The Seven Whistlers

by Amber Benson and Christopher Golden

[empressbrooke]

The Seven Whistlers is the newest in the growing line of collaborations between Benson and Golden, but is not a part of their Ghosts of Albion series. The stand-alone novella follows Rose in the days following her grandfather's death as the small town she lives in is plagued by fearsome black dogs and grave bad luck.

Benson and Golden weave an intriguing tale for such a short space, and some of Golden's trademark horror is present as Rose slowly learns disturbing truths about loved ones. The horror lies less in the supernatural elements than it does in the destructive changes it brings to Rose's relationships.

The authors also do a great job at bringing to life the small Vermont town where the story takes place. The descriptions of the setting, as well as the various characters that inhibit it, are vivid and efficient, and they really give the novella a great deal of flavor. Definitely worth a reread.