The Missing
by Sarah Langan
Synopsis:
In her second novel, Langan delivers a powerhouse creepfest that recalls, in the best way possible, the early work of Stephen King. Corpus Christi, Maine, was once a town of affluence, but since the mysterious paper mill fire in the neighboring town of Bedford (depicted in last year’s well-received debut, The Keeper) released dense sulfuric clouds that killed the surrounding forest, Corpus Christi has been in steady decline. When fourth-grade teacher Lois Larkin takes her class on a field trip to the now-abandoned Bedford, they’re exposed to a deadly virus that transforms the infected into ravenous, flesh-eating monsters. Rather than stick to zombie lit convention (mindless undead, endless chases), Langan invests her plague with a sinister intelligence of unknown origin, maintaining a skin-crawling tension as the vivid cast of characters succumb to murderous insanity, hunting down and tearing apart animals, neighbors and loved ones. Langan has the control of a pro, parsing just enough horrific details to allow the truly gruesome scenes to play out unbound in the imagination; this solid sophomore effort proves that The Keeper’s disturbing ability to burrow into readers’ heads and stay there was no fluke. Order from Amazon
Product Details:
Author: Sarah Langan
Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Harper (September 25, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0060872918
ISBN-13: 978-0060872915
Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches
