The Unfinished By Cheryl Isaacs

In Cheryl Isaacs’ debut horror novel, The Black Water, readers are plunged into a chilling mystery set in the small town of Crook’s Falls. When Avery, a small-town athlete, discovers a mysterious pond deep in the forest, she awakens an ancient horror that the townspeople have long forgotten. The black water of the pond, sinister and hungry for souls, begins to infiltrate Avery’s life and the town, leading to a series of alarming disappearances.

As Avery grapples with the terror that seems to manifest in increasingly grotesque forms, she finds herself at a crossroads. Her Kanien’kéha
(Mohawk) heritage, which she has distanced herself from, holds clues to the dark presence threatening her town. The Elders she has avoided may possess the knowledge necessary to combat the black water's curse.

The stakes escalate when Avery’s best friend and secret crush, Key, becomes the latest victim of the pond’s malevolent force. Torn between her cultural roots and her personal connection to Key, Avery must make a harrowing decision: embrace her heritage and risk losing Key forever or defy her instincts and try to save her friend at great peril.

The Black Water is a gripping horror novel that blends Indigenous mythology with contemporary fears, offering a haunting narrative for fans of She Is a Haunting and Sawkill Girls.