BOOKS: Four and Twenty Blackbirds, Cherie Priest (2005 revision)

Originally self-published in 2003; now published in a revised, longer version by Tor.

Eden has seen the ghosts since she was a small child. They are three sisters, and one of them is a distant ancestor. They haunt her not out of malice, but to protect her from her family history. Eden's great-great-grandfather, Avery, was a sorko -- an African sorcerer -- and some of Eden's relatives think that she may have inherited the gifts Avery was purported to have, gifts that included the ability to curse the living and to raise the dead; even worse, they believe that Eden has been possessed by Avery, and that through her, he continues his quest for immortality.

Priest has written a nifty Southern horror thriller. The first half, following Eden's gradual discovery of her family history, is especially strong, as Priest creates a creepy atmosphere of foreboding and doom. Her characters are vivid, and Eden's ancient great-aunt Tatie Eliza is a particularly marvelous creation.

The plot threads fall into place a bit too neatly, perhaps, but I find that's often the case with horror; it's relatively easy to create the mood while there are still mysteries in the air, but harder to sustain it while providing the answers. Priest provides a stronger wrapup than most, though, and this is a top-notch horror novel.