Title: Black Mad Wheel
Author: Josh Malerman
Publisher: Ecco 2017
Genre: Horror
Pages: 297
Rating: 4/5 stars
Reading Challenges:
A chilling novel about a group of musicians conscripted by the US government to track down the source of a strange and debilitating sound
The Danes—the band known as the “Darlings of Detroit”—are washed up and desperate for inspiration, eager to once again have a number one hit. That is, until an agent from the US Army approaches them. Will they travel to an African desert and track down the source of a mysterious and malevolent sound? Under the guidance of their front man, Philip Tonka, the Danes embark on a harrowing journey through the scorching desert—a trip that takes Tonka into the heart of an ominous and twisted conspiracy.
Meanwhile, in a nondescript Midwestern hospital, a nurse named Ellen tends to a patient recovering from a near-fatal accident. The circumstances that led to his injuries are mysterious—and his body heals at a remarkable rate. Ellen will do the impossible for this enigmatic patient, who reveals more about his accident with each passing day.
This book is so incredibly hard to describe. I would place it in the realm of atmospheric horror, more like an general unease and suspense throughout the entire book than a jump-scare type of horror. I really enjoy atmospheric horror. It actually makes me feel scared! This one definitely scratched my horror itch with a creepy journey of memory recovery. I love that we follow Philip (and later Ellen) as he journeys to Africa to find the source of a mysterious sound and then struggles to understand his own memories in a military hospital. I loved that the book is technically set in the 1950s, but it has a timeless quality that further cements the creepy atmosphere. This book is not for people who want definite answers and clear narration. The readers really have to work to piece together the story and what really happened. And yet, I absolutely enjoyed this strange slim novel.
Next up on the TBR pile:
