Book Review: ANGEL OF INDIAN LAKE by Stephen Graham Jones

THE ANGEL OF INDIAN LAKE by Stephen Graham Jones (Simon & Schuster/Saga Books, March 26, 2024) Hardcover, 455 pages. ISBN: 9781668011669

Synopsis on the Goodreads website . . . . .  

The final installment in the most lauded trilogy in the history of horror literature

It’s been four years since Jade Daniels last set foot in Proofrock, Idaho. Since then, her reputation, and everything around Indian Lake, has changed dramatically. There’s a lot of unfinished business in Proofrock, from serial killer cultists to the rich trying to buy Western authenticity. But there’s one aspect of the savage history of Proofrock, Idaho, no one’s got the mettle to confront – no one except a final girl, making her last stand, this time for everything.

New York Times bestselling author Stephen Graham Jones has crafted an epic horror trilogy of generational trauma and stolen hope. It’s the story of the American West written in blood. And it’s the story of one girl who doesn’t know how to give up.

My Five-Star Review on the Goodreads website . . . . .

When the subject of epic trilogies is mentioned, while there are many other fantasy works of similar scope, J.R.R. Tolkien's LORD OF THE RINGS always comes to mind. But, I can't think of very many noteworthy trilogies in the horror genre except for THE STRAIN by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan. Granted, that's an excellent choice. 

However, my pick for best epic trilogy in the horror genre is now THE INDIAN LAKE TRILOGY. So memorable, with unforgettable characters. I know this is a work that I will return to in the coming years for multiple readings. I also know that each time I finish it I'll come away with additional insights and appreciation. 

I also have a feeling that real-world writer Stephen Graham Jones is going to have a hard time walking away from fictional-character Jade Daniels. There's so much power in her character. Jade has changed and matured by this point, and due to Jone's writing skills if you have read all three novels thus far you know her as well as he does. The first-person narrative is so skilled that as I read Jade's point-of-view I felt as if these events were happening to me and I was sharing her thoughts.

Just like in the real world, we never seem to focus on one single thing. While we may be in peril or engaging in activity our mind is remembering and considering many unrelated subjects. Jade's narrative isn't exactly stream-of-consciousness. It's quite next level.

She is so fully realized and brought to life that there must be more story to tell in this final girl. Her character, Jone's writing, our involvement in the world of Proofrock, Idaho - - have all grown and matured over the course of three novels. There's also much more (family, small town life, Native American culture and repression) to ponder over in addition to some truly horrific scenes. This is more than just a well-told scary story.

I'm glad that Jones left an opening for more in the last chapter of THE ANGEL OF INDIAN LAKE. He also kept it vague enough to hint that Jade and young charge Adie may become more spiritual in any future storyline. I can't say more without spoilers.

I heartily recommend you read these novels. If you don't start at the beginning with MY HEART IS A CHAINSAW followed by DON'T FEAR THE REAPER then you are doing yourself a disservice. Past events play a huge role in THE ANGEL OF INDIAN LAKE but they are not detailed in lengthy flashback scenes but show up in quick snapshots in Jade's memory. Plus, the Easter eggs and references/tributes to classic horror and slasher films, characters, directors and lines of dialogue will surely be missed at this point if you haven't warmed up by reading the previous works, especially that first novel.