The Ridge by Michael Koryta

What do you get when you combine a deadly Kentucky back road, a big cat rescue preserve, and a spooky lighthouse?  This is “The Ridge” by Michael Koryta

The local drunk (and owner of the eerie land-locked lighthouse), Wyatt French’s dead body is discovered by deputy sheriff Kevin Kimble.  After finding eerie photos in the lighthouse, he recruits Roy Darmus, retired editor of the town’s paper, to delve into the cause of dozens of car accidents that have occurred on the desolate road (known as Blade Ridge) near the lighthouse. Countless people have died, and the deaths seem to go back generations.  Somehow all of these deaths are all tied into one another. Together, Kevin and Roy must find the source of this darkness, digging through decades of the town’s history to find the answers.

Meanwhile, Audrey Clark is continuing her late husband’s dream of running a big cat rescue preserve and has just moved her operation to the land next to the lighthouse.  Soon after moving in she notices the cats grow restless at night, frightened by something in the dark.  They sense something that humans cannot, and it’s something evil.

What’s happening in this town will shock you.  This is a great book with a large cast of characters.  It really was difficult to blog about this one because there were so many plot twists.  I recommend this book, especially if you are looking for a semi-spooky Halloween time read.