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Sleep in the Dust of the Earth
Sometimes they come back angry …
Ace’s life is satisfying in an ordinary sort of way. At twenty-five he’s deeply in love with his wife of two years, and he and Runa are expecting their first child. But when Ace’s mother-in-law passes away after a short illness, things take a turn for the weird.
Everyone in the family knows that Gretchen dabbled in the occult prior to her death, inviting friends over for occasional tarot card readings and séances. What most of them don’t know is that she spent a considerable amount of time training her grandchildren in the art of the uncanny. Now Brinn and Oliver appear to be experimenting with strange rituals—rituals linked to increasingly disturbing events.
To get a handle on what’s happening, Ace and Runa begin investigating Gretchen’s explorations into the supernatural. But it will take time, and a shocking series of developments, for them to discover how high the stakes are for their growing family.
Ace’s life is satisfying in an ordinary sort of way. At twenty-five he’s deeply in love with his wife of two years, and he and Runa are expecting their first child. But when Ace’s mother-in-law passes away after a short illness, things take a turn for the weird.
Everyone in the family knows that Gretchen dabbled in the occult prior to her death, inviting friends over for occasional tarot card readings and séances. What most of them don’t know is that she spent a considerable amount of time training her grandchildren in the art of the uncanny. Now Brinn and Oliver appear to be experimenting with strange rituals—rituals linked to increasingly disturbing events.
To get a handle on what’s happening, Ace and Runa begin investigating Gretchen’s explorations into the supernatural. But it will take time, and a shocking series of developments, for them to discover how high the stakes are for their growing family.
- GenresHorror
99 pages, Paperback
Published February 20, 2019
23 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Hains
12 books69 followersAnthony Hains is a professor emeritus of counseling psychology with a specialization in pediatric psychology. He retired in May 2018 after thirty-one years at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. He is the author of a number of horror novels including Nightshade’s Requiem, Sleep in the Dust of the Earth, and The Disembodied. Anthony lives with his wife in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin. They have one daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 25, 2019
Sleep In The Dust of the Earth is a disturbingly fun little novella that caught me off guard in the best of ways.
It tells the story of Ace whose mother-in-law, Gretchen, has recently passed away. His family and his in-laws and their two creepy kids have gathered at Gretchen’s enormous and possibly haunted Victorian mansion to settle up affairs and say a final goodbye. And then things get mighty strange indeed!
Gretchen, who was reputed to have a fascination with the occult in her final years, was apparently passing on her learning to her two weird grandkids. When grannie’s cremains go missing and Ace and his wife Runa catch the kids doing some - uh, odd things, they start poking around and that’s when the disturbing fun I promised you begins! And that’s all I am going to say about the plot because this book is only 99 pages long and you need to read it for yourself.
For such a slight story I thought it was very well constructed and did its characters justice. The atmosphere was also excellently put down on the page. The enormous mansion was described as a place I’d love to live. A place, “where you could go days without seeing another family member if that’s what you wanted.“ Because, honestly, sometimes we want that, right? Or is it just me? Haha. Anyhow, the descriptions are perfect and not overly done. There’s just enough written here to set the tone. As a bonus, I found parts of the story darkly comedic and horrifying all at the same time. That’s a hard thing to pull off but it worked for me.
If you like a well written, grisly creepy kid story that doesn’t take itself super seriously this one is for you! It doesn’t sugar-coat the creepy kid things either so be warned. It also doesn’t pretty things up. There’s one scene that hurt my heart but I will not spoil. Ok, maybe I will but this is on you . It takes some crazy and unexpected turns and put a few images in my head that I desperately wish I could forget. It is a truly freaking unsettling little read and I LOVED it.
Four ½ stars bumped up to a five because Goodreads will not give us half stars no matter how much we beg!
It tells the story of Ace whose mother-in-law, Gretchen, has recently passed away. His family and his in-laws and their two creepy kids have gathered at Gretchen’s enormous and possibly haunted Victorian mansion to settle up affairs and say a final goodbye. And then things get mighty strange indeed!
Gretchen, who was reputed to have a fascination with the occult in her final years, was apparently passing on her learning to her two weird grandkids. When grannie’s cremains go missing and Ace and his wife Runa catch the kids doing some - uh, odd things, they start poking around and that’s when the disturbing fun I promised you begins! And that’s all I am going to say about the plot because this book is only 99 pages long and you need to read it for yourself.
For such a slight story I thought it was very well constructed and did its characters justice. The atmosphere was also excellently put down on the page. The enormous mansion was described as a place I’d love to live. A place, “where you could go days without seeing another family member if that’s what you wanted.“ Because, honestly, sometimes we want that, right? Or is it just me? Haha. Anyhow, the descriptions are perfect and not overly done. There’s just enough written here to set the tone. As a bonus, I found parts of the story darkly comedic and horrifying all at the same time. That’s a hard thing to pull off but it worked for me.
If you like a well written, grisly creepy kid story that doesn’t take itself super seriously this one is for you! It doesn’t sugar-coat the creepy kid things either so be warned. It also doesn’t pretty things up. There’s one scene that hurt my heart but I will not spoil. Ok, maybe I will but this is on you . It takes some crazy and unexpected turns and put a few images in my head that I desperately wish I could forget. It is a truly freaking unsettling little read and I LOVED it.
Four ½ stars bumped up to a five because Goodreads will not give us half stars no matter how much we beg!
August 5, 2019
Take the major plot points, scenes, exercise activities, and (human and animal) characters from Pet Sematary, subtract the emotional urgency and meditations on grief of that novel, put what’s left in a blender, pour that mixture out, and what do you have? Well, you basically have Sleep in the Dust of the Earth.
I didn’t hate this (I actually kind of liked it), but c’mon! THERE WAS AN EVIL RESURRECTED CAT. A YOUNG BOY DIED ACCIDENTALLY AND WAS BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE. A LARGE EMPHASIS WAS PLACED ON JOGGING-WEAR. I can’t even say that this novella wears its influences on its sleeve, because it is basically nothing but its influences.
I didn’t hate this (I actually kind of liked it), but c’mon! THERE WAS AN EVIL RESURRECTED CAT. A YOUNG BOY DIED ACCIDENTALLY AND WAS BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE. A LARGE EMPHASIS WAS PLACED ON JOGGING-WEAR. I can’t even say that this novella wears its influences on its sleeve, because it is basically nothing but its influences.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2019
4.5 stars!
May 27, 2025
It was OK. Not very scary. A bit creepy with kids up to no good.
August 17, 2020
Spine-tingling good and just the perfect length.
March 1, 2019
Sleep in the Dust of the Earth is reminiscent of Pet Semetery in so many ways. I found this story a bit disturbing in who is responsible for the strange goings on in this family as well as how clueless most of the family was until it was too late. It was creepy in a good way. I received this as an ARC and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
December 18, 2019
Sleep in the Dust of the Earth is a short, entertaining read. The plot to it was intriguing and even though the ground trod felt familiar it also had a nice twist on the resurrection tale. The narrator had a bit of charisma to him but the characters around him felt a bit flat. Runa is Jason's wife and expecting their first child. Adele is Runa's 'hippie' sister and Karla is Runa and Adele's middle class, upwardly mobile sister. They just don't seem to step out of their given roles much. Karla and Wayne have two children that they are mildly neglectful of. They are by far the most unlikabe characters in the novella. Wayne's reading texts during his mother-in-law's funeral and Karla seems to be primarily concerned with seeing who's there and refurnishing her mother's house.
The kids themselves (Olive and Brinn) are a bit stock, standard creepy and bratty. Playfully cryptic with the usual giggles, smiles and ant burnings and revivings. Much of the book involves them, especially the last thirty pages or so.
This is a story that could maybe use a bit of fleshing out to give the characters a bit more room to grow and to even out the pace a bit. It is a fast-paced read but it seems that things move too fast, at times. I think a more fleshed out story could give more 'meat' to it and even it out a bit.
I did like the major event in the book. At least, at first. It seemed to turn a trope upside down but the Epilogue makes short work of that. Which was kind of a bummer. It woulfd have been interesting to see a different take on the resurrection trope. And that's all that I'll say as I don't want to give away the ending. But, again, if it were a little lengthier there could have been some suspense built up in between.
One thing I thought was a bit weird was how chill the three main 'in-the-know' characters seem to be about certain events. It didn't seem very realistic. All in all it's a decently fast-paced read and while I can't really say it knocked my socks off, it did make for a very entertaining hour of reading.
Received from the author for review consideration
Find this and other genre reviews at https://www.scifiandscary.com/
The kids themselves (Olive and Brinn) are a bit stock, standard creepy and bratty. Playfully cryptic with the usual giggles, smiles and ant burnings and revivings. Much of the book involves them, especially the last thirty pages or so.
This is a story that could maybe use a bit of fleshing out to give the characters a bit more room to grow and to even out the pace a bit. It is a fast-paced read but it seems that things move too fast, at times. I think a more fleshed out story could give more 'meat' to it and even it out a bit.
I did like the major event in the book. At least, at first. It seemed to turn a trope upside down but the Epilogue makes short work of that. Which was kind of a bummer. It woulfd have been interesting to see a different take on the resurrection trope. And that's all that I'll say as I don't want to give away the ending. But, again, if it were a little lengthier there could have been some suspense built up in between.
One thing I thought was a bit weird was how chill the three main 'in-the-know' characters seem to be about certain events. It didn't seem very realistic. All in all it's a decently fast-paced read and while I can't really say it knocked my socks off, it did make for a very entertaining hour of reading.
Received from the author for review consideration
Find this and other genre reviews at https://www.scifiandscary.com/
February 26, 2019
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review....
This is the 2nd novel I've read by Anthony Hains and I was not disappointed.
Three sisters different from each other. Karla married to Wayne with 2 kids. Adele single, christian. And Runa, the youngest, married to Jason aka Ace, expecting their 1st child.
The girls father died of stomach Cancer shortly after coming back from a trip. His sickness was disheartening to his daughters particularly Runa. She was around more for it. He was full of pain and it ate him.
The book starts about the death of their mother. Karla and Wayne bought the childhood home and her mom lived with them. After their mother's death, the family is gathered at the old house, when strange things occur and the occult is brought up. Karla and Wayne are oblivious. Adele talks to Runa and Jason about how their mom was into witchcraft and their father felt their mother cursed him with the cancer as revenge for having an affair.
Karla's children are acting strangely...dead ants are suddenly alive again and aggressive...it has a Pet Semetary feel with bringing the dead back to life and how they sometimes come back angry.
As this book progresses, you learn more about the girls mom and her attachment to witchcraft and now the kids.... I wont spoil it. You have to read it for yourselves. You wont be disapointed.
This is the 2nd novel I've read by Anthony Hains and I was not disappointed.
Three sisters different from each other. Karla married to Wayne with 2 kids. Adele single, christian. And Runa, the youngest, married to Jason aka Ace, expecting their 1st child.
The girls father died of stomach Cancer shortly after coming back from a trip. His sickness was disheartening to his daughters particularly Runa. She was around more for it. He was full of pain and it ate him.
The book starts about the death of their mother. Karla and Wayne bought the childhood home and her mom lived with them. After their mother's death, the family is gathered at the old house, when strange things occur and the occult is brought up. Karla and Wayne are oblivious. Adele talks to Runa and Jason about how their mom was into witchcraft and their father felt their mother cursed him with the cancer as revenge for having an affair.
Karla's children are acting strangely...dead ants are suddenly alive again and aggressive...it has a Pet Semetary feel with bringing the dead back to life and how they sometimes come back angry.
As this book progresses, you learn more about the girls mom and her attachment to witchcraft and now the kids.... I wont spoil it. You have to read it for yourselves. You wont be disapointed.
November 21, 2019
Sometimes. I will grab a book Just because of the cover Just look at it. Reminds me of the old school horror covers I couldn’t get enough of back in the day. Who am I kidding. I still can’t get enough of them.
So, the setting is a huge, creepy mansion. I’m always up for that The beginning is a family gathering to say goodbye to dearly departed Gretchen. Is Gretchen so dearly? What I gleaned from the synopsis is, probably not.
I read a lot of horror and throwing kids into the mix always makes it extra creepy. They don’t see the repercussions of their actions. Or do they? Are Gretchen’s grandkids just curious when they start dabbling in the occult? Are they being guided? I soon learned these kids were warped way before they came to the mansion and discovered Gretchen’s secrets.
Another thing I enjoy in horror is the shorter stories. I appreciate how hard it is to set up a story, breathe life into the characters and then try to scare the pants off ya. This is about 100 pages and packs a mean punch. The gloves are off and it gets pretty dark and a few things really had me sitting back thinking whoa. And after I finished this little gem I was thinking, if this short story unsettled me this much, I wonder what the author could do to me with a longer one.
So, the setting is a huge, creepy mansion. I’m always up for that The beginning is a family gathering to say goodbye to dearly departed Gretchen. Is Gretchen so dearly? What I gleaned from the synopsis is, probably not.
I read a lot of horror and throwing kids into the mix always makes it extra creepy. They don’t see the repercussions of their actions. Or do they? Are Gretchen’s grandkids just curious when they start dabbling in the occult? Are they being guided? I soon learned these kids were warped way before they came to the mansion and discovered Gretchen’s secrets.
Another thing I enjoy in horror is the shorter stories. I appreciate how hard it is to set up a story, breathe life into the characters and then try to scare the pants off ya. This is about 100 pages and packs a mean punch. The gloves are off and it gets pretty dark and a few things really had me sitting back thinking whoa. And after I finished this little gem I was thinking, if this short story unsettled me this much, I wonder what the author could do to me with a longer one.
May 16, 2022
Oh this was a fun read of just 90 pages! I have never read Anthony Hains before, and now I want to read his other works. He breathed a little “Pet Cemetery” into it. It’s about a man named Ace and his pregnant wife Runa staying at their mother in laws house after her funeral. His wife’s 2 sisters are also staying there, along with one of the sister’s husband and 2 children. He and one of the sisters realize that the 2 children have learned some rituals and disturbing experiments from their grandma before she passed away. I loved every bit of this book and wanted more!
January 3, 2020
Reads like a short story....
I liked the story but it ended too soon. A lot more could have been added and/or explained. Reads like a Hitchcock movie or an episode from the twilight zone. If you like either one and enjoy shorty stories, I would recommend this book.
I liked the story but it ended too soon. A lot more could have been added and/or explained. Reads like a Hitchcock movie or an episode from the twilight zone. If you like either one and enjoy shorty stories, I would recommend this book.
May 29, 2019
Can we raise the dead
Should we raise the the dead? What if only part of them comes back, is the soul a real part of of us.
Should we raise the the dead? What if only part of them comes back, is the soul a real part of of us.
July 25, 2022
The very blasé and relatable way in which it is written makes the horror even more obvious. No one seems to be taking the situation seriously and yet it is all they can think about. Maybe it's because none of the characters are parents, but if I knew of an 8 and 6 year old dabbling in the occult to the extent these two are, I'd probably be worried. Maybe that's just me though.
I looked the author up for this post and was saddened to learn he passed away earlier this year. The body of work he has published is just waiting to be disclvered though, so I encourage you all to delve right into it. I know I will.
I looked the author up for this post and was saddened to learn he passed away earlier this year. The body of work he has published is just waiting to be disclvered though, so I encourage you all to delve right into it. I know I will.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews