Blood on the Trailhead by Charlotte Zang & Alex J. Knudsen

A gripping third chapter of their Lost Grove Mystery series, Blood on the Trailhead by Charlotte Zang and Alex J. Knudsen weaves a modern gothic tapestry of supernatural suspense.

When a young boy is killed in an apparent animal attack at Devil’s Cradle State Park, the troubling case falls to Seth Wolfe, the newly promoted Chief of Police in the enigmatic town of Lost Grove. Given his recent experiences with the unnatural and the inhumane, the town sleuth suspects that there may be more to this tragic death, and possibly more bodies to come. A shadowy horror is stalking the woods, and clues from the Chief’s spellbinding new partner suggest that it could be the work of an ancient horror reincarnated frighteningly close to home. As the townsfolk grow impatient for answers, and more children go missing, a cadre of empowered young heroes team up with Seth to unravel the monstrous truth and stem the tide of bloodshed.

This grim series maintains a compelling undertone and evocative world-building, weaving through the indigenous lore of the Wiyot, which adds carefully drawn authenticity to the story and grounds the supernatural elements in established traditions and belief. The ominous prose could use a once-over for consistency in punctuation and grammar, and to corral occasionally meandering narration, but overall this is an original supernatural thriller, which skillfully crosses the genres of small-town procedural, mystery, and horror.

Understanding the Orbriallis Institute and the occult backstory of key players would enhance the read, but this novel can also stand alone from the rest of the series. Deftly plotted and paced to perfection, this new installment is a thrillingly intense work of horror fiction.