In the Belly of the Night

Joe Horn is hanging out at the mall, watching people and reminiscing. They lead such ordinary lives; they’re so unsuspecting. He’s seen the horrors of Vietnam and tasted the death of his fellow soldiers. There is very little in life that he is scared of, but he fears the Muck-Drippy thing above all else. He’s seen the damage it can do, the devastation it can dole out. And he knows how to make it crawl back to its hole.

He's also got problems in his love life, being involved in an on-again, off-again relationship with a succubus. Things are pretty complicated and it looks like the trouble will only increase.

He meets Sarah, a reporter who wants to learn more about him. She’s tracked him across the country, and knows about the explosions and destruction that follows in his wake. Sarah wants more than friendship from him, but he’s not prepared to offer anything. Doesn’t she know the danger they face as the creature stalks them?

Jonathan Wright had me on the edge of my seat with this romantic thriller with a paranormal twist. Joe is scarred, a victim of his circumstances, and he’s living the life of a homeless, paranoid man. Mr. Wright paints a bleak picture of the underground world of the remaining Vietnam vets, many of whom live on the streets. In the Belly of the Night has some social awareness overtones, as sympathy is engendered for those men. There is also more to Sarah than meets the eye, and the passion that flames between Joe and Sarah is smoking hot. Add to this mix a shadowy, nebulous evil and you’ve got all of the ingredients for a fast-paced, tightly written erotic and otherworldly tale. I’ll be looking at fog with a little more discerning eye after reading In the Belly of the Night.

Reviewed by: Michelle