#chapelwood: the borden dispatches

[sassmill]

A playlist for Maplecroft and Chapelwood

[contre-qui]

Book 10 of 2020: Chapelwood

Chapelwood by Cherie Priest

      I just reviewed Maplecroft (read that one here), the previous book in The Borden Dispatches so maybe read that one first and beware of minor spoilers in this review.

   "'Cosmic...,' I echoed, because the word sounded correct when I wrapped my tongue around it.

'There is something cosmic about it all, isn't there? All these churches, every last one of them is looking up to the sky. It's not like the good old days, when you dug temples out of the earth and talked to snakes. [...]'

    'I don't believe churches typically think of prayer as space exploration, but I'd agree with the sentiment,' she granted.

    '[...] If there's any God out there, He's someplace we can't reach Him. Otherwise, all this nonsense would be put to rest with a quick interview and a sip of holy wine.'

    'You're tragically blasphemous, dear Inspector.'" (307-308)

        Approximately 30 years after the conclusion of Maplecroft, murders under mysterious circumstances begin cropping up in Birmingham, Alabama - considered potentially connected to racial divides. There is also a strange church spreading hatred and a strange darkness through Birmingham. When Inspector Wolf (a familiar face from the last book) arrives on the scene, he calls in Lizbeth Borden because he finds a potential connection to her lost love, Nance. The plot is pretty complicated and I don't want to give away any spoilers, but the book mostly follows a young woman named Ruth whose father attempts to pull her into the strange and dark happenings of the church at Chapelwood. Ruth is afraid of the church, and of its KKK connections. She also gets the feeling something much larger and much darker than the church itself lurks at Chapelwood. Working together with Inspector Wolf and Lizbeth, she attempts to uncover the secrets of the church while staying safe from her father and Chapelwood's reverend.

        While the first book mostly dealt with a Cthulhu-type of Eldritch horror, this book deals with more of a cosmic type of Lovecraftian creature. The character development continued into this novel, and I really enjoyed that Lizzie returned for this novel and seemed reasonable for a person who had aged 30-someodd years and lost multiple people in her life. I also liked that Inspector Wolf was a recurring character, and we find out more about the mysterious agency he works for towards the end of the novel. I also did appreciate that racial issues were discussed in this novel, particularly because the Klan and acts of massive racial discrimination were extremely prevalent at the time and place, so it made a lot of historical sense for this somewhat culty religious group to be tied in with thoughts like that. Just like the first book, Chapelwood was less overtly scary and more creepy and suspenseful, but this one was almost more intriguing because the themes were more existential and less creature-based. The scary part about this book wasn't the Eldritch horror, but rather the people involved in Chapelwood. Additionally, there were a few more traditionally supernatural elements in this novel as opposed to the last; seances were discussed and performed and the existence of other strange and inexplicable creatures/circumstances is discussed. I absolutely loved the ending of this novel and the way it ended in a satisfying yet mysterious way. Nothing is entirely confirmed about one of the questions that comes up partway through the novel, but the ending makes sense and has a touch of sweetness in a way that I wasn't expecting. All in all I thought it really wrapped up the duet and gave satisfying closure in a way fitting to the themes of the books.

        Just like the previous novel, Chapelwood has chapters in multiple perspectives and including multiple media forms. One of the things I really enjoyed about the novel was that one of the chapters was from the perspective of Chapelwood’s reverend. It really adds to the horror of the novel to see into the minds of those who are sympathetic to ideals like the Klan. Whereas in Maplecroft there were actual monsters, Chapelwood deals more with the idea that the people are what makes the story scary. The people become monsters as they fall deeper into hateful ideals.

        Trigger warnings for racial discrimination/violence, mentions of the KKK and their beliefs, use of racist terms, injuries, character death, weaponry (axe, gun), mentions of a mental institution/altered cognitive function caused by head injury, discussions of Christianity, and general horror/creep/suspense.

        My final opinion: A great follow-up to an excellent suspense novel!

[genrebookreviews]

Chapelwood Review

Title: Chapelwood

Author: Cherie Priest

Length: 434 Pages

Published: September 2015

Series: Book Two of The Borden Dispatches

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

A series of axe murders have taken place in the city of Birmingham, Alabama. The killer has been dubbed Harry the Hacker by the residents and while the murders seem random the killer has a pattern and a system that he is following. While in the woods the…

[kmalexander]

Five Genre-Busting Fiction Writers You Should Read

When it comes to reading, I always appreciate the weird. I’m drawn to tales that are on the fringe, stories that are difficult to place within traditional genres. Weird fiction—as a result, calls to me. There’s something about those category-defying stories that make me feel at home. Perhaps you also enjoy stories like this? (If you read and enjoyed my books, I’d wager you did.)

It’s been a while—Halloween, actually—since I’ve given book recommendations. So, let’s rectify that today. Below I’ve shared five authors who write fiction that’s a little hard to pin down. As of this year, whenever I share books, all links will now go to IndieBound instead of Amazon—be sure to support your local bookstore. Also, where possible, I am now linking to each author’s official website. So be sure to give those a visit as well.

Rebecca Roanhorse

Recommended Book: Trail of Lightning (The Sixth World #1)

What begins as a gritty desert-focused modern fantasy following a Navajo monster hunter quickly expands into something more—Roanhorse takes the contemporary threat of environmental catastrophe creates a refreshing post-apocalyptic setting in which she places her southwest desert setting. What you end up with is a world that reworks your standard monster-hunting tropes and takes them into fresh and wonderfully strange territory. A fantastic read.

Also by Roanhorse: Storm of Locusts (The Sixth World #2), Welcome to Your Authentic Indian Experience (Short Story)

Fonda Lee

Recommended Book: Jade City (The Green Bone Saga #1)

Transcending your standard genres and weaving an intricate wuxia tale of criminal clans in a pseudo-1980s city, Lee goes in places no other fantasy has before. A story of family, crime, and honor, complete with magic enhanced abilities and kung-fu style action. Here you’ll find complex characters, a visceral world, and a high body count. A perfect blend of genres to create a unique and utterly refreshing experience.

Also by Lee: Jade War (The Green Bone Saga #2), Exo

Charlie Jane Anders

Recommended Book: All the Birds in the Sky

A strange and often surreal tale that weaves together a helping of science fiction, a dash of awkward romance, a smattering of academy fantasy, and a hefty serving of the downright bizarre. It’s hard to truly pin down this tale of love during that awkward twenty-something malaise—it’s been called magic realism, it’s been called fantasy, and it’s something right in the middle. Polarizing it might be, but it’s solidly unique.

Also by Anders: The City in the Middle of the Night

Ruthanna Emrys

Recommended Book: Winter Tide (The Innsmouth Legacy #1)

Often it’s easy for series rooted in Lovecraft to slip entirely into the horror genre. However, Emrys takes a different approach. Here she creates a forlorn experience that reexamines the atrocities and ramifications of American internment camps and the Cold War through a slightly stranger lens. History and horror are woven together here in a fascinating (if not polarizing) tale of human nature.

Also by Emrys: Deep Roots (The Innsmouth Legacy #2), Imperfect Commentaries

Cherie Priest

Recommended Book: Chapelwood (The Borden Dispatches #2)

Taking the historical account of Lizzie Borden and coupling it with Lovecraftian Horror, Priest manages to create an engaging and wonderfully weird series in The Borden Dispatches. While her first book is delightful, her second is divine. The characters are more established, the plot tighter, the world richer, and the events within more distressing with every page turn.

Also by Priest: The Toll, Brimstone

If you’ve spent any time here, you’ve undoubtedly you’ve heard me sing the praises of one of these authors before. But, perhaps they’re new to you, and hopefully, you find something here to enthrall you, and you’ll discover a new genre-defying world to explore. Have a suggestion of your own? Is there a favorite genre-busting author who’s work you enjoyed? Leave a comment below and let me know!

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[ajmcgeewrites]

It’s October, and at a recent house party a friend of mine was telling me how much he hated Lovecraft. In honor of this sentiment and the creepiest month of the year, I bring to you my shortlist of super amazing Lovecraft-inspired tales. Enjoy!

The Ballad of Black Tom

I have recommended this story so many times, including a blogpost dedicated just to this novella. Check it out. Thank me later. This is a fast-paced and nerve-plucking tale.

The Dream-Quest of Vellett Boe

Remember way back at the end of 2016 when I recommended my favorite reads of the year? This lovely feminist novella made the list. It’s a tale involving a quest and dreaming gods, and the bond between a professor and her student.

The Innsmouth Legacy

Perhaps one of the most inventive approaches to Lovecraft’s tales, this series so far includes Winter Tide, Deep Roots, and “The Litany of Earth,” the story that kicked off the whole affair. This is the tale of an alternate history in which systems of authority are the real monsters, not those who return to the deep. Like The Dream-Quest of Vellitt Boe this is a story with a slower pace and less in the way of gore or violence.

The Borden Dispatches

Reaching the farthest afield, we have a fantastical retelling of the gruesome Lizzie Borden murders of childhood rhyme. The things from beyond are definitely the evil here, and only Lizzie Borden and her ax stand in their way. Check out Maplecroft and Chapelwood for an eerie set of reads. Lots of violence and action in these books, counterbalanced by the writing style and horror-movie tension.

Here’s hoping you enjoy! Until next week.

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Damn fine Lovecraft reimaginings It's October, and at a recent house party a friend of mine was telling me how much he hated Lovecraft.