Something Wicked This Way Comes

Drawing from the dark history of the Scottish borderlands, this supernatural thriller from Durreson (Philip Collyer vs the Cola Thief) is richly detailed but unevenly told. Leon Kwarteng came to Becky’s Children’s Trust, a school for orphans, at age six after surviving the car crash that killed his Ghanaian immigrant parents. Almost 30 years later, Leon, now a senior manager at the Trust, travels to the English-Scottish border to inspect a crumbling former orphanage the school has recently inherited. He is shocked to recognize the area from the night his parents died and terrified to discover an ancient evil lurking within the orphanage walls. His only comfort comes from a chance meeting with Niall Forster, a gruff but handsome local blacksmith, grieving the recent death of his daughter. The men band together to hunt the horrific spectral presence feeding on the village’s children, developing a romantic connection along the way that may be strong enough to lead them both out of despair. Despite frequent changes in tone and a plodding pace, the diverse, earnest characters will keep readers invested. A huge helping of heart distinguishes this queer ghost story. (Nov.)