What Grows in the Dark: A Novel by Jaq Evans

In this contemporary horror novel, Brigit Weylan, a phony spiritualist haunted by her sister Emma's death, returns to her hometown of Ellis Creek to assist in an investigation mirroring Emma's demise. Brigit's past trauma resurfaces as she delves into the disappearance of two teenagers, uncovering eerie parallels to Emma's fate.

Accompanied by her cameraman, Ian, Brigit confronts unsettling occurrences—trees materializing in her room, a familiar laughter echoing in the darkness, and Emma's voice urging her to finish what they started. As the mysteries deepen, Brigit grapples with unexplainable phenomena, questioning her sanity and the true nature of the monster lurking in Ellis Creek.

Marisa Crane hails the novel as "a queer horror masterpiece," capturing its blend of suspense and tenderness. Brigit's journey intertwines with the town's dark secrets, forcing her to confront the trauma she's long evaded. The sinister presence in Ellis Creek becomes increasingly palpable, hinting at a malevolent force that has waited for Brigit's return.

With each revelation, Brigit's desperation grows, her past and present merging in a chilling convergence. As she races to unravel the mysteries shrouding Ellis Creek, Brigit realizes that facing the truth may be her only chance at survival.

In this gripping tale of loss, redemption, and the supernatural, the boundaries between reality and nightmare blur, leaving readers on edge until the final, spine-tingling revelation. "There is a monster in Ellis Creek," and Brigit must confront it before it consumes her whole.