The Adversary

What if the devil really did rule on earth?A veteran NYPD detective and a child psychic/prophet soon suspect the brutal killings of Roman Catholic Priests may be supernatural; caused by ages-old beings of cunning intelligence and incredible power coming from the devil himself.After witnessing the suicide of a man who jumped from the roof of her art deco apartment building, a young girl starts to develop frightening visions based on a century-old apocalyptic prophecy about peace.What the snake wounds, the hare heals.Such an introduction is perfect for the sense of unease that is a pivotal element in Theresa Gaynord's The Adversary. The unsettling atmosphere that echoes at the beginning of the novel is thick with the menace of a creepy imagination that can only come from an author who is truly committed to creating the right tension perfect for a horror/crime hybrid.The product of Theresa's creep imagination has elements of folk horror worthy of The Wicker Man, combined with urban Gothic, the work of Mario Bava and with the strong religious overtones that starts to unfold, William Peter Blatty's The Exorcist.Even the sinister residence of 52-61 Arden Street could well be New York's Bramford Renaissance Revival Apartment from Ira Levin's Rosemary's Baby. You can almost cut the brooding intensity with a knife.The portmanteau of events that form the basis of the novel produces a web of intrigue that could only come from Theresa's sublime mind, and the overall sense of terror that build up makes one wonder how she can even sleep at night. It pulls no punches and set the scene for an incredible tale of terror.Theresa has written and produced an excellent book, and the sooner a film adaptation comes to life, the better.Mark Iveson, Author of Cursed Horror Stars and Vincent Price The British Connection“This town is filled with echoes. It's like they were trapped behind the walls, or beneath the cobblestones. When you walk you feel like someone's behind you, stepping in your footsteps.”― Juan Rulfo, Author of Pedro Páramo

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