It Rides a Pale Horse is a bizarre thrill ride from beginning to end. Captivatingly surreal and, at times, grotesquely descriptive, this book is not for readers averse to gore in their horror.
Lark is a sculptural artist who made a splash in New York as a young man before moving back to his small-town roots in order to take care of his sister, Betsy. Where Lark is thought of by his neighbors as approachable and likable despite his fame, Betsy’s talents have earned her a more tarnished reputation. Her paintings have a habit of being just a little wrong, a little off-putting, and slightly maddening to those who are unfortunate enough to view them.
When Lark takes it upon himself to deliver a commissioned sculpture to a wealthy client, he’s horrified to learn Betsy has been taken captive and the only way to secure her release is by following the bizarre instructions for an erstwhile sculpt-by-numbers contained in an old book.
If you like Grady Hendrix’s novels, Clive Barker, or just a dash of Lovecraftian horror, you’re going to love this one.