Cypress House

I’ve just finished reading Michael Koryta’s latest spine-chilling thriller called “The Cypress House”, a novel that spans 57 chapters and split into five parts, and I have to say I’m completely exhausted! After gorging on his beautifully crafted vocabulary, “The Cypress House” left me breathless.

I had the pleasure of reading Koryta’s “So Cold the River” in September last year (which incidentally reached number three in my top 15 books of 2010), a wonderful book that was “hypnotic and hauntingly chilling” – his latest novel is in similar vein but at the same time so very different.

“Arlen Wagner has seen it in men before – a trace of smoke in their eyes that promises imminent death. He is never wrong.

When Arlen and his young companion Paul Brickhill are stranded at the Cypress House with a hurricane approaching, Paul won’t abandon the boarding house’s enigmatic mistress Rebecca to face the storm alone.

But Arlen’s gift warns him that if they stay too long, they may never leave.”

The book, set in post war 1935 America, introduces us to the curious and mysterious Arlen Wagner who himself is no stranger to death following his exploits at Belleau Wood, France against the Germans. Crammed on a train bound for the Florida Keys Arlen sees danger and death in the eyes of his fellow travellers. When the train stops for a brief respite he begs his fellow travellers not to re-join the train. Convinced he’s mad they all ignore his warnings, all except one that is, and continue to the Keys. Paul Brickhill, a young and naïve 19 year old stays with Arlen and together they embark on a perilous journey.

Published by Hodder “The Cypress House” is available from Amazon (UK) and Amazon (US)

When the pair eventually arrives on the Gulf Coast they discover the Labor Day hurricane has struck killing hundreds, their fellow travellers are presumed dead and the decision to leave the train reinforced. The weather front edges closer and together with the beautiful Rebecca who owns he inn, they shore up the house and batten down the hatches.

“The Cypress House” is a wonderfully evocative novel. The narrative is sumptuous and atmospheric, just what I’ve come to expect from Michael Koryta. The book itself is a slow burner for me, Koryta taking his time to build a solid foundation and introduce us to the numerous characters found along the way. I didn’t find it as quick or as gripping as “So Cold the River” until we reach the final third of the book – it then takes on the pace of a runaway train until the ending.

It left me with a feeling of claustrophobia and I felt on more than one occasion hemmed in, unable to escape Koryta’s evil clutches. There’s no denying Koryta’s ability as a wordsmith – few authors can create such a feeling of desperation and yet still urge you to continue reading – make no mistake “The Cypress House” is powerful and once you make it to the end of the book, just like Arlen you’ll be reaching for a stiff drink to calm the nerves.

Characterisation is impressive and they come no stronger than the mysterious Arlen Wagner. He’s a very powerful and protective character, a father figure to Brickhill who’s only intention, initially, is to leave Cypress House within hours of arriving. Arlen appears to be a confident man on the outside, he stands no messing but as his journey evolves we discover he has a hidden past he’s keen to forget – the last thing he wants to do is share.

Travelling with Arlen is Paul Brickhill, a talented and untrained engineer who has the extraordinary ability to fix anything that requires fixing. A naïve character, Paul relies on Arlen for guidance and support – although he’d never admit needing assistance! The pair work well together and form a tight bond. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the youngster develop and mature along the way. Completing the trio of main characters is the beautiful Rebecca and just like Arlen and Paul, she too has secrets buried deep within.

Fighting against Arlen and Paul is a corrupt sheriff and a nefarious judge in Solomon Wade, both hell-bent in creating misery to all who stand against their beliefs. Wade is a nasty bit of work, yet we know little about him. An intelligent and resourceful man he will stop at nothing to secure a wealthy and prosperous future – it’s up to Arlen to stop him!

“The Cypress House” is by no means your average thriller. Koryta blends the supernatural with a dark psychological narrative, taut until its captivating conclusion. Few authors can command an audience like Koryta and yet again he delivers a magnificent yet exhausting novel educing the harsh realities of post-prohibition America – a must-read for sure.

Published by Hodder “The Cypress House” is available from Amazon (UK) and Amazon (US)