Christopher Golden’s novels and frequent collaborations have crossed the line into several different genres, where he has almost always excelled. But he never looks better than when he writes horror. The dynamic and exciting CARRY ME TO MY GRAVE is a perfect example of this. 

I can only imagine how much fun Golden had while conjuring up this wicked tale of witchcraft, demons and nonstop chase scenes. The opening sentence depicts an image of a rotting but not completely dead body, wrapped in tree roots, under a farmer's cornfield. A hunger has caused this creature to awaken, and it will be far from the only one. The reason for this subterranean activity is the death of a woman, Maggie Wise, who was long believed to be an evil and powerful witch.

"Christopher Golden’s novels and frequent collaborations have crossed the line into several different genres, where he has almost always excelled. But he never looks better than when he writes horror. The dynamic and exciting CARRY ME TO MY GRAVE is a perfect example of this."

For decades, Maggie’s family was tormented by a neighborhood that chanted “Maggie Wise will take your eyes.” On her deathbed, Maggie makes her loyal son, Malcolm, promise that he will take her body from their Indiana home all the way to Shediak, Maine, where he must bury her in her birthplace in a very tight timeframe --- or else bad things are going to happen. Malcolm has some inkling of what she means, especially after he was confronted by a being with a raven’s head. Accompanying him is his sister-in-law, Violet, who also lives with them while his brother, Elias, is away.

Utilizing the assistance of Paxson Keates, the old man from the funeral home, Malcolm and Violet get Maggie’s body prepared for the long trip that begins on a train. If you have ever seen the terrific horror flick Train to Busan, then you will have some idea of what is about to transpire. The amount of underworld denizens that do not want Malcolm and Violet to succeed seem too numerous to count, and their horrific appearances are straight out of the pages of an H.P. Lovecraft story. After the train derails, the situation gets really tense as the clock is ticking.

Elias shows up unexpectedly, but he may not be what he seems. Akin to a plot line from a Sam Raimi Evil Dead film, the demonic creatures are capable of possessing anyone they come in contact with and use those vessels for their own ends. This makes it very difficult for Malcolm and Violet to know who to trust, and their already challenging mission just became that much tougher.

Malcolm receives welcome aid from his long-absent rebel sister, Jennie, who arrives by motorcycle. The trio escape from an overzealous deputy who briefly incarcerates them as they try to convince him of the higher and quite supernatural purpose that is driving their need to carry a corpse across state lines. The journey keeps getting increasingly difficult as long-buried forces become more powerful the closer they get to Shediak.

CARRY ME TO MY GRAVE is so much fun and will appeal to both horror and adrenaline-inspired thriller fans.