With a Blighted Touch
Description
In Scarburn County, Tennessee there is a small mountain community called Black Rock, known for its unusual and prevalent blight that affects all vegetation . . .
When an unexpected death forces Christopher “Kit” McNeil to return to his small hometown in the Tennessee mountains after eighteen years, he must confront his past and a secret he’s kept since he was twelve.
A talented guitarist with a history of bad choices and even worse luck, Kit soon reunites with an old friend and learns about recent disappearances and mysterious deaths in the area. They begin to wonder if it’s connected to what they witnessed in the woods when they were kids and if a creepy local family is involved. Stranger still, almost half of their high school graduating class has died.
When more shredded bodies begin appearing, Kit becomes a suspect. But what he discovers is even more frightening—evil has set its sights on him and his friends and it won’t stop until it gets what it needs.
Can Kit and his friends band together in time to stop this ancient evil? Or will a new reign of terror that the Cherokee once called Uyaga be unleashed to roam the earth once more?
Author
J. Todd Kingrea
Series
N/A
Pricing
Hardcover
Softcover
Ebook
Audiobook
ISBN Numbers:
Hardcover: 978-1-64397-361-6
Softcover: 978-1-64397-362-3
Ebook: 978-1-64397-363-0
LCCN: 2023930894
Page Count: 254
Release Date: 10/24/2023
$28.00
$16.95
$7.99
19.95
Category
Fiction | Horror | Suspense
Book Information
Copyright © 2023 BHC Press. All Rights Reserved.
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Praise
“This book was absolutely chilling in the best ways. It was suspenseful, to the point where sometimes I both wanted to and was afraid to turn the page. The imagery was gross and creepy in a way that drew me that much more into the story…”
—Imani R., NetGalley Reviewer
“a great mix of supernatural horror, second chances, and some coming of age as well. The author really melds different elements together in a fantastic way…the main focus is always on the horror and I always appreciate that. Because there are horrors here. Nasty, brutal, and unforgiving. But we also have some well written characters that give more depth to the story. I really recommend this book and don't be by a window when you read it!”
—Horror Reads
“Creepy and intense. Almost claustrophobic as it sucks you into a small town cursed over the centuries and the residents who cannot escape. The combination of lost dreams, a psychotic bullying family, and domestic abuse is almost suffocating in it's oppression—and the theme of Native American lore is addictive. Don't start this at night!”
—Bonita S., NetGalley Reviewer
“I enjoyed the thrilling Folk take very much. Kept me engaged and read in one evening. Creepy, small town lore. Great book.”
—Rachel D., NetGalley Reviewer
“I loved the small town horror aspect, this was very well written and I enjoyed the folklore elements, the prose felt almost claustrophobic, I felt sucked in and trapped in this disturbing world, would definitely recommend to horror fans!”
—The Vampire's Library
“Reading J. Todd Kingrea’s With a Blighted Touch was like surviving a dark ride designed by Stephen King. The story of an antihero revisiting his Tennessee hometown to defeat a creeping evil was scary, delicious, and fun.”
—Steven Ramirez, author of the Hellborn Series
“I couldn’t get enough of this book, I couldn’t put it down even if I wanted too. I was 100% hooked from the very beginning…definitely going to be in my top books that I read this year.”
“A perfect book for horror and thriller loves! Or anyone who would like to be reminded of a Stephen King book while also having something unique!”
—Beth's Bookblog
“really disturbing in the best way possible.”
—My Twisted Library
“Kingrea brings us on a trip to the malignant heart of small-town America. A journey filled with monsters, secrets, and heaps of dread. With a voice that would be at home amongst the greats of the genre…a chiller of a tale which will drag you home kicking and screaming.”
—C.M. Forest, author of Infested
“Vivid and chilling…put me in mind of a Stephen King small-town horror transplanted to the South…”
—Caroline Angel, author of Madman Across the Water
“A gripping tale of terror that had me gasping from the very first chapter. Horrifying scenes to rival such stories as Salem’s Lot with a twist of Stranger Things, this book kept me engaged through the entire, well written narrative, and I couldn’t recommend it more highly”
—Nicole Willson, author of Tidepool and The Shadow Dancers of Brixton Hill
“When I say I couldn’t put this down, there is no exaggeration. This book ticked every box for me. The story itself was wonderful, the writing was great and it was the perfect balance of depth/backstory without feeling bloated.”
—The Evergrowing Library
“The story had some great twists and surprises, action and suspense. It was definitely a fun, spooky time.”
—Gorgeous Gray Reads
“Once you start this book, you will want to read it any chance you get.”
—esmes.horror.recs
“I really enjoyed this book! There was a horror movie playing out in my mind the entire time I was reading it.”
—Mama Can Read
“What a novel!”
—Reedsy
“I could vividly visualize every creepy scene & was terrified in the best way possible! I couldn’t put it down until I finished!”
—Dark Books Club
“J. Todd Kingrea crafts an eerie tale in With A Blighted Touch. He takes a risk with these characters, and the readers are rewarded.”
—April A. Taylor, author of Corvo Hollows and The Haunting of Cabin Green
“I enjoyed the thrilling Folk take very much. Kept me engaged and read in one evening. Creepy, small town lore. Great book.”
—Rachel D., NetGalley Reviewer
“Kingrea delivers an immersive small town horror that is full of suspense, nostalgia, and mysterious beliefs. A creepy page turner to the very end.”
—S.J. Krandall, author of Fear Farm No Trespassers
“Words such as "fantastic"and "thrilling" don't do this justice. This was done so well with the characters' development keeping you engaged and turning page after page. Brilliant.”
—Todd Young, Instagram Reviewer
“rich and exciting and creepy as hell!”
—Grace Can Read
“What a fantastic read!”
—Sarah's Spooky Reads
“Bad stuff happens to regular people all the time. In With A Blighted Touch, Christopher "Kit" McNeil is unexceptionally unlucky. But it’s when he starts investigating the deaths of his graduating class that his luck nosedives into what can only be described as Dan Simmons-esque horror. A terrific, slow-burning tale of small-town evil.”
—Jeremy Bates, author of Suicide Forest
“I feel envious about anyone who discovers this gem and reads it for the first time. What a ride they are about to experience!!”
—Chris, Goodreads Reviewer
“this book just sucked me in after the first few pages.”
—LibraryThing Early Reviewers
“ King and Koontz are only a couple inspirational ingredients in With a Blighted Touch, for this dark recipe is all of Kingrea’s own. The story builds a foundation of dread and support beams of unease that are absolutely necessary for small town horror to work. Kingrea pulls it off with deft authority and inspiration. Recommended for horror and thriller fans of all stripes.”
—Ben Ethridge, Bram Stoker Award-Winning-Author of Black & Orange
“Imaginative, descriptive and oh so creepy, this supernatural horror gripped me from the very first page.”
—Chronicles of a Bookworm
“this book will keep you up, reading all night! A wonderfully eerie read…”
—Disney Dreamer Book Reader
“Chilling, gripping and entertaining: an excellent small town horror that kept me reading and on the edge. Highly recommended.”
—Anna Maria G., NetGalley Reviewer
“Kingrea straddles the line nicely between small town mystery and outright horror…”
—John, Goodreads Reviewer
Audiobook
Meet the Author
J. Todd Kingrea
Book Information, Awards & Press
Awards
Nominee: 2024 Pushcart Prize
“[pulls] the reader right to the edge…downright fun to read.”
—Fangoria Magazine
