An Alabama boy’s innocence is shaken by murder and madness in the 1960s South in this novel by the New York Times–bestselling author of Swan Song. It’s 1964 in idyllic Zephyr, Alabama. People either work for the paper mill up the Tecumseh River, or for the local dairy. It’s a simple life, but it stirs the impressionable imagination of twelve-year-old aspiring writer Cory Mackenson. He’s certain … writer Cory Mackenson. He’s certain he’s sensed spirits whispering in the churchyard. He’s heard of the weird bootleggers who lurk in the dark outside of town. He’s seen a flood leave Main Street crawling with snakes. Cory thrills to all of it as only a young boy can.
Then one morning, while accompanying his father on his milk route, he sees a car careen off the road and slowly sink into fathomless Saxon’s Lake. His father dives into the icy water to rescue the driver, and finds a beaten corpse, naked and handcuffed to the steering wheel—a copper wire tightened around the stranger’s neck. In time, the townsfolk seem to forget all about the unsolved murder. But Cory and his father can’t.
Their search for the truth is a journey into a world where innocence and evil collide. What lies before them is the stuff of fear and awe, magic and madness, fantasy and reality. As Cory wades into the deep end of Zephyr and all its mysteries, he’ll discover that while the pleasures of childish things fade away, growing up can be a strange and beautiful ride.
“Strongly echoing the childhood-elegies of King and Bradbury, and every bit their equal,” Boy’s Life, a winner of both the Bram Stoker and World Fantasy Awards, represents a brilliant blend of mystery and rich atmosphere, the finest work of one of today’s most accomplished writers (Kirkus Reviews).
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a good coming of age story about a boy with a gifted imagination
One of the most entertaining books I’ve read on a while!
Few books are able to make one want to slow down his/her reading and savor the way the words are put together to make pictures in one’s head. This is one of those books. Take your time with this one.
This is one of the best novels I’ve ever read. I couldn’t put it down. A young boy and his friends in a small southern town, their adventures, feelings, families, fears, triumphs…and a touch of magic here and there. There’s a murder mystery, family conflicts and devotion, secrets, loyal friends, and much more. Various odd characters are …
This is one of my favorite books ever. I have read it at least 20 times since it came out, and every reading I find something I never noticed before. I grew up in the 70s, in an idyllic seeming time, where at some moments, the vernier would seem to wear thin something otherworldy would make itself known (at least in the mind of a young boy steeped …
Loved this book! It left me wanting more!
Over 20 years after reading this and Swan Song I still can’t pick which one I like better. They are both on my “read again” list because of the emotions both of these books can bring out. This guy is good!
One of my all time favorite books. I could read it again and again.
Loved it. Fast read. Would highly recommend it.
Love his stories
In depth characters! Action packed , hard to put down
i just love this book, told from the point of view of a young boy. It is wonderfully nostalgic of childhood.
Reminds one of childhood magic and yes it goes away
Possibly my favorite Robert McCammon book. A wonderful coming of age story with teeth. There are supernatural elements but overall the not too scary.
I haven’t finished reading it but what I have read I’very enjoyed so far. I read a library copy but had to return it. When I can, I’ll pick up my own copy to complete the book.