I wasn't really a fan of this novel.

I thought that a few of the beginning chapters were quite unnecessary. They ended up spoiling any potential tension or mystery that could have been present in the later parts of the story.

The actual concept of the novel did sound interesting, but it was somewhat clumsily executed. This led to haphazard pacing and the dumping of exposition every fifty pages or so.

However, I did find some of the characters to be interesting, and the last forty pages provided a decent enough climax.

From what I understand, McCammon isn't overly proud of this particular novel. But I do believe that the book is important enough as it allows us to see an author in the early stages of his career developing his style.

It is well-written enough, with many beautifully descriptive passages. And when compared to a Laymon novel, it can even be considered a masterpiece.

If you have an interest in '80s horror shlock, then this novel is serviceable enough. But for me personally, I just wasn't into it.

It wasn't exactly what I had been anticipating. However, I still managed to enjoy it to a great extent. There were certain aspects that deviated from my initial expectations, but that didn't overshadow the overall experience. The unexpected elements added a touch of novelty and excitement. I found myself engaged in the activity, despite the differences. Maybe it was the charm of the unknown or the ability to adapt and find pleasure in something new. In any case, I'm glad I gave it a chance and discovered that even when things don't go as planned, there can still be enjoyment to be had.

**** 3.8 STARS ****

The female of the species is more deadlier than the male.

Robert McCammon almost always manages to deliver engaging stories, and in the case of Bethany's Sin, it was, for the most part, very good. I thoroughly enjoyed the slow build-up of the plot and the setting. The idea of a small town in America with a murderer lurking in the shadows is always a great setup. It creates an atmosphere of mystery and suspense that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.

Even though I didn't find Bethany's Sin to be as outstanding as some of McCammon's other fantastic books, there was still a lot to like about it. The characters were well-developed, and the author did a good job of making them feel real and relatable. The story also had some unexpected twists and turns that added to the overall excitement.

Overall, Bethany's Sin is a solid read that fans of mystery and thriller novels will likely enjoy. While it may not be McCammon's best work, it still has enough to offer to keep readers entertained from start to finish.

I finished this book weeks ago.

However, I have just been extremely busy with my new job, which has prevented me from sharing my thoughts on it earlier.

Robert McCammon's early works never cease to amaze me.

This particular one, for me, strongly reminded me of Thomas Tryon's Harvest Home.

In this story, men are either brutally put down or shockingly used as fertilizer.

The suspense and foreboding build up magnificently as the story progresses, reaching a thrilling crescendo.

It's a battle of the sexes, involving a long lost tribe of the Amazons, a truly vicious group of women who idolize and worship their unique culture.

Overall, this book truly delivers an unforgettable reading experience.

3.5 stars

This rating of 3.5 stars indicates a somewhat above-average performance or quality. It suggests that there are both positive aspects and areas that could use some improvement.

Perhaps the product or service being evaluated has several notable features or qualities that contribute to its relatively high score. However, there may also be some minor flaws or不足之处 that prevent it from achieving a full 4 or 5-star rating.

For example, the design might be appealing and functional, but there could be some usability issues that need to be addressed. Or the customer service might be generally good, but there could be occasions when responses are a bit slow or less than satisfactory.

Overall, a 3.5-star rating implies that the product or service has some merit and is worth considering, but it also leaves room for further enhancement to reach an even higher level of excellence.

Riveting and chilling is truly the most apt way to describe this remarkable book. It has a captivating allure that makes it extremely difficult to put down. Once you start reading, you'll find yourself completely engrossed in its pages. However, it's not without its drawbacks as it has the potential to cause some rather disturbing nightmares. The author's writing style is seamless and fluid, allowing the story to unfold effortlessly. The characters, both the good and the bad, are vividly defined and come to life on the pages. Their actions and motives are complex and add depth to the narrative. What makes this book even more remarkable is that the ending is completely unexpected. I had no inkling of what was coming, and it left me in a state of shock and awe.

There was a Futurama episode titled "Amazon Women in the Mood." Interestingly, that very title could also accurately describe this particular book. In fact, within the pages of this book, there was even a chapter named "The Decision." In this chapter, the protagonist found himself in a rather difficult and perhaps even life-altering situation. He had to make a choice between having a painful death or succumbing to death by Snu Snu. The concept of having to decide between these two rather extreme and unappealing options added a layer of tension and drama to the story. It made the reader wonder what choice the protagonist would ultimately make and how it would impact the rest of the narrative.

Evan Reid relocates to Bethany's Sin along with his wife Kay and daughter Laurie. Right from the start, he has a hunch that something is amiss. He is plagued by nightmares that later prove to be premonitions. The malevolence that is terrorizing Bethany's Sin arrives on demon steeds. They are pitiless and brimming with hatred. Their victims are exclusively men. The question that lingers is: why do they despise men so intensely?

Perhaps there is a dark secret hidden within the history of Bethany's Sin that has given rise to this hatred. Maybe the men of the town have committed some unforgivable act in the past that has angered the forces of evil. Or could it be that the demons have a twisted agenda of their own, using the men as pawns in their diabolical game?

Evan is determined to get to the bottom of this mystery and protect his family from the encroaching evil. With each passing day, the danger grows, and he must race against time to uncover the truth before it's too late.

Trashy AF, but written well enough. It's kind of like a gender-flipped Stepford Wives. Instead of the typical scenario where the wives are the ones being controlled and made into perfect, subservient beings, it's the men in this story. However, it's not just a simple role reversal. McCammon adds his own trademark violence and gore to the mix. There are scenes that are truly shocking and gruesome, yet they are written in a way that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The story unfolds with a sense of mystery and suspense, making you want to know more about what is happening and why. Despite its trashy nature, there is a certain charm to the writing that makes it enjoyable to read. It's not a deep or thought-provoking novel, but it's definitely a fun and entertaining read for those who enjoy a bit of violence and gore in their stories.

I read this decades ago. It was such a memorable piece that has stayed with me all these years. The words, the story, everything about it had a profound impact on me. Since then, I have often thought about that particular reading experience and how it made me feel.

Now, I am hoping to find it to read again. I long to relive those moments, to immerse myself in the world that the author had created. I believe that reading it again will bring back a flood of memories and perhaps even give me a new perspective on it.

I have searched high and low, scoured libraries, bookstores, and even the internet, but so far, my efforts have been in vain. However, I am not one to give up easily. I will continue my search until I find that precious piece of writing and can once again enjoy the beauty and wonder of it.

Written in 1980, McCammon's second novel holds a unique place. It's not among the author's personal favorites. In fact, he believed that his first three novels shouldn't be reprinted as the writing didn't measure up to his later work. Robert is his own harshest critic.

While this might not be his absolute best story, it's still an excellent read. That's the essence of McCammon. He sets the bar incredibly high. He's an outstanding author, and "Bethany's Sin" is filled with his trademarks - an intriguing premise, fully developed and vivid three-dimensional characters, and a writing style that hooks you and draws you in.

Evan, a writer and Vietnam veteran who has witnessed his fair share of horrors, along with his wife Kay, a math professor, and their young daughter Laurie, move to the charming and well-kept small town of Bethany's Sin, Pennsylvania, to begin a new life. Evan's dreams have disrupted their previous attempts in other cities. You see, he has a tendency to predict danger through the recall of his nightmares. His wife doesn't believe in his premonitions and thinks he's creating problems by overanalyzing his dreams. Soon after arriving in Bethany's Sin, Evan starts having troubling visions at night again. Not wanting to cause issues so soon after moving into their dream neighborhood, he tries to suppress his visions. Kay takes a position at a local community college and encounters the head of the history department, Dr. Drago. She discovers that Drago is also the mayor of Bethany's Sin and a woman of captivating qualities. Interestingly, Evan notices that the village is populated with dominant women, either single or married to submissive husbands. Strangely, there's a museum in town dedicated to the lost civilization of the Amazon women.

McCammon skillfully unfolds his story, developing the characters and setting up the curious scenes in the first half of the novel and then ramps up the pace in the second half. It's definitely worth picking up.

4 out of 5 stars

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I read this book for the From Hell bookclub. It was my very first encounter with a Robert McCammon book. Oh Boy! Gentlemen, hold on to your seats for this one! (No pun intended). Without giving away too many details of the story line, I must say that the plot was truly unique. I had never read a book quite like it before. Reading this book piqued my interest and made me eager to explore more about lost cities and different civilizations that have vanished. History has clearly shown us that there have indeed been cultures and towns that have simply disappeared. It is truly a fascinating topic.

Bethany's Sin is filled with so many hidden secrets. Evan and his family should have just kept driving when they passed the town sign. Of course, if he had, then we wouldn't have a story at all, LOL. I also thoroughly enjoyed reading the author's concept of the story and the book itself. Day in and day out, as he drove to work, he would pass a mysterious yet well-kept home that had "women's club" written on the front. He would see shadows at night through the windows of the home and notice cars parked out front, but he never actually saw a person go into or come out of the house.......

The women from Bethany's Sin are after their men. They have a horrific ritual that involves them chopping off one of their own breasts to better hold their bow & arrows! Oh yeah, it gets really gory. As I said, it's a first for me in terms of the storyline concept. I absolutely loved the cultish macabre feel of the story!