Author: Michael Koryta

Title: The Ridge

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

In the tradition of King and Koontz comes Koryta, author of traditional crime thrillers and horror tales alike. The Ridge combines the best of both genres, following a local sheriff's dogged investigation of mysterious accidents, murders, and suicides that plague his little corner of the world.

Tucked away in the Appalachian foothills of Kentucky, Blade Ridge has become home to, of all things, a lighthouse that illumines nothing but the surrounding woods. Built and manned by an eccentric drunkard, it holds the key to the strange and dangerous events that deputy Kevin Kimble desperately seeks to solve.

Audrey Clark is in the process of moving her big-cat sanctuary to the land adjacent to the lighthouse. Over sixty tigers, lions, cougars and similar wild cats are adjusting to their new home—not very well. The pulsing light from the lighthouse disturbs them. Nighttime itself seems to make them restless. But Audrey is determined to see this transition through—her husband died a few months earlier as he was scouting out the new property, and she wants to honor his dream.

When the lighthouse owner dies by apparent suicide, the investigation into his death reveals troubling local history and clues to recent events. Soon more strange occurrences endanger Audrey, Kimble, and their associates. With the help of the recently retired local newspaper editor, who digs into the area's history, they uncover a frightening history that threatens to overtake the future of Blade Ridge. How they solve the enigma is both troubling and touching.

This book should come with a warning label: "Do not read this book at bedtime. Or anytime during the night. Or while you are camping in the deep dark woods." Koryta has a talent for raising the hair on the back of your neck, elevating your blood pressure, and praying you don't dream about this story while you sleep. He knows just how to leave plot threads dangling so you absolutely must turn the page, all the while apprehensive about what's to come. He has mastered the art of suspense writing.

The paranormal plays a huge role in the solving of the ridge's puzzling events. But Koryta doesn't rely solely on the ghostly elements to move the story forward—he explores the intricacies of the human heart, the relationships that influence characters to act in certain ways. Kimble and Audrey, while completely freaked out by the evil forces arrayed against them, still behave as they do because of love, devotion, and loyalty.

The big cats were fascinating. They seem almost human in how they react to one another, to Audrey, and to the ethereal, unseen forces in the darkness.

By the end of the book, readers will encounter a number of curse words—though they seem to fit with the extreme circumstances in which they were uttered—and one non-gratuitous sex scene with minimal description. Readers will also witness the triumph of good over evil in a most dramatic fashion.  

*This review first published 6/23/2011