The Mothman Cometh

MOTHMAN EMERGED by Gina Ranalli (2012 Coscom Entertainment / 143 pp / tp and eBook)

Although best known for her bizarro fiction, Ranalli is quickly becoming the Queen of the Insectoid Creature Features; okay, that's not really a title, but in the wake of her previous novel DARK SURGE and novella UNEARTHED, it's apparent she has a way with creepy crawlers, and although her latest, MOTHMAN EMERGED, is based on a legendary creature, it's still rich in bug-icky goodness.

This one wastes absolutely NO time getting down to business: the residents of a small Washington town (that's surrounded by forest)  begin to spot fast-moving, winged creatures, first running around their property and then flying all over the place. Over-sized cocoons are discovered in the woods and in people's attics and basements. And just when the small police department starts to get involved, an 'X-Files'-like FBI duo show up with a scientist to see what's happening.

The man-sized moth creatures seem to be made out of some kind of ash that causes people's hands to melt if they come into contact...and some who have been attacked are starting to transform. Conspiracy theories begin to spread...

MOTHMAN EMERGED is jam-packed with action, suspense, and reads like a cross between a 50s creature-feature and an 80s John Halkin novel (Google him). My only gripe is the story seems like it's just starting when it ends, so hopeflly we'll have another MOTHMAN adventure somewhere down the line.

Loads of creepy monster fun and a GREAT read for Halloween.