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Billy McGill is a headstrong ten-year-old on a fast track to nowhere when he encounters the Beaver Man. For almost a week, Billy's whereabouts are unaccounted for. Then he resurfaces at school. He can't quite explain his whereabouts, but something has changed in him. Decades later, Rainey Keller has fled the unsafe confines of the big city and has purchased Billy McGill's home. On her arrival in town, Rainey is accosted by three bikers who warn her of the legend known as the Beaver Man, who the bikers believe is responsible for more than a few disappearances in the area. Beaverville requires some adjustment, between beavers being allowed in bars and amorous advances from bar patrons at happy hour, yet Rainey remains optimistic about her future in the Pacific Northwest town. However, there are unseen eyes trained on her with malevolent intentions, and Rainey might have more to fear in her new home than she once thought.
Cryptid lore has made for fascinating reading and yarn-spinning, whether it be Bigfoot or the Loch Ness monster, chupacabras or Mothman. The key in this entertaining book lies in the creature's mystery, which is enough to scare even the toughest individuals, allowing fear to overcome their mindsets and render them vulnerable. The suspense is ably dialed up in scenes where Rainey is inches away from danger and is unaware of the threat that awaits. The plot is well-structured and proceeds steadily, with Rainey emerging as a strong character even as her predicament becomes apparent. The deceptive allure of a bucolic existence provides the bait for this terrific horror story, which excels at scaring the reader senseless. While this book is not bedtime reading unless nightmares are on the agenda, it should definitely be read.