🩸 Horror Fiction

The American

✍️ Jeffrey Thomas
Reader Score
4.6
(1 review)
$17.95
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A Vietnam veteran hunts a killer with supernatural aid.

Jeffrey Thomas presents a horror narrative about Richard Trenor, a former US tunnel rat returning to Vietnam after his friend Thanh asks for help following the death of Thanh's young sister. Trenor bears war disfigurements and strange supernatural gifts that aid his quest for justice in a dangerous land filled with living evil and ghosts. He encounters two other Americans: a cold-blooded assassin and a bloodthirsty madman, whose presence complicates the perilous investigation. The story blends military history with supernatural horror, exploring post-war trauma through a dark lens of personal vengeance. It suits readers who enjoy gritty tales intertwining war with the uncanny, while those seeking lighthearted adventure or purely historical accounts may find the tone too intense and disturbing for their preferences.

Key Themes
war trauma supernatural justice Vietnam conflict
Literary Context

The story is set in Vietnam, drawing on the history of US tunnel rats from the war era. It blends military fiction with gothic horror traditions, focusing on the aftermath of conflict and the presence of evil in that specific region.

Difficulty
●●● Challenging
Recommended For Fans Of
Stephen King · Clive Barker · Joe R. Lansdale
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 JournalStone 📅 2020 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781950305414

📝 Description: The American

Jeffrey Thomas, known for his work in horror and gothic fiction, presents a narrative centered on Richard Trenor. This former US tunnel rat returns to Vietnam after being summoned by Thanh. The request stems from the death of Thanh’s eight-year-old sister. Trenor bears disfigurements from the war but possesses strange gifts resulting from that conflict. These abilities guide his quest for justice in a landscape fraught with danger. The story introduces two other Americans who cross paths with Trenor during his investigation. One is a cold-blooded assassin, while the other is described as a bloodthirsty madman. Their presence complicates an already perilous situation. The narrative also features a tormented ghost and an infestation of living evil. These elements suggest a blend of military history and supernatural horror traditions. This book suits readers who enjoy gritty tales of war intertwined with the supernatural. It appeals to those interested in the lingering effects of conflict on the human psyche. Readers seeking lighthearted adventure or purely historical accounts may find the tone too dark. The narrative focuses on personal vengeance and the uncanny, offering a specific view of post-war trauma through a horror lens.

💎 Our verdict on The American

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Jeffrey Thomas delivers a potent blend of military history and supernatural horror, centering on Richard Trenor’s return to Vietnam. The narrative excels in depicting the psychological toll of war through a dark, gothic lens. Trenor’s unique abilities and disfigurements create a compelling protagonist navigating a landscape fraught with living evil and ghosts. The introduction of additional Americans, including an assassin and a madman, adds layers of complexity to the investigation. While the tone is undeniably disturbing and intense, it serves the story’s focus on vengeance and trauma. This book suits readers who enjoy gritty tales intertwining war with the uncanny, offering a specific, harrowing view of post-war survival.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers drawn to gritty, atmospheric horror will find resonance in this narrative’s unflinching look at post-war trauma. It appeals to those who appreciate the blending of military history with supernatural elements, offering a dark lens on personal vengeance and the lingering effects of conflict on the human psyche. The story is ideal for fans of psychological horror who enjoy complex protagonists burdened by disfigurement and strange gifts. Those seeking lighthearted adventure or purely historical accounts may find the tone too intense, but enthusiasts of the uncanny will gain from its exploration of living evil and ghosts within a dangerous land.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.6
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

Jeffrey Thomas delivers a potent blend of military history and supernatural horror, centering on Richard Trenor’s return to Vietnam. The narrative excels in depicting the psychological toll of war through a dark, gothic lens. Trenor’s unique abilities and disfigurements create a compelling protagonist navigating a landscape fraught with living evil and ghosts. The introduction of additional Americans, including an assassin and a madman, adds layers of complexity to the investigation. While the tone is undeniably disturbing and intense, it serves the story’s focus on vengeance and trauma. This book suits readers who enjoy gritty tales intertwining war with the uncanny, offering a specific, harrowing view of post-war survival.

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