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Crestwood Lake
Crestwood Lake is a small, secluded town in the woods of northern Vermont. Mysterious events and strange deaths have always plagued the community—as have rumors of witchcraft. But lately, there has been a sudden rash of suicides and grisly murders.
Captain Butch Morgan, the chief of police, must uncover the truth about Crestwood Lake. His best friend, historian Gil Pearson, suspects the satanic folklore is true. He and Morgan consult an occult expert who outlines what he believes to be the truth, and what must be done.
Meanwhile Morgan, recently widowed, has fallen in love with Vicki Larson, the local barmaid. When it becomes clear that she is in danger as well, Morgan decides to act. Morgan must confront an ancient evil: a fateful showdown that could risk his life, and the tortured town of Crestwood Lake.
In a style similar to early American horror literature, author Mark R. Vogel’s Crestwood Lake is reminiscent of the calm-but-terrifying tone of Edgar Allan Poe’s writings…and will keep you stricken in your seat long after you read the final page.
Captain Butch Morgan, the chief of police, must uncover the truth about Crestwood Lake. His best friend, historian Gil Pearson, suspects the satanic folklore is true. He and Morgan consult an occult expert who outlines what he believes to be the truth, and what must be done.
Meanwhile Morgan, recently widowed, has fallen in love with Vicki Larson, the local barmaid. When it becomes clear that she is in danger as well, Morgan decides to act. Morgan must confront an ancient evil: a fateful showdown that could risk his life, and the tortured town of Crestwood Lake.
In a style similar to early American horror literature, author Mark R. Vogel’s Crestwood Lake is reminiscent of the calm-but-terrifying tone of Edgar Allan Poe’s writings…and will keep you stricken in your seat long after you read the final page.
- GenresHorror
270 pages, Paperback
First published April 3, 2015
About the author
Mark R. Vogel
5 books22 followers Mark R. Vogel has been a clinical psychologist for 37 years. He completed his BA and MA at Montclair State University in NJ, and his doctorate degree at Yeshiva University in the Bronx. A Jack the Ripper researcher, he lectures about the infamous case at libraries and private institutions.
In 2003 he graduated from the Institute of Culinary Education in Manhattan. For 10 years he taught cooking classes and edited cookbooks. For 16 years he was a food writer, publishing 400 articles on food and wine. He currently gives seminars about wine.
He is the author of:
CRESTWOOD LAKE, and CRESTWOOD LAKE 2, a horror series about witchcraft in northern Vermont.
THE RIPPER'S TIME, a historical-fiction novel about Jack the Ripper.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT, his “foodie’s encyclopedia,” a compendium of food history, science, and techniques, accompanied by 268 recipes.
THE DARK DIARIES, an anthology of short horror stories.
Website: markvogel.info E-mail: epicure1@optonline.net
Facebook: facebook.com/mark.vogel.5076 Twitter: twitter.com/MarkVogel007
In 2003 he graduated from the Institute of Culinary Education in Manhattan. For 10 years he taught cooking classes and edited cookbooks. For 16 years he was a food writer, publishing 400 articles on food and wine. He currently gives seminars about wine.
He is the author of:
CRESTWOOD LAKE, and CRESTWOOD LAKE 2, a horror series about witchcraft in northern Vermont.
THE RIPPER'S TIME, a historical-fiction novel about Jack the Ripper.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT, his “foodie’s encyclopedia,” a compendium of food history, science, and techniques, accompanied by 268 recipes.
THE DARK DIARIES, an anthology of short horror stories.
Website: markvogel.info E-mail: epicure1@optonline.net
Facebook: facebook.com/mark.vogel.5076 Twitter: twitter.com/MarkVogel007
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 7, 2017
The small town of Crestwood Lake has seen its share of deadly happenings over the years. From dead animals, to dead people, freak accidents, and suicides around town. The police chief Captain Morgan is trying to get to the bottom of what is happening in his town.
I loved how each chapter was a different story in these characters lives. This book scared me to my core. It starts out all sweet and nice with some strange things going on, and then takes a serious dark turn into much deeper territory. If you are looking for a horror book with some real scare, this would be for you.
Vogel is a great writer and weaves a good story. His characters are well developed and smart. The story progresses all through the book with good insight into these characters lives and where there are in time.
This book kept me up at night. This is the best horror read I've come across. Any money spent on this author is money well spent.
I loved how each chapter was a different story in these characters lives. This book scared me to my core. It starts out all sweet and nice with some strange things going on, and then takes a serious dark turn into much deeper territory. If you are looking for a horror book with some real scare, this would be for you.
Vogel is a great writer and weaves a good story. His characters are well developed and smart. The story progresses all through the book with good insight into these characters lives and where there are in time.
This book kept me up at night. This is the best horror read I've come across. Any money spent on this author is money well spent.
October 25, 2017
I really enjoyed the darkness, a lot of murder but fascinating to me! I loved the witches and devil woven into the theme. Ok, far-fetched at times, especially at the end- but the characters are lovable and despicable, and a bit seductive I would say. Apparently he is a local author, I met him at a street fair and I bought both of his books. Ripper's Time is up next... a good Ripper story is always welcome in this house!
June 3, 2017
How wonderfully evil!
Fantastic and fast paced. Kept my interest the entire time. I couldn't put it down, and finished it in a few hours.
I met the author two summers ago at a book signing at Ray and Judy's when I bought the book for my dad. Couldn't have been friendlier!
Highly recommend this!
Fantastic and fast paced. Kept my interest the entire time. I couldn't put it down, and finished it in a few hours.
I met the author two summers ago at a book signing at Ray and Judy's when I bought the book for my dad. Couldn't have been friendlier!
Highly recommend this!
June 1, 2022
Absolutely outstanding! The characters are so relatable! Literally a page turner!!! I could not put this one down! Had me gripping on the edge till beyond the end! Can’t wait to start the second one!!!
June 30, 2019
An interesting read from a local author, there were some surprise twists toward the end. I am curious to see if there is a sequel.
July 24, 2015
Crestwood Lake, the debut novel from Mark R. Vogel, is an impressive effort for a first time novelist. It is, at the same time, a unique take on horror fiction and an exploration of classic horror themes. Crestwood lake is not only the setting of the tale but it’s main character, the different locales and characters part of a living and breathing whole. Due to the plot structure, which incorporates what are essentially short stories into a novel, the pacing is a bit uneven, but when the narrative focuses in the later stages of the book there’s no stopping reading until the climactic battle is finished.
The town of Crestwood Lake is located in New England, its roots dating back to colonial days and notorious Witch Trials of pre-United States America. The hauntings and horrors of the novel can be traced to the Puritan settlers who left Salem after its famous trials were ended. The legacies of those intolerant days manifest in contemporary times in the form of witches, demons and possibly Lucifer himself. The early stages of the book are told through different first-person narratives, often from the point-of-view of doomed characters. This adds an interesting element of peril to the story, as the first-person usually indicates a character has survived the tale, but here the reader never knows.
The idea a Crestwood Lake as the main character of the story is its most interesting and successful element. The different locations throughout the city, from the diner and local bar, to the church, wine store, individual houses and the lake itself are vividly rendered and clear in the mind’s eye. There are excellent specific characters, as well, though just a few get a full backstory and personality. The stories that diverge from the main plot deal with characters that are, typically, only present in the story for the short term, and by necessity, there’s isn’t a lot to those characters.
The main characters and interesting and sympathetic and well worth investing in. Captain of the local police Butch Delmore is an interesting blend of old-school tough guy cop and empathetic, caring defender of his town. His friend and local historian Gil is a fun character, a retired writer and teacher and inveterate skirt-chaser. The two characters play off of each other extremely well, almost seeming to have the rapport of loving but always bickering long married couple. Potential love interest Vicki and the villain Van Haden are similarly strong characters that make interesting acrs through the novel.
Though the short story asides are not as strong as the main story, they don’t lose the reader’s attention. They may drift a bit but they are strong individual tales and, when the story comes fully together, do serve in setting up a strong horror tale. From haunted houses to escaped mental patients, witches to demons to the devil, Crestwood Lake is a classic horror story with modern sensibilities that has a little something for just about any reader.
The town of Crestwood Lake is located in New England, its roots dating back to colonial days and notorious Witch Trials of pre-United States America. The hauntings and horrors of the novel can be traced to the Puritan settlers who left Salem after its famous trials were ended. The legacies of those intolerant days manifest in contemporary times in the form of witches, demons and possibly Lucifer himself. The early stages of the book are told through different first-person narratives, often from the point-of-view of doomed characters. This adds an interesting element of peril to the story, as the first-person usually indicates a character has survived the tale, but here the reader never knows.
The idea a Crestwood Lake as the main character of the story is its most interesting and successful element. The different locations throughout the city, from the diner and local bar, to the church, wine store, individual houses and the lake itself are vividly rendered and clear in the mind’s eye. There are excellent specific characters, as well, though just a few get a full backstory and personality. The stories that diverge from the main plot deal with characters that are, typically, only present in the story for the short term, and by necessity, there’s isn’t a lot to those characters.
The main characters and interesting and sympathetic and well worth investing in. Captain of the local police Butch Delmore is an interesting blend of old-school tough guy cop and empathetic, caring defender of his town. His friend and local historian Gil is a fun character, a retired writer and teacher and inveterate skirt-chaser. The two characters play off of each other extremely well, almost seeming to have the rapport of loving but always bickering long married couple. Potential love interest Vicki and the villain Van Haden are similarly strong characters that make interesting acrs through the novel.
Though the short story asides are not as strong as the main story, they don’t lose the reader’s attention. They may drift a bit but they are strong individual tales and, when the story comes fully together, do serve in setting up a strong horror tale. From haunted houses to escaped mental patients, witches to demons to the devil, Crestwood Lake is a classic horror story with modern sensibilities that has a little something for just about any reader.
April 23, 2015
This book is like gone girl meets Harry Potter with Stephen King Full of suspense hints of both lightness and darkness Great read I couldn't put it down Anxiously waiting for a sequel
June 14, 2016
I truly enjoyed this mystery, and look forward to many more by Mark Vogel. Could not put it down, and could NOT read it at night!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews