Isn’t that cover just great? Not only does it match the story, but it sure draws you in, reminding long-time horror readers of the old ’70s and ’80s mass-market paperback horror craze. I wasn’t sure what to expect with David Sodergren’s novel The Haar except the excerpt mentions “folk horror.” I’m picturing hippies on an island dancing around while sacrificing a “good Christian man” to make their crops grow — that’s typically folk horror.

Instead, Sodergren sets his novel on a cold, fog-filled Scottish community. I was hesitant; how many authors choose Scotland because it’s so “foreign” and Americans love the accent? Sodergren is, in fact, Scottish. In the fishing village of Witchaven (see, you’re thinking of The Wicker Man, too, right??) we meet Muriel McAuley, who was born in Witchaven and plans to die there. She’s almost ninety, after all. The problem is a very Donald Trump-like character wants to buy up all the homes in the area to make a golf course. Well, the big difference is our fictitious Mr. Grant is a billionaire (Trump only wishes).

Grant is ruthless, first sending in a nice lady to convince Muriel to sign the papers, exchanging Muriel’s only home for way more than it’s worth. But Muriel’s husband, Billy, was a fisherman and disappeared twelve years ago. He’s assumed dead, but Muriel never said goodbye the morning he set out on his ship and didn’t return. She lives with regret and her home, and she’s not giving up either, no matter the price.

I found The Haar because I was looking for a creature feature theme for my Horror Book Club. Sodergren doesn’t toss us right to the creature. Instead, humans are the villains, as they often are. Grant’s son physically assaults Muriel, and I was so angry, I paused to wonder if the author overdid it with his pathos. I’d like to think people aren’t so terrible, but I’m often wrong about that. As Muriel drags herself home, she stumbles upon a pile of jelly-like goo with an eye. It telepathically sends the message “help,” and Muriel won’t refuse.

Like many horror novels, the creature doesn’t eat food; it wants blood. How many “needs blood to survive” novels am I going to read in one year?? But Sodergren doesn’t disappoint. This creature will happily protect Muriel by taking care of the various greedy wasters paid by Grant to try and scare or kill her, freeing up her land for that new golf course. The author’s descriptions of the creature feeding are graphic and wonderful, and I just enjoyed myself because I have what the internet likes to call a “justice boner.” Also, as the creature learns what Muriel wants in her last years, it becomes her fantasies, giving readers an interesting horror/romance combo. There’s something sentimental and sweet yet gruesome and bloody about The Haar.

The Haar whips along rapidly, never leaving a dull moment, even when it’s quite and Muriel reflects on her youth with Billy. The creature fills a space in her heart, but should it? And is Muriel supposed to care what the creature really is? Sodergren doesn’t just horrify you, he gets you asking yourself, “What would you do?”