Since it's Christmas eve, I will try to put up a short review tomorrow.

To be more specific, the writing of this work is rather bad and repetitive. It seems that the author lacks creativity and fails to present fresh and engaging content. However, there are still some good parts that can be found here and there. For example, the description of certain scenes or emotions is quite vivid and touching.

Nevertheless, the beginning of the story is extremely slow, which may cause readers to lose interest easily. Additionally, there are not many likable characters in the work. Most of the characters seem to be rather flat and lack depth and complexity. This makes it difficult for readers to establish an emotional connection with them.

Overall, although there are some闪光点 in this work, its flaws are also quite obvious. I hope the author can improve his writing skills and create a more excellent work in the future.

Evan is a Vietnam War veteran, scarred both physically and mentally. Since his youth, he has been plagued by terrifying nightmares, some of which seem to be prophetic. In an attempt to change his environment, he has just moved, along with his wife Kay and daughter Laurie, to the quiet little village of Bethany's Sin.

However, it soon becomes known that several heinous crimes have occurred in the vicinity. Over time, Evan realizes that there are few men in the village and begins to have strange dreams about warrior women on horseback. Then, his wife's behavior starts to change.

The story unfolds with heinous crimes, strange phenomena, women with personality changes, and legends of ancient Greece, leading us towards its conclusion.

Personally, I found the novel a bit slow-paced at times, but I still managed to read it relatively quickly, which is a testament to my appreciation. Overall, I quite liked this novel with its eerie atmosphere.

The Reid family relocates to a peaceful and idyllic small village named Bethany's Sin. Their intention is to flee from the past that continues to haunt the dreams of Evan Reid. He is convinced that his dreams serve as warnings of future events. However, his wife Kay holds the belief that he still endures the consequences of the Vietnam War and is afraid that these dreams will shatter their family.

Kathryn Drago, an historian, participated in an archaeological discovery approximately fifteen years ago. She brings artifacts to Bethany's Sin that have an impact on the behavior of the village residents.

This story is filled with abundant suspense and gore. It is told in a masterful way that sustains the reader's interest until the very conclusion. The combination of the Reid family's struggle with Evan's dreams and the influence of Kathryn Drago's artifacts creates a captivating and thrilling narrative. The village of Bethany's Sin becomes a backdrop for a web of mystery and danger, leaving the reader on the edge of their seat, eager to uncover the secrets that lie within.

A great early novel from one of the best

Vietnam was a harrowing experience that would forever linger in his dreams, haunting his slumber like a persistent nightmare. The horrors he witnessed there were indelible, etching themselves deep into his psyche. But little did he know that his journey was far from over. He had to make the fateful move to Bethany's Sin, a place that would introduce him to a level of terror he had never before imagined. As he finds himself in a desperate race against an ancient evil that lurks in the shadows, his heart is filled with both fear and determination. Will he be able to overcome this malevolent force and save his beloved wife and child? The answer remains uncertain, but he is willing to do whatever it takes to protect those he holds dear.

I admit I was first attracted to the horse on the cover of the book. Indeed, it looks like a ghost horse, and this is indeed a type of ghost story, I guess. The horses are real, however.

Bethany's Sin is about one of those seemingly perfect little towns. Everything appears too perfect at first, but it's only later that you realize there's some really weird stuff going on. At first, you convince yourself that it must be just your imagination. You think you're getting paranoid, or perhaps it's all just a coincidence. But the odd stuff keeps on happening, and you start having really bad feelings. You begin to have nightmares, and your wife is having them too. Then you start hearing rumors. Something about a lot of dead bodies being found in the surrounding area, and your perfect little town is right in the middle of it all. There are also creepy shadows racing in the night, carrying axes that glint in the moonlight and with eyes that glow like blue lightning. And what does it have to do with the weird museum in town? What ancient artifacts were brought back from the Black Sea area in the 1960s? Then you realize that some townspeople are missing, like the man across the street that you never actually met.

This is a really great story. It combines ancient history, nightmares, the secrets of a small town, and the feeling of not knowing who to trust, especially if you're new to the town. The story is well written and moves at a good pace. I truly enjoyed reading it and was captivated from beginning to end.

(4.5 stars)

McCammon's sophomore novel is an absolute masterpiece that completely outshines his "perfectly fine" debut. The mystery is so expertly crafted that I didn't see it coming until it started to unfold and give more information at the halfway point. There were several chapters that genuinely spooked me, sending shivers down my spine. Additionally, the novel had some truly nice emotional moments that tugged at my heartstrings. While it's still a bit undercooked in some aspects, I think the small town vibes and characters feel as if they've been plucked right out of a good King novel. The attention to detail in描绘 the town and its inhabitants is remarkable, and it really adds to the overall atmosphere of the book. Overall, I highly recommend this novel to anyone who loves a good mystery with a touch of horror and heart.

I finally discovered a novel that truly gives me the chills.

Night riders, disappearances, and mutilations - all these elements combine to make me read late into the night.

I am eager to reach the conclusion of the book, yet now I am nervous about turning off the lights.

I had read McCammon's works decades ago.

And I have never been disappointed by his books.

This one is no exception.

It has all the ingredients of a thrilling and captivating story.

The descriptions are vivid, making it easy to imagine the scenes in my mind.

The characters are well-developed, and I find myself invested in their fates.

McCammon has a talent for creating a sense of mystery and suspense that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.

I highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a good horror or thriller.

It will surely keep you up at night, but in the best possible way.

Small town Horror is widely regarded as the best genre of horror.

Some might say I'm telling lies when I claim this, but I firmly believe it.

A couple of years ago, after reading "Swan Song," I was truly excited to reenter the world of McCammon. Although I was aware that his earlier works weren't held in as high regard.

Then came "Bethany's Sin."

It had all the elements of a small town horror story. There was the small town itself, with its unique charm and sense of community.

There was the family who was new to the town, bringing with them a sense of mystery and anticipation.

Weird things were happening, adding an element of the supernatural and the unknown.

The first chapter or two seemed to have no connection to the story, but as time went on, it became clear that they were setting the stage for something much bigger.

There was some grim stuff in the story, which added to the overall atmosphere of horror.

The small town slice of life was vividly描绘, making the town come alive in the reader's mind.

However, what it didn't have was a really captivating plot. As I read along, I found myself becoming less and less engaged with what was happening. And at the end, the story felt rushed, with things happening too quickly and not having enough time to make an impact.

Overall, this was a decent read. I'm definitely going to read more of McCammon's work as I can sense the potential for greatness. But for me, it's a 6.5/10.

This is a really good second book for this author. It shows that he has made significant progress.

His writing style has become more refined, and the story is engaging from start to finish.

The characters are well-developed, and you can really feel their emotions and motivations.

The plot is also quite interesting, with enough twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Overall, this is a great read, and I'm looking forward to seeing what this author comes up with next.

This marks my third McCammon book of the year.

While Bethany’s Sin didn’t quite reach the heights of the others I’ve read, I still found myself enjoying it.

As one of his earlier works, his second standalone novel, it’s fascinating to see the foundation of the writer he would become.

Even at this stage in his career, McCammon was already proving himself to be leagues ahead of many other authors in the genre.

At its core, Bethany’s Sin is a slow burning horror/thriller about a seemingly idyllic small town with something much darker lurking beneath its surface.

Evan and Kay Reid move to Bethany’s Sin looking for a fresh start.

Evan, a Vietnam War POW, is haunted by PTSD, vivid nightmares, and the scars, both visible and unseen, left by his past.

Kay, his wife, is patient and understanding but also wants to help him move forward.

However, the town they’ve chosen to settle in holds secrets that neither of them could have imagined.

As is the case with all of McCammon’s novels I’ve read, his characters feel incredibly real, their personalities fully realized and distinct.

Evan’s trauma is deeply felt on the page, making him a compelling protagonist.

Kay, too, is written with complexity. Her love and concern for her husband balanced with the frustration of trying to pull him out of his past.

One of the most striking characters, however, is Dr. Drago. She is both feminine and powerful, alluring yet dangerous, the commanding force behind the town’s eerie undercurrent.

Her presence is magnetic, and the way McCammon writes her dynamic solidifies her as a character you won’t forget.

The pacing was solid but had moments where I wished things would move along a bit faster.

Knowing the action would peak toward the end, I found myself impatient at times, though I understand that all the pieces had to be put in place first.

Still, McCammon’s ability to weave together historical elements, particularly the legend of the ancient warrior women, into his fiction was impressive.

The blend of myth and reality added an extra layer of intrigue that kept me engaged.

Ultimately, I landed on a 3.5-star rating. (Goodreads, I’m begging you to add half-star ratings because I just can’t round this one up!)

It’s not my favorite McCammon, but even in his earlier works, his storytelling and character work shine.

If you’re a fan of his writing or enjoy horror with a creeping sense of dread, Bethany’s Sin is worth the read.

Bethany's Sin appears to be an idyllic place for a young family to reside. Evan, a writer and Nam veteran, along with Kay, a maths teacher, and their adorable little girl Laurie, cherish their humble abode. This is especially so after Evan's harrowing experience in LaGrange.

However, what lies beneath that seemingly perfect, friendly, and polished exterior? Why does everything in this town seem to revolve around women? What about the strange incidents that Nelly Ames, a drifter who works as a gardener for the town council, encounters? And what of the odd behavior of Sheriff Wysinger?

Moreover, why have Evan's dreams of torture, fire, killing, and evil forebodings intensified since moving here? What is the history behind this small village with its uncommon name? There is Kathryn Drago and the old museum, and women on horseback ready to hunt.

This novel is truly captivating, beginning with the mysterious excavation and delving into the detailed description of the Amazonian cult. I was completely engrossed, on the edge of my seat, eager to finish this brilliant second novel by McCammond. The nailbiting tension, a story rich in mythology and murder, set in an American village, makes this book a real page-turner. It will strike you like the blade of a sharp axe! Without a doubt, it is highly recommended. What a remarkable read!

This was somewhat disappointing for a McCammon read.

In fairness, it must be noted that this was written early in his career.

His writing style undergoes a dramatic improvement after he manages to get a few of these subpar novels out of the way.

I did enjoy the first half of the book. The story seemed to have a certain charm and kept my interest piqued.

However, as the narrative progressed, it quickly became boring.

The plot seemed to lose its momentum and became rather predictable.

I would only recommend this book to the die-hard McCammon fans who have an insatiable need to read everything he has written, just like myself.

For those who are new to McCammon's works or are looking for a more engaging and captivating read, I would suggest starting with some of his later and more polished novels.