A Silver John novel. Silver John is sent by a shadowy "government man" to discover what is going on in the small Appalachian town of Wolver. He finds an active occult group has taken over the town. John is clearly depicted as Christian so this could almost be considered a religious clash.

re-read 6/26/2023 ( )

My first Silver John story, this book had me enthralled from the beginning. I eagerly tore through it, despite the main character's disorienting mountain-speak. Similar to how reading a good book from another era proves rewarding but challenging, Silver John's colloquialisms slowed my progress, but I couldn't put the book down because I just loved everything about the story from the tone, the characters, the setting, and the plot.

Then I came to the end. And that's what happened...the book just ended. No snappy twist, no "ah ha" moment, Wellman just stopped the action. I would have given this book at least four stars except for the very disappointing ending. Still, Wellman's writing impressed me enough to check out another Silver John book. I hope the next one I read ends better. ( )

Ralph Roberts, a book publisher and local celebrity on URTV (a public broadcasting station here in Asheville) first turned me on to Wellman. I have since been collecting him in a varied number of genres. I was very much pleased with this novel which plays out in the Appalachian Mountains--my home. The setting was quite real to me, and yes, even a bit disturbing, as I personally have come across sacrificial sites in these woods. Silver John--who takes his name and aspect from John the Baptist--carries a silver strung guitar into his adventures in the isolated mountainous regions of the Eastern United States. I would describe Wellman's novel as a sort of Clark Ashton Smith, Robert E. Howard approach to sorceress adventure, all within the tones of mountain culture--it's a trip to hear Silver John repeatedly use such Southern words as "air", "naught" and "reckon". Wellman's knowledge of the Occult comes from quite classical references--it's obvious he was very well read. You may find yourself looking a few books up. I too, like Silver John, have been witness to the Esoteric keeper's face--you should know what I'm talking about from the cover. Take notice that Witches' Sabbats include nude persons. ( )