In several prior reviews, I have talked glowingly about the writing talents of Christopher Golden. He has shown in dozens of terrific novels that he is a well-rounded and prolific writer, often capable of handling multiple genres even within the same book.

However, I must admit that the lifelong horror fan inside of me was squealing with delight to learn that his latest release, ALL HALLOWS, is a pure horror tale set on Halloween night in the small town of Coventry, Massachusetts, in 1984. Let the comparisons to “Stranger Things” begin!

"ALL HALLOWS is a dark ride on a night known for ghostly, supernatural thrills but goes just a bit farther. With Christopher Golden at the helm of this incredibly creepy tale, I would expect no less!"

Told from the point of view of a handful of different characters from a neighborhood in Coventry, the story opens at the Barbosa home, which is the location for the Haunted Woods. Knowing that this will be the last year for this perennial scare fest is enough to bring out all those who love the nostalgia that it’s known to deliver. Tony and Alice Barbosa run the event with the assistance of their teenagers, Chloe and Rick. This will be a Halloween that none of them will ever forget but not for the sentimental reasons they might have expected.

Rick is spending Halloween with his best friend, Billie Suarez, who is dressed as Storm from the X-Men. Billie learns of Rick and his family leaving Coventry, so they want to make the most of their last Halloween together. While they are in the neighborhood trick-or-treating, they come across a strange individual in a costume that looks like a demented version of the Scarecrow from The Wizard of Oz. This will not be the last bizarre thing that happens to them on this fateful night.

Charlie Sweeney, whose parents had a legendary blowout fight in front of the entire neighborhood and appear destined for divorce, meets an odd little girl named Sarah Jane while he is out and about on Halloween. She is not with anyone and appears to have no family around. Charlie has never seen her before, either in town or at school. Sarah Jane goes on to tell him about her fear of The Cunning Man and how she does not want to be captured by him again. Charlie is obviously unsettled by this encounter.

Zack Burgess, a sadistic resident who is seeking to abduct and do horrible things to local children, is himself ended by a mysterious figure who whispers to him: The children have always been mine. Whatever this ancient evil is, whether it be The Cunning Man or something else, it is a formidable presence and appears to be on a mission. On this evening, there are children like Sarah Jane who will interact with various people in the neighborhood. Each has a similar cryptic story, some claiming to be not even from Massachusetts or this timeframe, which really freaks out all those who interact with them.

ALL HALLOWS is a dark ride on a night known for ghostly, supernatural thrills but goes just a bit farther. With Christopher Golden at the helm of this incredibly creepy tale, I would expect no less!