The Witching Night

Leslie Waller wrote under the pseudonym C S Cody for this novel, which marks an early departure from his later fame in crime fiction and international intrigue. The story follows Dr. Loomis, a young medical doctor running a small clinic in Chicago. He faces a relentless, malignant force that tortures victims before killing them. This entity remains nameless and indefinable, creating a sense of dread that defies simple categorization as either a curse or a malicious spirit. The narrative pits medical science against this supernatural threat. Dr. Loomis relies on his pharmaceutical training to stay lucid while under direct attack. He uses medication to keep himself buoyant, highlighting the tension between clinical logic and inexplicable evil. This approach distinguishes the work from standard ghost stories by grounding the horror in a realistic medical setting. The book suits readers who enjoy weird fiction that blends psychological tension with supernatural elements. It may not appeal to those seeking traditional vampire or werewolf tropes, as the antagonist is far more abstract. The volume includes an introduction by Jonathan Eeds and launches Bruin Books' Bruin Asylum line. It stands as a chilling tour de force from an author known for Dog Day Afternoon and Hide in Plain Sight, as well as his collaboration with Steven Spielberg on Close Encounters of the Third Kind.