I’m a new, but enthusiastic, member of the Paul Tremblay fan club. I blasted through A Head Full of Ghosts, taking just enough time to savor what I was reading. I was unable to afford the same kindnesses to The Cabin at the End of the World. I wasn’t really able to make the book last for more than 2 days. I plead the fifth. It was addicting and I couldn’t put it down.

Why are you getting so much backstory on your Disappearance at Devil’s Rock review? Because it all leads into the experience I had reading this one. Rather than binge-reading Devil’s Rock, I opted to read one chapter every day, and treat it almost like watching individual episodes of a police procedural. I really enjoyed having the time to weigh advances in the story and theorize about where it might be going and what I’d be reading next.

One of my favorite things about this book is the way it unfolds. I’ve used the phrase “story unfolds” plenty of times, but the way the narrative of this book moves along, it feels like the most accurate possible application of the phrase. In fact, it kind of feels like previous uses of the phrase don’t really hold up to the scrutiny I’ll now be putting into place. Far be it from me to assume Tremblay’s process, but this story reads like it was very intricately plotted and that script was followed to the letter.

I also really enjoyed the interactions between the teenage boys. Speaking from the perspective of a former teenage boy, they were annoying as shit in this book. The friendly banter, however, was also really endearing. Isn’t that what it’s like to be a middle school boy? You’ve got friends you’d absolutely die for and you spend the bulk of your day verbally tearing them to shreds with insults that will make you cringe when you’re in your 30’s. Tremblay absolutely nails this.

It’s hard to wrap up my thoughts without touching on the emotion poured into the pages here. Reading this as the parent of young children provides a truly unique experience. You spend nearly 400 pages hoping for the best and preparing for the worst. And you’re invested in Tommy’s story and safe return because that’s your kid. You’re invested in Elizabeth’s strength and stability because, dammit, that’s you. For all those reasons, it’s also a bit of a tough read, but I made it through. I made it through and even though I didn’t find this story quite up to the level of Cabin or Head Full of Ghosts, Paul Tremblay has cemented himself into the horror genre (with this not-quite horror story) as a can’t-miss author.