The Halloween Children

Earthling Publications, $40 188pp

Earthling Publications and Halloween Books are something that no reader of horror fiction, or any genre of fiction, should ever miss. A broad statement, true, but Paul Miller has yet to swing and miss on any book he has published. THE HALLOWEEN CHILDREN is another that has been knocked out of the park. This is a disturbing, claustrophobic, beyond enjoyable read that encompasses everything Halloween should be.
Of course, parallels will be drawn to The Shining, but that would extremely unfair to Brian Freeman and Norman Prentiss. THE HALLOWEEN CHILDREN is utterly original and deserves to be given applause on its own merits
This is an everyman’s horror story, the best, most relatable kind and holds family close to its dark heart.

Harris is the handyman, jack of all trades, of Stillbrook apartment complex where things are about to get, well, weird. It appears that the owner/manager of the complex decides that Halloween should be canceled this year and no party will take place, no decorations adorning the buildings and grounds.
That’s never a good idea.

Harris lives in his home with wife Lynn, son Matt, and daughter Amber. From the opening diary entries, we learn that the marriage is about as frayed as humanly possible without blood being spilled (for the moment). She is paranoid about her husband’s work around the complex, assuming the worst and believing something seriously wrong with their son. Parents can have favorites and this usually leads to hurt, deceit, and psychological wounds that have far-reaching effects. Mother sides with daughter and father with son, yet neither parent is aware of what their children are doing, or planning. When the children hear about the holiday cancellation, the slow motion disintegration of the family, community, and soul is already underway.

Freeman and Prentiss are talented, far more than have been recognized by the masses. The storytelling here is near flawless, as is the writing, always a challenge in a collaboration. If this is what they are capable of as a team, I hope that more will be on the way. The characters make the story and while this isn’t the Torrance family being torn apart, it’s more frightening. It’s your neighbors, friends, or maybe something much closer. Able to be read in one sitting, take some time and enjoy it, allowing its effects to take hold. A perfect tale for any holiday. Well, a holiday that includes a fragmented, fragile family, so yes, this is perfect for just about any reader.