it (and McDowell’s other paperback originals) is now getting the attention it deserves.
May 14, 2015
4.5 stars, rounded up.
Another incredible read from author Michael McDowell! A small town horror story that is truly horrific both in terms of what happens, and in the form that the vengeance takes...
The Larkin family has had a rough life from the day young Margaret and older brother, Jerry, lose their parents in a fishing "accident". They are then raised by their loving Grandmother, Evelyn, who struggles financially to make ends meet with their meager blueberry crop. Further tragedy strikes when Margaret is just fourteen years old. After that, things begin to accelerate against them drastically.
Who can attain justice when the perpetrator is "above" the law?
This story answers that question in a most chilling, visual manner--I found myself completely unable to put down this book even once during the last third of the narrative.
If you haven't already discovered this amazing author, I urge you to give him a chance.
Highly recommended!!!
Another incredible read from author Michael McDowell! A small town horror story that is truly horrific both in terms of what happens, and in the form that the vengeance takes...
The Larkin family has had a rough life from the day young Margaret and older brother, Jerry, lose their parents in a fishing "accident". They are then raised by their loving Grandmother, Evelyn, who struggles financially to make ends meet with their meager blueberry crop. Further tragedy strikes when Margaret is just fourteen years old. After that, things begin to accelerate against them drastically.
Who can attain justice when the perpetrator is "above" the law?
This story answers that question in a most chilling, visual manner--I found myself completely unable to put down this book even once during the last third of the narrative.
If you haven't already discovered this amazing author, I urge you to give him a chance.
Highly recommended!!!
December 28, 2024
Ce roman me faisait de l’œil depuis longtemps et nous l’avons reçu à la bibliothèque du collège, j’ai donc pu le lire en avant première avant les élèves .
Au début , j’ai eu dû mal à rentrer dans l’histoire, le cadre était très oppressant puis au fur et à mesure de l’enquête je ne pouvais pas m’empêcher de tourner les pages. Nous rencontrons les larkin une famille qui vit à Babylon et qui est placé sous le signe du malheur puisque les parents de Jerry et Margaret vont mourir noyer dans des circonstances tragiques dans le stys la rivière qui borde leur propriété. Ils sont recueillis par leur grand-mère Evelyn. Un jour, Margaret ne rentre pas à la maison, quelques temps plus tard son corps lacéré de coup de couteau et découvert dans le stys attaché à son vélo. Que s’est-il passé ? Plus qu’une enquête policière ce roman peut être qualifié d’horreur ou de fantastique. Une grande force de l’écriture c’est la capacité de l’auteur à nous submerger dans cette atmosphère j’avais vraiment l’impression d’être moins aussi à babylon et de respirer l’air vicié de cette contrée . Le stys est un personnage comme les autres dangereux inquiétant qui réclame vengeance.
Je recommande ce livre à tous les amateurs de roman de Stephen King .
Au début , j’ai eu dû mal à rentrer dans l’histoire, le cadre était très oppressant puis au fur et à mesure de l’enquête je ne pouvais pas m’empêcher de tourner les pages. Nous rencontrons les larkin une famille qui vit à Babylon et qui est placé sous le signe du malheur puisque les parents de Jerry et Margaret vont mourir noyer dans des circonstances tragiques dans le stys la rivière qui borde leur propriété. Ils sont recueillis par leur grand-mère Evelyn. Un jour, Margaret ne rentre pas à la maison, quelques temps plus tard son corps lacéré de coup de couteau et découvert dans le stys attaché à son vélo. Que s’est-il passé ? Plus qu’une enquête policière ce roman peut être qualifié d’horreur ou de fantastique. Une grande force de l’écriture c’est la capacité de l’auteur à nous submerger dans cette atmosphère j’avais vraiment l’impression d’être moins aussi à babylon et de respirer l’air vicié de cette contrée . Le stys est un personnage comme les autres dangereux inquiétant qui réclame vengeance.
Je recommande ce livre à tous les amateurs de roman de Stephen King .
January 13, 2023
I continue to be gaga over the mind of Michael McDowell.
If there's one word that McDowell understood with every fiber of his being, that word is 'gothic'. 'CMOB' reveals that word in extremity. What you have with this novel is the whole jingbang. (Yes, I said 'jingbang', and I stand by it.) In McDowell's relentless hands, this story isn't merely creepy; it's in the realm of terror squared.
On its surface, 'CMOB' is the stuff of EC Comics. (In fact, McDowell scripted the 1st and 3rd stories for 1990's 'Tales from the Darkside: The Movie' - the unofficial 'Creepshow 3', which I haven't seen.) But its full effect is in the storytelling. It comes down to craft, and the specific language that McDowell utilizes.
~ not all the time, of course. Much of the first half of this book - with its benign capture of small-town life - appears rather commonplace. But McDowell knows exactly when to ingratiate himself with his uniquely personal take on the unimaginable. He'll catch you off-guard, as the gothic should.
This is my third McDowell read - after (the highly recommended) 'Blackwater' and 'Gilded Needles'. Like those other remarkable books, McDowell, in 'CMOB', creates a specific world, one observed with a scalpel and set apart from anything else he has written. The world here is marked by the mundane; his cast of characters is much smaller - yet, as elsewhere, McDowell slowly weaves a rather complicated interrelation, one that increases in depth as the narrative progresses.
Again, his calling card is his range of expression. The way McDowell uses words in the tale's darker elements... well, I can only describe it as 'poetic'; an odd way to refer to it but the spellbinding imagery on display is as alluring as it is unsettling. At one point, McDowell himself clarifies this sensation as "graceful menace".
I wouldn't exactly call myself a horror aficionado. There's a lot in the genre - esp. in more modern examples (in books and esp. in film) - that I don't respond well to or appreciate. But, here, McDowell again unveils himself as an ace storyteller, committed to taking the reader to places that resonate in an uncommon way.
A film version of 'Cold Moon Over Babylon' - titled' 'Cold Moon' - was released in 2016. To its credit, it does on some level attempt a faithful adaptation. The major scenes and a lot of the dialogue are lifted directly. Still (no surprise), it's not a satisfying experience. At 90 minutes, way too much of the novel is cut - and a surfeit of the McDowell experience is simply gone. ~ particularly that element that McDowell traverses in a refreshingly singular way: the gothic.
If there's one word that McDowell understood with every fiber of his being, that word is 'gothic'. 'CMOB' reveals that word in extremity. What you have with this novel is the whole jingbang. (Yes, I said 'jingbang', and I stand by it.) In McDowell's relentless hands, this story isn't merely creepy; it's in the realm of terror squared.
On its surface, 'CMOB' is the stuff of EC Comics. (In fact, McDowell scripted the 1st and 3rd stories for 1990's 'Tales from the Darkside: The Movie' - the unofficial 'Creepshow 3', which I haven't seen.) But its full effect is in the storytelling. It comes down to craft, and the specific language that McDowell utilizes.
~ not all the time, of course. Much of the first half of this book - with its benign capture of small-town life - appears rather commonplace. But McDowell knows exactly when to ingratiate himself with his uniquely personal take on the unimaginable. He'll catch you off-guard, as the gothic should.
This is my third McDowell read - after (the highly recommended) 'Blackwater' and 'Gilded Needles'. Like those other remarkable books, McDowell, in 'CMOB', creates a specific world, one observed with a scalpel and set apart from anything else he has written. The world here is marked by the mundane; his cast of characters is much smaller - yet, as elsewhere, McDowell slowly weaves a rather complicated interrelation, one that increases in depth as the narrative progresses.
Again, his calling card is his range of expression. The way McDowell uses words in the tale's darker elements... well, I can only describe it as 'poetic'; an odd way to refer to it but the spellbinding imagery on display is as alluring as it is unsettling. At one point, McDowell himself clarifies this sensation as "graceful menace".
I wouldn't exactly call myself a horror aficionado. There's a lot in the genre - esp. in more modern examples (in books and esp. in film) - that I don't respond well to or appreciate. But, here, McDowell again unveils himself as an ace storyteller, committed to taking the reader to places that resonate in an uncommon way.
A film version of 'Cold Moon Over Babylon' - titled' 'Cold Moon' - was released in 2016. To its credit, it does on some level attempt a faithful adaptation. The major scenes and a lot of the dialogue are lifted directly. Still (no surprise), it's not a satisfying experience. At 90 minutes, way too much of the novel is cut - and a surfeit of the McDowell experience is simply gone. ~ particularly that element that McDowell traverses in a refreshingly singular way: the gothic.
September 16, 2017
4.5*
He imagined that he had been hypnotized by the moon, thrown into one of those trances that were common enough at night, on lonely stretches of road, to solitary drivers. “That’s it,” he whispered to himself, “I was led astray by the moon. But now the moon’s brought me home safe again . . .”
Holy moonlit blueberry bush! What a ride!
Cold Moon over Babylon is a horror story at its finest ... and at its most horrible. It is difficult to tell how much of what happens in the novel can be explained by the psychotic state of mind of the main character but I would like to think that phantoms of his mind were actual physical manifestations of a town that seeks revenge against a sick and twisted individual.
As mentioned before, I am utterly in love with McDowell's writing. It was atmospheric, tense, truly horrific, and yet, utterly addictive.
Now I need to find some hot chocolate and a blanket.
All the tombstones glared suddenly brighter, so bright that for a moment he lost sight of the figure of the girl. He looked behind him. The moon, enormous, featureless, with a staggering incandescence, hovered directly over the cemetery. With anything so bright so close, he felt he should have been burned, but all he felt was a creeping chill across his shoulders, a prickly dampness peeling across his neck.
He imagined that he had been hypnotized by the moon, thrown into one of those trances that were common enough at night, on lonely stretches of road, to solitary drivers. “That’s it,” he whispered to himself, “I was led astray by the moon. But now the moon’s brought me home safe again . . .”
Holy moonlit blueberry bush! What a ride!
Cold Moon over Babylon is a horror story at its finest ... and at its most horrible. It is difficult to tell how much of what happens in the novel can be explained by the psychotic state of mind of the main character but I would like to think that phantoms of his mind were actual physical manifestations of a town that seeks revenge against a sick and twisted individual.
As mentioned before, I am utterly in love with McDowell's writing. It was atmospheric, tense, truly horrific, and yet, utterly addictive.
Now I need to find some hot chocolate and a blanket.
All the tombstones glared suddenly brighter, so bright that for a moment he lost sight of the figure of the girl. He looked behind him. The moon, enormous, featureless, with a staggering incandescence, hovered directly over the cemetery. With anything so bright so close, he felt he should have been burned, but all he felt was a creeping chill across his shoulders, a prickly dampness peeling across his neck.
October 5, 2021
After their parents die, Jerry and Margaret Larkin grow up with their grandma Evelyn Larkin on the Larkin blueberry farm. When tragedy strikes, can Jerry and Evelyn unearth the culprit and bring him to justice?
I've been a Michael McDowell fan since reading Blackwater a few years ago. I bought this some time in the dim past and finally had time to focus on it.
This is some great shit, not to put too fine a point on it. Michael McDowell's southern horror tales do not disappoint and this is no exception. The Larkins have tragedy written all over them after the first chapter, when the parents are killed by finding a sack of rattlesnakes in the river. Fast forward to a dying blueberry farm, late mortgage payments, and a maniac in a gimp mask brutally killing someone and it's one hard book to put down.
I'm going to dance around the particulars of the plot. McDowell captures that edgy, "what was that noise outside" feeling of creeping dread very well. There are some huge surprises and the horror is a slow burn to a satisfying climax. I don't usually bug my wife with details about what I'm reading but she heard all about this one.
Cold Moon Over Babylon did not surpass Blackwater but is easily my #2 Michael McDowell book. Five out of five stars.
I've been a Michael McDowell fan since reading Blackwater a few years ago. I bought this some time in the dim past and finally had time to focus on it.
This is some great shit, not to put too fine a point on it. Michael McDowell's southern horror tales do not disappoint and this is no exception. The Larkins have tragedy written all over them after the first chapter, when the parents are killed by finding a sack of rattlesnakes in the river. Fast forward to a dying blueberry farm, late mortgage payments, and a maniac in a gimp mask brutally killing someone and it's one hard book to put down.
I'm going to dance around the particulars of the plot. McDowell captures that edgy, "what was that noise outside" feeling of creeping dread very well. There are some huge surprises and the horror is a slow burn to a satisfying climax. I don't usually bug my wife with details about what I'm reading but she heard all about this one.
Cold Moon Over Babylon did not surpass Blackwater but is easily my #2 Michael McDowell book. Five out of five stars.
October 9, 2016
Very good haunting read.
April 30, 2026
A completely gripping and involving horror novel that reads a bit like a dry run for McDowell's even better 'Blackwater'
October 17, 2017
Mystery/ghost story that is nicely set in old, rural northwestern Florida's panhandle - a place I know personally and well. There really is a river named Styx, but it is farther west in Alabama. As for the fictional town named Babylon, my guess is that Bagdad, FL was the inspiration. I do not remember if there were any old wooden suspension bridges over the Blackwater River where Bagdad is located, but it would not surprise me. Babylon and Styx go together nicely, at any case.
The diction and language of the characters is very authentic in their dialogue, and the setting amidst high piney forest - like where I live - is spot-on and very atmospheric. An old oak tree is described perfectly - we have hundreds of these green-black monsters in my neighborhood. Gorgeous.
Little touches like rattlesnake round-ups, hiring Boy Scouts to harvest blueberries (a girlfriend of mine owns a you-pick-em farm 11 miles from me), short trips to the Alabama coast, the race track, Pensacola's oyster houses, etc - these were all fun for me to read. One can tell that the author is a native. Id half expect to have bumped into him at the Flor-abama lounge while he was alive.
Unfortunately, I was able to solve the mystery portion of the story before even a quarter of the way through. The ensuing ghostly portion was nice and creepy, but I couldnt really take it seriously. Black, sloshing, watery silt and all.
As for the fiendish behavior? Dumb, de-dum-dum - dumb.
In sum, this gets four stars for setting and dialogue and two for the mystery. When the ghostly appearances arose, a happy three seemed fair, and I always give a half point bonus for the inclusion of snakes! 3.5
The diction and language of the characters is very authentic in their dialogue, and the setting amidst high piney forest - like where I live - is spot-on and very atmospheric. An old oak tree is described perfectly - we have hundreds of these green-black monsters in my neighborhood. Gorgeous.
Little touches like rattlesnake round-ups, hiring Boy Scouts to harvest blueberries (a girlfriend of mine owns a you-pick-em farm 11 miles from me), short trips to the Alabama coast, the race track, Pensacola's oyster houses, etc - these were all fun for me to read. One can tell that the author is a native. Id half expect to have bumped into him at the Flor-abama lounge while he was alive.
Unfortunately, I was able to solve the mystery portion of the story before even a quarter of the way through. The ensuing ghostly portion was nice and creepy, but I couldnt really take it seriously. Black, sloshing, watery silt and all.
As for the fiendish behavior? Dumb, de-dum-dum - dumb.
In sum, this gets four stars for setting and dialogue and two for the mystery. When the ghostly appearances arose, a happy three seemed fair, and I always give a half point bonus for the inclusion of snakes! 3.5
October 19, 2020
There's already a billion reviews for this worded much more eloquently then I could ever manage but you don't need to bunch of flowery language to express how cool this book is. Revenge is best served cold and Cold Moon Over Babylon does just that. There's a bunch of small-town family drama before the scary stuff starts but at no point was this book slow or dull. Reading Michael McDowell is like getting a nice Porterhouse steak at McDonalds. You look around as you start eating thinking, "Why am I eating this here? This is too upscale for where I am." Because even though McDowell had admitted in interviews before his passing that he did not set out to write important pieces of literature, his stories are a step above the usual horror paperback offerings.
April 15, 2025
Du bon McDowell comme on aime !
Lune froid sur Babylon se passe dans la ville du même nom. Bordant la rivière Styx, qui se jette directement dans la Perdido (coucou Blackwater), on va assister au violent et brutal meurtre de Margaret Larkin.
Tandis que la police ne se bouge pas trop pour découvrir qui est le coupable, des forces surnaturelles vont commencer à faire justice elles-même. Et ça ne va pas être joli joli !
J'ai beaucoup aimé la première moitié du livre, un peu moins la seconde que j'ai trouvé assez répétitive et un poil longue. Si le livre n'a pas la richesse d'un Blackwater, j'ai aimé détester l'intégralité des personnages et le nombre conséquent de scènes horrifiques.
Bref, une bonne petite lecture !
Lune froid sur Babylon se passe dans la ville du même nom. Bordant la rivière Styx, qui se jette directement dans la Perdido (coucou Blackwater), on va assister au violent et brutal meurtre de Margaret Larkin.
Tandis que la police ne se bouge pas trop pour découvrir qui est le coupable, des forces surnaturelles vont commencer à faire justice elles-même. Et ça ne va pas être joli joli !
J'ai beaucoup aimé la première moitié du livre, un peu moins la seconde que j'ai trouvé assez répétitive et un poil longue. Si le livre n'a pas la richesse d'un Blackwater, j'ai aimé détester l'intégralité des personnages et le nombre conséquent de scènes horrifiques.
Bref, une bonne petite lecture !
June 22, 2022
Third reading, still amazing. Strangely a comfort read.
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Second reading, truly one of my all time favorite books!
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Now this is how you write horror, southern gothic and gore!!
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Second reading, truly one of my all time favorite books!
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Now this is how you write horror, southern gothic and gore!!
October 8, 2023
3.0 Stars
I didn't mind the small town details but Southern Gothic continues to be a subgenre that I don't connect with.
I didn't mind the small town details but Southern Gothic continues to be a subgenre that I don't connect with.
October 25, 2017
Babylon, a small community in the Florida panhandle near the Styx River, is the setting of this superb example of Gothic horror. Evelyn Larkin lost her son and daughter-in-law several years ago to the Styx when the two ran their fishing boat into a nest of poisonous snakes leaving her alone to raise her two grandchildren, Jerry and Margaret. When Margaret goes missing, her body is later found stabbed and chained to her bicycle at the bottom of the Styx. Evelyn accuses a local banker, whom she has had argument with over an overdue mortgage, of the murder. Others believe that it is a male teacher that Margaret was particularly fond. When Margaret is found to have been pregnant during the autopsy, the sheriff believes that the murderer may be the father. The family wants justice and if the sheriff doesn’t want to obtain it, the dead will.
The author, now deceased, was the screenwriter for the movies, Beetlejuice and The Nightmare before Christmas. This novel was a perfect choice for Halloween. It had me both flipping pages and not wanting to turn the page to see what happened next. Be warned that this is not a novel to be read in a quiet house on evening with a full moon shining on the lawn.
The author, now deceased, was the screenwriter for the movies, Beetlejuice and The Nightmare before Christmas. This novel was a perfect choice for Halloween. It had me both flipping pages and not wanting to turn the page to see what happened next. Be warned that this is not a novel to be read in a quiet house on evening with a full moon shining on the lawn.
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