I have spent a lot of time with Jade Daniels lately. I wanted to do a re-read of the first two books in the series before this one came out, but life happened. I had already startede listening to my audio copy of My Heart is a Chainsaw and I couldn’t wait to read The Angel of Indian Lake. I do like to have different book formats going at once since I decided to start this one as soon as my Hardcover was delivered (yes, it’s signed).
I read the first, and the final books in the series in tandem and will start Don’t Fear the Reaper next. As odd as this may sound it was actually kind of cool. Some items referenced in this book I had just read in the first and it was fresh so I understood and appreciated the tie in reference. I was also able to enjoy the very popular meme element of “Where it started/How it’s going”
The summary of this book on Simon and Schuster’s web page is probably the best way of talking about this book without spoilers for the trilogy. Check it out:
A National Bestseller
The final installment in the most lauded trilogy in the history of horror novels picks up four years after Don’t Fear the Reaper as Jade returns to Proofrock, Idaho, to build a life after the years of sacrifice—only to find the Lake Witch is waiting for her in New York Times bestselling author Stephen Graham Jones’s finale.
It’s been four years in prison since Jade Daniels last saw her hometown of Proofrock, Idaho, the day she took the fall, protecting her friend Letha and her family from incrimination. Since then, her reputation, and the town, have changed dramatically. There’s a lot of unfinished business in Proofrock, from serial killer cultists to the rich trying to buy Western authenticity. But there’s one aspect of Proofrock no one wants to confront…until Jade comes back to town. The curse of the Lake Witch is waiting, and now is the time for the final stand.
New York Times bestselling author Stephen Graham Jones has crafted an epic horror trilogy of generational trauma from the Indigenous to the townies rooted in the mountains of Idaho. It is a story of the American west written in blood.
I have seen edited versions of this all over but this is by far my favorite “About the Book” section. Also you have to commend Simon and Schuster for a killer video at the launch of the book. I was able to grab the link to share with all of you.
Jade is back for one last go as not the Final Girl Proofrock wants, but the Final Girl they need. Jade has never thought of herself as anything more than the know it all Randy supporting character from Scream, but we the reader knows better. This time Jade is going to be pushed to her breaking point and beyond. Through each book Jade has grown and gained more and more reasons for her to live for. Jade started as a horror loaner who wanted the lake to take her away, a la Friday the 13th style, with young Jason pulling her from the town canoe into Ezekiel’s cold box. By the second book we find Jade grew has friends and a sudo family (father figure Hardy) that cared for her. Now we find Jade is stronger and working on being part of the town that has hated her for so long.
(Sometimes it is really hard to not give spoilers when you enjoyed something so much)
There is so much heart and emotion in this book. Sure, that seems fitting with characters we have lived with for now 3 books. But even new characters are instant favorites. Stephen Graham Jones has this way of creating characters that you instantly love. This book opens just like most slashers with characters that are expendable. In the very short time we get to meet them, they are such well developed characters that experiencing that opening was bitter sweet. As a horror fan it was fantastic slasher greatness, but as a person my was so sad we wouldn’t follow there story at least a little longer.
This trilogy has meant a lot to me. My Heart is a Chainsaw was the book that introduced me to the newest of my all time favorite authors Stephen Graham Jones. I also connected with the character of Jade because I saw myself in her. Sure I don’t have the tragic backstory or the punk rock rebel look, but I also felt like the outcast horror nerd who feels like there isn’t a place in society.
This trilogy introduced me to so many other fans who are amazingly wonderful people. It extended my friend group in the book side of the horror community and I love it. MHIAC was also the first review I posted here in this new home for my blog and was the beginning of my rebuilding of my blog and my writing. I will never be able to thank Stephen Graham Jones for unknowingly creating a trilogy that changed my world and allowed me to feel like I found my place.
Stephen Graham Jones is an encyclopedia of horror knowledge and it shows in the many many movie references thrown into his books. Huge shout out to the talent of the Proofrock fandom. User SpaghettiNoir on letterbox has collected and made lists of all the movies that are referenced in each book and I plan on doing a full watch through of every one of those movies in the future. I’d be coureous to count how many I haven’t seen. I don’t think there would be very many. Check out their lists to see for yourself all the movies in these books.
I could honestly rave about this book forever and I will always tell everyone who will listen how much I love this book and the others. Out of the 3 I feel this one is better than Don’t Fear the Reaper and in the same league as My Heart is a Chainsaw. This is why it should be no surprise that I give this book 🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃. Thank you for the stories and taking us along on your adventure Jade. Now enjoy your pan out and fade to black.
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