Cry for the Strangers

"Cry for the Strangers" by John Saul is a psychological horror novel first published in 1979. It blends elements of mystery, suspense, and supernatural horror, characteristic of Saul's work. The story is set in the small, seemingly idyllic coastal town of Clark's Harbor, Washington, where eerie events and dark secrets disrupt the town's peaceful facade.

Dr. Brad Randall, a psychiatrist from Seattle, and his wife, Elaine, relocate to Clark's Harbor to escape the stress of city life. Brad is offered a position as the town's only doctor after the mysterious death of the previous physician, Dr. Allard. Upon arriving, Brad and Elaine are charmed by the town's picturesque beauty but soon notice that something is amiss.

The town's residents are a close-knit and insular community, hesitant to accept outsiders and secretive about the town's history. Brad becomes increasingly suspicious as he notices strange occurrences, such as the town's apparent obsession with the sea and odd, seemingly ritualistic behavior among the townspeople.

The tranquility of Clark's Harbor is shattered when a series of inexplicable deaths and accidents begin to plague the town. These deaths are often linked to the sea, with many victims found drowned or washed ashore, despite being experienced seafarers. The townspeople appear to be eerily accepting of these tragedies, attributing them to the "calling" of the sea, a phrase that Brad finds unsettling.

As Brad digs deeper, he uncovers the town's dark secret: a malevolent, supernatural force linked to the sea. This force has haunted Clark's Harbor for generations, compelling some townspeople to act in bizarre and dangerous ways. Brad learns that the town's founders made a pact with this force, ensuring the town's prosperity in exchange for periodic sacrifices.

The novel explores themes of guilt, fear, and the influence of the past on the present. Brad's role as a psychiatrist is significant, as he struggles to rationalize the irrational events around him. His skepticism is challenged as he confronts the possibility that the evil afflicting the town is real and not just a manifestation of the townspeople's collective psychosis.

Elaine, initially more accepting of the town, begins to experience her own fears as she senses something is deeply wrong. Their relationship is tested as they deal with the increasing danger and the town's hostility towards outsiders.

The townspeople themselves are complex characters, many of whom are torn between their fear of the sea and their resignation to its power. This resignation is depicted as a form of collective madness, driven by the knowledge of the town's dark pact and the inevitability of the sea's "calling."

The novel builds towards a tense and dramatic climax, as Brad and Elaine confront the town's secrets head-on. They discover that the deaths and accidents are not just random occurrences but are orchestrated by the townspeople under the influence of the supernatural force. In a final confrontation, the couple must fight to survive as the town descends into chaos.

The resolution of the novel is ambiguous, leaving the reader with lingering questions about the nature of the evil that haunts Clark's Harbor. While some of the town's mysteries are revealed, the full extent of the supernatural force remains elusive, suggesting that the town's curse may never be fully broken.

"Cry for the Strangers" is a chilling tale that masterfully combines psychological horror with supernatural elements. John Saul's portrayal of a town gripped by a generational curse and the outsiders who uncover its secrets creates an atmosphere of creeping dread. The novel examines how fear and guilt can warp a community, leading to horrifying consequences, and challenges the reader to consider the thin line between the rational and the irrational in the face of true terror.