When there is splatter brain matter on the first two pages and the next chapter includes someone being gutted, that is a sign to me I am reading a book I will absolutely enjoy!  Does that make me a psychopath?  Perhaps.

But THE CURSE OF THE MOUNTAIN is so much more those first few pages.  And there are some seriously dark and bloody scenes in this book, but there's not so much this would turn off any reader who enjoys horror or something a little dark.   This is a coming-of-age tale rooted in friendships and family, this is a small town mystery, and this is a story with a flesh-bound book that calls forth beastly werewolves, demonic spiders, and even some these creepy pinhole eye people!  And on a heavier level it explores our own humanity, or sometimes lack thereof, with topics of racism, bigotry, sexuality, death, and more.  It really has a lot going on and it's written in a way that I fell in love with the setting so much that, despite the horrors of the small town and the mountain, I want to go hiking.  WHO AM I?  I just read a book that's like, "Yeah, this is a nasty evil place.  Don't go there." So my first inclination IS to go there to see what the fuss is all about... because that is how great this writing is to me!  And I love a story with an epilogue... because that always gives the chance there might be a sequel!  4.5 stars rounded up on Goodreads!

Side note:  I SO want to see this as a movie!  I can see it being extremely creepy given the appropriate director, cinematographer, sound crew, and cast!