Dark Harvest by Norman Partridge
Published: September 2007
Norman Partridge’s Bram Stoker Award-winning novel, Dark Harvest, is a powerhouse thrill-ride with all the resonance of Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery.”
“A major talent.” ―Stephen King
Halloween, 1963. They call him the October Boy, or Ol’ Hacksaw Face, or Sawtooth Jack. Whatever the name, everybody in this small Midwestern town knows who he is. How he rises from the cornfields every Halloween, a butcher knife in his hand, and makes his way toward town, where gangs of teenage boys eagerly await their chance to confront the legendary nightmare.
Both the hunter and the hunted, the October Boy is the prize in an annual rite of life and death.
Pete McCormick knows that killing the October Boy is his one chance to escape a dead-end future in this one-horse town.
He’s willing to risk everything, including his life, to be a winner for once. But before the night is over, Pete will look into the saw-toothed face of horror―and discover the terrifying true secret of the October Boy.
“This is contemporary American writing at its finest.” ―Publishers Weekly, starred review
Hands down, this is the best modern Halloween story. After reading this one, simple jack’o lanterns will never be seen quite the same. You will always wonder if there is something more lurking behind those glowing eyes.
In leagues with the great Shirley Jackson & Ray Bradbury. Spooky season is not complete without a visit with this old friend. This is a must-read for anyone with a love for October and the magic of Halloween night.
Partridge has a signature writing style with an uncanny flair for dialogue and worlds springing to life from the pages. You can almost smell the cinnamon emanating off The October Boy. Strong, like-able characters take you through the wild-ride of the run.
Every year, as the Halloween season reaches its end – I grab this one from my spooky bookshelf and devour it.
Best read at night, for the ultimate creep-tasting experience.
Maison Moonchild 
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