Broken Creek

Name: Broken Creek
Price: 15.00 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781670763426

✍️ Tom Clarke

Reader Score

4.4

(1 review)

$15.00

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A 1856 Montana mining dispute triggers a battle against an ancient demon.

The narrative centers on two miners who uncover a silver container in Broken Creek, Montana. This object contains a powerful demon imprisoned by the church during Roman times. The story follows their attempt to sell the item, which leads to possession and violence. A priest from the order that bound the entity joins forces with Sheriff and miner Nelson Washington. They must battle followers of the beast to reseal it. The plot reveals that the box selected its finder, complicating the miners' understanding of their role in the event. The history of the demon connects directly to Masada, providing a specific historical anchor for the supernatural elements.

Key Themes

ancient demon lore Mexican-American war veteran fall of Masada

Literary Context

The book is set in 1856 Montana during the gold rush era. It draws on Roman-era church history and the fall of Masada to contextualize the supernatural threat. The narrative blends frontier mining culture with ancient religious traditions, creating a specific historical horror atmosphere rooted in these distinct periods.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Clive Barker · Thomas Ligotti · Peter Straub · H.P. Lovecraft

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Independently Published 📅 2019 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781670763426

📝 Description: Broken Creek

Tom Clarke’s Broken Creek transports readers to 1856 Montana, where gold miners Jacob Daleman and Nelson Washington disturb a silver box in Broken Creek. This artifact holds a demon bound by the church during Roman times. The narrative traces the entity's history back to the fall of Masada, revealing how the box chose its finder rather than being discovered by chance. The story unfolds through treachery and violence as secrets surface. Nelson, a veteran of the Mexican-American war, teams with the local Sheriff and a priest from the ancient order that originally imprisoned the beast. Together they confront the monster and its followers to restore the demon to its prison. The plot relies on deceit and unmasked identities, challenging the perception of those involved. This work suits readers interested in historical supernatural fiction rooted in specific religious traditions and 19th-century American frontier settings. It does not appeal to those seeking modern horror or non-fiction accounts of mining history. The narrative structure focuses on the immediate aftermath of the box's opening and the subsequent battle for containment, drawing directly from the lore surrounding Masada and Roman-era church practices.

💎 Our verdict on Broken Creek

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Broken Creek effectively merges the rugged atmosphere of 1856 Montana with deep-cut religious horror, creating a distinct subgenre blend. The author succeeds in establishing a tangible sense of dread through the artifact’s selection of its finder, moving beyond chance discovery to deliberate fate. The integration of Masada’s history provides a robust intellectual framework for the supernatural elements, appealing to readers who value lore accuracy. However, the focus on immediate containment and battle may feel rushed to those preferring slow-burn psychological tension. It is best suited for enthusiasts of gothic horror with historical precision and those who enjoy narratives where ancient evils disrupt modern(ish) social orders through violence and treachery.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers drawn to historical supernatural fiction will find this work particularly engaging due to its unique fusion of 19th-century frontier grit and ancient ecclesiastical horror. The book appeals to those who enjoy detailed lore, specifically the connection between Roman church practices and Masada, rather than generic ghost stories. It suits audiences interested in the psychological unraveling of characters like Nelson Washington and the tension between faith and violence. Those seeking a plot driven by deceit, unmasked identities, and the immediate aftermath of disturbing a sealed artifact will appreciate the focused narrative structure. It is ideal for fans who prefer horror rooted in specific religious traditions and historical anchors over modern or non-fiction mining accounts.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Broken Creek effectively merges the rugged atmosphere of 1856 Montana with deep-cut religious horror, creating a distinct subgenre blend. The author succeeds in establishing a tangible sense of dread through the artifact’s selection of its finder, moving beyond chance discovery to deliberate fate. The integration of Masada’s history provides a robust intellectual framework for the supernatural elements, appealing to readers who value lore accuracy. However, the focus on immediate containment and battle may feel rushed to those preferring slow-burn psychological tension. It is best suited for enthusiasts of gothic horror with historical precision and those who enjoy narratives where ancient evils disrupt modern(ish) social orders through violence and treachery.