Synopsis:
Sheriff Skip Harding is investigating a double murder that has shaken the quiet town of Logan, Missouri. A slaughter that seems too brutal for a human perpetrator. A bear, maybe? But there are no bears in the area…Bodies begin to pile up, and Skip soon discovers that bullets are useless against this foe. Only with the help of Cherokee game warden Jay Little Hawk, and the wisdom of Lakota medicine man George Strong Eagle, can Skip hope to stop the monster before it’s too late.A magical tale blending elements of mystery, suspense, and Native American mythology.
Review:
Owl Goingback’s “Crota,” is a creature feature like no other, in which the author’s campy charm is blended with rich native folklore. WIth its vivid descriptions, memorable characters and break-neck pacing, this 1996 release is a necessity for readers who like their horror served with a side of paws, claws and fangs. Something sinister is roaming the streets of this small town, and spoiler alert, it’s not a bear.
Skip Harding is a great husband and father, as well as the town sheriff, a job that he is overqualified for, but generally enjoys. His nice and quiet livelihood quickly becomes very stressful however when following a small earthquake a slew of violent murders crop up. With both livestock and citizens being torn to pieces, Harding can only assume that a bear’s gone rogue- but following a harrowing one-on-one encounter, he learns that something evil has awoken. Luckily, he has at his disposal, one of the few men who may be equipped to deal with such a beast, John Little Hawk. Little Hawk tells him the legend of “Crota,” a creature trapped by ancient shamans, who has returned to wreak havoc. With the fate of the entire town hanging in the balance, it’s obvious what must be done- the real question is do they have what it takes to do it?
What elevates Crota from your bang average horror thriller to a Bram-stoker award worthy piece of fiction? Well the clue’s in the name, it’s the Crota. I must say, I was both surprised and impressed to learn that Goingback’s titular beast is of his own creation- the only thing that crops up when you google is Destiny 2 and this. From its deep amber eyes, to its ginger fur, to its meticulous backstory, this is a creature feature that feels like it could be a myth passed down generations. It’s truly a testament to Goingback’s writing that this malevolent monster feels so real. It’s a beast that feels both ancient and menacingly immediate.
John Little Hawk is more than an enhancement to Crota, he is essential. He is used by Goingback to infuse the story with Native American folklore and practices, enriching the narrative with a cultural depth and authenticity. An Indian groundskeeper, and a talented shaman, Little Hawk brings a unique perspective and a set of skills that are crucial to the unfolding drama. It is thanks to him and his sweat lodge- a sacred place for purification and communication with spirits- that the legend of “Crota,” is unearthed- we can only hope he has the power to stop it too. He provides commentary on the invocation of ancestral strength and spiritual resilience (as does Sheriff Harding actually) and this blend of the mystical and material world just takes Crota to a whole new level.
Goingback’s prose strikes a balance in the fact it is not overly-flowery, but isn’t clumsy either, his focus clearly being rich characterisation instead. Both Harding and Little Hawk are brilliantly written, but this careful attention also extends to the minor characters, for example, you very quickly grow to like Skip’s wife, despite her brief appearance. It seems that Goingback has this magical ability to create memorable characters with just a few strokes of the pen. A small part of me wishes that Billy- the Sheriff’s disabled child- was a little more integral to the storyline, but upon reflection, he still added to Skip’s personal stakes.
As for the characters we aren’t such big fans of, or fail to build a connection with? Well, they serve a different but equally engaging role- becoming prime candidates for some delightfully gruesome body horror. This is a book that somewhat walks the line between contemporary and extreme, but the depravity is certainly eased by the fact that the bulk of nasty things that happen, happen to nasty people.
I, like so many others, have been a victim of the British school system, and one of the few things I actually remember is “WAGOLL.” Teaching assistants would be forced to find the best piece of mediocre creative writing done by an 8 year old that morning, and declare it to be “What A Good One Looks Like.” For me, “Crota,” is the epitome (or WAGOLL) of a creature feature. From its pacing, to its characters, to of course, the creature in question- it’s a bloody good time, if you can stomach it that is.
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