Oh, and did I forget Father Callahan? (view spoiler) The story itself is rather straightforward, steadily moving along to its almost-conclusion that we have glimpsed in the first few pages, and we watch with bated breath as our bunch of good guys - Ben, Mark, Susan, Matt - are trying to take on the supernatural horror. It doesn't take the reader long to realize, as we go back in time to see how the events unfolded, that the mysterious menacing Marsten House welcomed new evil that tends to lurk at night, floating past your (hopefully, tightly shut) windows. It is this portrayal of everyday people's secrets, of the towns being almost like living breathing organisms that is one of the big reasons why I am a huge fan of Stephen King's works.įrom the very first pages of the novel we know that some terrible fate made 'Salem's Lot a ghost town with apparently only a couple of survivors. The small town of 'Salem's Lot can boast your usual lies, bullying, corruption, and prejudice - and spices it up with well-hidden child abuse, violence, and murders. And trust me, that's the discoveries that you can easily go without for the darkness of the human soul as presented by Stephen King beats everything that any monster or boogeyman can ever send your way. It's quaint and pastoral on the surface, but once you look deeper you are bound to discover what lurks behind its respectable surface. The eponymous 'Salem's Lot is a small town in Maine, and it is not a stranger to secrets and darkness. "The town cares for devil's work no more than it cares for God's or man's. "The town has its secrets, and keeps them well." In addition to showing us the monsters of the night, he also brings into the picture the monsters and the darkness that are already with us, that live in the deep dark recesses of everyone's soul. How? Simply - using the winning formula that he continues to employ in the vast majority of his work. Vampire stories have been around for a long time - after all, people love a good scare, and what is more terrifying than a monster showing up at night and sucking the life essence out of you? But leave it to Stephen King to turn the terror up a notch, add a whole new layer to it. How? Simply - using the winning formula that he continues There was a time once when vampires were ruthless predators and not the misunderstood brooding and essentially harmless creatures. There was a time once when vampires were ruthless predators and not the misunderstood brooding and essentially harmless creatures. Those of you out there who have heard about King, haven't read him before, and are wondering where to start, this would be a great place to do so! I think many would agree that this is up there with King's horror fiction at its best.more If you are a fan of the original, raw, pure evil vampire (not ones that sparkle), you need to make sure and read this book! The influence of both these mediums is very evident, while at the same time King crafts a new, unique, and terrifying vampire story of his own. Salem's Lot is a vampire story influenced by vampire fiction, like Stoker's Dracula, as well as vampire horror flicks. I am so glad I did because, honestly, I don't remember any of it! I read it originally sometime back in the 90s. I am doing a re-read of most of Stephen King's books chronologically and Salem's Lot was the next after Carrie. Well, if you want to get back to the roots, Salem's Lot is pure, raw, old school Stephen King horror at its finest! you just don't hear Stephen King = horror all that much anymore. Mystery, sci-fi, fantasy, general fiction, etc. I feel like there has been a lot of debate over Stephen King's last few books about what genre he might be considered anymore. Well, if you want to get back to the roots, Salem's Lot is pure, raw, old school Stephen King horror at its finest! I am doing a re-read of most of Stephen King's books chronologically and Salem's Lot was the next after Carrie. 4.5 stars I feel like there has been a lot of debate over Stephen King's last few books about what genre he might be considered anymore.