Review: The Chill by Scott Carson

The Chill by Scott Carson
Published by Simon and Schuster on February 11, 2020
Genres: Fiction, Supernatural, Suspense, Thrillers
Pages: 448
Format: eARC
Source: the publisher
Goodreads

In upstate New York, a village lays beneath the waters of the Chilewaukee reservoir.  Politicians of that era deemed the demise of the town necessary for the greater good; millions of people living downstate now had access to water.  Locals, however, believed differently. Residents of the small village since the formation of this country, they held a grudge against the big-city politicians that wiped their homes from existence.  Generations later, many have moved to the neighboring village, feelings of malcontent ever-present.  Some say the citizens of the village never left, continuing to watch over the land they held so precious.

Now, an inspector finds that the dam has been neglected for far too long. The waters of the Chilewaukee (known to locals as The Chill) hold more than just an abandoned village. A dark prophecy remains, one that is aching to be fulfilled.  An abundance of rain causes the water levels to rise, increasing the call for a sacrifice pay for the sins of their fathers.

I enjoy a good thriller with a well-developed backstory! The story of the Chilewaukee reservoir is a haunting one; an entire village lay submerged beneath the water.  With it comes a cast of well-developed characters, both past and present.  Aaron Ellsworth, son of the sheriff, had so much going for him until one single act cost him is future. Gillian Mathers, a police officer, has direct ties to those lost in the Chilewaukee.  Her father, Deshawn, works on the very tunnels that bring the reservoir water down to Manhattan.  His character seems to be the only one accepting of the fate that has been bestowed upon them.  Once fearful of what remains beneath the reservoir water, a newly gained respect is earned once he understands it’s power.

This thriller has been pegged by many as a horror, simply because of the mention of ghosts and a haunting past. I feel this does this a disservice, immediately removing it as an option for those who prefer not to read that genre. I wouldn’t call this a horror, much like I wouldn’t classify a book with a love scene as a romance.  This has far more of the characteristics of a thriller for it to be labeled anything but that.

My only challenge with this title is the nicely wrapped up ending. It seemed to rushed; give me an ambiguous ending over a rushed one anytime!

Finally, though the name Scott Carson may seem like a new name to the thriller game, it is just a pen name for an author many of us have grown to love.  I was given a hint prior to reading this title, but elements of his previous writing made it quite apparent early in the read.  I’ll be interested to see who guesses the identity (without Googling!).

All in all, a truly captivating read.