The Twilight Cap

by Dan St. Peter

Hank and Lucy Dewitt are new arrivals in Jemison, Wisconsin. It is a rural town, and home to a brand-new species of mushroom, one that glows in the night, and is the subject of Lucy’s research. Settled in and ready to start a family, the couple begins searching for a place to call their own, but the town is overtaken by a high-powered land developer, who buys everything in sight, prepared to transform it into a corporate community. As they lose house after house to the firm, they feel as though home ownership is out of their reach, until the mushrooms call Hank into the woods, where he stumbles upon an abandoned home, surrounded by the strange, glowing fungi. With a promise to the owner to never open the locked door in the basement, the home becomes theirs, to the dismay of the developer, who thought the land was already his. Moved in and ready to turn the page, they think the battle with the corporation is over, but the mushrooms appear to be more than just a simple fungus, and the developer is just getting started.

415 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 5, 2026

Reviews

[Martin Maenza]

Full disclosure: Dan is a friend of mine and a member of the writing group I moderate at the library where I work. I was one of the beta readers for this novel in December of 2024. I was very eager to see how it might have changed getting to the final product. I know he has worked hard on getting it out into the world.

What he has published is a very enjoyable story. His novel mixes a well-rounded cast with relatable domestic details, supernatural surprises, and a clash between corporate greed and ecological preservation. The well-structured plot keeps the reader turning pages, and the writing is comfortable and effortless. It is a solid tale from start to finish.

[Unbridled Reader]

I finished this book in 2 days. It was a quick read. While reading I was trying to pin down the genre and environmental horror kept coming to mind. It's about a mushroom that grows in the woods and the impact it has on a town. I don't want to give anything else away, except to say you really need to read it for yourself.

[Sandra Cady]

Excellent speculative fiction thriller. The characters are three dimensional and the story line is gripping. Dan St. Peter is definitely an author that makes me want to read more of his stories. I hope there is a sequel to The Twilight Cap!

[Kandace Lamphier]

This book was fun, mysterious, thrilling, suspenseful and a great read! I can’t wait to read the next book Dan writes!

[Catherine m hulett]

Such a great read!

I had a hard time putting the book down. It kept my interest the entire time. I can't wait to read his next book

[Carlie Daniel]

A perfect weekend read! A charming story of mystery, suspense and a sprinkle of friendship. Great work Dan!