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This fast-paced novel is the fourth volume in a horror fiction series and brings back two main characters: Abel and his now-grown nephew Cain Towers. They have been living in the western desert, but are kept informed about Twin River goings-on by Stephon, the caretaker of the old Towers properties.
Three new heroes are introduced: Stanley Banks, Niles Wilson, and Gene Brooks. Stanley has lived his young life in the desert where his father works for the government. His father wants him to follow a military career, but Stanley proudly has an armed Coso warrior tattooed on his forearm. Niles is a local football hero whose existence is related to the Towers' history. Gene works as custodian at the Twin River high school where Niles attends. Will wrong be righted as the full cast meets up when the Towers and Stanley converge in Twin River?
The author builds drama through dialog, interspersed with popular song lyrics (of Coolio, Willie Nelson, Queen, and others) cleverly used as transitional or prophetic pauses within the story. The book's plot closely resembles a cross between Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry and The Good (Stanley), the Bad (Cain), and the Ugly (Abel). As such, Twin River IV has the potential of becoming a classic among readers of this genre, those whose psychological response allows them to overlook blatant brutality.
A key theme of this book challenges traditional religion, yet resolves the conflict toward its traditional good vs evil roots. Lead characters substitute animal and human sacrifice or Native spirit worship in its place. Interestingly, this strongly juxtaposes points toward a universal need for judging transgressions and worshiping the supernatural. Although good overcomes evil in his final Twin River volume, Fields deliberately plants a seed of doubt. Might horror eventually return to this Pennsylvania town?