IN THE DARK OF THE NIGHT by John Saul
John Saul's latest novel is titled IN THE DARK OF THE NIGHT, which is an appropriately chilling title for the author of ultra-chilling books. The problem is this book is not chilling at all. Saul's genius for writing stories that make our blood run cold has obviously undergone a transformation and now shows itself in stories that ought to be scary but aren't. IN THE DARK OF THE NIGHT comes across as a big yawn, not a story that would keep us awake all night.
The story takes place in a summer resort town called Phantom Lake. It is located in the Midwest around the Great Lakes. Several families from Evanston have vacationed there over the past few years but never the Brewsters. This is because Merrill Brewster is afraid of her own shadow and never wants to be in a strange place, away from her husband, for very long. But this year Dan Brewster puts his foot down. They have found a wonderful house, called Pinecrest, and he wants the family to enjoy the summer there.
So Merrill finds herself traveling to Phantom Lake with Dan and their children Eric and Marci. Also at Phantom Lake this summer are their friends the Newells and the Sparks. Their sons, Kent and Tad, are Eric's best friends; and the trio of boys has great plans for the summer.
Merrill's worst fears are answered when she learns that Pinecrest might have been the home of a mad scientist or doctor. Still the location of their house and the wonderful summer breezes make her fears seem silly. But then Marci begins to talk about a mysterious man who is out on the lake in a boat with a huge cross at the front. This man, Logan, is seemingly stalking them.
Eric, Kent and Tad also discover a mystery when they go into the deserted carriage house and find a treasure trove of mysterious items walled up in a room beyond the main room. Once they enter the room it is as if they become possessed by some evil spirits who inhabit their dreams.
All of this sounds chilling and it should be, but Saul never develops it. The story keeps tiptoeing around a really horrific event but nothing ever occurs. There is blood and gore but it is never personal to the story. And keeping the main characters out of harm's way keeps the reader out of that area too.
Saul still knows how to tell a story but there is no payoff in IN THE DARK OF THE NIGHT. Saul has many, many fans who count on him to write stories that keep you awake at night and haunt your dreams when you do sleep. His new novel is not anywhere near that kind of grabber. This is instead a mildly interesting book that plays out before the end of the story has come.
IN THE DARK OF THE NIGHT is published by Ballentine Books. It contains 324 pages and sells for $25.95.