Readers who appreciate the outdoors and a good dose of horror, will find Cicada Summer a very entertaining book if you are scouting for something good. Written by Jeff Dosser with a clear love for nature and all the things that crawl in it, Dosser’s knowledge and research really help to provide a deeper level of authenticity.
Set in the beautiful area of Thunderbird Falls, an old and evil entity haunts the woods. But park rangers Matt Holmes and Andy Zimmerman – and everyone else for that matter – are pleasantly unaware of this, seeing as things have been going pretty well lately, especially for Matt.
Then, just after learning about the Devil’s Brood (a specific cicada species that only come out during certain cycles), they find the first body of a painter, stung to death by bees. As authorities write it off as a simple allergic reaction that could not be controlled, Matt decides to look a little deeper. Unfortunately, the trail only gets more dangerous as more bodies start showing up.
First off, there is one main reason why I liked Cicada Summer and it has everything to do with Dosser’s style. For example, the tone is somewhat old-school and it definitely feels like I borrowed the book from the library, instead of reading it in electronic form. Not only is the quality of the writing superb, but there is never any doubt that every sentence is necessary or constructive.
The pacing of the book is fairly balanced, considering things happen pretty quickly and Dosser follows a rhythm that will not leave you bored. However, Dosser’s natural sense to be meticulously descriptive does slow things down at key points. Personally, there were limited moments where I would have liked a quicker flow for the more intense scenes, but I also know many readers enjoy when a writer takes his or her time to create a strong buildup.
As for the characters, Matt and Andy are very likable because they share a special bond. But even the rest of the cast is presented with great skill, from the Native Americans at the start to old Granny El, every character adds to the plot in a positive way.
In terms of the plot, I was expecting a rather straightforward nature/horror adventure that was going to focus heavily on the main character and how his issues connect with everything. But I was surprised with a few twists and turns, which took the book much deeper than I anticipated, making it even more enjoyable. And while the setting does share resemblances with other stories I have read, Dosser continues to make it unique and worth the time.
From a sincere and honest point of view, Cicada Summer is a great book that will give you a new perspective on nature while administrating a strong dose of horror and thrill. Dosser is a confident writer that pays attention to the details, and he definitely has a natural talent for storytelling.
Award-winning author, Jeff Dosser is an ex-Tulsa cop and current software developer. When not writing, Jeff spends his days working for the man and cycling through the Oklahoma hills.
Jeff’s short stories can be found in magazines such as Iridium Zine, Tales of Terror, Shotgun Honey, Bewildering Stories, and Down In the Dirt just to name a few. He’s also been published in the Deadman’s Tome, Mother’s Revenge, Hindered Souls and Bringing It Back anthologies.
His upcoming novel, Neverland, was the 2017 Oklahoma Writer’s Federation 2nd place winner for best new horror. He is also the recipient of the 2016 Writing.Com Quill award for best short fiction. When not writing, Jeff can be found wandering the woods behind his rural home pondering the mysteries prowling the darkness.
Find out what Jeff’s been up to on his website. jeffdosser.com
or follow him on Twitter @JeffDosser
Reviewed by Damnetha Jules
Damnetha is a staff writer, horror book and movie critic.
