On Halloween night a med student named Hale gets a disturbing call from his mother. He heads out to the old farmhouse with a group of his fellow students to render aid. When they arrive there is no sign of Hale’s mom but something is there waiting to pick them off one by one. Stranded because of a snow storm they must try to stay alive until morning while figuring out just what the hell is snatching them up.

Demon Theory is hands-down amazing, brilliant even. Easily one of the best books I’ve read in ages. I haven’t stopped thinking about it since I finished. I must warn you, if you’re into spoon-fed horror with predictable outcomes and characters then don’t read this book. I’m not going to say I’m an intellectual but I am well read and I had to focus all my attention into the story. Hell I may not even be smart enough to write this review with the acclaim it deserves.

Stephen Graham Jones’ Demon Theory is essentially the novelization of a horror movie trilogy written as a literary film treatment based on the notes of the fictitious Dr. Neider complete with footnotes. Ahhh the footnotes. Footnotes of not just horror trivia but info on hair bands, comic books and TV shows (Manimal!) as well. I thought I knew a lot of pop culture but Dr. Jones left me in the dust. I have to say however that the footnotes, while fascinating, kept drawing me out of the story. I’d recommend reading the story with the footnotes, then rereading the story alone. I’d actually like to see a small companion book with just the footnotes, they were that interesting. For example, where else can you read facts that start at The Gate and end at Apocalypse Now?

Among all the talk of literature and footnotes and writing styles some of you may be wondering the most important question. Is it scary? The answer to that my friends is a resounding Hell yes! With gargoyle-like demons, the undead, moody atmosphere, chilling encounters, and blood, guts, and body parts flying this book delivers enough terror to satisfy any horror fan and it never lets up. Read it!

10 out of 10 dysfunctional families.