“An absolute master of modern horror. And a damn fine writer at that”- Guillermo del Toro It’s Ray’s and Sandra’s first family holiday in Greece, on the island of Vasilema. The skies are cloudier than anywhere else in Greece, and they’re intrigued by local eccentricities—the lack of mirrors, the outsize beach umbrellas, the saint’s day celebrated with an odd nocturnal ritual. Why are there … Why are there islanders who seem to follow the family wherever they go? Why do Sandra and the teenage grandchildren have strangely similar dreams? Has Sandra been granted a wish she didn’t know she made? Before their holiday is over, some of the family may learn too much about the secret that keeps the island alive.
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Quiet horror is one of my favorite sub-genres and with that in mind I was looking forward to this release from one of the masters. Admittedly, my expectations for this were high and I’m sorry to report that THIRTEEN DAYS BY SUNSET BEACH didn’t meet them.
A man, Ray, takes his wife and extended family on vacation to an island in Greece. It’s the first time that the entire family has vacationed together and everyone has been looking forward to it. It’s not long, however, before they begin to notice strange things. Why are there no mirrors in their hotel rooms? Why are different members of the family having similar dreams each night? Even more intriguing, why are those same family members displaying bite marks on their bodies? You’ll have to read this to find out!
First off, I did like the writing style and quality, and I enjoyed the foreshadowing. (At times, I think the foreshadowing was the only thing that kept me reading.) What brought me down quite a bit was the pacing and some of the characters. I didn’t feel much for any of them, other than Ray, the elderly protagonist and Jules, whom I couldn’t stand. (Really, I couldn’t stand him-a more annoying, fussy, controlling man you couldn’t find anywhere.) I hated him enough that I considered quitting this book more than once. Between him and the pacing, I came *this* close. But every time I said to myself “This is it! I’m done!” something happened that kept me going.
Overall, I’m sorry to say that this book didn’t work well for me. The writing quality is there though, which is why I’m going with 3 out of 5 stars. What doesn’t work for me might work exceedingly well for you, so if the synopsis sounds good, go ahead and give it a shot. Ramsey Campbell is a master of the horror genre after all!
*Thanks to Flame Tree Press via NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it!
Thirteen Days by Sunset Beach is more than speculative fiction; it is a subtle exploration of how dysfunctional family dynamics can obfuscate signs that warn of impending danger. Perhaps Ramsey Campbell wants readers to open their eyes—especially in the dark.
Readers who lust after blood spatters and airborne body parts should look elsewhere for stimulation. Thirteen Days by Sunset Beach is a book for thinking readers who can analyze subtle clues and symbols and sense what lurks in the shadows that haunt the apparent world.
Ray and his beloved wife Sandra arrive at the island of Vasilema off the coast of Greece. As they wait for the next two generations of their family to arrive, readers come to realize that Sandra does not have long to live. She is specter thin and her bones are palpable. Ray’s tender touches and concerns reveal his love and heartbreaking dread. Perhaps this group vacation will be the last time the extended family will be together.
Vasilema is a strange island shaded by cloudy skies. Quiet in the dusky daytime, the island wakes at sunset, and the beach fills with slim, shadowy revelers who celebrate the dark, take strength from the dark. Ray is warned to stay away from the beach at night. Before long, gaunt shadows begin to visit their room while they sleep, and Sandra wakes with a mark on her neck. Of course, it must only be an insect sting.
When the next two generations of the family arrive, they begin to explore the island. Between bouts of bickering, they investigate an abandoned monastery surrounded by dark trees, learn about the local patron saint who is worshiped at night, and discover symbolic depictions of spiders.
Although locals warn the family to stay away from Sunset Beach, they does not listen. They ignore blessings, nightmares, and secret door knocks that should keep out unwanted visitors.
William, the youngest, begins to see disturbing visitors. The youngsters and Sandra experience frightening dreams that are strikingly similar. But are they dreams or reality? Still, the adults refuse to consider supernatural explanations. They ignore the fact that their phone cameras can only capture wavering images. Not a single photo reads true.
Things change when Ray decides to explore a watery cave. He wades inside to make sure it is safe for William to explore. There, he finds a desiccated body. It is Mr. Ditton, a missing tourist.
Ray finally begins to consider the possibility that something dark lurks beneath the surface of this perplexing island, and Sandra begins to gain weight and shrink from the sun. Ray is driven to find the secret that runs the island.
It could be said that Campbell’s greatest strength is his ability to create an extended mood. Instead of focusing on manifest horror, his mastery of subtlety hints at dark mysteries that will urge readers to lean into the text in search of answers. His prose is smooth and details create clear visuals. The characters are clearly drawn and consistent, true to themselves.
In Thirteen Days by Sunset Beach, the fundamental character is the dark itself. It acts as a living thing that breaths into character’s ears as they sleep. On Vasilema island, the dark is hungry and lusts after victims on which to feed.
True horror is not made by a gruesome monster; instead, it is the monster’s effect on characters that creates horror. Many readers will hope for a sequel to this mesmerizing story. Will Sandra continue to regain strength? Will the darkness follow Ray and his family home?
As the locals say, “Here nothing comes that is not called for.” Does Ray call the darkness?
Thirteen days by Sunset Beach will haunt readers and leave them searching for an elusive truth that dances just out of reach. Unanswered questions will leave them haunted by unsettling possibilities.
“May the night bless you.”
Rougeski Reads