Bedeviled - Ellsinore Springs

Name: Bedeviled - Ellsinore Springs
Price: 5.38 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781530427406

✍️ Lee Sylcox

Reader Score

4.4

(1 review)

$5.38

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A short horror tale about a witch and a bloody encounter in the Ozarks.

This book examines how a single violent incident alters the perception of a rural community. Sylcox uses the encounter with the injured boy to bridge the gap between skepticism and belief regarding Ellsinore the witch. The narrative structure focuses on the immediate aftermath rather than long-term consequences. It highlights the tension between rational dismissal and supernatural acceptance in close-knit groups. The work does not provide extensive background on the witch’s history but implies a deep local lore. It serves as a snapshot of fear taking root in a specific place.

Key Themes

witch folklore Ozark wilderness community belief

Literary Context

The story is set in Ellsinore Springs, Missouri, drawing on regional Ozark legends. It reflects rural American attitudes toward supernatural entities and wildlife like black bears. The narrative captures a specific moment where local myth intersects with daily life.

Difficulty

● Easy

Recommended For Fans Of

Stewart O'Nan · Alice Munro · Poppy Z. Brite

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Createspace Independent Publishing Platform 📅 2016 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781530427406

📝 Description: Bedeviled - Ellsinore Springs

Lee Sylcox presents a narrative rooted in the folklore of the Missouri Ozarks. The story follows Tommy Hampton and his companion Cody as they venture near a local spring for fishing. Their outing coincides with memories of a witch said to haunt the area and the presence of black bears in the woods. When daylight fades, the pair encounters a neighbor boy on the road with a bloody facial injury. He attributes the wound to Ellsinore, the witch. Cody dismisses the claim, while Tommy remains uncertain. The narrative unfolds over the next few hours as the community of Ellsinore Springs confronts the truth behind these events. This work draws on regional supernatural traditions and rural legends to explore how local beliefs shape reality. It suits readers interested in small-town horror and folk tales involving witches and wildlife. Those seeking complex character development or extensive historical context may find the scope limited. The text relies on simple dialogue and atmospheric tension rather than intricate plot mechanics. Sylcox uses the setting of Ellsinore Springs to ground the supernatural elements in a specific geographic and cultural context. The story does not offer resolution but rather a shift in community understanding. Readers who enjoy concise, atmosphere-driven horror stories set in rural America will likely appreciate this approach. The narrative avoids modern tropes, focusing instead on immediate fear and local mythos.

💎 Our verdict on Bedeviled - Ellsinore Springs

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Sylcox effectively grounds supernatural elements in the specific geographic and cultural context of the Missouri Ozarks, creating an immersive experience through setting rather than intricate plot mechanics. The narrative excels in portraying the tension between rational dismissal and supernatural acceptance within a rural community. By focusing on the immediate aftermath of a violent incident, the author highlights how local beliefs shape perceived reality without offering extensive background or resolution. This approach suits readers who enjoy concise, atmosphere-driven horror stories. While those seeking complex character development may find the scope limited, fans of folk tales and regional legends will appreciate the authentic exploration of fear taking root in a specific place.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate atmospheric, concise horror set against the backdrop of rural America will find significant value in this narrative. The book offers a compelling study of how fear takes root in close-knit communities, contrasting rational skepticism with supernatural belief. It is ideal for those interested in folk tales involving witches and wildlife, as well as small-town horror that relies on tension rather than complex plotting. The story provides a unique snapshot of cultural identity shaped by local lore, making it suitable for enthusiasts of psychological horror who prefer subtle shifts in understanding over explicit resolutions or extensive historical context.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Sylcox effectively grounds supernatural elements in the specific geographic and cultural context of the Missouri Ozarks, creating an immersive experience through setting rather than intricate plot mechanics. The narrative excels in portraying the tension between rational dismissal and supernatural acceptance within a rural community. By focusing on the immediate aftermath of a violent incident, the author highlights how local beliefs shape perceived reality without offering extensive background or resolution. This approach suits readers who enjoy concise, atmosphere-driven horror stories. While those seeking complex character development may find the scope limited, fans of folk tales and regional legends will appreciate the authentic exploration of fear taking root in a specific place.