🩸 Horror Fiction

A Scream in the Night

✍️ R E Lyons
Reader Score
4.4
(1 review)
$5.75
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A rural West Virginia mystery about a scream, blood, and an unknown hunter.

Lyons crafts a tense narrative centered on a violent incident in rural West Virginia. The plot begins with a piercing scream during a hot summer night. This event leads to the discovery of blood and the subsequent disappearance of a young person. The community struggles with fear and confusion as the police remain silent about their findings. The story explores the psychological impact of an unseen predator on a small group of people. Lyons emphasizes the atmosphere of isolation and the limitations of official investigations. The narrative does not provide clear answers about the identity of the hunter. Instead, it focuses on the growing dread and the inability to stop the threat. This approach creates a lingering sense of unease that persists after the final page.

Key Themes
rural horror supernatural mystery police secrecy
Literary Context

The story is set in rural West Virginia during a hot summer night. It draws on American gothic traditions and regional folklore. The narrative reflects the isolation and tight-knit nature of small communities facing unexplained violence.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
Stephen King · Thomas Tryon · Shirley Jackson · R.L. Stine
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Independently Published 📅 2019 📖 27 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781710028881

📝 Description: A Scream in the Night

R E Lyons presents a chilling narrative set against the backdrop of rural West Virginia. The story unfolds during an oppressive summer night when a sudden scream shatters the quiet. This event marks the beginning of a terrifying investigation into a violent crime. A pool of blood appears, followed quickly by the disappearance of the young victim. The community is left in confusion and fear as they try to understand the nature of the threat. Lyons draws on traditions of rural horror and supernatural mystery to build tension. The police withhold crucial information, deepening the sense of isolation and dread among the residents. The narrative focuses on the unknown entity that hunts in the darkness and the desperate attempts to stop it. This book suits readers who enjoy atmospheric tales of small-town terror and unexplained violence. It may not appeal to those seeking lighthearted entertainment or detailed procedural police work. The author relies on mood and suspense rather than complex plot twists. The setting plays a vital role in creating the unsettling atmosphere that defines the story. The isolation of the West Virginia landscape amplifies the horror. Lyons uses the heat and silence of the summer night to heighten the impact of the scream. This technique grounds the supernatural elements in a tangible, realistic environment. The lack of police transparency adds a layer of bureaucratic horror to the physical threat. Readers will find the pacing deliberate, allowing the dread to accumulate slowly. The focus remains tightly on the immediate aftermath of the crime and the community's reaction. There are no grand resolutions or easy answers provided within these pages. The ending leaves the nature of the hunter ambiguous, preserving the fear. This work fits into the broader tradition of American gothic fiction. It echoes the isolation found in Appalachian folklore and regional horror stories. The setting is not merely a backdrop but an active participant in the narrative. Lyons captures the specific unease of rural communities facing inexplicable events. The story reflects a time when local secrets are kept close and trust in authority is low. This context makes the horror feel more immediate and personal for the reader.

💎 Our verdict on A Scream in the Night

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Lyons effectively utilizes the oppressive heat and silence of a West Virginia summer night to build palpable tension. The narrative succeeds in grounding supernatural elements within a realistic, tangible environment, enhancing the horror through isolation. By withholding police transparency, the author deepens the community's fear and confusion, creating a compelling sense of helplessness against an unseen predator. This approach suits readers who prioritize atmosphere and psychological impact over procedural detail or clear resolutions. The lack of definitive answers regarding the hunter’s identity leaves a persistent unease, making it a strong entry for those who enjoy traditional small-town terror where the setting itself becomes a character in the unfolding dread.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking a deeply atmospheric and unsettling experience will find this narrative rewarding. It appeals to those who prefer mood and suspense over complex plot mechanics or detailed police procedurals. The book is ideal for fans of rural horror who enjoy the tension of isolation and the fear of the unknown. Those interested in the psychological impact of unexplained violence on a close-knit community will appreciate the focus on dread rather than resolution. It offers a lingering sense of unease, making it suitable for readers who want to feel the weight of an unseen threat without the comfort of clear answers or lighthearted entertainment.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

Lyons effectively utilizes the oppressive heat and silence of a West Virginia summer night to build palpable tension. The narrative succeeds in grounding supernatural elements within a realistic, tangible environment, enhancing the horror through isolation. By withholding police transparency, the author deepens the community's fear and confusion, creating a compelling sense of helplessness against an unseen predator. This approach suits readers who prioritize atmosphere and psychological impact over procedural detail or clear resolutions. The lack of definitive answers regarding the hunter’s identity leaves a persistent unease, making it a strong entry for those who enjoy traditional small-town terror where the setting itself becomes a character in the unfolding dread.

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