Nightshade

by Stanley R. Moore

The peace of a rural town is shattered by a surge of sudden, seemingly natural deaths. A small boy is first to discover why and flees for his life into a hostile forest. He is tracked by a shrewd deputy sheriff with troubles of his own.

As the deputy closes in he comes under increasing attack. A group of young African-American orphans is isolated and must fight for survival, armed only with their wits. A passionate doctor with her own agenda joins the grieving deputy, and in a deadly confrontation, they find that deliverance depends on an unusual flowering plant.

Genres: Horror, Fiction

331 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 3, 1989

Reviews

[Werefox by moonlight: Half man, half beast, but all horror · Rating 1 out of 5]

The lamest 'horror' novel I've ever read. Nothing remotely scary happens, just some boring people in a small town dropping dead after being bitten by mutant flies. No atmosphere, no gore, no supernatural elements (that aren't explained away like some half-assed Scooby Doo knock-off), no memorable imagery, no interesting characters, nothing to make reading it worthwhile. I genuinely don't understand what Stanley R. Moore, whoever he may be, hoped to achieve with this book, but I'm pretty sure he wasn't succesful.

[Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no idea why this book rated so low. Maybe it's because of the disturbing imagery. Or the messiness of the plot. Or the ways the characters fall like flies, in sometimes horrifying ways. Maybe because the people portrayed in this book are drowning in flaws. Maybe because it doesn't end 'Happily ever after'. But my god, if you like gruesome horror, local apocalyptic vibes, and messed up interactions... boy have I got a book for you.

The imagery in this book stays with you for life. You'll think about it night and day for a while. You'll hate it and then love it. But you will NEVER forget it. If you like Dean Koontz phantoms, you'll love this.