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Midnight in Silverton: American Gothic
Silverton is a town full of characters, and if you happen to be one, you have to play your part to the end—even if it kills you.That's what a down-on-his-luck writer discovers when he finds himself on the bridge of his hometown with no recollection of how he got there. Only a mysterious pain in his head and a crackling sound in his ear offer any clues.While searching for answers, he reconnects with friends and family, and discovers that a serial killer plagues his sleepy town with a possible connection to a personal family tragedy.Feeling that it's connected to his blackout, he sets out to solve the mystery of the dead women by navigating a maze of quirky townsfolk, a meth-dealing biker gang, Jesus, the FBI, and rampaging mammoths. And that's just a typical day.He soon realizes that there are significant gaps in his memory that he can't account for, and wonders if he has not only lost time, but if he is also losing his mind and soul. He starts to question whether he even wants to learn the identity of the killer. That is until a girl close to him turns up dead, and it becomes a race to solve her murder before the authorities do.Doing so will not be easy, because in this town, the clues lie somewhere between memory, imagination, and madness...and each is fighting to keep him from sorting it all out before he becomes the next tragedy.
451 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2021
16 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Adam Copeland
17 books34 followersAdam Copeland was born and raised in Silverton, Oregon. He attended Southern Oregon State College (now Southern Oregon University) in Ashland, Oregon. There he studied business, chemistry and French. He spent a year study abroad in France and has ever since been passionate about traveling internationally, going to such places as diverse as Asia, Africa and Mexico. He is an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hiking, backpacking, camping, mountain trekking and scuba diving. He is a co-founder of Northwest Independent Writers Association (NIWA), an organization dedicated to helping indie writers from the Pacific Northwest write, publish, and promote their work. Adam currently resides in Vancouver, Washington State where he is an active member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 2, 2021
“Maybe it’s just that vibe any decent bookstore or library has. A kind of magic. Perhaps it’s the clocks that make time more visceral, like something you can feel on your skin or get tangled in your hair.” That description of entering the Books ‘N’ Time Bookstore in the thriving little community of Silverton, Oregon, made me sit up and take notice. What kind of book is this? With its subtitle, I had expected some kind of horror story, perhaps even ghosts? But Midnight in Silverton is so much more than that. Yes, there are “ghosts” of a kind, and there is a serial killer on the loose, but this is a literary work with in-depth character development, brilliant turns of phrase, profound meditations on loss and regret and the poor choices all of us make. The introspection is unnerving at times, exploring a mind pushed to the breaking point. Is it PTSD? Schizophrenia?
Like a Mayberry gone off the rails, the “quaint” Silverton slowly reveals its underbelly—biker gangs, drug-trafficking, domestic abuse—as the narrator returns to his parents’ home to try to recover after losing his job, his finances, and a string of broken relationships. But as Thomas Wolfe famously wrote, “You can’t go home again.” The demons and nightmares persist. Our narrator’s flaws are as firmly attached to him as his shadow. In fact, the novel may be read as an exploration of what Carl Jung called the "shadow"—the unknown dark side of the human personality nestled in the unconscious. That shadow is a low bass note, increasing in volume and menace as the story unfolds.
Despite the darkness, there is humor here as well, the kind of humor that is only possible in the context of enduring family bonds, and the love and support of life-long friendships. Midnight in Silverton is a kind of love letter to a small town, an homage to a real Oregon community that may make you want to pay a visit. It’s a novel not to be hurried but to be savored, as you might a fine meal enhanced by a perfect Pinot Noir.
Like a Mayberry gone off the rails, the “quaint” Silverton slowly reveals its underbelly—biker gangs, drug-trafficking, domestic abuse—as the narrator returns to his parents’ home to try to recover after losing his job, his finances, and a string of broken relationships. But as Thomas Wolfe famously wrote, “You can’t go home again.” The demons and nightmares persist. Our narrator’s flaws are as firmly attached to him as his shadow. In fact, the novel may be read as an exploration of what Carl Jung called the "shadow"—the unknown dark side of the human personality nestled in the unconscious. That shadow is a low bass note, increasing in volume and menace as the story unfolds.
Despite the darkness, there is humor here as well, the kind of humor that is only possible in the context of enduring family bonds, and the love and support of life-long friendships. Midnight in Silverton is a kind of love letter to a small town, an homage to a real Oregon community that may make you want to pay a visit. It’s a novel not to be hurried but to be savored, as you might a fine meal enhanced by a perfect Pinot Noir.
March 18, 2022
This book is a really touching tribute to the little town of Silverton. I too, grew up here, and many of the locations, memories, people described kindled plenty of nostalgia even for someone like me- who left this small town as soon as possible. The descriptive writing sets the scene/setting so well that those who have not lived or visited Silverton, can easily follow along. Anyone can appreciate the location and characters, because generally speaking they are not unique to just Silverton.
The author shows how incredibly dynamic it is to just exist and be human. The writing ebbs and flows through essentially the good, bad, and ugly of life. The author reminds me that we are not all so different and all have similar struggles, hard lessons to learn, unexpected twists, complex family relationships, complicated histories, etc... it all is oddly validating that we all have a history and we are ever changing. It is also a good reminder that, we only see what others choose to show us.
Between these pages you almost feel as discombobulated as the main character. Eventually I realized that it is intentional, and pretty clever. Short chapters catch you off guard and can feel choppy while longer chapters reel you in. You turn the page and you are spat out somewhere else trying to put the pieces together- much like the main character. I found myself invested, on my toes, but ultimately, just not sure where the hell this is all going.
As the stories plays out, you start to piece together allllll the information, details, and interactions. It's an adrenaline rush and you want the closure as much as the main character. The clarity provided at the end is almost more like perspective or hindsight. There isn't a rhyme or reason for many things that happen in life, people are capable of incredibly cruel things, and the world is truly only shades of gray...even if you have all the facts and truths, you will never have all the answers. Somehow along the way you do find understanding. This is what I enjoyed most when reflecting on this read.
For others who grew up in a town of ~10,000 people, you know that in a small town, nothing ever really changes...oh but it does! This read felt like home, because it is.
The author shows how incredibly dynamic it is to just exist and be human. The writing ebbs and flows through essentially the good, bad, and ugly of life. The author reminds me that we are not all so different and all have similar struggles, hard lessons to learn, unexpected twists, complex family relationships, complicated histories, etc... it all is oddly validating that we all have a history and we are ever changing. It is also a good reminder that, we only see what others choose to show us.
Between these pages you almost feel as discombobulated as the main character. Eventually I realized that it is intentional, and pretty clever. Short chapters catch you off guard and can feel choppy while longer chapters reel you in. You turn the page and you are spat out somewhere else trying to put the pieces together- much like the main character. I found myself invested, on my toes, but ultimately, just not sure where the hell this is all going.
As the stories plays out, you start to piece together allllll the information, details, and interactions. It's an adrenaline rush and you want the closure as much as the main character. The clarity provided at the end is almost more like perspective or hindsight. There isn't a rhyme or reason for many things that happen in life, people are capable of incredibly cruel things, and the world is truly only shades of gray...even if you have all the facts and truths, you will never have all the answers. Somehow along the way you do find understanding. This is what I enjoyed most when reflecting on this read.
For others who grew up in a town of ~10,000 people, you know that in a small town, nothing ever really changes...oh but it does! This read felt like home, because it is.
November 30, 2022
I had the pleasure of purchasing this novel from the author directly at the 2022 Portland holiday expo. He even signed my copy. 🤗
The word “gothic” and the dark cover art is what drew me in. At face value, this is a murder mystery, but deeper than that, it’s a story about how we endeavor to make sense of our lives.
Our nameless narrator wake up in his sleepy home town and finds there’s a serial killer on the loose. Knowing what I know about the author and making the narrator nameless resulted in me thinking the author IS the narrator. He’s complex and tortured enough to be a real human. If there’s an overlap, the author sure is brave.
This story deftly weaves past and present. While reading, it sometimes seems like the pieces are never going to come together, but they do. Even the weavers serve a purpose.
This author’s strength is definitely characterization and unique description. This makes for a very engaging read.
In terms of execution, there’s just a couple of things to criticize. There are a number sentences that seemed repetitive and should have been redlined. I also wanted more oomph from the motivation of the serial killer. There needed to be something more there.
The word “gothic” and the dark cover art is what drew me in. At face value, this is a murder mystery, but deeper than that, it’s a story about how we endeavor to make sense of our lives.
Our nameless narrator wake up in his sleepy home town and finds there’s a serial killer on the loose. Knowing what I know about the author and making the narrator nameless resulted in me thinking the author IS the narrator. He’s complex and tortured enough to be a real human. If there’s an overlap, the author sure is brave.
This story deftly weaves past and present. While reading, it sometimes seems like the pieces are never going to come together, but they do. Even the weavers serve a purpose.
This author’s strength is definitely characterization and unique description. This makes for a very engaging read.
In terms of execution, there’s just a couple of things to criticize. There are a number sentences that seemed repetitive and should have been redlined. I also wanted more oomph from the motivation of the serial killer. There needed to be something more there.
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December 5, 2023Midnight in Silverton: American Gothic is a dark, atmospheric, immersive, and captivating pulp thriller set in a small Oregon town that expertly blends mystery, paranormal, and dark humor. The author, Adam Copeland, is a native of the Pacific Northwest and he uses his knowledge of the region to create a vivid and immersive setting for his story.
The plot follows a writer who suffers from memory loss and finds himself in the middle of a series of murders that involve a diverse cast of quirky characters, each with their own secrets and motivations. The story is well-written, fast-paced, and has an engaging style that kept me interested and entertained throughout.
The audiobook version of Midnight in Silverton is narrated by Scarlett Quinn, a Canadian actor and voice artist. She does a good job of reading the book and giving voice to the characters, but sadly she lacks the experience and skill of a more seasoned narrator.
Her voice is pleasant and clear, but sometimes monotone and devoid of emotion. I believe that the audiobook would have benefited from a more dynamic and expressive narration to better match the tone and mood of the story. Of course, after listening to more than 1,500 audiobooks I’m quite picky when it comes to the “voices that I allow in my head” so probably most of you won’t have an issue with this performance. Last, but definitely not least, our main character is a guy so a male narrator would have been much more appropriate in order to bring him to life for this audio production.
Midnight in Silverton: American Gothic is a highly entertaining and original thriller that will appeal to fans of the genre. The excellent story is a great example of the author’s creativity, and the audiobook is a good way to enjoy it. Still, I recommend that you listen to the sample before buying it, as the narration might not suit everyone’s taste.
If you are looking for a fun and exciting read that will keep you guessing until the end, then you should give Midnight in Silverton: American Gothic a try.
The plot follows a writer who suffers from memory loss and finds himself in the middle of a series of murders that involve a diverse cast of quirky characters, each with their own secrets and motivations. The story is well-written, fast-paced, and has an engaging style that kept me interested and entertained throughout.
The audiobook version of Midnight in Silverton is narrated by Scarlett Quinn, a Canadian actor and voice artist. She does a good job of reading the book and giving voice to the characters, but sadly she lacks the experience and skill of a more seasoned narrator.
Her voice is pleasant and clear, but sometimes monotone and devoid of emotion. I believe that the audiobook would have benefited from a more dynamic and expressive narration to better match the tone and mood of the story. Of course, after listening to more than 1,500 audiobooks I’m quite picky when it comes to the “voices that I allow in my head” so probably most of you won’t have an issue with this performance. Last, but definitely not least, our main character is a guy so a male narrator would have been much more appropriate in order to bring him to life for this audio production.
Midnight in Silverton: American Gothic is a highly entertaining and original thriller that will appeal to fans of the genre. The excellent story is a great example of the author’s creativity, and the audiobook is a good way to enjoy it. Still, I recommend that you listen to the sample before buying it, as the narration might not suit everyone’s taste.
If you are looking for a fun and exciting read that will keep you guessing until the end, then you should give Midnight in Silverton: American Gothic a try.
March 17, 2023
This was a really fun read as an Oregonian. I don’t know much about Silverton but I did recognize several of the towns and landmarks named.
Also, someone get this author a contract with a big publisher. His storytelling was so much more creative than much of what I read but sadly I think he is going mostly unnoticed. There were some editing blips in this novel (break for brake, intimated for intimidated, etc) but it didn’t detract from the overall story. It took me a while to figure out what was going on but I think that was intentional confusion on the part of the author for at least the first several chapters.
Unfortunately there was a binding issue with my copy and each page fell out as I turned it so I can’t pass it along to another reader.
Also, someone get this author a contract with a big publisher. His storytelling was so much more creative than much of what I read but sadly I think he is going mostly unnoticed. There were some editing blips in this novel (break for brake, intimated for intimidated, etc) but it didn’t detract from the overall story. It took me a while to figure out what was going on but I think that was intentional confusion on the part of the author for at least the first several chapters.
Unfortunately there was a binding issue with my copy and each page fell out as I turned it so I can’t pass it along to another reader.
November 1, 2023
What a wild ride! This book leaves the reader with a question of whether it's all real or imagined. Smoke and mirrors or fiction woven in fact? Certainly, if the protagonist drank any more, he'd definitely be seeing things, but all the supposed loose threads come together, twist around each other, and then appear to join into a cohesive pattern...or do they? A rich backdrop, peopled with oddball characters, a loving, supportive and laid back family, lifelong friends and antagonists. Well worth reading.
December 4, 2024
A story with so many well-written layers it makes you wonder why this indie-writer has not been recognized with equal acclaim of any of the authors gracing the shelves of major bookstores. It makes one wonder, how many other great writers are out there that we may never hear of because they just haven’t been picked up by the major publishers? I would love to see a movie adaptation of this book. I won’t risk giving any spoilers, you just have to give this psychological thriller a read!
December 17, 2021
Yes, there are some fine sentences in this book. But they are mostly lost in a sea of over-descriptions. Makes for a tortuously long read.
December 18, 2021
This was like a book written by a crazy person. Hard to tell what was going on until the very end. I did make it to the end, but whew!
December 27, 2025
Entertaining and well-written. Enjoyed tromping through the streets of Silverton, that delightful Oregon town.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews