Book Summary: In Bloom

There’s something in the water in this hallucinatory short story by Paul Tremblay, bestselling author of The Cabin at the End of the World and The Beast You Are.

Journalist Heidi Cohen is in Cape Cod investigating the sources of recurring toxic algae blooms along the coast. A local named Jimmy has his own theory for her. Every year the fetid growth gets worse—but it’s been going on longer than anyone knows. Decades ago, something happened to Jimmy that he’s never forgotten. Is Heidi ready for the real story?

Paul Tremblay’s In Bloom is part of Creature Feature, a collection of devilishly creepy stories that tingle the spine and twist the mind. They can be read or listened to in one petrifying sitting.

_{via Amazon}

Book Review: In Bloom

I am continuing my reviews of the Creature Feature collection from Amazon Originals today with this review of In Bloom, by Paul Tremblay.

If you’re a fan of slow-burn stories and you love classic movies like The Thing and The Blob, you will probably love this short story from Paul Tremblay.

I personally enjoyed the way the story unfolds, how it’s told in a very meandering, casual way despite the horror it contains. It reminds me in many senses of The Colorado Kid by Stephen King. I also enjoyed how many questions seem to emerge as the story evolves. Without giving too much away, I found the ending extremely interesting. It is uncertain whether what is happening is reality. Open-ended stories are honestly my favorite.

I found this story chilling, a bit haunting, but not necessarily terrifying. I do think it is extremely fitting for the Creature Feature Collection. I originally rated this story as 4-stars, but I’ve re-read it (and the entire collection) since then, and decided to upgrade it.

Pros:

• Great storytelling
• Unreliable narrators
• Creepy monster