National Bestseller A supernatural force—set in motion a century ago—threatens to devastate New York City in this “terrific horror/suspense/disaster novel” that “grips from the first page” (Stephen King, #1 New York Times bestselling author).Far upstate, in New York’s ancient forests, a drowned village lays beneath the dark, still waters of the Chilewaukee reservoir. Early in the 20th century, … reservoir. Early in the 20th century, the town was destroyed for the greater good: bringing water to the millions living downstate. Or at least that’s what the politicians from Manhattan insisted at the time. The local families, settled there since America’s founding, were forced from their land, but some didn’t leave…
Now, a century later, the repercussions of human arrogance are finally making themselves known. An inspector assigned to oversee the dam, dangerously neglected for decades, witnesses something inexplicable. It turns out that more than the village was left behind in the waters of the Chill when it was abandoned. A dark prophecy remained, too, and the time has come for it to be fulfilled—for sacrifices must be made. And as the dark waters begin to inexorably rise, the demand for a fresh sacrifice emerges from the deep…
“A must read for fans of eerie, gripping storytelling” (Dean Koontz, #1 New York Times bestselling author), The Chill is “a creepy tale of supernatural terror” (Publishers Weekly, starred review).
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Wow! This is one terrific horror/suspense/disaster novel. Characters you root for and a story that grips from the first page.
Horror has a new name and it’s Scott Carson. The Chill is an eerie dive into the murky depths of the supernatural. A story that has you looking back over your shoulder on every page.
The Chill features a clever and chilling premise, and Scott Carson delivers on the promise of it with swift clear prose, well-defined characters, and terrific suspense. This is a must read for fans of eerie, gripping storytelling.
Read it because of the great reviews; it was a page turner, but there were times it bogged down with info-dump, which is something I understand when an author has a great subject matter and history. I tend to that myself.
Scott Carson’s The Chill may be the perfect thriller. Great characters. Creeping dread and explosive reveals. Pacing that never lets up. Maybe some of the best conversation with the dead since Stephen King’s The Shining.
The year’s best spine-tingler is already here. The Chill is a good old-fashioned ghost story, meticulously researched and brilliantly executed. If you’ve ever wished for a cross between ‘Chinatown’ and ‘The Fog,’ Scott Carson has answered your dark prayers…
There is something lurking in the dark waters of the Chilewaukee reservoir better known by the locals as The Chill…something that demands payment in the form of a sacrifice…something that is rising to collect on past dues…
To be honest, the only reason I requested a copy of this book was Stephen King had pimped it out on his social media. I’m sure there is an audience for this book, but I’m sad to say, as much as I love a good supernatural story, this one fell a little flat for me. While there were passages that held a spooky element, I was bogged down too much with all the information on dam and tunnel construction and the back and forth between the past and the present, that I got lost as well as a wee bit bored. Over all, I’m still trying to determine if The Chill is a mystery, a ghost story, or an engineering handbook on dam building and water works.
While I was underwhelmed with the story, it could be another reader’s next fav, so if the blurb grabbed your attention, give it a try…
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **
Thank you Atria and Emily Bestler Books for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
The Chill
By: Scott Carson
REVIEW
“There was no force on earth so determined and patient as water.”
The Chill’s amazing cover art caught my attention, but the synopsis hooked me. In my opinion, this is not a horror book. I would classify it is psychological/paranormal/ thriller. It is intensely eerie, dark and haunting. I love stories that have an atmospheric presence so palpable as to seem alive, which The Chill does, thus becoming its own character.
“The Chill is where old mythologies met modern engineering.”
Basically, in 1940, in Torrance county, upstate New York, the creation of a reservoir (Chilewaukee-The Chill) for NYC is the catalyst for evacuation and flooding of the little town of Galesburg. In a twist of tragic irony, the connection of tunnels to the city were never completed, so Galesburg could have been spared. Now, the church and a few other Galesburg structures can be seen beneath The Dead Waters.
Numerous families vehemently refused to evacuate. I won’t give details (no spoilers), but a bizarre and unsettling resolution eventually happened.
“They’d asked for so little. Just for the right to keep the land they’d fought for[…] They’d been denied that right in the interest of the greater good. The city wanted the water, and so the city would have it.”
A legend/prophecy exists about Galesburg. Gillian has a connection to the town and knows its history well. She and Aaron are investigating strange unexplainable happenings that occured in the area of The Chill recently. Gillian explains the legend and history of Galesburg to Aaron.
(A suspension of disbelief is required fyi.) As events unfold, incomprehensible strangeness all around starts to unravel. Bits and pieces begin to make sense, and motives become clear. There are tragedies, some shocking, both big and small.
“Especially because the past isn’t passive. What we are doing, what we are bound to, is the crucial work of making others look back. Making them remember.”
Through it all, I like Gillian and Aaron more and more. From different worlds but very complimentary to each other, I wanted good things for them. The characters must decide what they believe, whom to trust and how to have faith in themselves Much is at stake.
The Chill is a long story, and it slows down for a lot of descriptions about dams, etc. I could have done without those parts. Otherwise, I found it unique, entertaining and thought provoking. There are bizarre elements, but they flow with the narrative. The odd makes the story more fun!
In upstate New York, a drowned village lies beneath the still waters of the Chilewaukee Resetvoir. Early in the twentieth century, the town was destroyed for the greater good: bringing water to millions living downstate. The local families were forced from their land, but they didn’t move far, and some didn’t move at all.
This is a haunting tale of a town submerged, it’s people displaced but a dark prophecy remains and the time has come for it to be fulfilled! Galesburg is a village that doesn’t forget, and Galesburg will strike back! This was one book I didn’t want to see end! I enjoyed every word of it!
With The Chill, Scott Carson has written a spooky, thrilling, and genuinely moving tale of righteous obsession from beyond the grave, with a setting and characters that leap off the page. If you like Stephen King or Joe Hill, you must read Scott Carson.
A fantastic supernatural thriller that harkens back to horror’s glory days. Character driven and ominously creepy, this one will have you wondering what’s at the other end of that drippy faucet in the kitchen.
Informative. I learned a few things about dams and water supply to large populations.
An un-putdownable thrilling read that immerses you in the folklore of the area and captivates you with its chilling knowledge of what’s to come and how the unknown forces bellow the water will accomplish their goal. Gillian will never forget the stories her grandmother told her, but she has spent years trying not to think about them. Debts. Anger. Murder. Tunnels and missions. Unfortunately it all comes racing back one fateful day as the damn water surges and the relentless rain that seems ominous as a body is discoverd.
Allen has had a hard year. Nothing seems to be going right and his father is beyond disappointed in him. All he ever wanted was to swim, to save lives and be someone special. Never in his wildest dreams could he have imagined what fate has in-store for him or the connection he has to Gillian and the forgotten town under the depths of the Chill. Exciting, action pact and an unforgettable experience!
This is a well-written, entertaining, fast paced supernatural thriller.
This book is billed as a horror/suspense/disaster novel, but I’m not sure the horror part is appropriate. It does have a few horrific moments, and some supernatural elements, but it’s much more of a suspense & disaster novel. It’s not going to keep you up at night in fear as much as it will make you wonder about our infrastructure and those who created it. It’s an enjoyable read and well-written, just don’t expect to be terrified.
Loved this. The sort of atmosphere that takes a master writer to bring to horror. Great backstory, nail shredding suspense, all too vividly drawn. Left me breathless. Highly recommended.
Part old-fashioned horror story, part supernatural thriller, The Chill is a breathtaking story of justice — and revenge. Once I started this book I couldn’t put it down. Prepare to be chilled.
Scott Carson’s The Chill is a hold-your-breath horror thriller, full of mounting dread. Carson weaves classic chills and nuanced characters into a story both compelling and creepy as hell. Don’t miss it!
“May you always bring light to dark waters.” WOW, WOW, WOW!!! Michael Koryta does it again. This bone chilling story could be notes from Stephen King himself. Such a realistic store with a ghostly twist. I highly recommend his alter-ego Scott Carson. It may be the read of the year for me
Communal sin that reaches into the future. Damned souls. And possibly supernatural god-like beings. Easy to understand why Stephen King liked this one. There’s an original story (or, at least, I’ve not read another one like it.) The structure and style make it very easy to visualize The Chill being adapted to a horror movie.