It Rides a Pale Horse

The Larkin siblings, Peter and Betsy, are known around the small town of Wofford Falls. When Peter goes to deliver one of his latest pieces to a rich buyer, he is met by an intimidating security guard who plays him a live feed of Betsy being abducted. Lark is given a book to follow, but he realizes it may be demonic and his sister's captors are not what they seem. The only way out is through, and Marino offers horrors both existential and visceral.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 04 October 2022
Publisher: Little, Brown & Company

Marino possesses a remarkable talent for crafting genuinely unsettling imagery. This novel exudes a terrifying momentum that captivates readers from the very first page.

The Larkin siblings, known throughout the small town of Wofford Falls, are a pair of artists with distinct personalities. Peter Larkin, affectionately known as Lark to his friends, stands as the hometown hero. He ventured to the big city, achieved fame, and then returned to settle down in his beloved hometown. Lark possesses a remarkable ability to form fast friendships with almost anyone he meets. On the other hand, his sister Betsy is more reserved and keeps to herself.

When Lark embarks on a routine delivery of his latest artwork to a fabulously wealthy buyer, it initially appears to be a standard transaction. However, things take a sinister turn when he is met at the gate of the sprawling, secluded estate by an intimidating security guard. To his surprise, the guard plays him a live feed: his sister Betsy being abducted in real time.

Lark is informed that his sister is currently safe, but her well-being rests entirely in his hands. He is given a mysterious book, with instructions to follow its contents precisely. If he succeeds, Betsy will be released. It seems like a straightforward solution, but as Lark delves into the book, he begins to realize that it holds a dark and malevolent power. The author may be unhinged, and his sister's captors may not be as they seem. Furthermore, the town of Wofford Falls and its inhabitants undergo a mysterious transformation.

Lark understands that the only way to escape this nightmarish situation is to confront the book's challenges head-on. He embarks on a perilous journey, navigating through a world of horror and deceit, as he unravels the secrets hidden within the book. Along the way, he encounters strange and unsettling characters, each with their own agendas and motivations.

Marino's writing is a blend of existential and visceral horror, leaving readers both intellectually and emotionally unsettled. The novel explores themes of power, manipulation, and the darkest corners of the human psyche. It keeps readers hooked, reading way past their bedtime, as they eagerly turn the pages to uncover the truth and find a way out of this terrifying predicament.

In addition to The Seven Visitations of Sydney Burgess, Andy Marino has written other notable works. His debut novel, The Dark House, was a critically acclaimed horror story that delved into the depths of human fear and the supernatural. Marino's writing is characterized by its atmospheric storytelling, intricate plotlines, and memorable characters.

Overall, The Seven Visitations of Sydney Burgess is a haunting and captivating horror novel that showcases Andy Marino's exceptional talent for crafting unsettling imagery and delivering intense psychological horror. It is a must-read for fans of the genre who are looking for a novel that will keep them on the edge of their seats until the very last page.

Weight: 324g
Dimension: 139 x 208 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780316629522