Slipstone Rill: A Gothic Mystery

by Michael Matros

Down from Slipstone Village's old chapel, across the rill and deep in the woods, live the remnants of a reclusive family of carpenters and violin makers. Two generations earlier, their treasured ring of spruce trees, whose wood is necessary for the distinctive tone of their violins, was poisoned by a girl who had been raped by one of the family. Now, with threats and violence, the last of those craftsmen looks to regain the secret of the trees' regeneration. Telling the story is the village's newly arrived chapel administrator, whose predecessor had disappeared, along with the chapel's prized Maggini violin.

294 pages, Paperback

Published March 5, 2019

About the author

Born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina, Michael Matros graduated from Duke University and earned an MFA from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. From the 1970s to 90s he served as a writer for North Carolina state arts agencies, as an editor with the N.C. Center for Public Policy Research, and as head of English at the N.C. School of Science and Mathematics. For many years he directed the Kenyon Review’s summer program for young writers. Matros’s fiction and poetry have appeared in Thema, The Greensboro Review, The Above Ground Review, and other publications. His play “Together Again” was produced by the Duke University Drama Department. He is the author of the 2019 novel Slipstone Rill: A Gothic Mystery. Selections of his fiction, poems, and plays are available to read at www.michaelmatros.com. He now lives in Keene, New Hampshire.

Reviews

[Susan Matthews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I am not usually a fan of gothic novels, I enjoyed this book. The descriptions of the rill, the landscape and the chapel were so vivid that I got visual pictures and could also smell the odors and hear the cries of the birds and the music of the spheres. Several of the events didn’t make sense to me until the end although I knew they would eventually be important in advancing the plot. Without giving away the solution to the mystery, I must admit it eluded me until the end. I usually figure out the plot quickly so this was an intriguing occurrence.

[Jenifer Marchesi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masterful tale with complex characters and a twisty-turny plot. Michael Matros is a talented storyteller that creates detailed scenes you can not only picture, but also can feel, hear, and smell. I can't wait for his next offering!

[Jessica Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great gothic mystery. Not many writers can do these types of books justice these days, but this author can. I highly recommend it!

[RainLady777 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessica Russel recommended this and I am glad she did. It was an excellent book from beginning to end!