I am confident that most readers of BLACK SHEEP will find Vesper Wright to be one of the most unique narrators and protagonists they have ever encountered. Rachel Harrison has done a commendable job here as she slowly lifts the veil on what Vesper is really all about.

Vesper left home at the age of 18 without ever second-guessing her decision. However, her life is far from spectacular. She has worked a series of nowhere jobs in the food service industry that has gotten her to the ripe-old age of 24. For the last three years, she has been a waitress at the chain restaurant Shortee’s, which she is not enjoying.

"Rachel Harrison dedicates her novel to 'the bad kids,' and the bad kid within every reader will gobble up this deliciously horrific novel. I enjoyed spending time with Vesper, even though she may have a serious dark side."

By leaving home, Vesper ran away from her mother. Constance had a nice career as a scream queen starring in dozens of horror films that have developed a cult following. During a closing shift at Shortee’s, Vesper is tasked with a table full of male chauvinist buffoons, one of whom keeps telling her how much she looks like her mother. She tries to handle their verbal and physical harassment, and even brings one of them a requested extra cup of nuked queso. Unfortunately, for the “gentleman” in question, it explodes in his face causing bad burns. As a result, Vesper is let go from her job, even though she informs her manager of their unacceptable behavior.

Now, with no job or means to pay her rent and bills, Vesper is at a crossroads. How timely it is that she should just happen to receive a wedding invitation from her cousin, Rosie, who is betrothed to Vesper’s ex, Brody. With nothing else keeping her away for the moment, she decides to attend, even if it’s just to express her well wishes to the family and make Brody feel guilty for moving on from her and ending up with her closest relative.

Vesper returns to the small hamlet of Virgil, New Jersey, proving that you can indeed go home again. We already have learned that Vesper does not have a belief system that includes any specific religion and may even be an atheist. It is then revealed that her entire family and everyone at the wedding are members of Hell’s Gate, a long-standing Satanic cult. The black sheep of the family is back in the fold, at least temporarily.

Unfortunately, Vesper has never known the identity of her father. Now, as an adult, she is convinced that many of the Hell’s Gate residents are well aware of who he is, which bothers her. When he finally decides to show up and pay his respects to Rosie and Brody, Vesper will get the answers to everything that has troubled her about her existence. I will keep the revelations a secret, but astute horror readers should be able to read between the lines and figure out who the black sheep really is.

Rachel Harrison dedicates her novel to “the bad kids,” and the bad kid within every reader will gobble up this deliciously horrific novel. I enjoyed spending time with Vesper, even though she may have a serious dark side.