The Resurrectionist

In this serial-killer-thriller, Wrath James White has crafted a brutal story that moves fast and effectively. White approaches this in a unique and interesting way: what if you could be raped and murdered over and over again? What if you only remembered certain elements? Or nothing at all? Sarah Lincoln and her husband Josh live in Las Vegas. Like many Americans they're doing their best to stay afloat, but lately they've grown more and more concerned as their neighbors lose their homes to foreclosure or flee from the escalating crime rate. When a man named Dale moves in across the street, Sarah begins having nightmares of being raped and murdered. Every time she wakes, she's astonished to find herself and Josh unharmed. Sarah questions her sanity while Josh struggles with a past he wishes he could forget. One afternoon, Sarah finds their mattress soaked in blood and freshly cleaned patches of carpet leading away from their bed. Unable to comprehend what's happening, Sarah and Josh look for evidence to end this mystery. What they find defies reality. With the help of a sympathetic detective and her partner, a race begins to stop Dale from doing what he does best. But since his victims aren't dead...is he actually committing a crime? "The Resurrectionist" contains a compelling group of characters. White balances action and exposition well; weaving suspense that raises the blood pressure. White's penchant for blending brutality, fantastical elements and philosophical messages that push boundaries, break taboos, and leave readers thinking long after his story has ended is exemplified here. Visit [...].

Short and Simple: This was one of the best horror novels I have read this year. It ranks up there with Edward Lee. Wrath caught me in his web on page 1 and didn't let go. I'm still thinking about it.

I only read maybe 50 books in a year but it's novels like The Resurrectionist that make me wish I read more. As a child, Dale McCarthy witnessed the grotesque murder of his mother at the hands of his own father. After the police arrive and shoot his father, Dale makes his way back into his parents' bedroom and proceeds to give his mother CPR. While it should have been a lost cause, she survives. Dale has the ability to resurrect people who have recently died and they have no memory of what just happened. While most people would use this "gift" for the betterment of mankind, Dale only uses it to help himself and his "desires." Dale is a rapist and a murderer who cleans up after himself and revives his victims before going home. His latest victims are his new neighbors, Sarah and Josh Lincoln. Right after Dale moves into the neighborhood, Sarah begins having horrible nightmares of being raped and murdered by Dale. Wrath James White proceeds to take you deep into Sarah's struggle to prove that she's not crazy and that Dale is somehow murdering her and her husband nightly. The characters are very well written, making you really feel sorry for Sarah and Josh and creeped out by Dale. The ending was a real killer too.

My first experience with Wrath's literary work was his first novel, Succulent Prey. After reading that one, I continue to devour every book that he has written or co-written, always with the expectations of not being able to meet what he accomplished with Succulent Prey. Not only has Wrath James White continued to prove me wrong with each publication, he sets the bar higher for himself. With the Resurrectionist, Wrath has destroyed the bar. Poor Dale McCarthy. A child who was dealt all the bad cards in the deck is given the special gift to save those around him who have died. Not only is he blessed with this gift, those in which he saves are blessed without the memory of their own deaths. Many people on this earth would use this ability to ease the suffering of others. Not Dale. The only suffering he is concerned about is his own. Wrath continues to deliver original tales with the ability to turn the reader on and gross them out at the same time in a way no one else could. Wrath has the ability to capture sexual taboos many shy away from while delivering shock, fear, sensuality and sympathy at the same time. This fast paced tale keeps the reader wondering what is going to happen and doesn't answer their questions till the final page. Easily one of the top reads of 2009. The Resurrectionist should be on the top of every horror lovers Christmas list.

Dale McCarthy has the power to resurrect the recently dead, with no memory of how they died. A wonderul gift, that could change the world. Except...Dale ain't quite right. After moving to a new neighborhood, Dale becomes obsessed with Sarah Lincoln and jealous of her husband, Josh. What is a sociopath to do? Well, when you can kill and then bring your victims back to life, it's not a problem. Sarah is having vivid nightmares that her new neighbor is torturing and murdering her and she wakes to a mattress soaked in blood. What is happening to her? Why won't her husband believe her? Can the police help, when all she has are vague dreams as evidence? The Resurrectionist is hardcore horror at it's literary finest. Wrath James White's style has never been crisper. The story moves along at a steady pace that leads to a breathtaking climax. Even the quiet moments are filled with tension. The characters are some of the most three dimensional folks I have encountered in quite some time. They have quirks and ticks and fully-fleshed backstories. They aren't perfect people; they are people from everyday life. Then there is the blood. White crams five buckets of blood into a one bucket book. There is sex and torture and murder. Hammers, knives, guns, and bare hands. Dale McCarthy is a deviant psycho, who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. And he really likes blood. This is one of the most original stories I have had the pleasure of reading in quite some time. Everything leads to a climax that, I think, could split fans down the middle. I loved the ending. It is brutal and daring. But, I can see some folks taking issue, because it certainly isn't traditional. No matter how you feel about the ending, if you are a fan of literate, original, hardcore horror, you can't go wrong with The Resurrectionist. Easily my favorite book of 2009.