Every Day is Halloween: The Last Rites Edition

by Kit Daven

Once upon a Halloween, the Dead came to stay, forcing the Living to wear costumes. . . Every. Single. Day.

Fifteen-year-old Esther is comfortable hiding behind her skull mask and black robe, even though her best friend, Rebecca, is fed up with the Dead deciding how everyone should live. When Rebecca vanishes, Esther still clings to her costume. Dressed as Death, will she uncover what happened to her friend? And will she ever find the courage to step out of her comfort zone before fading into a mere shadow of herself?

This paranormal tale about grief, masking, and what it costs to be truly seen is served up as a scoop of mystery and a scoop of horror dipped in dark humour with a sprinkle of gruesomeness. Told partly through journal entries, a podcast transcript, and even a comic strip.

181 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 6, 2024

About the author

Kit Daven was born in Toronto, Ontario, the only child in a military family. Writing since the age of seven, she has a continued fascination with stories, writing, and making books.

An avid explorer of creativity in all its forms, she is an occasional visual artist. Her paintings and sculptures have appeared in a few galleries. She has also acted in a short film and is currently learning more about digital design.

Kit currently lives in Cambridge, Ontario, with her husband, surrealist artist Sean Chappell, and two Siamese cats.

Reviews

[Angie Williams]

The narrative focuses on Esther, a 15-year-old girl struggling to find her place in the world, overshadowed by her popular best friend. The return of the dead necessitates a profound transformation in societal values, laws, and everyday practices, as humans learn to coexist with the deceased. To mitigate the threat of violence from the undead, the population is required to pay respects through attire that emulates the appearance of the dead. As the living increasingly identify with the dead, Esther's longing to assert her individuality becomes more pronounced, despite the risks involved. The author utilizes an epistolary format, incorporating diverse media sources such as magazine articles, headlines, investigative reports, and text messages, to create an immersive experience that invites the reader to engage with this enigmatic world.