Scott Carson is the pen name for legendary thriller writer Michael Koryta. I respect that Koryta’s love of horror is strong enough for him to write under a different name so that he receives the accolades he deserves for stepping out of his typical comfort zone. His latest effort, LOST MAN’S LANE, not only lives up to the hype but may be his best book to date.

The novel reads like a superior work of literary fiction as it tells a coming-of-age tale set in Bloomington, Indiana, in 1999. However, just underneath the surface of this small town is plenty of horrific elements --- some human, some unexplainable and clearly of the supernatural variety. This is what torments our narrator, high school student Marshall Miller. He sees things that other people don’t, which makes him both a valuable witness in a criminal case and a pariah later on.

"As I was reading this instant classic, I kept thinking about the iconic novels that it reminded me of, like Stephen King’s IT, Dan Simmons’ SUMMER OF NIGHT, and Robert McCammon’s BOY’S LIFE. This is literary horror written by a master storyteller at the top of his game."

Marshall is an only child being raised by his mother, Monica, a popular meteorologist who is known for the tagline “It’s Miller time.” The big event for Marshall is finally getting his driver’s license. Unfortunately, the first time he heads out on the road by himself as a licensed driver, he is stopped by the police. Corporal Maddox, who coyly pronounces his title “Corporeal,” berates Marshall for doing 39 in a 30 zone and uses language most would find inappropriate for a member of law enforcement. Marshall is shaken by the exchange and accepts his ticket.

As Maddox pulls away, Marshall notices that there is a teenage girl in the back seat of the police cruiser wearing a dress that resembles the uniform at a local ice cream parlor. Readers should keep in mind that Marshall’s keen sense of awareness and eagle eye will both help and hurt him.

With no social media to speak of in 1999, AIM allowed for basic online communication. It is through this instant messaging service that Marshall, his buddy Dom, and his closest friend for whom he carries a torch, Kerri Flanders, find out about one of Sean Weller’s legendary keg parties on Lost Man’s Lane. At that first gathering, Marshall comes away with a potential girlfriend in Leslie Carter. When he shares the story of his run-in with Corporal Maddox, he finds out that there is no such position in the police department. He also learns that the girl he saw in Maddox’s vehicle could be the missing Meredith Sullivan, who disappeared on the same day that he was pulled over.

It turns out that Leslie’s dad is a police officer, and she asks Marshall to share his encounter with him. This also brings the Meredith Sullivan case to the forefront of local media and provides hope for her parents, who have never stopped searching for her. Marshall reaches out to the private investigator, Noah Storm, who has been working with the Sullivan family to find Meredith. Marshall makes such an impression on Noah that he offers the 16-year-old a summer job as his one and only intern.

Kerri gives Marshall some classic noir books to read in order to prepare for the internship, and he dives into his work feet first. One day, Marshall and Kerri go to Noah’s home office, and Marshall is horrified to find his employer shot through the head and his throat slashed. He then sees his recent nemesis, Maddox, sitting on the staircase mocking him. He runs out of the house in a panic and contacts the police. None other than Detective Carter shows up, and after hearing Marshall’s story, he is about to knock on the front door when Noah walks out unharmed and very much alive.

Marshall is taken to the police station, where they grill him about his false claims and threaten him. He is no longer the town hero and quickly becomes the town liar. The Sullivans are devastated that his clue about their daughter was probably a lie. Marshall is sent to counseling, loses his job with Noah, and must deal with this unwanted infamy from everyone in town and, worst of all, his school. Marshall is positive about what he saw and now believes that not only is Maddox some sort of supernatural “corporeal” figure but that Noah may not be who he claims to be.

As I was reading this instant classic, I kept thinking about the iconic novels that it reminded me of, like Stephen King’s IT, Dan Simmons’ SUMMER OF NIGHT, and Robert McCammon’s BOY’S LIFE. This is literary horror written by a master storyteller at the top of his game.