Thanksgiving is a time for families to come together and find things to be thankful for. Or, in some cases, cringe at the thought of spending time with those they’d otherwise give a wide berth. All Charlotte Deerborn wants is a nice Thanksgiving dinner. Too bad fate has other plans. A nice family meal will soon be wrecked—in more ways than one.
Wolf at the Door by Joel McKay is a twisted yet fun horror novel. The author takes a holiday, where anything can happen, and gives it a truly horrifying twist. This book takes classic creature horror and brings it into the modern age in a way that makes it sound all too real. As you read this book, you’ll imagine these scenarios playing out in real life.
When you hear Thanksgiving, the first thing that may come to mind is November. It’s a funny thing. The author is writing about Canada’s Thanksgiving, which comes in October. Keep this in mind as you read so you don’t get too confused when you read Halloween is three weeks away.
The characters in this book are individuals you could meet walking down the street. The author works to create realistic characters and succeeds.
There’s a sibling relationship that is amicable and typical at the same time. The older sister, Charlotte, cares about her brother while at the same time being “tolerant” of him.
The adult relationships are where things get more complex. There are regular family dynamics, and the couples put on facades when their realities are something else altogether. For example, older couples have managed their marriages for decades, and younger couples struggle with their situations.
One is hiding a truth that will find its way to the light at the most inopportune moment, and another has a dark secret that will come out to bite their unsuspecting victims… in the ass. Ha, ha! Not literally.
The highlight of this book is the characters themselves. The author does an excellent job bringing them to life. You see—and feel—the family drama between the individuals. You get the “creepy,” inappropriate uncle. The husband who never measured up in the eyes of his father-in-law, and the couple whose relationship is on the brink of collapse. Together, these characters come together to create a mix that develops into a realistic scenario.
In this book, none of the characters can be viewed as the “main” character. The author allows each of them to shine in their own way. Charlotte becomes the focal point in certain scenes, yet the author never excludes the other characters. One character doesn’t get as much attention as the others, but that one character is the one who isn’t as connected either.
Charlotte’s daughter, named after her, stands out the most, earning her the classification of favorite character. While she’s a typical teenager, she doesn’t fully fall into the stereotypical behavior. She teases her brother, but there isn’t the typical animosity sometimes in sibling relationships.
Now, back to the horror. It makes a brief appearance early in the book but then fades away. When the horror aspect reappears, it’s full speed ahead. The author teases the horrific drama to unfold with sightings by various characters, but you’re not going to be prepared for what’s to come, as McKay adds some humor before bringing down the hammer of horror.
The humor comes from the inappropriateness of the characters. It shows up in the conversations and timing of certain revelations and highlights the families’ dysfunction. Part of you will want to cringe at their expense, but you won’t be able to stop reading.
The twists are what fuel this story more than anything else. The author keeps you wondering until the end—as you see that the monstrous wolf at the door isn’t the only thing bringing destruction. Brace yourself. You will not see the surprises coming.
The ending of this book is a mixed bag of twisted and thrills. The characters’ whole experience is life-changing—in many ways. Readers who enjoy books with twisted endings are going to enjoy this book.
When it comes to the overall story, it’s decent but not a page-turner. The author does just enough to keep readers engaged and curious enough to keep reading. While the horror aspect sometimes shines, there could have been more humor.
Lesson of the book: Know thy neighbor because everyone has secrets. Some are more deadly than others.
Pros:
- Realistic characters and the dynamics between them.
- Plot twists and surprises.
- The twisted ending.
- Blending of classic horror with modern day.
Cons:
- Needed more intense drama.
- Could have used more humor.
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