A town called Snakebite, an unsolved disappearance, and ghosts that haunt the present
The Dead and the Dark — Courtney Gould
What to Read This Week
The Dead and the Dark by Courtney Gould
Content warnings, which contain mild spoilers, listed in the footnote of this newsletter.1
What It’s About
Snakebite, Oregon: Something is wrong with this town, but the locals refuse to talk. Logan has just moved to Snakebite, where her dads grew up, and she gets the feeling that the town views them as outsiders since they’ve been gone for so long. Plus, the locals aren’t keen on her dads’ jobs as hosts to the paranormal ghost-hunting TV show ParaSpectors.
Now, teenagers keep disappearing from Snakebite, and everyone’s starting to suspect Logan’s dads—after all, they’re the ones digging up ghosts around town.
Ashley’s boyfriend was one of those who went missing, and she’s determined to find out what happened to him. She teams up with Logan, and while fighting their growing attraction to each other, the two girls track down the town’s history and its ties to the missing teens, as well as their own personal histories that they never intended on coming to light.
“Ashley recognized the same look on Logan’s face that she had seen in the mirror for months. They were adrift in the dark, senselessly paddling for shore.”
This novel is both a well-plotted and fast-paced horror and suspense story in addition to a beautiful and lush journey of discovery and coming home, no matter how hard it is.
Why You Should Read It
I could not get enough of Gould’s writing and her expert ability to write an engaging story that also felt like every line was wrapping me in a warm blanket of soft prose. I know that’s a weird description for a horror/suspense novel, but once you read it, you’ll understand what I mean.
And while Logan is the main character, each side character—Ashley, friends from school, those who have gone missing, Logan’s dads—get their own moments for their own stories, and they all blend seamlessly to create the overarching story of Snakebite, Oregon. (And I mean, come on, Snakebite?! Who doesn’t want to read about a town called Snakebite?!)
Next Up
This week I’m participating in the #TransRightsReadathon, which was started by Sim, a reader and author who is promoting the readathon on all socials. Readers are pledging to read books by and about trans, genderfluid, nonbinary, and/or gender nonconforming people this week to both raise awareness about current trans issues and raise money for organizations aiding trans people around the country. This is my stack of reads, and I’m donating $10 per book read to the Kentucky Health Justice Network, which provides reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare and services to residents of Kentucky. I encourage you to pick up a trans book this week and check out the hashtag on Instagram for tons more recommendations and/or make a donation this week to a trans-supporting group (here’s a list of those!).
I’m halfway through The Deep audiobook by Rivers Solomon, something totally outside my usual genres (underwater fantasy and Afrofuturism!) but I’m enthralled by the storytelling. I plan on picking up Real Queer America next, as it’s been on my shelf for years!
More Books
Can’t get enough, or looking for a different recommendation? Browse the archives, or check out some popular past recommendations:
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Content warnings include homophobia and homophobic slurs, hate crimes, murder of underage victims, on-page violence.