Reading McCammons books in order has truly made this experience格外特别. While his first 4 novels aren't bad, they lean more towards 70s/80s trashy horror. It's as if the author is finding his rhythm while dealing with all the different tropes in the horror genre. However, this book right here is undoubtedly the beginning of the genius McCammon that I've heard so much about. This is where he has matured significantly. It's like reading a completely different author.

Mystery Walk is a coming-of-age tale about Billy Creekmore, who is born with a powerful gift - the ability to see the dead and put their souls to rest. Billy has to come to terms with his powers at an early age, with the help of his mother and grandmother, from whom he inherited the gift. In my opinion, the first and best half of the book mainly focuses on Billy growing up and struggling to lead a normal life, which is all he desires, while also trying to use his powers for good and understand them. To see where they take him. To follow his mystery walk. With his father and classmates being against him, many parts of Billy's life are truly sad to read. In particular, one scene at the school prom completely broke my heart as Billy plays up to what people think he is, after just wanting to fit in and be like everyone else. I could swear someone was cutting onions nearby while I was reading that scene.

I definitely preferred the story when it remained low-key and was mainly about the Creekmores. While not bad at all, in the second half, we are introduced to another character who crosses paths with Billy, and a rather unbelievable gangster story that is very clichéd. I believe that without the inclusion of this mob, the story could still have reached its intended destination. That being said, there are still some cool and grisly bits, and the final chase scene across the desert is very memorable and creepy.

So why 5 stars then? The entire book is extremely readable and never, ever boring. And Billy is seriously one of my favorite characters in all of fiction. His story is superb, and I imagine I will revisit this one again and again.

Review edited 10.14.13.

I am an extremely huge fan of Robert McCammon. Now that his older works are all becoming available as e-books, I am making an effort to re-read everything of McCammon's that I read during my teenage years. Fortunately for me, these stories have withstood the test of time.

"Mystery Walk" is the story of two boys. One is of Choctaw blood and has the ability to see and communicate with the dead. The other is the son of a famous evangelist and can heal the sick. The tales of these boys as they journey towards manhood are truly fascinating. How they uncover the gifts hidden within them and how they learn to handle these gifts were the most captivating aspects of the book for me.

Initially, I didn't fully embrace the ending, although I thought it was okay. However, the characters developed throughout the book, and I really enjoyed the character development. I have always admired McCammon's prose. He knows how to skillfully weave words together to create a complete and engaging story fabric.

***Revision 10.14.13. - A third reading of this book has led me to change a couple of things in this review. This time around, I thought the ending was perfect. In fact, I can't envision any other ending that would have been more suitable. Also, I'm not certain if the e-book version has been updated, but I suspect it has because I didn't notice the errors this time that I found during the first reading. There were still a few typos, but nothing more than what one would typically expect in a print book.

It must be a sign of a great writer when the author can change a reader's perspective on the ending after all these years and two previous readings. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and if it sounds interesting to you or if you're a fan of Mr. McCammon, give it a try. I believe you'll like it! Highly recommended!

What a brilliant blast from the past!

We encounter an evangelist from the south, JJ Falconer, and his son Wayne, who possesses the ability to heal. Then there are the Creekmores, with Ramona and Billy commanding a mysterious gift: they can see who's going to die soon and communicate with the dead.

Of course, there is a battle raging between the evangelist and the native mystery. Who will ultimately emerge victorious? What about the shrewd businessman attempting to exploit both Wayne and Billy? What is the secret connection between Billy and Wayne? And what about the mysterious walk that each of the main characters (or we, the readers) undertakes?

This is a great and absolutely captivating tale told by a master storyteller. The characters are exquisitely crafted, and you'll bear witness to the timeless war between good and evil (the snake and the eagle). The shapechanger is a truly terrifying classic monster.

If you have a penchant for stories about American Indian mystery, evangelists, clansmen, and the south, then this is the novel for you. It's something to be fully savored. An absolute highlight of the year that had me hooked from the very first page to the last. Highly recommended and a must-read!

Mystery Walk is a truly sublime coming-of-age tale.

Set against the backdrop of the American South in the late 1950s and early 1960s, it offers a vivid and engaging portrayal of that era. Billy Creekmore is an utterly captivating character, one that readers will easily find themselves rooting for.

My heart broke for him on more than one occasion as he struggles to come to terms with his special abilities and deal with the small-town racism and evangelical fanaticism that pervades not only the town of Hawthorne but also his own family.

Other parts of this thrilling story had me on the edge of my seat as Billy must fight for his life against the malevolent Evil that seeks to destroy him because of his gift.

Wayne Falconer is a character that I loved to hate. He is spoiled, judgmental, and weak, yet there is also a part of me that feels sorry for him.

As the lives of these two boys intertwine and impact each other in horrific ways, I was drawn deeper and deeper into this gripping tale of good versus evil.

Nick Sullivan does a phenomenal job narrating this book. I was so completely absorbed in the story that I felt as if each person speaking was an actual different individual rather than just one person reading it. This is no easy feat for a narrator to achieve!

I wholeheartedly recommend this totally engrossing 5-star book, whether in print or in audiobook format. It is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a well-written and engaging story.

Absolutely awesome!

I just can't say it enough. I truly love Robert McCammon's work.

His writing is like a beating heart and soul that many works today are unfortunately missing.

McCammon has this unique ability to bring his stories to life in a way that few others can.

The characters he creates are so vivid and real, you can't help but become invested in their lives.

The plots are always engaging and full of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat.

Whether it's a horror story or a thriller, McCammon knows how to write in a way that grabs your attention and doesn't let go.

His work is a breath of fresh air in a literary world that can sometimes feel stale and formulaic.

If you haven't read any of Robert McCammon's books yet, you are seriously missing out.

Do yourself a favor and pick up one of his works today. You won't be disappointed.

The first part of this book brings to my mind a TV serial from 2003 known as ‘Carnival’. It was centered around a farm boy with a special gift who joined the Carnival, along with a Fire & Brimstone Preacher and his sister. This book, on the other hand, is about two boys. One is a farm boy named Billy Creekmore, who is half Choctaw Indian. He has the ability to see ghosts and relieve their pain, guiding them into the Afterlife. He can also perceive black auras around those who are about to die. The other boy is the son of the South’s most popular tent evangelist, Wayne Falconer, who has a healing gift. The Falconers despise the Creekmores, firmly believing they are evil and must be eradicated. Each boy must embark on his own Mystery Walk, which is the journey through life to determine one's place and purpose. However, only Billy has been informed and taught about this. There is also a serpent-like apparition, a shape changer that haunts Billy and incites others to do evil. Both boys dream of a battle between an eagle and a serpent. The story then follows Billy and Wayne through their lives into their teens, with Wayne becoming obsessed with wanting Billy Creekmore and his mother dead. They finally meet in the desert after a plane crash. Taking refuge in a copse, the raging, hungry shape changer pursues them. And on a slab of desert mountain rock, they come together in fear, uniting their extraordinary powers against the unshackled spirit of the Shape Changer.

This captivating tale weaves together elements of the supernatural, mystery, and conflict, drawing readers into a world where the boundaries between good and evil are blurred. The characters are richly developed, each with their own unique gifts and struggles. The descriptions of the settings, from the farm to the desert, add to the overall atmosphere of the story. As the boys face their challenges and come to terms with their powers, readers are left on the edge of their seats, eager to see what will happen next.

I thought Mystery Walk was an outstanding coming-to-age story centered around Billy Creekmore, a young man of Choctaw heritage.

Billy is not only distinct due to his Native American blood but also possesses supernatural abilities. He inherited his gift of seeing life and death from his mother, along with her strength and kindness.

In Mystery Walk, he endeavors to survive in southern Alabama from the 1950s to the end of the 1960s. He has to grapple with racism, sexism, and classism, as well as the presence of the KKK and extreme religious beliefs.

I admired how Robert McCammon put his own unique twist on Native American mysticism through the mystery walk that Billy, his mom, and grandmother must undertake.

I was also enthralled by the battle between good and evil in this!

This is无疑 a well-crafted plot, and I adored the moments when Billy taps into his supernatural talents. The ending and pacing were both highly satisfying for me.

Definitely looking forward to delving into more McCammon books soon!

MYSTERY WALK [1983] By Robert McCammon
My Review Five Stars*****

It occurred to me that my reading list for October should have some horror fiction. I thought of the unread works of Robert McCammon on my Kindle. MYSTERY WALK was his first hardcover book. McCammon is a founder of the Horror Writer’s Association and known for modern horror and historical fiction. I first found him through some used paperbacks my girlfriend got. One was THEY THIRST, and I was hooked. Ironically, he wasn't proud of his early works at first. But now they're available, and he admits he might have been too hard on himself. His NYT Bestseller THE WOLF’s HOUR is one of my favorites.

But I digress. I finished MYSTERY WALK last night and loved it. It's historical fiction with a supernatural Native American mysticism theme. The plot is set in the Old South in the 50’s and 60’s. It starts in Hawthorne, Alabama. There's the Confederate Flag, KKK meetings, racial tensions, and intolerance. The main character is Billy Creekmore, with a respected father from Hawthorne and a full-blooded Choctaw Indian mother. The townspeople are prejudiced against his mother and fear her as a witch. Billy is an outcast, taunted and bullied.

Ramona, Billy’s mother, taught him the “Mystery Walk” and the tribe’s mysticism. Billy inherits psychic powers. He can cross the barrier between life and death and see the aura of approaching death. His growth and acceptance of his gift is his birthright and burden. He must help spirits transition. Ramona’s ability helps him communicate with trapped souls. Billy is lucky to have his mother and grandmother teach him about his powers and the “mystery walk”. He returns home enlightened.

The storyline follows Billy’s journey from youth to manhood on his Mystery Walk. It also follows Wayne Falconer, the son of a tent evangelist. He has the ability to heal. The novel shows his transformation into a successful miracle worker. In a broader sense, the author tells a tale of Good versus Evil. Billy and Wayne are on opposite sides. Wayne is being manipulated by evil. The story builds to an epic showdown between the two boys.

MYSTERY WALK is one of the most gripping novels I've read this year. It stayed with me long after I finished. It's a powerful story of a young man's piety and belief against his deceived, evil brother. The showdown is unputdownable. The book made me feel like I was on an epic adventure with supernatural trimmings. It will keep you riveted and turning pages in this memorable tale of Good versus Evil in the Old South.

An Excellent Book

This is likely my fourth or fifth encounter with this remarkable book. It truly stands out as an excellent piece of literature. Each time I pick it up, I am drawn into its captivating world. The story is engaging, filled with twists and turns that keep me on the edge of my seat. The characters are well-developed, with unique personalities and motives that make them easy to relate to. The writing style is流畅 and engaging, making it a pleasure to read. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good story. Whether you are a fan of fiction or non-fiction, this book has something for everyone. It is a must-read that will leave you with a lasting impression.

4.5 stars

Robert McCammon is a writer who truly merits greater attention. Although he doesn't self-identify as a horror writer, he is often categorized as such. And if he is, his work competes with heavyweights like Stephen King and Dean Koontz. I read Boy's Life in 2019 and found it to be fantastic. Mystery Walk is also an excellent novel and among his earlier works. For a time, this was the oldest novel he recognized, but he has since begun to recognize his first four novels and allowed them to be reprinted. I would contend that McCammon's works blend various genres, especially those that incorporate speculative fiction. The remarkable thing about his work is that even the supernatural elements within it have realistic explanations, which makes it all the more mind-boggling.

Mystery Walk follows Billy Creekmore, who lives with his parents, John and Ramona, in Hawthorne, Alabama, and is 25% Choctaw. His mother, Ramona, is 50% Choctaw, while his maternal grandmother, Rebekah Fairmountain, is 100% Choctaw. His father, John, is a man of Christian faith but also a Klansman. While he cares for his family, his need to fit into society by being a Klansman leaves a significant stain on his reputation (perhaps not in his and the community's eyes, but in the general population's and those of us reading this book). Billy has a coming-of-age moment and discovers that he can sense death upon being drawn into the Booker house. The Bookers are friends of John's, and he is friends with the man of the house, Dave, an abusive man connected to the deaths of his wife and children.

After Billy's horrifying encounter, the Creekmores go to the Falconers' service, where Jimmy Jed Falconer leads the service, and his son, Wayne, has the ability to rid people of their demons. The interaction between Billy and Wayne leads to a demonic encounter when Billy tries to confess his sins and seek Wayne's help in ridding him of his demons.

One of McCammon's great strengths is his ability to create a great deal of dimension within his characters. Wayne Falconer may be seen as Billy's most direct antagonist, but Wayne has plenty of flaws and complexities in his own right, which also leads him to question his motives and abilities at times. Jimmy Jed, meanwhile, cares most about the well-being of his son. While he wants to make the most of his abilities to heal people, he knows that there are things that even Wayne has to leave up to God.

The greatest horrors in this piece are not even the supernatural moments but those that are real and relevant to this world, particularly the generational continuity of hatred that leads to deadly consequences. Among the most horrifying is the hatred from children that stems from their parents or guardians, who should be setting a better example instead of inciting their children to be hurtful to those who are not like themselves. The Leightons, Ralph and Duke, are perhaps the best example in this piece. In a broader retrospect, the relevance of the KKK in 1961 in Hawthorne, as a remnant of a piece released in 1983, is quite chilling, and viewing natives as demonic is quite horrifying and despicable. The name "Hawthorne" is also fitting, as taking away the "w" gives you "Hathorne," as in John Hathorne, perhaps the most willing to jump to conclusions among Salem Witch Trial judges, both in real life and as depicted in Arthur Miller's The Crucible.

While there is a great deal of hatred, prejudice, and bias shown among many of Hawthorne's citizens, the Choctaw in this piece display a great sense of wisdom. Billy's grandmother, Rebekah, probably offers the wisest words on page 117 (in the paperback):

"Now where was I? Oh, yes. The giver of breath. God of the Choctaws. God of the white man. He also gives gifts of talent, Billy, to use for his good. Inhale the smoke, all the way. Yes, that's right. Some people can paint beautiful pictures, some can make sweet music, others work with their hands, and some with their wits; but in all people is the seed of talent, to do something of value in this world. And doing that - perfecting that talent, making the seed grow to good fruit - should be the aim of this life."

These are wise words that we should all live by, using our talents and strengths to contribute to making the world and those who live in it a better place. Billy's grandmother is the one who sends him on his mystery walk, and while it is initially vague, it seems to result in a sense of coming to terms with and realizing the kind of world we live in.

Another realization in this text is that when enough horrifying things happen in one's lifetime, how much does it matter what the final result is like? This applies to reality as well, and that ability is a great strength in McCammon's writing. McCammon is a solid success when it comes to creating multidimensional characters who are flawed, make poor choices, but ultimately mean well. This challenges one's ability to develop a sense of empathy, but if one can do so, it can really make them a better person with a stronger character. This is a challenge that Billy faces, but we can easily find ourselves in Billy's position while adding and subtracting a few details.

Mystery Walk is a very haunting, thought-provoking story because he honestly portrays the world as a scary place and people as a scary species, but one that is far more complex than we can fully understand. It is definitely worth reading, and I definitely want to read more by Robert McCammon.

MYSTERY WALK is an enthralling story that delves into the epic battle between good and evil. Robert McCammon is a master at crafting such tales, and this one is no exception.

I won't go into great detail about the plot, as the book was written in the 80's and countless reviews have already covered it. Suffice it to say that this is my fourth time experiencing this story, and this time, it had an even greater impact on me. I'm not entirely sure why. Maybe as I've aged, I've gained a deeper understanding and appreciation for the truth and depth within the tale.

Another factor could be the narrator, Nick Sullivan. He brought the characters to life in a way that made it easy for me to picture the small town of Hawthorn and its diverse cast of residents, both the hateful and the sweet. I could vividly imagine the tent revivals of J.J. Falconer and the dubious claims of healing made by his son Wayne. (I had to make a conscious effort not to dwell on Wayne's first attempt at healing, as it's quite memorable if you read the book.) Mr. Sullivan's voicing was truly excellent, and for this reason, I've upgraded my rating from previous reads of 4 and 4.5 stars to a full five.

MYSTERY WALK is a book that is full of hope, yet it doesn't shy away from the hardships and difficulties that we all face in life. The beautiful prose of Robert McCammon is enhanced by Nick Sullivan's narration. If you're in need of a little inspiration and hope during these challenging times, I highly recommend giving MYSTERY WALK a listen. And if you do, don't forget to give Billy Creekmore a hug from me and say hi on my behalf.

You can get your copy here: Mystery Walk

*I received a free copy of this audiobook from the narrator, in exchange for my honest review. This is it!*

One person has the ability to communicate with the dead.

The other has the power to heal the living.

Both of them must embark on a mysterious journey!

The central character in this story is Billy Creekmore, who has Choctaw Indian heritage and a psychic gift. He can not only see the dead but also have conversations with them.

Then there is Wayne Falconer, the son of an evangelist. He travels with his father to conduct religious revivals. He possesses healing powers, yet there is something more hidden within Wayne that meets the eye.

I'll just stop here for now.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters are well-developed and the dialogue is excellent. Some of them are extremely likable, while others make you want to give them a good throat punch!

It's a real page-turner, with a well-paced and original plot.

I would highly recommend this book to fans of Stephen King.