By Vince Churchill
Published by Black Bed Sheet Books
Review by Ash Arceneaux
In 1979, Marlie Downing loved the selfish son of her mother’s employer. Their torrid, secret affair carried on, even after Michael Silas celebrates his engagement to another woman. When the Silas’ throw their lavish, annual Halloween costume ball, Marlie falls victim to a horrific, depraved assault that destroys her mind and sends her on a relentless killing spree...
After her death, the legend of the spurned lover wearing her rival’s wedding gown was born, the legend of the Butcher Bride.
Thirty years later, Evie and Stu, documentary filmmakers, arrive at the empty Silas Mansion to try and persuade Michael Silas to allow them to film within the mansion. Evie loves the idea of filming a documentary about the creepy old house and the brutal act Marlie committed. Perky, pretty, talented Evie has no idea what to expect when they enter the house. Her devoted lover, Stu, is a bit more cautious. When Marlie’s mother, Darcy the caretaker, and Chief Oglesby, the chief of police—and a survivor of the original attack—try to warn them to stay away from the mansion, they disregard the ominous signs and proceed as planned. In addition to the couple, a television news crew arrives in town to film the mansion for a feature.
Almost immediately, Evie begins to experience paranormal events. She sees things out of the corners of her eyes, feels people touching her. Oglesby’s son has disappeared into the house, and on the eve of the anniversary of the fateful party, the doors of the Silas Mansion slam shut, sealing everyone inside.
Vince Churchill’s The Butcher Bride is a fun, engrossing read. It begins like the average ghost story, but within a few pages it takes a dark turn. The story unspools quickly, revealing there are more threats than the ghost of a jilted lover in the house. The story takes a darker turn than the usual vengeful-ghost story. Innocence is lost in Silas Mansion, evil is indulged, and dark appetites are satiated!
Rating: (4 out of 5):
