Krewe of Hecate

by Sim Shattuck

A New Orleans Mardi Gras troupe (a krewe) named after the Greek goddess Hecate, patroness of witchcraft and the uncanny, decided to descend into the Underworld, capture the three-headed goddess, and bring her back to the surface of the world, despite their ignorance of her tremendous powers. Hecate governs chance on earth, and she plays with the fates of three real residents of the Bobbie, Mary, and Kevin. Bobbie finds out that her husband has two sons by a college relationship and can't decide whether to tell him. Mary finds her young daughter Deb has drawn pictures of murder and torture, Mary has trouble finding out why the girl has done them. Kevin, a happy-go-lucky construction worker, suddenly finds himself alone with an infant after a lifetime of avoiding commitments and responsibilities. Slowly, all three find their fates intertwined by Hecate, whose sole wish, ironically, is to escape back to the peace and silence of her dark realm. The force that brings all the subplots to an end is a hurricane so powerful that it is called Apollyon, and it makes all three families reassess their lives and choose new paths.

355 pages, Perfect Paperback

First published December 14, 2006