In the Shadows of Men

I discovered RJB via his fantasy works, but I have been aware of his background in horror. This novella was my first dive into his horror works, and I was impressed.

The basic concept of taking over a run down motel and fixing it up but discovering some secrets is not a new one. The secrets here are interesting and well put together though, creating an excellent sense of unease beneath the normalcy of a hotel renovation. Small towns also lend themselves to these type of secretive horror too.

This doesn't tread anything especially new, but it does take old tropes and execute them well, taking them into a current world environment (the oil boom in onshore Texas). An enjoyable read

This was an amazing and horrible horror book. Horrible in the best way that a horror book can be. It's actions are so egregious that you HAVE to find out what happens and the way that Bennett spins this tale and buid the suspense is masterful. 2 brothers purchase an old motel that their father used to run but after some renovations and some discoveries, visions, and sounds, and even secret doors start to unveil themselves.
This was a great story that keeps you guessing around every corner and doesn't let up on the pain inflicting onto the main character.
I felt that this does have many of the same steps as a horror haunting story yet the remote atmosphere and the small outskirts of lawless Texas put this in a setting familiar yet terrifying. Bennett's characters are real and their story seems real and authentic.