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The Night of the Sciurus: A Western Michigan Tale of Terror
A cautionary tale about the consequences of environmental pollution.
They are part of our daily lives. We watch them from our kitchen windows and backyard decks as they scurry over the branches of our tall oak trees. We laugh at their antics as they furiously bury and unbury their precious acorns. Yes, they are part of our lives and, though, sometimes a nuisance, we generally enjoy and tolerate them.
But what happens when something goes wrong?
What happens if some outside force causes their DNA to explode, creating a whole new species? What happens when that species begins to distrust and fear humans?
Brooke Davis, her daughter, Tessa, and their intrepid dog, Petey, are about to find out.
The Night of the Sciurus, A Western Michigan Tale of Terror is a story of environmental horror by multi-award-winning and USA Today bestselling author, Linda Watkins.
They are part of our daily lives. We watch them from our kitchen windows and backyard decks as they scurry over the branches of our tall oak trees. We laugh at their antics as they furiously bury and unbury their precious acorns. Yes, they are part of our lives and, though, sometimes a nuisance, we generally enjoy and tolerate them.
But what happens when something goes wrong?
What happens if some outside force causes their DNA to explode, creating a whole new species? What happens when that species begins to distrust and fear humans?
Brooke Davis, her daughter, Tessa, and their intrepid dog, Petey, are about to find out.
The Night of the Sciurus, A Western Michigan Tale of Terror is a story of environmental horror by multi-award-winning and USA Today bestselling author, Linda Watkins.
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Published April 22, 2024
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About the author
Linda Watkins
18 books369 followersAward-winning, USA Today Bestselling Author, Linda Watkins, currently resides in Sedona, Arizona and, in another life, was a Senior Clinical Financial Analyst at Stanford University School of Medicine. Born on the east coast, she grew up in a suburb of Detroit. Upon graduation from college (Carnegie Mellon, '70), she moved to the San Francisco Bay Area where she lived and worked for most of her adult life. In 2006, she packed up her belongings and, along with her 3 rescue dogs, took the plunge and moved to a remote island off the coast of Maine.
It was on this island that she wrote her first novel, MATEGUAS ISLAND and, since publication, the novel has garnered the following awards:
* 2014 Gold Medal, Supernatural Fiction, READERS' FAVORITE INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARD COMPETITION
* 2014 First Place Award, Contemporary Gothic, CHANTICLEER BOOK REVIEW, PARANORMAL AWARDS
* 2015 Outstanding Novel in Horror/Suspense, IAN BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDS
RETURN TO MATEGUAS ISLAND, the sequel, was awarded the 1st Place Award in Contempory Gothic in the 2015 CHANTICLEER BOOK REVIEW PARANORMAL AWARDS and was named 2016 Finalist in Horror by READERS' FAVORITE INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARD COMPETITION.
In addition to the Mateguas Series, Linda is also the author of a stand-alone novel, SUMMER GIRL, A NOVEL which was named a Finalist in Fiction in the 2018 BEA Awards and a Silver Medalist in Novellas/Short Stories in the 2018 Readers Favorite International Book Award Competition. She is also the author of an award-winning novella, SARAH & ZOEY, A STORY ABOUT THE POWER OF UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. Her entry into the multi-author box-set, LOVE UNDER FIRE, has secured her place as a USA Today Bestselling Author.
STORM ISLAND, A KATE POMEROY MYSTERY, the first book in a new Gothic series, will be published in late 2018.
Serious about dog welfare and rescue, all net proceeds from sales of THE MATEGUAS ISLAND SERIES are donated to Linda's charitable trust, The Raison d'Etre Fund for Dogs, Dedicated to Rescue and Research.
Linda is a member of the Horror Writers Association, The Great Lakes Association of Horror Writers, The International Association of Crime Writers, and the Authors Guild.
For more information, please visit her website www.lindawatkins-author.com.
It was on this island that she wrote her first novel, MATEGUAS ISLAND and, since publication, the novel has garnered the following awards:
* 2014 Gold Medal, Supernatural Fiction, READERS' FAVORITE INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARD COMPETITION
* 2014 First Place Award, Contemporary Gothic, CHANTICLEER BOOK REVIEW, PARANORMAL AWARDS
* 2015 Outstanding Novel in Horror/Suspense, IAN BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDS
RETURN TO MATEGUAS ISLAND, the sequel, was awarded the 1st Place Award in Contempory Gothic in the 2015 CHANTICLEER BOOK REVIEW PARANORMAL AWARDS and was named 2016 Finalist in Horror by READERS' FAVORITE INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARD COMPETITION.
In addition to the Mateguas Series, Linda is also the author of a stand-alone novel, SUMMER GIRL, A NOVEL which was named a Finalist in Fiction in the 2018 BEA Awards and a Silver Medalist in Novellas/Short Stories in the 2018 Readers Favorite International Book Award Competition. She is also the author of an award-winning novella, SARAH & ZOEY, A STORY ABOUT THE POWER OF UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. Her entry into the multi-author box-set, LOVE UNDER FIRE, has secured her place as a USA Today Bestselling Author.
STORM ISLAND, A KATE POMEROY MYSTERY, the first book in a new Gothic series, will be published in late 2018.
Serious about dog welfare and rescue, all net proceeds from sales of THE MATEGUAS ISLAND SERIES are donated to Linda's charitable trust, The Raison d'Etre Fund for Dogs, Dedicated to Rescue and Research.
Linda is a member of the Horror Writers Association, The Great Lakes Association of Horror Writers, The International Association of Crime Writers, and the Authors Guild.
For more information, please visit her website www.lindawatkins-author.com.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 7, 2019
[Reviewed by Debjani Ghosh for Readers' Favorite]
Linda Watkins has created an absolutely engaging tale in The Night of the Sciurus: A Western Michigan Tale of Terror. Further, it’s a short read. Consequently, I finished it in two sittings straight. It is lucidly written, fast-paced and has a credible plot. I simply couldn’t stop reading once I started. Watkins transported me to the picturesque setting of North Laketon with its stately houses flanked by towering, majestic oaks. However, before Brooke can settle herself in this peaceful neighborhood, she (along with the readers) must face a disquieting menace.
In a short span of hundred pages, Brooke and her dog, Petey, create quite an impression. Petey was so adorable I wanted to cuddle him. Brooke was courageous and intelligent. Watkins provides a glimmer of hope at the end to counter the heavy dose of horror. However, due to its brevity, the novel ended rather soon but not abruptly. I would have liked a bit more elucidation of the march to haven. Nevertheless, The Night of the Sciurus: A Western Michigan Tale of Terror by Linda Watkins is recommended for horror and science fiction fans.
My Blog
Linda Watkins has created an absolutely engaging tale in The Night of the Sciurus: A Western Michigan Tale of Terror. Further, it’s a short read. Consequently, I finished it in two sittings straight. It is lucidly written, fast-paced and has a credible plot. I simply couldn’t stop reading once I started. Watkins transported me to the picturesque setting of North Laketon with its stately houses flanked by towering, majestic oaks. However, before Brooke can settle herself in this peaceful neighborhood, she (along with the readers) must face a disquieting menace.
In a short span of hundred pages, Brooke and her dog, Petey, create quite an impression. Petey was so adorable I wanted to cuddle him. Brooke was courageous and intelligent. Watkins provides a glimmer of hope at the end to counter the heavy dose of horror. However, due to its brevity, the novel ended rather soon but not abruptly. I would have liked a bit more elucidation of the march to haven. Nevertheless, The Night of the Sciurus: A Western Michigan Tale of Terror by Linda Watkins is recommended for horror and science fiction fans.
My Blog
October 17, 2019
Author Linda Watkins brings us the tale of Brooke, and her daughter Tessa and their dog Petey as they move into a small town on the border of lake Michigan. The prologue begins with a squirrel who takes in some contaminated water and who goes and spreads it to other squirrels in their nests and it continues on. While that is happening Brooke and her daughter move into their new home close to where an old chemical planet closed down. One night while their out Tessa rescues a baby squirrel but they notice something different about it like its eyes have turned red. Eventually they let the baby go back out into the wild but not before Tessa is attacked by other squirrel and is taken to the local hospital. Brooke then makes sure that her daughter is slowly getting better before she is shipped off to her ex-husband. Then it all comes crashing down on Brooke and Petey after Tessa has gone to be with her father for a while. I won't spoil the book but I can say that this was a great read and one not to be missed. I highly recommend it
September 20, 2019
This relatively short novel gave me the shivers--actually I shiver every time I think about what happens. Maybe because I do have an environmental science degree and am all too aware that there is a distinct possibility that what is written as fiction could actually happen. All I know is I will NEVER see a squirrel again and not think about this book!!
I consider this book as a cautionary tale of what could possibly happen if our environmental protections are dissolved-and our water and air become polluted--it is frightening to say the least!!!
I consider this book as a cautionary tale of what could possibly happen if our environmental protections are dissolved-and our water and air become polluted--it is frightening to say the least!!!
May 29, 2022
Killer squirrels! At first, I wasn't sure whether to be amused or scared, but I quickly got caught up in the suspense and anticipation of something terrible lurking and was not disappointed!
Linda Watkins masterfully takes you down the oak-lined path toward terror reminiscent of Hitchcock, weaving the horrifying creepiness in with the every-day normalcy to make your heart pound.
Highly recommended for fans of horror!
Linda Watkins masterfully takes you down the oak-lined path toward terror reminiscent of Hitchcock, weaving the horrifying creepiness in with the every-day normalcy to make your heart pound.
Highly recommended for fans of horror!
May 30, 2021
Watkins brings you into the story and does not let go until the last page.
She does a good job developing the characters and progressing the story in a natural way. I appreciated the approach she took when it came to creating the terror with the squirrels.
Outside the squirrels, one of my favorite aspects of the story is the relationship of Brooke and Petey. I found myself pulling for the both of them to make it through.
This story is definitely worth a read and you may never look at squirrels the same way again.
She does a good job developing the characters and progressing the story in a natural way. I appreciated the approach she took when it came to creating the terror with the squirrels.
Outside the squirrels, one of my favorite aspects of the story is the relationship of Brooke and Petey. I found myself pulling for the both of them to make it through.
This story is definitely worth a read and you may never look at squirrels the same way again.
May 5, 2022
Killer squirrels
This read like the summary of a horror story. The premise is fun but very little substance. I read it in less than an hour and am disappointed.
This read like the summary of a horror story. The premise is fun but very little substance. I read it in less than an hour and am disappointed.
September 28, 2022
Terror in a small town
Scary and disturbing story of what could happen when man doesn't clean up after themselves. Was like watching a 1970s horror film. Kept me reading until the very end and couldn't out the book down. The characters were presented as in real life situations that goes to show you that most people don't believe in things they don't understand to be true. Government always covers up environmental issues until media uncovers it.
Scary and disturbing story of what could happen when man doesn't clean up after themselves. Was like watching a 1970s horror film. Kept me reading until the very end and couldn't out the book down. The characters were presented as in real life situations that goes to show you that most people don't believe in things they don't understand to be true. Government always covers up environmental issues until media uncovers it.
February 3, 2021
A sort, fun, inventive romp. Who doesn't love mutant killer squirrels?
Points off for misspelling "Scuirus" in a chapter heading.
Points off for misspelling "Scuirus" in a chapter heading.
December 21, 2024
This short novel by Linda Watkins is one that will send chills up your spine and keep you reading until you get to the end.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews