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Aletheia
Aletheia is part ghost story, part love story, a novel about the damage done, and the damage yet to come.
“ Family and small town desires and secrets simmer in J. S. Breukelaar's melancholy and affecting mix of literary, noir, and horror by the lake. Aletheia is a compelling 21st century ghost story. ”— Paul Tremblay, author of A Head Full of Ghosts and Disappearance at Devil's Rock.
Deep below the island, something monstrous lies waiting for Thettie, and it knows her name.
The remote lake town of Little Ridge has a memory problem. There is an island out on the lake somewhere, but no one can remember exactly where it is—and what it has to do with the disappearance of the eccentric Frankie Harpur or the seven-year-old son of a local artist, Lee Montour.
When Thettie Harpur brings her family home to find Frankie, she faces opposition from all sides—including from the clan leader himself, the psychotic Doc Murphy.
Lee, her one true ally in grief and love, might not be enough to help take on her worst nightmare. The lake itself.
Aletheia is a tale of that most human of monsters, memory. It is a novel about the damage done, and the damage yet to come. About terror itself. Not only for what lies ahead, but also for what we think we have left behind.
“... a stunning examination of the intersections between memory, love, life and death .”— Angela Slatter
“Aletheia is simply a masterpiece .”— Seb Doubinsky, author of The Song of Synth and White City.
Brought to you by Crystal Lake Publishing—Tales from the Darkest Depths. Interview with the So what makes this Supernatural Thriller so special? J.S. Aletheia is a horror suspense thriller based on the idea of not being able to go home again. What makes it a little bit different is that something quite shocking happens about half-way through that sends the story in a terrifyingly unexpected direction. The second half of the novel was emotionally draining to write in a way that I haven’t experienced before, and I hope some of that gets imparted to the reader. Who is your favorite character and why? J.S. I always get very involved with my characters, and live through them each in their own way. There is a little bit of me in Lee, Thettie, Archy and Grif, and even Doc, but also Vernon. Animals tend to be central to my stories, and this time it's a Gila monster called Vernon, who gets caught up in scientific experiments gone wrong, tragic personal histories, human evil, and supernatural forces unleashed by a horrifyingly sentient lake. I love reptiles, especially lizards, and not in a cuddly way, but the same way I love the ocean—I’m scared of it, too— and Gila monsters are among the most beautiful and reluctantly deadly of them all. Why should readers give this literary horror novel a try? J.S. Readers will like Aletheia if they like dark fiction with elements of noir and horror, and if they get what it is to feel homesick, even when they’re home. Ebook categories for
“ Family and small town desires and secrets simmer in J. S. Breukelaar's melancholy and affecting mix of literary, noir, and horror by the lake. Aletheia is a compelling 21st century ghost story. ”— Paul Tremblay, author of A Head Full of Ghosts and Disappearance at Devil's Rock.
Deep below the island, something monstrous lies waiting for Thettie, and it knows her name.
The remote lake town of Little Ridge has a memory problem. There is an island out on the lake somewhere, but no one can remember exactly where it is—and what it has to do with the disappearance of the eccentric Frankie Harpur or the seven-year-old son of a local artist, Lee Montour.
When Thettie Harpur brings her family home to find Frankie, she faces opposition from all sides—including from the clan leader himself, the psychotic Doc Murphy.
Lee, her one true ally in grief and love, might not be enough to help take on her worst nightmare. The lake itself.
Aletheia is a tale of that most human of monsters, memory. It is a novel about the damage done, and the damage yet to come. About terror itself. Not only for what lies ahead, but also for what we think we have left behind.
“... a stunning examination of the intersections between memory, love, life and death .”— Angela Slatter
“Aletheia is simply a masterpiece .”— Seb Doubinsky, author of The Song of Synth and White City.
Brought to you by Crystal Lake Publishing—Tales from the Darkest Depths. Interview with the So what makes this Supernatural Thriller so special? J.S. Aletheia is a horror suspense thriller based on the idea of not being able to go home again. What makes it a little bit different is that something quite shocking happens about half-way through that sends the story in a terrifyingly unexpected direction. The second half of the novel was emotionally draining to write in a way that I haven’t experienced before, and I hope some of that gets imparted to the reader. Who is your favorite character and why? J.S. I always get very involved with my characters, and live through them each in their own way. There is a little bit of me in Lee, Thettie, Archy and Grif, and even Doc, but also Vernon. Animals tend to be central to my stories, and this time it's a Gila monster called Vernon, who gets caught up in scientific experiments gone wrong, tragic personal histories, human evil, and supernatural forces unleashed by a horrifyingly sentient lake. I love reptiles, especially lizards, and not in a cuddly way, but the same way I love the ocean—I’m scared of it, too— and Gila monsters are among the most beautiful and reluctantly deadly of them all. Why should readers give this literary horror novel a try? J.S. Readers will like Aletheia if they like dark fiction with elements of noir and horror, and if they get what it is to feel homesick, even when they’re home. Ebook categories for
- GenresHorror
552 pages, Paperback
First published March 10, 2017
12 people are currently reading
495 people want to read
About the author
J.S. Breukelaar
19 books111 followersJ.S. Breukelaar is an award-winning author of dark fiction. Her collection, Collision: Stories was a Shirley Jackson award finalist, and won both the Aurealis and Ditmar Awards. She has also published three acclaimed novels, including, most recently, Remedy, and the Ditmar-award winning novella, The Bridge. Her stories can be found in numerous magazines and anthologies, such as Apex, Black Static, The Dark, Lightspeed, Tiny Nightmares, as well as several Years Bests. You find out more at www.jsbreukelaar.com and elsewhere at @jsbreukelaar.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 26, 2017
Aletheia, in the Greek language, means truth. In life we use the word truth to drill down to the essence of who and what we are, and what the world means to us. Truth, even when used to depict the absolute nature of things is still as subjective as the person who interprets it. Truth is in the eye of the beholder, and even that perception can change over time.
Such is the case for Thettie Harpur, who returns to Little Ridge after a lengthy absence, apparently to seek out and make peace with her cousin, who was left behind to take the fall for many past misdeeds. Accompanying Thettie is the rest of the Harpur clan, ostensibly helmed by Doc Murphy, a man with his own ideas and motives.
Thettie's return to her old home is bittersweet, every corner holding a memory of her life before they fled, events and decisions she sees in a new light in her life as it stands now. Even more bittersweet is her liaison with Lee Montour, an artist even more inextricably bound to Little Ridge than she is. As they seek their own truths and reveal, piece by piece their own stories, the layers of their history are stripped away, all the while dealing with the shadow of the lake, and the ghostly truths that lie under the surface.
Aletheia is inhabited by memorable characters and a town that sticks in your memory long after finishing. The complexity means that, initially, it takes some time to settle into, however it also means that I'll be able to read it again and discover new meanings, which is a definite bonus. The pace picks up considerably after the initial chapters, and it's absolutely worth taking the time for it. 5/5.
Such is the case for Thettie Harpur, who returns to Little Ridge after a lengthy absence, apparently to seek out and make peace with her cousin, who was left behind to take the fall for many past misdeeds. Accompanying Thettie is the rest of the Harpur clan, ostensibly helmed by Doc Murphy, a man with his own ideas and motives.
Thettie's return to her old home is bittersweet, every corner holding a memory of her life before they fled, events and decisions she sees in a new light in her life as it stands now. Even more bittersweet is her liaison with Lee Montour, an artist even more inextricably bound to Little Ridge than she is. As they seek their own truths and reveal, piece by piece their own stories, the layers of their history are stripped away, all the while dealing with the shadow of the lake, and the ghostly truths that lie under the surface.
Aletheia is inhabited by memorable characters and a town that sticks in your memory long after finishing. The complexity means that, initially, it takes some time to settle into, however it also means that I'll be able to read it again and discover new meanings, which is a definite bonus. The pace picks up considerably after the initial chapters, and it's absolutely worth taking the time for it. 5/5.
July 30, 2017
A well-written, engaging, and intriguing story of grief and loss. Aletheia is a novel that gets under your skin and, just when you think you have it figured out, changes on a dime. In particular something happens just towards the end of the first part that genuinely shocked me and made it impossible to put the book down due to the need to find out what was going to happen next. Highly recommended.
April 21, 2017
I'll have a full review of this coming to Hellnotes soon, but I want to leave this here in the meantime. In Aletheia, J.S. Breukelaar has created a novel like nothing you've read before. No matter what you expect going into it, you're certain to be surprised. But be prepared for a very emotional ride. This thing has laugh out loud moments, scare the hell out of you moments, and break your heart moments so do bring a box of tissues with you when you sit down to read this. The only reason I gave this book five stars is because it isn't possible to give it one hundred.
January 16, 2022
This is one of those novels that blends genres so well (mystery, thriller, horror, dark fantasy) it should appeal to a mass audience, even though I would not hesitate to classify ALETHEIA as fine literary horror. Sometimes that's a turn-off for many readers; but please don't make assumptions too quickly.
The supernatural elements are there from the beginning, although more like hints/foreshadowing and atmosphere-building rather than jump-scares. What pulled me in and kept me immersed in this story from the very first chapter is the rich characterization. All the players are fully-developed and seem real and complex, none more so than primary characters Thettie Harpur and her new lover/confidante Lee Montour. Both are trying to recover something that they lost and a bond is formed that not even tragic events can break. Even the lake and mysterious misty island serve as abstract characters.
Breukelaar's world building and dynamic descriptive skills make it all seem real, despite the heavy symbolism and metaphors that enhance enough paragraphs that anyone seeking a deeper read can really dive beneath the surface of ALTEHEIA.
The author works memory theory into many cracks and crevices of the novel. I thought it was a brilliant exploration of some deep subject matter.
The supernatural and ghostly elements really don't manifest until well beyond the mid-point of this novel. I didn't really notice that so much because I was completely driven by the story and following the development of these characters.
This is a lengthy book for a horror novel that is too dense to try and binge-read quickly. You'll need to pause and reflect at several key points.
The supernatural elements are there from the beginning, although more like hints/foreshadowing and atmosphere-building rather than jump-scares. What pulled me in and kept me immersed in this story from the very first chapter is the rich characterization. All the players are fully-developed and seem real and complex, none more so than primary characters Thettie Harpur and her new lover/confidante Lee Montour. Both are trying to recover something that they lost and a bond is formed that not even tragic events can break. Even the lake and mysterious misty island serve as abstract characters.
Breukelaar's world building and dynamic descriptive skills make it all seem real, despite the heavy symbolism and metaphors that enhance enough paragraphs that anyone seeking a deeper read can really dive beneath the surface of ALTEHEIA.
The author works memory theory into many cracks and crevices of the novel. I thought it was a brilliant exploration of some deep subject matter.
The supernatural and ghostly elements really don't manifest until well beyond the mid-point of this novel. I didn't really notice that so much because I was completely driven by the story and following the development of these characters.
This is a lengthy book for a horror novel that is too dense to try and binge-read quickly. You'll need to pause and reflect at several key points.
March 23, 2017
Aletheia is a seriously heavy book and to be completely honest, I think I would have to read it another time or two before I felt comfortable saying I had completely wrapped my head around it. So if you are up for a seriously involved narrative journey, definitely give this one a go.
I think what I liked the most about this is how Breukelaar managed to strike an atmosphere of melancholy and sadness without going over the top with a ton of shoehorned exposition. The progression of the story felt natural and there was no point where I felt the momentum of the book lag in favor of explaining something.
The characters within this community are well crafted and worked out. Again, the history of these people, individually as well as the conflicts between them are so detailed and extensive, at times I didn't necessarily feel like the people I was reading about were completely fictional. The book felt three dimensional in a way that is very difficult to achieve.
One final point I would bring up is that I don't think I have ever read anything that takes such an extensive exploration of the supernatural experience. This is not a quick simple story of moaning on the wind and rattling chains in the dark. I love a good ghost story and have read a few of them so I was fascinated to see a perspective as fresh and original in this.
As I said initially, this is not a book to be taken lightly and to be fair, it did take me a little while before I really felt like I was clicking with the story. But the emotion and prose behind the complexities make this one worth the effort. And it's always great to know a book will still have something to offer if you decide to do a re-read.
I think what I liked the most about this is how Breukelaar managed to strike an atmosphere of melancholy and sadness without going over the top with a ton of shoehorned exposition. The progression of the story felt natural and there was no point where I felt the momentum of the book lag in favor of explaining something.
The characters within this community are well crafted and worked out. Again, the history of these people, individually as well as the conflicts between them are so detailed and extensive, at times I didn't necessarily feel like the people I was reading about were completely fictional. The book felt three dimensional in a way that is very difficult to achieve.
One final point I would bring up is that I don't think I have ever read anything that takes such an extensive exploration of the supernatural experience. This is not a quick simple story of moaning on the wind and rattling chains in the dark. I love a good ghost story and have read a few of them so I was fascinated to see a perspective as fresh and original in this.
As I said initially, this is not a book to be taken lightly and to be fair, it did take me a little while before I really felt like I was clicking with the story. But the emotion and prose behind the complexities make this one worth the effort. And it's always great to know a book will still have something to offer if you decide to do a re-read.
January 30, 2019
Immersive and mind-twisting, both at the same time--if you can imagine that. Breukelaar's talent is immense, and if you're willing to hop on this weirdbeautifulstunning ride, then, by all means, please do. I can only encourage you thricefold, hell, infinitefold. And that lizard, man. Just for that, I'd read it, and that's only a very, very, tiny, tiny, tiny part of the surprises waiting for you as you crack open your copy. Go ahead! Bend the e-spine of this wonder of a book and delve into the entrails of the weird. Because this is weird. Good weird. Extremely good weird. Yes, this author knows weird. Okay, I recommend it. Strongly, in case that wasn't clear. Thettie and this wild collection of characters are waiting for you.
May 17, 2018
Aurealis Award Best Horror Novel 2017 short list
Every page tingles with tension!
#MustRead....really a must!
Review
Every page tingles with tension!
#MustRead....really a must!
Review
March 22, 2017
Reading Aletheia is like going on a transcendental journey through the life and times of one Thettie Harpur. You can read my full review here...
https://horrornovelreviews.com/2017/0...
https://horrornovelreviews.com/2017/0...
May 29, 2017
(Note: I received an ARC from the publisher for review purposes.)
With ALETHEIA, I have one thing to say first: read this book with time on your hands. It's dense and complex and needs to be well-chewed.
Thettie Harpur and her large extended family have come back to Little Ridge: the place they were driven from, the place that doesn't want them, the place that has changed vastly in their absence. But the meat of this story isn't the characters (complex and gritty and wonderful as they are); it's not the squabbles of Thettie's sons, or the mysteries of one-eyed Bryce-with-a-"y", or the private pains of Thettie's paramour Lee, or the twisting search for Thettie's enigmatic cousin Frankie.
While Breukelaar has captured the "small rural town" mindset perfectly, its corruption and pettiness and unwillingness to forgive, the heart of this novel is the atmosphere. It becomes a character in itself, thick and foreboding, lush and rotten, hanging over Little Ridge with a weight greater than any monster could provide. All the other elements are just players in its shadow.
Step into it.
With ALETHEIA, I have one thing to say first: read this book with time on your hands. It's dense and complex and needs to be well-chewed.
Thettie Harpur and her large extended family have come back to Little Ridge: the place they were driven from, the place that doesn't want them, the place that has changed vastly in their absence. But the meat of this story isn't the characters (complex and gritty and wonderful as they are); it's not the squabbles of Thettie's sons, or the mysteries of one-eyed Bryce-with-a-"y", or the private pains of Thettie's paramour Lee, or the twisting search for Thettie's enigmatic cousin Frankie.
While Breukelaar has captured the "small rural town" mindset perfectly, its corruption and pettiness and unwillingness to forgive, the heart of this novel is the atmosphere. It becomes a character in itself, thick and foreboding, lush and rotten, hanging over Little Ridge with a weight greater than any monster could provide. All the other elements are just players in its shadow.
Step into it.
Read
August 19, 2017A mind-bending, sense-altering novel that plunges us into a lake community under shifting fog where we can smell and almost taste the rot beneath the surface. The truth of the title is tantalising and constantly elusive, shown as moving shadows from one perspective and then another, like the mysterious island that appears and disappears in mist. The characters are so grittily real we can see the pores of their skin and feel their grimy desperation; from a missing venomous gila monster by the name of Vernon, to a strange one-eyed waif seemingly born of lake-water, to a dogged bereaved father searching for his abducted son. The force of grief and loss that drives these disconnected protagonists through mysterious layers of seeming reality harks back to Greek myths of sea-nymph Thetis, mother of Achilles, and an afterlife quest that is stunning in impact and originality.
April 5, 2017
Being a fan of the books from independent publisher, Crystal Lake Publishing, I was delighted to receive an ARC of Aletheia, but it was a mixed bag for me.
It took me a while to get into the book, the language of the characters took me a while to get used to.
The story focuses mainly on two characters Thettie and Lee. For that reason, I felt the story was a bit disjointed at times. This is definitely a well developed, slow burner of a story. The pace is quite slow, but speeds up toward the last third of the book.
The last third of the book was my favourite. It has lots of horror elements, I loved the gory parts! All the strands of the book tied together very nicely. Overall, a good read but a bit too slow in parts for me.
It took me a while to get into the book, the language of the characters took me a while to get used to.
The story focuses mainly on two characters Thettie and Lee. For that reason, I felt the story was a bit disjointed at times. This is definitely a well developed, slow burner of a story. The pace is quite slow, but speeds up toward the last third of the book.
The last third of the book was my favourite. It has lots of horror elements, I loved the gory parts! All the strands of the book tied together very nicely. Overall, a good read but a bit too slow in parts for me.
June 15, 2018
This is an outstanding book, mesmerizing, beautifully written, and terrifying. Like a steam-train, it gathers momentum in the telling, and while the first chapters draw you into the world of the story, allowing you to get to know the characters, everything soon takes a turn I did not see coming. And towards the end, the story is just edge-of-your-seat GRIPPING. Horror and landscape mix with memory and desire in a way that is riveting.
I loved Thettie and her boys, I loved Lee, and Bryce, and the way Breukelaar tells a tale that is unpredictable and surprising as it moves between past, present, and future, darkness and light. The ending was one I did not see coming, but it was also immensely satisfying.
I loved Thettie and her boys, I loved Lee, and Bryce, and the way Breukelaar tells a tale that is unpredictable and surprising as it moves between past, present, and future, darkness and light. The ending was one I did not see coming, but it was also immensely satisfying.
May 8, 2017
ALETHEIA is a complex, beautiful and terribly frightening maze of both psychological and supernatural horror. It is also pushing the notion of genre, as the whole story and setting are indirect references to older myths and legends (Greek in particular). If you love highly crafted stories and impeccable style, then this is the book for you, especially if you enjoy authors such as King, Koontz and Straub at their best. JS Breukelaar is definitely up there - and even, in my eyes, sometimes even higher.
December 29, 2018
This is an excellent, and rare novel. The author has managed to create a world with a multitude of paths both to horror and redemption. Excellent characterization and well-drawn relationships. This book has an interesting mix of human interest, research, and imagination, written in a stream of consciousness prose that leans into poetry. A different view of horror, and of the supernatural.
August 21, 2018
Gritty, down to earth horror, with well-defined characters.
Loved the shock twist mid-way - a powerful, unexpected punch, and the rest of the book continues to deliver with action and character building.
Creepy!
Loved the shock twist mid-way - a powerful, unexpected punch, and the rest of the book continues to deliver with action and character building.
Creepy!
Read
March 12, 2018Read for Australian Shadows Awards judging.
March 31, 2017
Aletheia: the Greek spelling which means disclosure or “Truth”.
Author, J.S. Breukelaar wove a very deep, emotional, and sorrowful tale. In fact, I was crying at the end when the pieces of the puzzle all fell into place. First, it’s a combination of crime/mystery and love story, then you get around to the very complex ghost story. Yet, at the very core, all everyone is looking for is the “Truth”. The symbolism “Truth” weighs heavy throughout the story-line and comes with the price of long-term memory recall. Yet, it may be memories best forgot. If you should decide to take this journey you will meet her very amusing and relatable characters. They all have their own part to play even the venom of the pet Gila Monster. (This is a type of tale author Stephen King tells. So, it takes a spell for the plot to build suspense). Plus, I just love small towns or villages rich with spooky legends.
My only concern is you take time reading this novel because there will be two very intricate, scientific chapters that you need to understand. If you’re not familiar with the areas of the brain, neurotransmitters, and other drugs you may not get it. I will let you know I thought Aletheia was a going to be a girl’s name instead, it is a man-made drug. Originally this new drug was created and going to be tested for long-term memory recall. The funding for the drug trials fell through and the program is cut. Now the evil scheme has begun with a slight alteration in chemicals. This is where you will find the ghost story now come more into play as the spirit is stuck on an eternal memory loop. There is no vengeance here, only “the Truth will set them free”.
I hope to read more of J.S. Breukelaar’s work in the future.
Reviewed by robinleesdarkside.com/
Author, J.S. Breukelaar wove a very deep, emotional, and sorrowful tale. In fact, I was crying at the end when the pieces of the puzzle all fell into place. First, it’s a combination of crime/mystery and love story, then you get around to the very complex ghost story. Yet, at the very core, all everyone is looking for is the “Truth”. The symbolism “Truth” weighs heavy throughout the story-line and comes with the price of long-term memory recall. Yet, it may be memories best forgot. If you should decide to take this journey you will meet her very amusing and relatable characters. They all have their own part to play even the venom of the pet Gila Monster. (This is a type of tale author Stephen King tells. So, it takes a spell for the plot to build suspense). Plus, I just love small towns or villages rich with spooky legends.
My only concern is you take time reading this novel because there will be two very intricate, scientific chapters that you need to understand. If you’re not familiar with the areas of the brain, neurotransmitters, and other drugs you may not get it. I will let you know I thought Aletheia was a going to be a girl’s name instead, it is a man-made drug. Originally this new drug was created and going to be tested for long-term memory recall. The funding for the drug trials fell through and the program is cut. Now the evil scheme has begun with a slight alteration in chemicals. This is where you will find the ghost story now come more into play as the spirit is stuck on an eternal memory loop. There is no vengeance here, only “the Truth will set them free”.
I hope to read more of J.S. Breukelaar’s work in the future.
Reviewed by robinleesdarkside.com/
March 24, 2017
A hard book to get into at first, it is well worth it. Don't expect to get anything else done when you're reading it because you can't put it down.
A genuinely spooky book.
A genuinely spooky book.
May 4, 2017
Little Ridge is an odd little town, there is an island somewhere off the coast but no one seems to remember where it is. It all started when a couple of the town’s residents started to disappear. One day Thettie Harper and her family discover one of the missing people it causes problems within the whole town. Thettie’s one ally is Lee and it’s up to them to find answers.
What really might be causing the problems in the town is the lake itself. There is something evil in that lake below the island that is haunting Little Ridge This is a book about the horror of losing your memory, what we leave behind and terror itself.
Aletheia by J.S. Breukelaar is about the damage that has been done and the damage that will happen. The story has elements of the supernatural and a love story to it. This is a complex character driven novel that you really have to pay attention to in order to get all the details right. Most of all I loved the mood of the story and the fact that it has to deal with how choices we made in the past change how thing will be in the present. Aletheia is a book that builds slowly to a good ending and if you like a well thought out ghost story you will like it.
What really might be causing the problems in the town is the lake itself. There is something evil in that lake below the island that is haunting Little Ridge This is a book about the horror of losing your memory, what we leave behind and terror itself.
Aletheia by J.S. Breukelaar is about the damage that has been done and the damage that will happen. The story has elements of the supernatural and a love story to it. This is a complex character driven novel that you really have to pay attention to in order to get all the details right. Most of all I loved the mood of the story and the fact that it has to deal with how choices we made in the past change how thing will be in the present. Aletheia is a book that builds slowly to a good ending and if you like a well thought out ghost story you will like it.
Read
March 7, 2018Read for judging.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews