Village Heresy Paperback – March 16, 2023

“You’re such a weirdo.”“Thanks for noticing. That’s kinda what I was shooting for.”Thus replied the would-be author to his wife, after she’d just learnt that he’d be writing a book about someone possessed by demons to commit serial murders. And I can’t help but feel some resonance between this scene and *this* author’s project.You’d never guess where this book was going near the beginning. After opening with a brief crime, it cuts to two religious men in rural Oregon exchanging Fox News-esque wry one-liners about the state of the times. You learn they’re both members of a sort of local Bible group. Married, jobs, kids, breakfast at diners, etc. Seems like we’re going to get a solid, hearty thriller about good ol’ values defeating the bad guys.And it’s reinforced by how the main characters interact. “I hate the word shenanigans. The only time anybody hears that word is when they are watching 1960s reruns or are talking to my wife about my behavior,” the protagonist says. Or later: “I gotta go to work,” he tells his longtime wife, after some playful flirty chatter. Her “response to that statement was always the same. ‘You suck.’” Aw.Later, the protagonist gets a guilty thrill out of reading some books removed from the Protestant Bible. He and his wife express concern about their atheist son. He discusses his religion with a Hindu acquaintance. “Ah. I didn’t realize I was reading Christian fiction,” I thought to myself at this point. “Okay.”Then, the weirdness starts when it’s casually revealed that the protagonist used to conjure demons using a Ouija board with his friends. One of them went mad and became a serial killer—all of which the protagonist is disconcertingly unworried about revealing, since he’s still keeping all the worst parts secret.And it keeps building from there. Step by step, revelation by revelation, that solid, rustic, and most American of American milieus that the book opens with is inverted to a nightmarish and demented negative. Fire sacrifices, astral projection, incubi, soul selling—Village Heresy has got it all.You start off on the road toward 1990s thriller, and suddenly you’ve veered off a cliff and are plummeting headlong toward 2000s horror, faster than you can say, “Which way to the exorcist?”This is a book where characters voice strong political and social views, which—in other contexts—likely would be read as the author putting his own views into characters’ mouths. Here, though, there’s so much contradiction and undermining of the main characters’ most devoutly held beliefs, you’re left boggled about what exactly the author thinks of all this.Which is fine. Things eventually get very Hollywood. There’s enough genuine shock value and excitement in the later chapters that you don’t mind the growing implausibility of some events. And at that point, you stop asking, “What’s he driving toward?”; no, you sit back and enjoy the ride. And it goes quickly.At least, you think it’s quick, until you check your clock and find yourself finishing at 1:30 a.m., wondering, “Where did the time fly? ... And did I lock all the doors?" Or maybe that was just me. An easy, crazy, and pleasurable read.

"Village Heresy" was a book that really caught my attention. It's dark, mysterious, and full of unexpected twists that kept me on the edge of my seat.What I liked about the book was its creativity and well-developed characters. The plot was highly imaginative, and I found the way it tied different beliefs together to be fascinating. The writing was descriptive, making the scenes feel real and the emotions very tangible.Overall, I enjoyed "Village Heresy" for its unique take on spirituality and its thought-provoking nature, but the extreme darkness and controversial themes might not be suitable for everyone.

Village Heresy by Don Marshall is one of those books that you makes you uncomfortable, challenges what you may consider to be your morals, and possibly give you nightmares if you stay up reading it late into the night (as I did since I couldn't put it down!) There were moments I dreaded reading the next page because it was so intense, but I HAD to read the next and the next and the next...Kale Hansen is a flawed individual who did some really stupid things in college and who's spent the last couple of decades trying to, in his own way, atone for those actions. When he finally drums up the courage to go public with his darker truths, it starts a chain reaction of demonic events and even horrific endings amongst his group of friends. I won't write more than that as I don't want to give away any real spoilers. I will say though that literally throughout the entire book, the fight between good and evil is compelling and so very well written with superb character building. Here is one of the lines from the prologue that reeled me in and is a fine example of the writer's wordsmithing ability:"Escaping dangerous predicaments had become routine, and she expected that trend to continue. Miracles always seemed to come at the last minute, helping her to wiggle out of every jam she had ever found herself in.'Unfortunately, on this night, the angels were stingy when it came to handing out miracles."An amazing read I would highly recommend. It is most definitely a complete story but I'd love to see a sequel come from it (which could spring from—among a number of other possibilities, including Bishnu—the hidden gun?) Five HUGE stars for Village Heresy and many kudos to the author. I look forward to reading more from Don Marshall.BTW... how do you rate comfort level with a book designed to make you feel so thoroughly UNcomfortable? I didn't want, in any way, to take away from a review intended to encourage people to get this book, but I had to rate (at least MY) comfort level a 1. I'd have rated that a 5 too, for what I think the author intended (to make people more uncomfortable than perhaps they'd ever been!)

This is a heart-pounding journey that blends the supernatural with human frailty in a way that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Marshall's storytelling prowess shines through as he weaves a tale of redemption, demonic forces, and the consequences of youthful indiscretions.Kale Hansen's character development is both compelling and unsettling, making you question the choices we all make in our youth. The encounter with the demon Zozo sends shivers down your spine, and the intertwining of a sadistic serial killer's path with the group of friends adds an extra layer of intrigue.Marshall's ability to breathe new life into the exorcism theme is commendable, offering a fresh perspective on the genre. "Village Heresy" is a gripping, thought-provoking read that lingers in your thoughts long after the final page. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a thrilling and darkly philosophical literary journey.

Captivating blend of supernatural elements, personal introspection, and thrilling crime fiction. With a gripping storyline, well-developed characters, and a satisfying mix of mystery and redemption, this book keeps readers hooked until the very end. It explores profound themes of sin, redemption, and the consequences of our actions, elevating it beyond a typical thriller. The interplay between the characters adds intrigue, while the expert storytelling delves into the depths of the human soul. A suspenseful and thought-provoking read that leaves you eagerly anticipating the author's next work.

Village Heresy is an enthralling and unique read that captivated me from start to finish. As a horror aficionado, I was instantly drawn to the exorcism theme, and this book did not disappoint. The author's depiction of "Christian horror" brought to mind beloved classics like "Exorcist" and "Stigmata", but Village Heresy took it in a direction that felt refreshingly distinctive.The plot of Village Heresy was a rollercoaster ride of supernatural intrigue, with a religious twist that added an extra layer of depth. I was genuinely surprised by the creative and original approach the author took, which set it apart from other books in the genre. The themes of good versus evil, explored through the lens of religion, were thought-provoking and added a unique flavor to the story.The writing was engaging and kept me hooked the whole way through. I was invested in the well-drawn characters and their struggles against the forces of darkness. The pacing was well done, with plenty of suspenseful moments that had me eagerly turning the pages to find out what would happen next.The only reason I didn't give Village Heresy a full 5 stars is that there were a few instances where things felt a little too convenient. However, this minor flaw did not significantly detract from my overall enjoyment of the book.In conclusion, Village Heresy is a must-read for fans of supernatural horror and those who appreciate unique religious themes in their stories. It's a book that surprises and captivates, leaving a lasting impression. Despite a few minor hiccups, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fresh and compelling take on the genre.

I don't read these kinds of books very often, but I enjoyed them. enjoy if you are going to read it

The author has successfully mixed several genres such as fantasy, mystery, paranormal, horror, true crime, occult, supernatural and more. As a result, a work was obtained that is in no way inferior to the novels of Stephen King. Village Heresy is a masterfully written page-turner full of unexpected twists and turns. An engaging book that can also be an excellent gift. I highly recommend reading it.