Chuck Wendig's Black River Orchard — A Quick Review of a Delicious Horror Gem

Cover Courtesy of Del Rey Books

I don’t know where to begin, other than to say that this was one great book. Diverse and complex characters who find themselves up against an unusual cult of…well, people who don’t even recognize that they are being drawn into said cult. 

It begins with Dan Paxon—an apple orchard farmer who just wants to catch a break and make a successful living from his hard work and dedication. He just wants to pay the bills and be remembered for something. An apple. His apple. And when he stumbles upon one doozy of a vintage variety, his life, and the future prospects for his teenage daughter Calla, changes dramatically.

I don’t want to give away more than that. But the book starts as a slow unraveling of odd behavior as we get to know the characters and feel for the characters and understand the characters as they fall in love with these outrageously delicious apples that are, well, not what they seem to be. The villains here even garner my sympathy (until they don't) and I can’t help but wonder if the story is an allegory for things happening in our lifetime—without being too specific about those things happening in our lifetime.

Great read. Even at 600 plus pages. I highly recommend it and can visualize it as a limited series directed by someone like, I don’t know…Mike Flanagan? So hey, Mr. Flanagan, if you’re looking for something new, check it out! Give Chuck Wendig a call!