Jericho: A Novel

For readers of Deborah Harkness, J.D. Horn, Lev Grossman, and any supernatural thriller, a young witch must risk death and damnation to defeat a powerful ancient evil in Alex Gordon's follow-up to the masterful debut Gideon.In unearthing her father’s secret past, Lauren Reardon discovered a shocking truth about herself. She is a Child of Endor, a sect of witches who believe they are the guardians of the “thin places”—areas across the globe where evil can seep through the divide between the worlds separating the living and the restless dead. At any time, she can be called upon to close one of these breaches and prevent demons from infiltrating our realm. When Lauren has a disturbing vision of an Oregon forest, she is drawn back to the familiar woods of the misty Pacific Northwest to investigate.Locals had long whispered about an abandoned logging camp known as Jericho—of the strange disappearances and eerie sounds heard in the woods deep in the night. But these ghost stories only hint at the true evil lurking within the camp’s dilapidated buildings, a primeval malevolence far more terrifying than Lauren’s darkest imaginings. And now, Lauren must face this evil, even if it takes her life . . . even if it costs her soul.

From Publishers Weekly

In Gordon's superb follow-up to 2015's Gideon, Lauren Mullin is coming to terms with her powers as a witch and as a Child of Endor. Her role is to guard the "thin places" such as Gideon, Ill., that separate the living and the dead. But Gideon's residents are leaving, and without support from the other Children of Endor, she fears for the town's future. When the enigmatic Gene Kaster approaches Lauren with an offer to head to Carmody Peak, the Oregon woodland retreat of the wealthy Andrew Carmody, and meet others on the council, she hopes for a relaxing few days and a chance to ask for the council's help, but instead she gets more trouble. Andrew wants Lauren to help his unhappy, powerful teenage daughter, Nyssa. The nearby ghost town of Jericho is a nexus for strange happenings, and something diabolically evil is lurking there, hungering for Nyssa. Lauren promises to protect the girl with her life. This gripping contemporary witch tale is a heady brew with an atmospheric, fully realized setting and genuinely creepy chills. Agent: Jennifer Jackson, Donald Maass Literary. (Apr.)\n

Anne Bishop, New York Times bestselling author of the Black Jewels trilogy

“A deliciously creepy paranormal thriller, Gideon sucks you in one step at a time until you are well and truly caught in the story. Highly recommended.”

Washington Post

“...Gideon delivers a fast-paced plot that makes you want to finish it in a day, even if you don’t have time. ...Gordon’s descriptions of the petty jealousies and the insular nature of a small town make this paranormal novel feel scarily realistic.”

Booklist

“...An engaging and suspenseful story.”

Shelf Awareness

“Fast paced and filled with lively details, Gordon’s prose propels readers into a fantastical world that is haunting to the very end.”

Publishers Weekly

“Crisp and shiveringly disturbing prose, a solid plot, and well-developed characters all make for a deeply satisfying read.”

Gizmo's Reviews

“I definitely recommend Gideon to anyone who loves dark urban fantasy stories.”

Kirkus Reviews

“A seductive work of paranormal horror that will draw readers into its cold and gloomy world. …This novel will thoroughly satisfy readers looking for suspense, horror and a grisly good time.”

From the Back Cover

“A deliciously creepy paranormal thriller. . . . Highly recommended.”—New York Times bestselling author Anne Bishop on GideonIn the masterful debut Gideon, Lauren Reardon was sent back from the realm of the dead with a warning that other dangers existed, and that she would need to face them. Now THAT time has come. After unearthing her father’s secret past, Lauren discovered a shocking truth about herself. She is a Child of Endor, a member of a sect of witches who believe they are the guardians of the “thin places”—areas where evil can seep through the divide between the worlds separating the living and the restless dead. When Lauren has a disturbing vision of an Oregon forest, she is drawn back to the familiar woods of the misty Pacific Northwest to investigate.Locals and tabloids had long whispered about an abandoned private logging camp known as Jericho—of the strange disappearances and eerie sounds heard in the woods deep in the night. But these ghost stories only hint at the true evil lurking within the camp’s dilapidated buildings, a primeval malevolence far more terrifying than Lauren’s darkest imaginings. And now, along with powerful followers of the Lady of Endor, Lauren must face this evil, even if it takes her life . . . even if it costs her soul.“Crisp and shiveringly disturbing prose, a solid plot, and well-developed characters all make for a deeply satisfying read.”—Publishers Weekly on Gideon

About the Author

Alex Gordon resides in the Midwest. When she isn’t working, she enjoys watching sports and old movies, running, and playing with her dogs. She dreams of someday adding the Pacific Northwest to the list of regions where she has lived. She is the author of Gideon.

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