#Spooktober ‘Curse Of The Reaper’ by Brian McAuley

About the book…

Scream meets The Shining in this page-turning horror tale about an aging actor haunted by the slasher movie villain he brought to life.

Decades after playing the titular killer in the 80s horror franchise Night of the Reaper, Howard Browning has been reduced to signing autographs for his dwindling fanbase at genre conventions. When the studio announces a series reboot, the aging thespian is crushed to learn he’s being replaced in the iconic role by heartthrob Trevor Mane, a former sitcom child-star who’s fresh out of rehab. Trevor is determined to stay sober and revamp his image while Howard refuses to let go of the character he created, setting the stage for a cross-generational clash over the soul of a monster. But as Howard fights to reclaim his legacy, the sinister alter ego consumes his unraveling mind, pushing him to the brink of violence. Is the method actor succumbing to madness or has the devilish Reaper taken on a life of its own?

In his razor-sharp debut novel, film and television writer Brian McAuley melds wicked suspense with dark humor and heart. ‘Curse Of The Reaper’ is a tightly plotted thriller that walks the tightrope between the psychological and the supernatural, while characters struggling with addiction and identity bring to light the harrowing cost of Hollywood fame.

What is so interesting and engaging in this novel,is the twin and differing aspects of the men duelling to be the Reaper.

From Howard (Browning,perhaps named for horror director Tod?)a thespian who originally played the Reaper we have despair, loss of the career he imagined as a well respected actor, eeking out a living at conventions almost in a living hell of repeating well known phrases.

From Trevor Vane (aptly named!) we have a recovering addict in the very early stages of his post rehab life,being offered the role of the Reaper which is so very different from his sitcom background.

Both feel this role is beneath them, for very different reasons.

And these are what urges both men forward in a desperate need to be seen, heard and acknowledged.

The Reaper is the the reason Howard’s marriage broke up and could be the reason why Trevor and his girlfriend stay together.

Between the two men this gorgeous folie a deux develops, the initial scene where they meet for the first time at the audition is so skilfully structured you almost break your shame bone from second hand embarrassment.

And there begins the fight to be the Reaper,Trevor in his search for validation whilst Howard is battling these black spots resulting from advancing Alzheimers.

They find refuge and solace in the role of a slasher villain, such a cruel and relatable joke as he can carry out the punishment with a witty rejoinder, against any perceived wrong doer.

Its a wonderful inside view of the movie making process whilst tackling the pressures of fame, what people will do to be center stage, and the path they will take to ‘make it”.

The psychology of being an actor whilst effectively masked behind the makeup yet making it uniquely your own , crosses boundaries and leaves you wondering what part of the horror is man made and what is genuinely supernatural. It’s a truly gripping and darkly funny read which I thoroughly enjoyed and raced through with pure joy at the raised arm hair and accompanying Goosebumps for the killer who deserves a movie of his own.

About the author…

Brian McAuley is a WGA screenwriter whose produced credits range from family sitcoms to horror films. He holds an MFA in Screenwriting from Columbia University and teaches at various schools in Los Angeles, where he currently resides

Twitter @BrainMcWriter @TalosPress @TalkScaredPod

You can listen to Brian chat about his writing process, his thoughts on slasher fiction and much more on the Talking Scared Podcast , episode 116, available here