Settling in Nazareth

Name: Settling in Nazareth
Price: 9.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781948929080

✍️ Sandy DeLuca

Reader Score

4.5

(1 review)

$9.99

In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days

📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A supernatural thriller about a fugitive in a haunted beach town.

Ruby escapes Boston with stolen money and a van full of magic items. She intends to lay low in Atlantic City but ends up in Nazareth. There she meets Michael Elmira and joins rituals for strange gods. Matty the cat and dead lover Johnny guide her. A serial killer stalks the town, killing Ruby’s friends. She must survive the specters and the murderer.

Key Themes

supernatural companionship serial killer mystery gothic beach town

Literary Context

Published by Macabre Ink in 2018, this book fits within the contemporary horror genre. It draws on gothic traditions of haunted locations and supernatural entities. The setting contrasts modern fugitive life with ancient, mysterious rituals found in coastal communities.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Shirley Jackson · Poppy Z. Brite · Clive Barker · Tananarive Due

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Macabre Ink 📅 2018 📖 148 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781948929080

📝 Description: Settling in Nazareth

Sandy DeLuca presents a narrative centered on Ruby, a solitary woman with exceptional sleight of hand skills and an intuitive sixth sense. Her journey is accompanied by Matty, a mystical cat, and the spirit of Johnny, her deceased lover who provides cryptic guidance through dreams. After fleeing Boston with stolen funds and a van filled with magical items, Ruby heads to Atlantic City to evade law enforcement. She instead finds herself in Nazareth, where she meets Michael Elmira and begins worshipping strange gods through unusual rituals. The town harbors mysterious beings and specters that Ruby soon encounters. As a serial killer moves silently through the streets, claiming victims without warning, Ruby’s friends begin to perish. The story follows her struggle to survive the town's secrets while avoiding becoming the next target of a maddened predator. This work blends elements of gothic fiction with supernatural suspense, focusing on themes of isolation and hidden dangers within seemingly peaceful communities. DeLuca crafts a tale that appeals to readers who enjoy atmospheric horror and complex character dynamics involving the undead. The narrative does not suit those seeking lighthearted romance or traditional detective mysteries without paranormal elements. The plot relies heavily on the interplay between Ruby’s magical abilities and the physical threats posed by both human and spectral antagonists.

💎 Our verdict on Settling in Nazareth

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

DeLuca crafts an engaging narrative that balances supernatural intrigue with grounded character struggles. Ruby’s journey from fugitive to reluctant participant in occult rituals provides a fresh perspective on the horror genre. The integration of mystical guides, such as Matty the cat and Johnny’s spirit, adds depth to the psychological tension. The setting of Nazareth serves as a perfect backdrop for uncovering town secrets and specters. While the plot relies heavily on magical elements, it remains accessible through its focus on survival against a serial killer. This book is best suited for readers who appreciate gothic atmospheres and complex dynamics between the living and the dead, offering a suspenseful read without relying on traditional detective tropes.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who enjoy atmospheric horror and complex character dynamics involving the undead will find this tale compelling. The narrative appeals to those fascinated by isolation, hidden dangers in peaceful communities, and the interplay between magical abilities and physical threats. It suits fans of supernatural suspense who prefer stories where protagonists must navigate both spectral entities and maddened predators. Those intrigued by ritualistic worship of strange gods and the psychological weight of fleeing past crimes will appreciate the layered tension. The book offers a unique blend of gothic fiction with modern thriller pacing, providing a gripping experience for those who like their horror steeped in mystery and survival rather than simple gore.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

DeLuca crafts an engaging narrative that balances supernatural intrigue with grounded character struggles. Ruby’s journey from fugitive to reluctant participant in occult rituals provides a fresh perspective on the horror genre. The integration of mystical guides, such as Matty the cat and Johnny’s spirit, adds depth to the psychological tension. The setting of Nazareth serves as a perfect backdrop for uncovering town secrets and specters. While the plot relies heavily on magical elements, it remains accessible through its focus on survival against a serial killer. This book is best suited for readers who appreciate gothic atmospheres and complex dynamics between the living and the dead, offering a suspenseful read without relying on traditional detective tropes.