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The Anomaly by Michael Rutger
5.0

A YouTube host who goes poking around the unexplained mysteries takes a trip with his crew down the Grand Canyon looking for a cave discovered by long-ago explorers then lost. Against all expectation, because it's that sort of show, sincere in its search for the odd, but low-rent, the find a cave and as is traditional with these sorts of things very soon begin to wish they hadn't. Being Michael Marshall Smith this is very well written, psychologically astute, well-crafted prose, atmosphere to burn, funny dialogue. It's also a full on horror adventure with a sort of Fortean theme, albeit with a long, slow build-up that really does pay off largely because he builds the setting brilliantly and makes you care about the characters. refreshingly, when the going gets tough the cast don't get all Lord-Of-the-Flies, as is often the case in these sorts of things. They're not prepared or equipped for what happens, but they;re not stupid either, another refreshing change for this sort of set-up. I really hope The Anomaly Files return for more adventures soon.