The Rain Dancers is a stunning novella from Greg F Gifune, the author creates an absolutely gripping and intimidating tension. Coupled with the most utterly foreboding atmosphere that will play on your nerves like nothing you’ve read before.
Married couple Will & Betty return to her father’s house after his death to settle his affairs and ready the house to be sold. Amidst the heavy rain, an old man arrives to offer his condolences, claiming to be an old family friend, Betty is charmed by his tales of her father and herself as a young girl. However Betty just doesn’t remember Bob Laurent and Will is immediately mistrustful of a man who appears to be way too friendly and familiar. When the old man starts to get inside Will’s head, taking seemingly innocuous liberties, something has to give, dark and deadly secrets are forthcoming and this soon turns into a chilling night for Will & Betty.
Bob Laurent is the perfect antagonist, seemingly harmless, yet at the same time unnerving and the moment he reveals his true nature, after all your suspicions is masterfully told and more than a touch disturbing.
This story begs to be read in one sitting, my advice, buy this, settle down for a couple of hours and read some of the finest dark fiction around. Highly recommended, just reading through the synopsis again stirs my emotions.
Greg F. Gifune is a critically acclaimed horror author, the recipient of multiple Bram Stoker Award and International Horror Guild Award nominations in addition to one for the British Fantasy Award. Also recommended and originally published in 2003, Greg F. Gifune’s The Bleeding Season, has been hailed a classic genre novel from a multitude of sources over the years and considered one of the best horror/thriller novels of the decade.
Words by Paul Nelson
