The Sleepwalkers-J. Gabriel Gates

From author J. Gabriel Gates, a debut teen horror novel, “The Sleepwalkers,” slated for release in October 2011.

 

From the back cover:

“Privileged and popular Caleb Mason is celebrating his high school graduation when he receives a mysterious, disturbing letter from his long-lost childhood playmate, Christine. Caleb and his jokester friend Bean decide to travel to his tiny hometown of Hudsonville, Florida, to find her. Upon arrival, they discover the town has taken a horrifying turn for the worse. Caleb’s childhood home is abandoned and his father has disappeared. Children are going missing. The old insane asylum has reopened, and Christine is locked inside. Her mother, a witch, is consumed with madness, and Christine’s long-dead twin sister whispers clues to Caleb through the static of an A.M. radio.

The terrifying prophesies of the spirits are coming to pass. Sixteen clocks are ticking; sixty-six murdered souls will bring about the end of the world. As Caleb peels back layer after layer of mystery, he uncovers a truth more horrible than anything he had imagined, a truth that could only be uttered by the lips of the dead.”

At first I was dubious.  The writing seemed  forced, like the characters were simply playing parts in a play.  Some of the phrases felt dated.  Funny thing is before I realized it I was hooked.  I couldn't put it down.  The story moves along at a quick and engaging pace.  The characters were well drawn out, the plot fairly solid and the premise original.  I really feel that Mr. Gates has a gift that will only become more honed with time and I look forward to reading more of his work.


About the Author:

Author J. Gabriel Gates is a native of Marshall, Michigan. The son of an English teacher, his passion for the written word began at a young age. During college, another passion – for performing – led him to get his B.A. degree in theater from Florida State University.
During his years in Los Angeles, he appeared in a dozen national TV commercials and penned several screenplays while laying the groundwork for his career as a novelist.
His first two novels are Dark Territory: The Tracks, book 1, which is scheduled for release July 1st, and The Sleepwalkers, coming October 3rd, both from HCI Books.
He currently lives in Southwest Michigan.

You can find more about him here.