Bad Moon Rising Book

This marks the end of the trilogy about a cute little American town in the middle of nowhere that is only on the map at all because it supposedly is the most haunted town in America. And Pine Deep is just that.

We're starting right where the second novel ended. Vic is pulling the strings from the shadows, getting the town ready for the Red Wave his master has planned for 30 years. Slowly, more and more people are getting aware of what's happening (with some holes to their knowledge of course) and pooling their resources (even getting outside help from a very cool scholar).
Mike's family situation spirals more and more out of control, Val has basically sacrificed all but the two most important things in her life, Crow is in over his head but the only one always having felt it wasn't over and Terry ... well.

This third and last book was full of action, finally bringing together all the elements that had accumulated thus far. It is a bit less about character (except for Jonatha) and more about the fight itself and it delivers on all the blood and gore a horror fan could only have hoped for. Yes, it is still stereotypical but I found myself caring for more than one character (and of course that meant being sad because the one I had rooted for the most, due to his suffering, had to die in the end *sighs*).

Interesting was the afterword by the author who said that he had started writing this book influenced by his grandmother who must be from the area near me and told him creepy stories even when he was a little boy (reminding me of my great-grandmother). He took those stories, added some gypsy and other folklore and VOILÀ. I must applaud the author for much of his accuracy that others can't seem to get right. From the dhampirs to katanas and the correct characterization of martial artists (no, they aren't brainless thugs), he put a lot of details in here that were meticulously and correctly researched and I liked that a lot.

All in all, I wasn't too sold at the beginning but am VERY happy I stayed with the story and read all of it because the books as well as the writing got better and this one even deserves full marks.