Sinister Night
Douglas is trying hard to get into the Christmas Spirit but this year it’s hard. This is the first year after his kid sister’s tragic accident and no matter what he tries he just can’t get his parents out of their grief. Even with this being Douglas’ favorite time of year his parents are withdrawn and haven’t even put up any lights or decorations. It’s almost as if the lights and festivities are salt in a still open wound, reminding them of their lost daughter. In a desperate effort to remind his parents that they still have a child here craving their attention and support Douglas launches a plan. Using an under-construction house at the end of his neighborhood, Douglas decides to decorate it up for Christmas and surprise his parents. But when he discovers a weird strand of Christmas lights in a nearby storm drain something feels off. The colors aren’t quite right, and the strand is never ending. It’s only when these curious lights begin to multiply, taking over everything in its way that Douglas and his friends must try to find the source and stop the advance before it’s too late. With their every turn dogged by an eerie group of carolers and the neighborhood’s already tacky Christmas decorations being slowly overrun by twisted versions, Douglas and his friends are running out of time. What started as a quest to save Christmas for Douglas’ parents has turned into a battle to save the neighborhood.
I Found Christmas Lights Slithering Up My Street is the third in the I Found Horror Series of novellas by author Ben Farthing and I must say that out of all the books in this series so far this has got to be my favorite. Farthing has taken a holiday known for its lights and images of peace and goodwill and injected into it a slithering sinister foreboding. As Douglas goes from house to house in attempt to warn his neighbors of what he is not even sure, it seems he is one step behind the lights. Adding in a creepily sentient caroler decoration heralding doom wherever their voices are heard and this really becomes the stuff of nightmares. Douglas only wants to remind his parents of the joy of Christmas, but how is that possible if he doesn’t even believe it?
Released last year, this is the perfect creepy holiday read to warm you up and have you peeking out of your front door in apprehension of unannounced visitors. Farthing excels at taking a mundane location or well-loved subject, flip it inside out, and instill an aura of dread that will stay with you long after the final pages.
If you love horror, and all things creepy; if you are a fan of traditional Christmas or more modern celebrations, Farthing’s I Found Christmas Lights Slithering Up My Street is the perfect macabre story of the holiday season.
Jennly Reads 