Boys in the Valley

I do enjoy a good possession story. Religious horror is a fascinating niche, taking the scare stories of the faithful and exploring the horror within can create some powerful imagery.

Boys in the Valley takes an orphanage in a remote valley run by the church where the sheriff brings in someone who is apparently possessed just as snow comes in to isolate the whole place. The sense of trapped claustrophobia brings a wonderful pervading sense of dread to the story. Demonic possession, creepy kids, suspect priests - there is a lot of very fun tropes being played with here.

An excellent debut novel that has got me excited to find more of his work!