(Reviewed by JD Jung)
It’s around 1960 and the residents of Curdle Creek never leave for any reason. Black residents have lived there for generations and believe that anywhere outside this small remote town is dangerous.
An exception to this that the children of our narrator, 45-year-old widow Osira Turner, left years ago, as did her brother. She has had no contact with any of them. The fact that her children left has not reflected well on Osira by the community. Curdle Creek has strict rules and rituals that are never questioned. These rituals Include the Running of the Widows, the Calling, the Moving On, and the Warding Off. It is believed that these traditions pay for the safety and prosperity of the town, including a bountiful harvest.
The Moving On follows the “one in, one out” rule. Since the number of births is usually greater than the number of deaths, it must be made up somehow. Essentially the residents vote for who will die and afterwards, they engage in the Warding Off to make sure that their spirits don’t return.
It is believed that without The Moving On and Warding off, the town would be lawless and filled with grudge-bearing ghosts. Osira never questioned the ritual, until it was her father who was chosen to be killed.
The plot is both captivating and unpredictable. Just when you think you understand where the story is headed, it twists in unexpected ways, with mystical elements seamlessly woven into the fabric of the narrative. The rituals underscore the eerie normalcy of these acts for the townsfolk. The supporting characters add depth and complexity, offering glimpses into the psychology of a community trapped by fear and tradition.
My only disappointment was the ending. It felt too abrupt and left many questions unanswered. Maybe that was intentional, and hopefully a sequel is in the works.
Still, if you are looking for an eclectic, unsettling read with horror, magic and a remarkable plot, Curdle Creek is for you.
