Under pen name J.H. Markert, author James Markert continues to rebrand into a new style of books with his latest contemporary horror/suspense novel “Mister Lullaby,” a deeply dark and disturbing thriller taken literally from nightmares.
When Gideon Dupree returns home from his stint in the military, trouble seems to arrive in town with him — all revolving around the mysterious and deadly tunnel found near the town. He joins forces with his childhood friend, Deputy Sheriff Beth Gardner, to figure out who’s brutally murdering people and leaving their body parts behind, as well as why strange creatures and plants are coming out of the tunnel.
Can they figure out who is committing the horrific murders, and what their connection is to a mysterious Lalaland (“a euphoric mental state detached from the harsher realities of life”) connected to the tunnel, lullabies (“a song or folk poem meant to help a child fall asleep”), and mares (“in Germanic folklore, a malicious creature that sits on people’s chests while they sleep, causing nightmares”).
Markert does an incredible job of developing a world full of horror, intrigue, fear and courage. His fans will also enjoy finding references to his other books written under both pseudonyms.
“Mister Lullaby,” which is due out Nov. 21, will appeal to fans of shows like “Criminal Minds” and authors like Stephen King and Ted Dekker. However, be forewarned this book, unlike Dekker’s, contains a lot of foul language as well as lustful situations. This is very much a mainstream, contemporary novel.
Four stars out of five.
Crooked Lane Books provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.