CHILD OF DARK WATER
By E.G. Rand
Castle Bridge Media
92 Pages
The sleepy lakeside town of Ridgeway is about as ordinary as Mayberry and Americana as The Star-Spangled Banner and apple pie. When a disturbing an ominous presence becomes known in the murky depths, people begin disappearing without a trace. Officer Goodwin of the rural police force is determined to unveil the mystery surrounding the missing. Is there a link between the lake and missing persons or have they simple succumbed to their own fate as child of dark water?
Child of Dark Water, the compelling and gripping supernatural mystery marks the second book chartered by author E.G. Rand. The style is very distinct and consistent. Prose and story telling prowess is much alike to catching up with an old friend. Unhampered by extravagant volumes of exposition. Techniques of keeping the reader engaged is executed flawlessly.
This novella would be an ideal summertime read for the beach or more apt, languid days amongst cottage country. An unassuming depth keeps the reading audience fixated on what transpires next. In more cases than not, I envision Child of Dark Water devoured within two to three eager sessions.
Faithful readers tend to create memories, often surrounding their particular chosen reading material within that period in each of their collective lives. While many reflect upon the past with music, lyrics, movies of a particular era or even streaming shows, the avid reader remembers with literature. I predict a legion of fans will look back and cherish the days in which this novella was read. The final sequences resonate long after the final page is turned.
The supernatural/creature feature mashup is effective. Presented within a mystery styled formula, Rand will entice an audience for niche markets while piquing the curiosity of new readers alike. Faithful fans of her inaugural title Tombstone Teeth and Other Horrors will undoubtedly flock back into the fray.
Most noteworthy is the fashion in which the opening sequence is drafted. The author truly values the critical importance of reeling in the readers’ attention and never relenting, until one least expects it. We find ourselves within a virtual conscious inertia, each of our senses exploited. A bona fide reading experience is unleashed. We feel the scene as opposed to simply see it through another’s eyes. Rand’s use of the often-overlooked sense of smell makes Child of Dark Water all the more relatable and plausible unto the reader.
Her utilization of character development is immensely effective. We feel compassion and empathy for Office Goodwin’s disfigurement and plight. By contrast we adapt a seething loathsome regard for one, Grant Wellworth. Their vast differences ratchet up the tension and create a most effective conflict within the two.
As the tension evolves, the corresponding intrigue will develop within the reading audience. The battle between good and evil, rich versus poor is as ancient as the dawn of time. Yet somehow the struggle never ceases to captivate.
The secondary character of Psyche provides fascinating interlude of supernatural chaos. Her tales of lore enhance the already heightened suspended belief within the tale. The audience naturally begins to predict their own outcome of the novella. Rest assured author E.G. Rand keeps us in the dark until the very end.
Now that fans have rejoiced with the previous short story collection and the novella of Child of Dark Water, a colossal reading audience will naturally harvest. We will all eagerly anticipate what’s next from the dark and murky depths of one E.G. Rand.