I absolutely loved this. There are numerous reasons for it. Firstly, the concept of women being the stronger gender is clearly an uncommon one in this genre (or in any genre for that matter). It was truly enjoyable to explore this idea.

Secondly, the ending was simply perfect. So many horror stories attempt to end on a happy or romantic note, but this one didn't make that attempt. It was truly amazing. It added a refreshing and unexpected twist to the narrative.

The author's ability to present a unique and engaging concept, along with a well-crafted ending, made this a truly memorable read. I look forward to seeing more of their work in the future.

This was a slow burn.

And by God, it was truly worth it.

The climax of this story is absolutely insane. The tale revolves around a town known as Bethany's Sin. It's a town that is rife with secrets, and just like in all good horror stories, one shouldn't simply take these places at face value. I must admit that the beginning was a bit of a slog, and perhaps it could have been trimmed down a bit. However, regardless of that, I'm extremely glad that I persisted in reading. The writing was of a high quality, and that really helped me get through the, let's say, more boring parts of the book.

If you have a penchant for slow burns, then this book is most definitely for you. On the other hand, if you're an impatient reader, then perhaps this might not be the ideal choice for you.

Usually, at this juncture of the review, I would inform you about where you can purchase this book. In my case, I had to order a second-hand copy from Amazon because Robert McCammon's books are completely unavailable locally here in Oman. In fact, I couldn't even find a single copy in this year's Book Fair. The ebooks, though, offer a great alternative, with platforms like Play Books and Kindle being excellent options.

Cheers.

McCammon’s second novel, Bethany’s Sin (1980), just like his first one, Baal, is inspired by ancient mythology.

It falls into the “town with a secret” horror subgenre, similar to works like Invasion of the Body Snatchers and Halloween III: Season of the Witch.

This novel focuses on a town in Pennsylvania with a mysterious name, which is run by a tribe of homicidal Amazons.

The story likely delves into the dark secrets and horrors that lurk within this town, as the Amazons’ actions and motives are explored.

McCammon’s use of ancient mythology adds an extra layer of depth and intrigue to the narrative, perhaps drawing on the rich tapestry of stories and characters from that era.

Readers of horror fiction are sure to be captivated by the unique setting and the menacing presence of the homicidal Amazons in Bethany’s Sin.

It offers a thrilling and chilling exploration of a town with a hidden and terrifying past.

When I was approximately 12 or 13 years old, I chanced upon my cousin's paperback copy of Bethany's Sin. I was completely engrossed and devoured the entire book in just one day. Back then, it seemed like truly captivating and exciting stuff. Recently, I decided to take another look at it to determine if it was as good as I remembered.

Well, it wasn't quite the same. I really wish McCammon had delved deeper into the Amazonian aspect of the story. Some of the dialogue spoken by the main male character bordered on being overly dramatic or histrionic, which actually made me laugh out loud at times. However, despite these flaws, the pacing of the book was still quite good. There were several scenes that were genuinely tense and scary, which kept me on the edge of my seat. Additionally, the flashbacks to the warrior women were extremely descriptive and interesting. I just wish there had been more of those flashbacks to really flesh out that part of the narrative.

Overall, I would rate this book a solid 3 stars. It had its strengths and weaknesses, but it was still an enjoyable read.

Just do it.

Read it. This is my new favorite author.

His writing style is truly captivating. The way he weaves words together to create vivid images and engaging stories is simply remarkable.

Every time I pick up one of his books, I am immediately drawn into the world he has created.

The characters are so well-developed that I feel as if I know them personally.

The plots are full of twists and turns, keeping me on the edge of my seat until the very end.

I can't get enough of his work and I'm always eager to see what he comes up with next.

He has quickly become one of the most important authors in my life and I would highly recommend his books to anyone looking for a great read.

3.5 Stars

This rating of 3.5 stars indicates a certain level of quality and performance.

It suggests that the subject being evaluated has both positive aspects and areas that could use some improvement.

Perhaps it has some great features or qualities that earn it a relatively high score, but there are also a few不足之处 that prevent it from receiving a full 5-star rating.

It could be that the user experience is not quite perfect, or there are some minor glitches or drawbacks.

However, overall, it still manages to provide a good enough experience to deserve a 3.5-star rating.

It shows that the product or service has potential and could be even better with a bit of fine-tuning and attention to detail.

So, while it may not be outstanding, it is still a decent option that can meet the needs of many users.

I wasn't entirely sure whether I should rate this book 4 or 5 stars. However, the story is so incredibly unique that I truly believe it merits a 5-star rating. This justifies my decision.

Bethany's Sin is a quiet town that seems like the perfect place to live. It has beautiful scenery and a peaceful atmosphere. What more could one ask for?

The main character, Evan, is a husband and father. He starts having strange dreams that he can't explain, and they terrify him. These dreams put a strain on his marriage as his wife, Kay, struggles to understand why Evan allows his dreams to have such a significant impact on his life. But Evan remains true to his dreams and pays close attention to the signs.

Strange events then begin to unfold, further straining Evan and Kay's relationship. Evan notices that the town has very few men, and those who are there are physically handicapped. A drifter, Neely Ames, arrives in town and also starts to notice weird things happening. For example, there are human teeth at the trash dump, and the sheriff won't leave Neely alone.

Evan and Neely eventually meet in the story, and things continue to get even weirder.

***SPOILERS BEYOND THIS POINT***

***DONT READ BEYOND THIS POINT***

Think of it like a horror version of Wonder Woman, which I think is really cool. I have no idea why McCammon doesn't like his first three books. I will continue to reread his works, but so far, the premises alone are outstanding.

I read this book in 1984. As a passionate horse lover and a dedicated artist, the cover of the book immediately caught my eye. It had a certain allure that made me curious to know more. Then, I turned to the back cover and read the synopsis. It seemed to be a story that was worth buying and reading.

The story follows a familiar theme. A normal family relocates to a small, secluded, yet idyllic rural town in Pennsylvania. However, this town hides a dark secret.

To be honest, when I first started reading, the first few chapters were rather dry and uninteresting. I found myself having to skip ahead. But, I did go back later and read them. The pace of the book is steady, with occasional lulls that build on the sense that something "ain't quite right" in Bethany's Sin.

The book introduces the concept of Amazons. Yes, the boogie women of an ancient Greek's nightmares. Basically, it plays on the cliché of man-hating Amazons in modern-day America. Their leader is the queen of an ancient band that was trapped and wiped out. Then, a female archaeologist discovers an ancient statue that, unbeknownst to her, contains the raging spirits of the slain Amazons. She becomes possessed and returns to the US to start her own community, resurrect the Amazon way, and tries to indoctrinate the hero's wife into the bloody cult. Men are regarded as little more than breeding stock, to be used and then eliminated if they challenge the status quo. The final confrontation is a bit over the top and dragged out. It's not Herculean, but it gives it a try.

In conclusion, it is not the best horror novel I have ever read, but it is certainly not the worst. It has its flaws, but it also has its moments that keep the reader engaged.

3.75/5

This is a pretty good 1980s horror story that features a very unique setup for the antagonist(s).

However, it does suffer from some pacing issues. The first half is rather slow, and there are regular lengthy paragraphs that often describe the characters’ internal thoughts. These descriptions could have been halved to improve the flow. Additionally, the character development could have been better. With more developed characters, the ending would have had a much bigger impact.

Otherwise, the story is fairly good throughout. It creates a horror vibe in a seemingly idyllic and pretty village in the US. A young family moves in and starts to encounter some deeply concerning things.

Overall, the first three books that McCammon wrote (this one, Baal, and The Night Boat) are all good, but they do not fully showcase the sublime writer that he becomes with works like Swan Song, the Matthew Corbett novels, or Stinger.

The experience was better the second time round. It was like a completely different story. The first time, there were so many uncertainties and challenges that made it a bit of a struggle. But when it came around again, I was more prepared. I had learned from my mistakes and was able to approach it with a newfound confidence. The details that had once seemed overwhelming now seemed manageable. I was able to focus on the positives and make the most of the opportunities that presented themselves. It was truly a remarkable transformation. The second time was not only better in terms of the outcome but also in the way I felt throughout the process. I had a sense of calm and determination that carried me through. It just goes to show that sometimes, giving something a second chance can lead to great things.

Lesson learned: If you decide to move to a new place to start a fresh life, your very first task should be to ensure that the name of that place doesn't make you question its origin. You simply can't move into a village named \\n  Bethany's Sin\\n and expect no strange or even evil things to occur there.

\\n  \\n    A man. The enemy is here, the destroyer of all things good and beautiful. Men.\\n  \\n

(To be honest, those lines are really powerful and hold some degree of truth)

\\"Bethany's Sin\\" is the second novel published by McCammon. I wholeheartedly concur with Dan Corey, a reviewer, who stated that this book is more personal than his debut work, \\"Baal\\". Honestly, I can't bear the greater part of Baal because the writing seemed so detached and it felt overly forced, as if McCammon was trying to make Baal more serious or significant than it actually was. However, in \\"Bethany's Sin\\", I sense that this is the Robert McCammon I'm completely in love with. This is the same Robert McCammon who captivated me with \\"Swan Song\\" and \\"The Wolf's Hour\\".

McCammon is extremely adept at creating a sympathetic protagonist. Evan Reid, a Vietnam war veteran with second sight that his mother regarded as a gift and his father labeled as a curse, haunted by his violent past and premonitions of the future, is a hero that readers can cheer for. A hero that readers want to cheer for. The narrative is atmospheric, perhaps a bit claustrophobic as there is something lingering in the paragraphs that makes you envision a cage with four sides closing in on you. I found myself sighing anxiously several times while reading; I truly cared about these unaware and unassuming characters. The payoff is superbly executed and the final battle is satisfying, although I can't claim that it's a happy ending because most horror stories don't exactly conclude happily.

\\n  \\n    No way to die is any good.\\n  \\n

I will continue to read the works of Robert McCammon. I believe he has firmly established himself as one of my favorite writers. Yes, yes, I know, another \\"white male author\\" and all that politically correct sentiment, but he is truly, really good. So it won't stop me. Not this time.

Bethany's Sin by Robert McCammon is an absolute gut-wrenching horror fest.

It has the power to make you want to hold your loved ones extremely tight.

Imagine a combination of the eerie and disturbing atmosphere of The Stepford Wives and the otherworldly and menacing elements of The Tommy Knockers.

This book takes you on a terrifying journey through a town where something truly evil is lurking.

The characters are vividly drawn, and you can't help but become invested in their fates.

As the story unfolds, the horror builds and builds, keeping you on the edge of your seat.

Bethany's Sin is a must-read for any horror fan looking for a truly unforgettable and spine-chilling experience.