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Cottonmouth
Available for the first time in paperback and digital. A thrilling prequel to Kealan Patrick Burke's southern gothic horror novel Kin, COTTONMOUTH is set in the aftermath of the Great Depression in Tennessee, a time of religious fervor and charlatanism, of thieves, murderers, and moonshiners.
Here you'll meet Horseshoe Collins, a traveler on a vengeful search for the father who abandoned him; Billy Wray, a snake-handling Pentecostal preacher bringing the promise of salvation to rural communities paralyzed by fear of the Devil; and Jonah Merrill, a child grieving the loss of his beloved father and tormented by his mother's wrath.
With the threat of a second World War looming on the horizon, destiny will bring these three people together and set innocent young Jonah on the path to his eventual fate and a new Papa-In-Gray, the patriarch of the dreaded Merrill family whose horrific exploits were first introduced to the world in KIN.
Here you'll meet Horseshoe Collins, a traveler on a vengeful search for the father who abandoned him; Billy Wray, a snake-handling Pentecostal preacher bringing the promise of salvation to rural communities paralyzed by fear of the Devil; and Jonah Merrill, a child grieving the loss of his beloved father and tormented by his mother's wrath.
With the threat of a second World War looming on the horizon, destiny will bring these three people together and set innocent young Jonah on the path to his eventual fate and a new Papa-In-Gray, the patriarch of the dreaded Merrill family whose horrific exploits were first introduced to the world in KIN.
- GenresHorror
166 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 13, 2025
2 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
About the author
Kealan Patrick Burke
194 books2,346 followersHailed by Booklist as “one of the most clever and original talents in contemporary horror,” Kealan Patrick Burke was born and raised in Ireland and emigrated to the United States a few weeks before 9/11.
Since then, he has written six novels, among them the popular southern gothic Kin, and over two hundred short stories and novellas, many of which are in various stages of development for film/TV.
In 2005, Burke won the Bram Stoker Award for his coming-of-age novella The Turtle Boy, the first book in the acclaimed Timmy Quinn series.
As editor, he helmed the anthologies Night Visions 12, Taverns of the Dead, and Quietly Now, a tribute anthology to one of Burke’s influences, the late Charles L. Grant.
More recently, he wrote the screenplays for Sour Candy (based on his novella), and the remake of the iconic horror film The Changeling (1980), for the original film's producer, Joel B. Michaels.
He also adapted Sour Candy as a graphic novel for John Carpenter's Night Terrors.
His most recent releases are Cottonmouth, a prequel to Kin and The Widows of Winding Gale, a maritime horror novel set in Ireland.
Kealan is represented by Valarie Phillips at Verve Talent & Literary Agency.
He lives in Ohio with a Scooby Doo lookalike rescue named Red.
Since then, he has written six novels, among them the popular southern gothic Kin, and over two hundred short stories and novellas, many of which are in various stages of development for film/TV.
In 2005, Burke won the Bram Stoker Award for his coming-of-age novella The Turtle Boy, the first book in the acclaimed Timmy Quinn series.
As editor, he helmed the anthologies Night Visions 12, Taverns of the Dead, and Quietly Now, a tribute anthology to one of Burke’s influences, the late Charles L. Grant.
More recently, he wrote the screenplays for Sour Candy (based on his novella), and the remake of the iconic horror film The Changeling (1980), for the original film's producer, Joel B. Michaels.
He also adapted Sour Candy as a graphic novel for John Carpenter's Night Terrors.
His most recent releases are Cottonmouth, a prequel to Kin and The Widows of Winding Gale, a maritime horror novel set in Ireland.
Kealan is represented by Valarie Phillips at Verve Talent & Literary Agency.
He lives in Ohio with a Scooby Doo lookalike rescue named Red.
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November 20, 2025I’ve said it before here in my reviews of his books, but Kealan Patrick Burke is one of my favorite authors and he’s easily one of the most consistent writers out there. Time and time again, he’s able to create these characters and worlds that transcend the written word, easily transporting me away to wherever the story takes me.
A few years back, I read and loved his novel ‘Kin,’ and at that time there was some rumbling about Kealan releasing a sequel. And now, that ‘sequel’ has arrived, only this case it’s actually the prequel – so don’t get confused when you see it listed as ‘Kin Book 2’ anywhere. Originally released as a bonus offering in a limited edition hardcover, I was elated to see it released as a standalone book, so I could grab the Kindle edition.
Going in, the only thing I was certain of was that the book would be dark. If you’ve read ‘Kin’ you know there’s not a lot of shining light in that one, and if this novella was going to set up that world, well, I wasn’t overly confident it’d be any brighter.
What I liked: Set back just prior to World War II, we open up with the introduction of a drifter named Horseshoe, a man who travels around looking for the father who beat him and abandoned him at a young age. This intro sets up the feel of the book nicely, as soon we shift to Jonah Merrill, a pre-teen boy dealing the heavy hand life’s delivered.
His father – whom he loved – has died, his mother descending into despair and a belief she can somehow contact Jonah’s father in the small fires she gazes into for hours upon hours. Having to essentially fend for himself, Jonah’s doing his best and things are ok-ish. Not great, but could be worse.
Things change when a slimy conman shows up and somehow charms Jonah’s mother enough to convince her to let him shack up with them. Promising riches beyond their wildest dreams, they soon turn to booze and wild nights. For poor Jonah, that also means this man takes out his anger on him, and most nights slips into his room after his mother’s fallen asleep.
Kealan sets up things nicely, showing how Jonah’s hopeful outlook on life slowly gets hammered out of him, as though with each strike of the hammer to nail, a little more of his innocence leaves.
It all comes to a head when a preacher arrives, looking for this conman. He’s a massive man, with a huge presence and Jonah sees something in him he hasn’t see since his daddy was alive – potential. Hope. A better life.
He listens to the preacher, follows his plans and from there we arrive at the final quarter where Horseshoe returns to the fold and we see Jonah take those last steps away from being a young kid, into a world where his mind is broken and his actions even more so.
It’s a deft moment, a slight of hand where for all of one sentence I begged my Kindle to let Jonah make the ‘right decision.’ And then the next sentence confirms that he doesn’t. Or does he? In this damning take down on religious zealousness, Kealan forces our young character between a rock and a hard place and though Jonah doesn’t believe God accepts his decision, he thinks God understands it.
And good grief isn’t that how a lot of things feel these days?
That ending was a hard kick to the heart and the stomach. And if you’ve read ‘Kin’ you know Jonah becomes so, so much worse, but there’s still a part of me that wanted to beg Kealan to let this kid have a chance. But the brutal reality of this book and the real world, is that sometimes, that just doesn’t happen. And nothing highlighted that more than a particular conversation between Jonah and his mother. A conversation that broke Jonah and will break the reader even more.
What I didn’t like: It’s a trivial thing, but I think I would’ve preferred Horseshoe’s intro portion to have been weaved in and out versus being the part one and then Jonah comes in for part two. I kind of forgot about the man during Jonah’s portion, before they reconnect for part three and I think if we would’ve had Horseshoe journeying towards Jonah at the start it wouldn’t have felt so jarring when he comes back.
Why you should buy this: If you’ve read ‘Kin’ then you’ll absolutely want to read this. If you’re a fan of KPB’s then this is also a must read.
But, if you’re someone who has neither read Kealan before or read ‘Kin,’ then this novella is a perfect mix of bleak and brutal. One that is a fascinating look at a young person’s mind cracking and being warped but also a think piece on the role of religion and that fine line between belief and psychosis.
A phenomenally unsettling novella by an author who continues to churn out great reads, while inspiring so, so many others, this one just might be one of the best things Kealan’s done. And that’s saying a lot.
A few years back, I read and loved his novel ‘Kin,’ and at that time there was some rumbling about Kealan releasing a sequel. And now, that ‘sequel’ has arrived, only this case it’s actually the prequel – so don’t get confused when you see it listed as ‘Kin Book 2’ anywhere. Originally released as a bonus offering in a limited edition hardcover, I was elated to see it released as a standalone book, so I could grab the Kindle edition.
Going in, the only thing I was certain of was that the book would be dark. If you’ve read ‘Kin’ you know there’s not a lot of shining light in that one, and if this novella was going to set up that world, well, I wasn’t overly confident it’d be any brighter.
What I liked: Set back just prior to World War II, we open up with the introduction of a drifter named Horseshoe, a man who travels around looking for the father who beat him and abandoned him at a young age. This intro sets up the feel of the book nicely, as soon we shift to Jonah Merrill, a pre-teen boy dealing the heavy hand life’s delivered.
His father – whom he loved – has died, his mother descending into despair and a belief she can somehow contact Jonah’s father in the small fires she gazes into for hours upon hours. Having to essentially fend for himself, Jonah’s doing his best and things are ok-ish. Not great, but could be worse.
Things change when a slimy conman shows up and somehow charms Jonah’s mother enough to convince her to let him shack up with them. Promising riches beyond their wildest dreams, they soon turn to booze and wild nights. For poor Jonah, that also means this man takes out his anger on him, and most nights slips into his room after his mother’s fallen asleep.
Kealan sets up things nicely, showing how Jonah’s hopeful outlook on life slowly gets hammered out of him, as though with each strike of the hammer to nail, a little more of his innocence leaves.
It all comes to a head when a preacher arrives, looking for this conman. He’s a massive man, with a huge presence and Jonah sees something in him he hasn’t see since his daddy was alive – potential. Hope. A better life.
He listens to the preacher, follows his plans and from there we arrive at the final quarter where Horseshoe returns to the fold and we see Jonah take those last steps away from being a young kid, into a world where his mind is broken and his actions even more so.
It’s a deft moment, a slight of hand where for all of one sentence I begged my Kindle to let Jonah make the ‘right decision.’ And then the next sentence confirms that he doesn’t. Or does he? In this damning take down on religious zealousness, Kealan forces our young character between a rock and a hard place and though Jonah doesn’t believe God accepts his decision, he thinks God understands it.
And good grief isn’t that how a lot of things feel these days?
That ending was a hard kick to the heart and the stomach. And if you’ve read ‘Kin’ you know Jonah becomes so, so much worse, but there’s still a part of me that wanted to beg Kealan to let this kid have a chance. But the brutal reality of this book and the real world, is that sometimes, that just doesn’t happen. And nothing highlighted that more than a particular conversation between Jonah and his mother. A conversation that broke Jonah and will break the reader even more.
What I didn’t like: It’s a trivial thing, but I think I would’ve preferred Horseshoe’s intro portion to have been weaved in and out versus being the part one and then Jonah comes in for part two. I kind of forgot about the man during Jonah’s portion, before they reconnect for part three and I think if we would’ve had Horseshoe journeying towards Jonah at the start it wouldn’t have felt so jarring when he comes back.
Why you should buy this: If you’ve read ‘Kin’ then you’ll absolutely want to read this. If you’re a fan of KPB’s then this is also a must read.
But, if you’re someone who has neither read Kealan before or read ‘Kin,’ then this novella is a perfect mix of bleak and brutal. One that is a fascinating look at a young person’s mind cracking and being warped but also a think piece on the role of religion and that fine line between belief and psychosis.
A phenomenally unsettling novella by an author who continues to churn out great reads, while inspiring so, so many others, this one just might be one of the best things Kealan’s done. And that’s saying a lot.
August 16, 2025
Great insight into what the childhood of KIN's "papa in grey" looked like.
June 13, 2025
Cottonmouth is a prequel to Burke's smash hit, KIN, and introduces us to one of KIN's main characters when they were just a child. When young Jonah Merril's path crosses with a devil in disguise, a preacher and a transient man with a staved in face, it sets him down a road from which there is no return.
On the face of it, this is a straightforward prequel novella that spotlights a point in time for one of KIN's main antagonists. Delve deeper and it becomes so much more. It's a short study in nature vs nurture, of how incidental meetings can change the course of our lives and the very nature of who we are, of who - and what - we will become. It explains, it feels, but it never excuses. And nobody can evoke emotion with their words like Burke can. His writing is true art. The page is his canvas, his words the brush with which he paints a tapestry peppered with three-dimensional characters and breathtaking settings. He has a way of transporting the reader directly into the heart of a story. It's hard to come away from his books without being a little changed.
And his author notes made me cry.
If you haven't read KIN yet, I implore you to do so. It's a phenomenal read.
On the face of it, this is a straightforward prequel novella that spotlights a point in time for one of KIN's main antagonists. Delve deeper and it becomes so much more. It's a short study in nature vs nurture, of how incidental meetings can change the course of our lives and the very nature of who we are, of who - and what - we will become. It explains, it feels, but it never excuses. And nobody can evoke emotion with their words like Burke can. His writing is true art. The page is his canvas, his words the brush with which he paints a tapestry peppered with three-dimensional characters and breathtaking settings. He has a way of transporting the reader directly into the heart of a story. It's hard to come away from his books without being a little changed.
And his author notes made me cry.
If you haven't read KIN yet, I implore you to do so. It's a phenomenal read.
June 15, 2025
A good, but not wholly necessary Kin prequel / tie-in. Recommended only for die hard fans of Kin or the author. I enjoyed it as a fan of KPB but for the more casual types, this isn't a must read.
June 6, 2025
Chet “Horseshoe” Collins is a wanderer searching for the father who left him.
Jonah lives in poverty grieving his beloved father and trying to understand his heartless mother until a charismatic stranger changes their lives forever. Meanwhile a hellfire snake handling preacher gathers disciples with the promise of salvation.
A prequel novella to the incredible Kin, this is Papa-in-Grey’s origin story and it will tear your heart out. Beautifully brutal imagery and sumptuous prose that will make you weep. A coming of age story that explores themes of grief, loss of innocence and the choices made often by others that change our lives forever.
There is so much heart here, even in the depths of the horror. It speaks to the core of the human condition, our desperate need for love and acceptance, but is written with such a gentle touch that when the violence and visceral disgust pummel your brain it is shockingly powerful.
So many layers within the story, grief, love, pain and fear all changing the direction of the path we believe we choose, incredible storytelling.
Jonah lives in poverty grieving his beloved father and trying to understand his heartless mother until a charismatic stranger changes their lives forever. Meanwhile a hellfire snake handling preacher gathers disciples with the promise of salvation.
A prequel novella to the incredible Kin, this is Papa-in-Grey’s origin story and it will tear your heart out. Beautifully brutal imagery and sumptuous prose that will make you weep. A coming of age story that explores themes of grief, loss of innocence and the choices made often by others that change our lives forever.
There is so much heart here, even in the depths of the horror. It speaks to the core of the human condition, our desperate need for love and acceptance, but is written with such a gentle touch that when the violence and visceral disgust pummel your brain it is shockingly powerful.
So many layers within the story, grief, love, pain and fear all changing the direction of the path we believe we choose, incredible storytelling.
August 3, 2025
holy crap what a great read. dark and powerful, you wanna know what molds papa from Kin into the person he becomes then this is a must read. so brutal. this is Kealan at his best and it has me wanting more stories about this family!
December 24, 2025
In this haunting and beautifully written prelude to KIN, we are taken deep into the rural heart of America on the edge of World War II, where faith, vengeance, and loss intertwine. At its core, the story introduces three unforgettable characters whose lives are destined to collide.
Horseshoe Collins is a weary traveler driven by a burning need for vengeance against the father who abandoned him. Billy Wray, a snake-handling Pentecostal preacher, roams the countryside promising salvation to towns crippled by fear of the Devil. And then there’s Jonah Merrill—a grieving boy whose loss, pain, and his mother’s cruelty begin to shape something darker within him.
As the world tilts toward chaos, these lives intersect in ways both tragic and inevitable, setting Jonah on a path that will transform him into Papa-In-Gray, the future patriarch of the infamous Merrill family first introduced in KIN.
Suspenseful, deeply emotional, and steeped in Southern Gothic atmosphere, this novel serves as both a chilling standalone tale and a powerful origin story. If you are familiar with KIN, you will relish the chance to witness how the Merrill family’s twisted legacy began, while newcomers will be drawn into a world where faith and fury often share the same pulpit.
I absolutely tore through this book. It’s dripping with folk horror atmosphere, religious intensity, and the unnerving presence of a preacher-charlatan who slithers his way to the doorstep of this small Appalachian family. But alas, the devil is already inside. It is here Jonah has to decide which is the lesser of two evils. But there is one other festering evil that Jonah didn't count on.
I recommend this to any of my Folk Horror, Gothic Horror book lovers. I actually recommend this to any book lover! Keane Patrick Burke is one of my favorite authors for a reason. GET. THIS. BOOK! You won't be disappointed.
Horseshoe Collins is a weary traveler driven by a burning need for vengeance against the father who abandoned him. Billy Wray, a snake-handling Pentecostal preacher, roams the countryside promising salvation to towns crippled by fear of the Devil. And then there’s Jonah Merrill—a grieving boy whose loss, pain, and his mother’s cruelty begin to shape something darker within him.
As the world tilts toward chaos, these lives intersect in ways both tragic and inevitable, setting Jonah on a path that will transform him into Papa-In-Gray, the future patriarch of the infamous Merrill family first introduced in KIN.
Suspenseful, deeply emotional, and steeped in Southern Gothic atmosphere, this novel serves as both a chilling standalone tale and a powerful origin story. If you are familiar with KIN, you will relish the chance to witness how the Merrill family’s twisted legacy began, while newcomers will be drawn into a world where faith and fury often share the same pulpit.
I absolutely tore through this book. It’s dripping with folk horror atmosphere, religious intensity, and the unnerving presence of a preacher-charlatan who slithers his way to the doorstep of this small Appalachian family. But alas, the devil is already inside. It is here Jonah has to decide which is the lesser of two evils. But there is one other festering evil that Jonah didn't count on.
I recommend this to any of my Folk Horror, Gothic Horror book lovers. I actually recommend this to any book lover! Keane Patrick Burke is one of my favorite authors for a reason. GET. THIS. BOOK! You won't be disappointed.
November 2, 2025
"...behind the rotten veil of life and all its cruelties, someone was always watching."
Kealan Patrick Burke's prequel novel to "Kin" is set in the aftermath of the Great Depression in Tennessee. We meet Horseshoe Collins, a traveler on a vengeful search for the father who abandoned him, Billy Wray, a snake-handling Pentecostal preacher bringing the promise of salvation to rural communities in fear of the Devil, and Jonah Merrill, a child grieving the loss of his beloved father and tormented by the mistreatment from his mother. As fate has it, these three will meet and give us the origin story of Jonah before he became "Papa In Gray" of the Merrill family.
This has been one of my anticipated reads from the moment I knew it was being published. I did revisit the lore of the Merill family recently to remind myself of the horrors they inflicted on their victims.
Cottonmouth does more than just give a backstory to Jonah's earlier years, it gives a gut wrenching account of the struggles during that time. The frame of mind people were in and how those around them were quick to manipulate under the guise of faith and greater good.
My heart broke for Jonah and Horseshoe Collins. Although both characters are/became flawed, their life experiences played a huge part in the choices they made. The scenes that unsettled me the most were of the cruelties that happened within the families and also the desperation of escape from the troubles that were plaguing these characters.
Grief is a huge part in many scenes throughout. I find those to be very relatable due to my own ongoing experience with grief.
This was the prequel I was hoping for and would always love more from this messed up family.
Kealan Patrick Burke's prequel novel to "Kin" is set in the aftermath of the Great Depression in Tennessee. We meet Horseshoe Collins, a traveler on a vengeful search for the father who abandoned him, Billy Wray, a snake-handling Pentecostal preacher bringing the promise of salvation to rural communities in fear of the Devil, and Jonah Merrill, a child grieving the loss of his beloved father and tormented by the mistreatment from his mother. As fate has it, these three will meet and give us the origin story of Jonah before he became "Papa In Gray" of the Merrill family.
This has been one of my anticipated reads from the moment I knew it was being published. I did revisit the lore of the Merill family recently to remind myself of the horrors they inflicted on their victims.
Cottonmouth does more than just give a backstory to Jonah's earlier years, it gives a gut wrenching account of the struggles during that time. The frame of mind people were in and how those around them were quick to manipulate under the guise of faith and greater good.
My heart broke for Jonah and Horseshoe Collins. Although both characters are/became flawed, their life experiences played a huge part in the choices they made. The scenes that unsettled me the most were of the cruelties that happened within the families and also the desperation of escape from the troubles that were plaguing these characters.
Grief is a huge part in many scenes throughout. I find those to be very relatable due to my own ongoing experience with grief.
This was the prequel I was hoping for and would always love more from this messed up family.
July 17, 2025
When I first heard about Kin, and that it had elements similar to Texas Chainsaw, I was so excited to read it. Ended up being a good book. When I found out about this one, I knew I had to read it. I figured that the prequel would have a number of the traits Kin had: gore, great character development, interesting story. I was disappointed in all three. The gore in this one was significantly lacking. While this makes sense since it's before Jonah becomes who he's truly meant to be, it still leaves the reader wanting something more, especially after reading Kin. As for the development of each of the main characters, it's very clear that each one is damaged significantly and finds their own way to deal with it. The story drags at some point. While this is normal in most books (to have downtime between more important segments of the story), some of these parts dragged so much I was almost falling asleep. While each of the characters' backstories do make you sympathize with them, you can't help but see them as hypocrites as their actions seem to contradict their beliefs. For characters who seem to be so heavily invested in their religions and the word of God, they don't seem to have issues doing some of the heinous things they do.
Throughout the majority of the book, the reader is asking how the three main characters could possibly find a connection. This is all answered by the end. But there are questions still left that won't be answered in Kin.
It's been said that a sequel can never match the original. Well, in this case, the prequel is nothing compared to the sequel.
Throughout the majority of the book, the reader is asking how the three main characters could possibly find a connection. This is all answered by the end. But there are questions still left that won't be answered in Kin.
It's been said that a sequel can never match the original. Well, in this case, the prequel is nothing compared to the sequel.
July 29, 2025
If you have read Kin, you’re probably still thinking about Papa-In-Gray. I know I am, as a character he was terrifying and somehow loomed over the story as a constant presence. His childhood was mentioned a few times in Kin: now thanks to Cottonmouth, we can see it in painful detail. If you haven’t read Kin, Cottonmouth will give you an extra layer of complexity to an already-complex tale, elevating the horror even more.
Cottonmouth joins together the stories of young Jonah Merrill, a young boy in an abusive home, with Chet “Horseshoe” Williams, a deformed transient with religious delusions and a mean streak, and Preacher Wray, a cult-like preacher with a dark side and a love for snakes. These stories are wildly different, but they weave together seamlessly, as if they were always one story.
The sympathy we feel as readers is instant, we intrinsically want the best for Jonah. The Nature vs Nurture argument really comes to the fore, and leaves you questioning everything.
With a great attention to detail, amazing characters, and a slow-drip feeding of the “omg” moments, Cottonmouth is a prequel like no other. I wished it was longer, but honestly it doesn’t need to be. You still feel the full spectrum of human emotion, and the elevated horror is realistic, a shadowy presence that lurks in the background of every line of text.
Cottonmouth joins together the stories of young Jonah Merrill, a young boy in an abusive home, with Chet “Horseshoe” Williams, a deformed transient with religious delusions and a mean streak, and Preacher Wray, a cult-like preacher with a dark side and a love for snakes. These stories are wildly different, but they weave together seamlessly, as if they were always one story.
The sympathy we feel as readers is instant, we intrinsically want the best for Jonah. The Nature vs Nurture argument really comes to the fore, and leaves you questioning everything.
With a great attention to detail, amazing characters, and a slow-drip feeding of the “omg” moments, Cottonmouth is a prequel like no other. I wished it was longer, but honestly it doesn’t need to be. You still feel the full spectrum of human emotion, and the elevated horror is realistic, a shadowy presence that lurks in the background of every line of text.
June 13, 2025
Cottonmouth is the prequel to Burke's horror masterpiece, Kin.
This can be read as a stand-alone, but if you have not read Kin, don't deprive yourself; read them both! Long before we meet Papa-in-Gray, the murderous religious zealot in Kin, he was just Jonah, an ordinary boy, growing up poor and neglected after his father passed away and his mother couldn't be bothered to care for him.
I'm not going to say much else about the plot except that it's a strong case for nurture vs nature in creating monsters because Jonah was not born evil. He was not a bad seed. Who knows what kind of man he would have grown up to be if he had not suffered so much abuse? I read Kin close to a decade ago, and I never thought I would feel sympathy for Papa-in-Gray, yet here I am wishing I could go back in time and offer the boy he used to be a shred of comfort. I can count on one hand the times I have gone back to reread a book, but Cottonmouth has made me crave a reread of Kin with an intensity that I can not ignore.
The writing is flawless, and the story is brutal and mesmerizing.
This can be read as a stand-alone, but if you have not read Kin, don't deprive yourself; read them both! Long before we meet Papa-in-Gray, the murderous religious zealot in Kin, he was just Jonah, an ordinary boy, growing up poor and neglected after his father passed away and his mother couldn't be bothered to care for him.
I'm not going to say much else about the plot except that it's a strong case for nurture vs nature in creating monsters because Jonah was not born evil. He was not a bad seed. Who knows what kind of man he would have grown up to be if he had not suffered so much abuse? I read Kin close to a decade ago, and I never thought I would feel sympathy for Papa-in-Gray, yet here I am wishing I could go back in time and offer the boy he used to be a shred of comfort. I can count on one hand the times I have gone back to reread a book, but Cottonmouth has made me crave a reread of Kin with an intensity that I can not ignore.
The writing is flawless, and the story is brutal and mesmerizing.
July 23, 2025
We had a phrase "back in the day" that pretty much describes this book and that phrase was "out-fucking-standing."
Now, THIS is the kind of prose every book should contain. Not an extraneous word, not an unnecessary side/back story, not a dangling character or unfinished line of thought. Just (just?) a solid, phenomenal piece of fiction that held my interest from the first paragraph to the last.
COTTONMOUTH is right up there with the best of the best. Vivid scenes, vivid characters, a compelling story, and a definite must-read.
So damned good.
Now, THIS is the kind of prose every book should contain. Not an extraneous word, not an unnecessary side/back story, not a dangling character or unfinished line of thought. Just (just?) a solid, phenomenal piece of fiction that held my interest from the first paragraph to the last.
COTTONMOUTH is right up there with the best of the best. Vivid scenes, vivid characters, a compelling story, and a definite must-read.
So damned good.
October 19, 2025
Cottonmouth by Kealan Patrick Burke is a chilling and beautifully written story that blends Southern gothic atmosphere with raw emotion. Burke’s writing is vivid and haunting, pulling you right into the oppressive heat and unease of the setting. The characters feel real, especially the narrator, whose voice carries both pain and dark humor. It’s a short read but leaves a deep impact, with moments that linger long after finishing. I really liked how it balances horror with heartbreak—proof that Burke is a master of emotional storytelling as much as he is of fear.
July 20, 2025
Nowhere near as good as KIN but it didn't have to be. Written as a perk for buying the Suntup edition of KIN, COTTONMOUTH is basically a lengthy piece of fan-service swag.
Did we need to know the events of this novella happened? No. KIN stands well and complete on its own. Was it entertaining? Yes. Does KPB still "tear" or "rend" everything "asunder"? Also yes. But, hey, we all have our crutches, and the William Faulkner of horror is no different.
Did we need to know the events of this novella happened? No. KIN stands well and complete on its own. Was it entertaining? Yes. Does KPB still "tear" or "rend" everything "asunder"? Also yes. But, hey, we all have our crutches, and the William Faulkner of horror is no different.
June 11, 2025
There's now a prequel to KIN!!!
Are you a fan of Kealan Patrick Burke? I am. And I was so excited to receive this novella. It's the back story of Papa and threw me back in time ten years.
It's a terrific story that only KPB could write. WHAT?! You never read KIN? I's a southern gothic horror story that will hook you on Kealan's writing and have you begging for more.
More is coming...
Are you a fan of Kealan Patrick Burke? I am. And I was so excited to receive this novella. It's the back story of Papa and threw me back in time ten years.
It's a terrific story that only KPB could write. WHAT?! You never read KIN? I's a southern gothic horror story that will hook you on Kealan's writing and have you begging for more.
More is coming...
June 26, 2025
I remember really digging Kin back in the day. I remember it was brutal and gripping. Sadly, I can't say I love the prequel, cottonmouth, as much as Kin. It was horrific and brutal, but it never grabbed me the same as Kin.
June 16, 2025
Fantastic insight into an existing character from Kin. Haunting, sad, harrowing and wonderfully written
June 21, 2025
I need to go back and re-read Kin after reading this tale.
July 4, 2025
K. P. B.
August 10, 2025
I love this man's writing! He's just good! This book was just a straight point.. Why a person became the way he did.. Story
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