Hometown

Matthew Keville’s Hometown presents a horror narrative set in the milltown of Belford, New York, during the autumn of 1994. The story begins with the seasonal shift as summer heat yields to cool mist. This atmospheric change triggers a series of disappearances among the town's residents. Some victims are discovered torn apart, while others vanish without trace. Witnesses report seeing ghosts and campfire stories within the fog. An ancient entity awakens from its long slumber, driven by hunger. As the season progresses, the townspeople begin to change. They act with bizarre violence, suggesting a corruption spreading through the community. The narrative focuses on a small group of teenage defenders who remain uncorrupted. These young protagonists must organize a final stand against the encroaching threat. Keville draws on traditional folklore elements, specifically campfire stories and ghost lore, to build tension. The book appeals to readers who enjoy localized horror and coming-of-age survival tales. It may not suit those seeking complex political commentary or non-linear structures. The plot relies on the isolation of a small town and the psychological shift of its inhabitants. Keville establishes a clear antagonist in the form of the waking mist entity. The structure follows the escalating dread as the teenagers realize conventional resistance is futile. The story concludes with the teens making their last stand, leaving the fate of Belford ambiguous.