Widow's Point

For perfect reading conditions, wait until a rainy night. Turn off all lights but your reading lamp. And try to read in a single sitting. Most people will have to have the book pried from their cold dead hands as it is that good and that urgent of a read. Richard and Billy Chizmar (a father son writing duo) have elevated the "haunted house" tale with this wonderfully written and paced novella. They cleverly avoided many of the first person narrator cliches by creating a "found footage" type narrative. It gives you, as the reader, a kind of claustrophobic involvement where you are reading with bated breath as the narrator experiences the mysteries of Widow's Point Lighthouse. An excellent little horror gem!

A genuinely creepy outing that succeeds admirably in spite of the presence of (but not necessarily reliance upon) abundant trappings and tropes. And I do mean abundance. Let's see...we have a haunted lighthouse, vengeful ghosts, dark and stormy nights, creepy singing children, bloody floating carpentry tools, disembodied voices, '2 nights locked in a legendary Haunt for a publicity stunt', found footage, mysteriously rotting food, eldritch powers stirring in the depths, and a narrator whose narration (and the technology it incorporates) is...unreliable at best.

Sound like it's been done a thousand times or more? Feel like you're re-treating Matheson, MR James, and a host of others? Perhaps.

And yet, my blood was chilled. I was unnerved. Had to get up and check the upper floor of the house more than once for 'phantom' noises during reading.

In short? This tidy little page-turner scared the hell out of me. And it did it largely through very skillful application of those above tropes and trappings that I might typically dismiss as being tired and stale.

The stark simplicity of the style in tandem with Glenn Chadbourne's reliably creepy interior art left everything feeling fresh, compelling, and genuinely creepy. I kept feeling the faintest bubbling of hand-waving under the surface of my skin, but each time I went to wave my hand dismissively, I just wound up flipping to the next page, entirely too drawn in to even be a cynical, over-exposed 35-year reader of horror.

Mind you, I am a tremendous fan of Richard Chizmar. His short story collection (A Long December) was my #1 favorite collection of 2016, so it is hardly surprising that I find more to enjoy here. And while much of his signature style is clearly on display here, the contributions of his young (and presumably talented-I have no idea specifically who contributed what) progeny Billy clearly work to form a cogent, very likable whole. I've expected (and joyously received) great things from the elder Chizmar for years now and am gratified and excited to see if Billy pursues 'the call of the blood' to its fullest potential.

Highly recommended for a stormy night, a Halloween night, or even any ol' night in which you want to be genuinely creeped out with no more than a few hours' investment of reading time.

Ah, the old single person locked in a haunted place trope -- it's one that never goes out of style if it's done well, and this novella is done very well indeed. It's related in a series of audio files, with a few reports thrown in at the end, and thus gives a lovely sense of presence and urgency. The backstory is quite creepy, and the build of the present action over a three-day period is beautifully paced. These Chizmar lads have come up with a terrific story, perfect for one long night's reading. As a plus, the cover painting by Bob Eggleton is gloriously atmospheric, and Glenn Chadbourne's interior illos provide eerie visual punctuation as one reads.

Widow's Point is that genuine rarity: A truly scary horror story. Taking cues from The Blair Witch Project, Richard and Billy Chizmar have constructed a novella based on transcriptions of audio/visual POV entries. But unlike Blair Witch, which was amateurish, Widow's Point is expertly crafted. The story deals with a ghost hunter who allows himself to be locked into a supposedly haunted lighthouse for a weekend. He gradually descends into madness as the story progresses. It's a taut, suspenseful, terrifying journey that should be read by every horror lover. Best of all, the Chizmars hint at a possible sequel. Here's hoping that they write one.

Yes, I devoured that novella... could not put it down.

What an amazing adventure into the lighthouse! I need to know... where is the diary? Did they test the blood? Where did Thomas go? Is he with the twins now?

For me, when I get lost in a story, so much so that my mind can see the action taking place and the words on the page no longer exist individually, I know that I’ve found a writer that can transport me into their make believe world. RC did it again with this one and WOW! I’m sure that I can still smell the ocean and hear the waves crashing outside the window!

I’m fairly certain this is one of my new favorites... behind Heroes, of course.

My end reaction to this was: "Meh."

On the positive side, it was a quick read, and it was decent enough — and short enough — to keep me reading to the end. (Although I came close to putting it down as soon as the protagonist found an old diary that reveals some of the lighthouse's Dreadful Secrets. Who didn't see *that* coming?) An additional plus, from my point of view at least, was that the story didn't revel in gore for gore's sake.

On the negative side, however, this overgrown short story struck me as highly predictable (not once did I think, "Wow, I didn't expect that twist!") … and, frankly, not frightening for that reason.

I also found it extremely derivative; that is, assembled from various elements of a number of superior horror tales, of which Stephen King's "1408" is only the most obvious and recent.

The found video and audio here is straight out of "The Blair Witch Project" and "1408." The unsavory builder of the Widow's Point lighthouse is the equivalent of dour Hugh Crain from Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill House" … or maybe it's the mysterious, mob-affiliated Horace Derwent from Stephen King's "The Shining." The workmen dying during construction, the nasty subsequent history of the edifice, the flamboyant female suicide by hanging from the cursed structure — all from "Hill House."

The run-amok character of Hugh O'Leary in this story is Delbert Grady of "The Shining," and his blood-and-hair clotted hammer is the roque mallet from the same. The found diary here is (for example) the found scrapbook of "The Shining," although conveniently found and tragically revealing diaries are pretty much a literary cliché, period. The cracked, laconic current owner of the lighthouse here is a stand-in for the cracked, gnomic caretaker couple of Jackson's "Hill House."

The harrowed writer protagonist here, Thomas Livingston, is quite transparently Mike Enslin from King's "1408," as is the entire narrative-on-a-tight-deadline premise. Livingston's cellphone conversation with his dead father is straight out of the emergency CB-radio scene from "The Shining," as is the pathological father-son relationship of Jackie Torrance with his abusive dad. (King did it far more convincingly and frighteningly.)

Don't even get me started on that vague "cursed Micmac Indian burial ground" stuff. (Widow's Point lighthouse was apparently built adjacent to Louis Creed's "Pet Sematary.") And so forth.

Go for the real thing — that is, the source stories that "Widow's Point" imitates — instead of this derivative mish-mosh. In short, *not* recommended.

With Widow’s Point, Richard and Billy Chizmar don’t look to the change the face of modern horror fiction, instead, they choose to loosen bowels with this unnerving and bloody ghost story. And, you know what? I’m okay with that. Ghost stories are a personal favourite of mine. Ever since I read Michelle Paver’s Dark Matter, I’ve been a huge fan of them and love it when I come across a good one such as this.

Widow’s Point has all of the necessary ingredients to make it a successful scary story: a bloody history of an abandoned lighthouse, an acclaimed author prepared to lock himself inside the lighthouse for a few days with no way of reaching the outside world and the found footage style narration which turns out to be a wise choice indeed.

Widow’s Point isn’t simply a creepy tale featuring inanimate objects moving unaided around the room and strange voices coming from the dark, though there is some of that. The rich, dark, often gruesome history of the lighthouse is explored thoroughly throughout the book and there is a prevalent sense of foreboding. I’m not usually a fan of the found footage narration style but here I’ll make an exception, it works really well. We get to experience everything Thomas Livingston does and it gives off a very claustrophobic vibe as he spends his hours entombed within the lighthouse tortured by the ghosts of its past.

I’ve previously described Chizmar’s writing as smooth and free-flowing, such is the case here. I found it impossible to tell which of the Chizmar’s wrote which part, so bravo to the pair for producing such a cohesive narrative. I also felt there was a great deal explored in the book and even though Widow’s Point is a novella, it still has a meaty novel like feel to it and there is plenty going on with barely time to pause for breath.

Widow’s Point does exactly as it says on the tin. I had a great time reading it and as a huge fan of ghost stories, I was well pleased by the book’s end. It isn’t going to blow you away with new and interesting ideas, instead, it simply chooses to entertain and scare, and in this case, it’s job well done.

4/5 urban legends from the Grim Reader.

Have to be honest, I had reservations when ordering this book. Richard Chizmar's collection A Long December was one of my top reads from last year and I really wanted more from him. However the plot for this one has been done before. Writer stays in haunted location to write a story about it, but things ensue.
Well I am happy to say that this book, while a familiar theme, was a totally unique story. Writer Thomas Livingston moves into a long closed lighthouse that has been the scene of several tragedy's for a three night stay. He takes along provisions for the three days, a video camera and an audio camera. While inside he discovers the diary of a young girl who perished long ago inside the lighthouse. As events unfold you ride along with Mr. Livingston as this adventure moves from a simple research mission to a fight for his life and sanity.

Great read co-written by Richard Chizmar and his Son Billy Chizmar. I have the feeling we will be hearing a lot more from Billy in the future.

Wow. Just... wow. I was given an advanced review copy from the guys over at Cemetery Dance (the best publisher in the business).

Widow's Point was the best book that I read in 2017. And seeing as I read 104 books in 2017, that's saying a lot. This is classic horror, folks. I read it in one sitting. I couldn't put it down. I've not had a book put me on the edge of my seat in a long time. With Widow's Point, Rich and Billy walk you to the edge and then shove your ass off. I was already a huge fan of Richard Chizmar but now I'll be following Billy Chizmar every step of the way. I can't wait to read the first solo Billy Chizmar novel or novella. Get over to Cemetery Dance and pick up a copy. If this is any indication of the kind of writer Billy is than you are going to want to get in on the ground floor. It's like getting into Steve King after the release of Carrie; before the world knew his name.

The only thing I didn't like is that it was so short. 160 pages kept me wanting so much more of this story. But hey, maybe that's a good thing.

From Biff Bam Pop!:

Richard Chizmar and Billy Chizmar’s Widow’s Point deliver what I regard in my head as a unique approach to the found footage horror story. Supernatural writer Thomas Livingston spending a weekend in the supposedly haunted and absolutely creepy Widow’s Point Lighthouse in Harper’s Cove, Nova Scotia. The lighthouse has been the sight of many ghastly happenings, and Livingston is hoping to either debunk the stories or encounter the horrors for himself and get them on on camera. When his camera breaks down almost immediately, we’re left reading transcripts of his own voice recordings that detail Widow’s Point’s history and experiences.

The father and son duo manage to bring found footage to the page very nicely, and like Richard’s collaboration with Stephen King on last year’s Gwendy’s Button Box, you don’t know where one author starts and the other begins. Most importantly, there’s a consistent feeling of dread that permeates the entirety of the novel. I was legitimately on edge while reading, which is exactly what you want from a good story. Glenn Chadbourne’s illustrations help to serve up the haunting vibe of the novel, but it’s the Chizmars' ultimate ability to not waste a word that makes Widow’s Point a success.

For years, tales of mysterious disappearances, suicide and murder have been linked to the lighthouse at Harper’s Cove. Empty for 30 years, Widow’s Point has a new occupant, author Thomas Livingston. For his newest book, armed with only a video camera and audio recorder, Thomas decides to stay in the lighthouse for three nights and document what he experiences. What could possibly go wrong?

Now I’m certainly not going to spoil this story for you, but I will say that the first thing to go wrong is the video recorder. It stops working the moment Thomas crosses the threshold into the lighthouse. Because of this the story’s told via the transcripts of the audio recordings. Using this method, the Chizmar’s can be really punchy in their story telling. The story builds quickly, with plenty of chills and a some incredibly effective scares (assisted by some gorgeous artwork by Glenn Chadbourne). You really do care for Thomas and the predicament he’s in, again credit to how well written Widow’s Point is. Multiple timelines are expertly crafted and merged to give us a fantastically atmospheric and haunting reading experience. I’d love to see more from this Father/Son collaboration, they certainly know how to tell a story, maybe they can take us back to Harper’s Cove in the very near future.

Widow’s Point is a wonderful take on the haunted ‘house’ story. A terrifying read, with an intensity that had me looking over my shoulder.

I ordered a limited edition hardcover of Widow's Point, and it did not disappoint - beautifully presented edition of the story! I was taken aback by the "found footage" format at first, as I am not a fan of the format in film, but filmmakers could take a lesson from the Chizmars. Well written, great progession, and a solid core of creepiness that grows in intensity with the story. The format adds a personalized modern perspective of a classic haunted house/ghost story. Highly recommend for anyone who is looking for horror that is not dependent on heavy gore and shock factor to deliver chills. My only complaint is that it's a quick read, but that's not necessarily a bad thing when done well.

Richard Chizmar goes from strength to strength. In this beautifully crafted novella co-authored by Billy Chizmar, Richard highlights something I have thought for a while - that he will admirably fill the void left when Mr. King decides to hang up his literary gloves.
Originally published in Fearful Fathoms: Collected Tales of Aquatic Terror [Vol. I - Seas & Oceans] (2017) Widow's Point is a beautifully crafted story written in a found footage style, and I found this book very difficult to put down. Spectacular illustrations by the iconic Glenn Chadbourne adds haunting layers that help breathe life into the work.
As a sidenote I could not help but draw some comparisons between Thomas Livingston and Mike Enslin (1408, King).
I cannot wait to hear what Mr. Chizmar has in store for us in the future!

Wonderful book! First, the book is visually gorgeous - from the embossing on the cover, the choice of paper, font, and layout. It opens with a dedication to Stephen King. What follows is not only a "just right amount of scary" ghost story AND a love letter to Mr King. If you are a Constant Reader, you will delight in the numerous Easter Eggs through out the story. This in no way takes away from the narrative. The story is written as a "found footage." From the first few sentences, It was almost as if I were Thomas, exploring grounds of Widow's Point as Thomas Livingston. This book has easily taken its rightful place as one of my all time favorites.

Wow! Richard Chizmar is an exemplary writer and now in cahoots with his son Billy, they are an unstoppable pair!
Thank you for the vivid imagery! The phenomenal cover illustration does not do justice to the images now engraved in my mind that I wish would go away! Can't wait to read your next book you write together! Hurry up!

A quick read, set up like a documentary. Paranormal investigator narrates over 2+ days trapped in a supposedly haunted lighthouse. Relentless, mounting dread as the situation deteriorates. Pulls the reader in, even though it progresses much like expected. Nice illustrations (hardcover edition).

Taking ghost stories to a whole new level. A story that grips you from the beginning and won't let go. Masterfully written, leaving the audience thoroughly creeped out and completely satisfied. Would recommend to anyone seeking a fast mind bending trip into worlds between ours and absolute hell.

Richard and Billy Chizmar managed to make a lighthouse, that paragon of summer fun and quintessential New England, scary. Terrifying, even. This novella is brilliantly written, smart, and deeply disturbing. You won't want to put it down! ... Or see another lighthouse, even in knicknack form.

The Chizmars give us a fast, compelling print version of a "found footage" horror movie, without the jittery, nausea-inducing handheld camera motion. It reminded me a bit of Mark Z. Danielewski's much longer House of Leaves, almost Lovecraftian in certain scenes.

WIDOW’S POINT is a perfect example of timeless horror fiction. Richard and Billy Chizmar have written a disturbing piece of fiction involving both isolation and madness. I’ve seen terms like “horror tropes” thrown often nowadays. This novel embraces those inspirations, concepts made famous by authors like Shirley Jackson and Richard Matheson, and twist them into their own unique concepts. This is old school—leave the lights on—horror fiction. I suggest any fan of horror, or even newcomers interested in the genre, purchase this title immediately. Set aside an evening. I guarantee you won’t set this novel down until the last page.

I purchased this directly from the publisher, with the added caveat of getting the signatures of both Chizmars. Be sure to set aside the time needed to read this novella in one sitting. Don't make the mistake I did of starting near bedtime, then being unable to put it down until the inevitable conclusion. Something this story does so well is the development of an unrelenting sense of doom, like that out of control car speeding toward the unsuspecting bicycle rider, and being totally helpless in changing the inevitable outcome. This is great fiction, compelling, and will not disappoint.

Another amazing story from Richard Chizmar. This collaboration with his son left me wanting more. It is an amazing story that keeps you clinging to the pages. I ordered my copy directly from Cemetery Dance and a second copy from here. Gorgeous book al around.

This book is a fantastic read and I can guarantee that once you start you’re not going to want to put it down! The pacing of the story, the infinite and masterful details grab you and don’t let go even after you read it. As I read it is more like a movie playing in my head and the words disappear, in this case, wow, what a show! Do yourself a huge solid and pick this book up, you won’t be sorry.

Plan on reading this in one sitting, and if possible, late at night with a storm outside and alone. This story gives you a steady diet of atmosphere and slips in the suspense almost unnoticed until you suddenly realize you have no choice but to get to that last period. And then it rattles around in your memory for. . .
Enjoyable ride and beautiful book.

Widow’s Point grabs hold of your throat and doesn’t loosen until your final breath has left you.
Chilling, disturbing, and dripping with realism, Widow’s Point is one to read over the covers.

I thoroughly enjoyed the format that this book was written in, as if I was watching it through the camera lens, instead of turning the pages in a book. The slow and intense build up to the conclusion had me holding my breath on more than one occasion. It painted a perfect picture for me of a lighthouse with a huge amount of not so nice history to it. And how a creative imagination can take you to places that you probably should be afraid of and avoid instead. And the ending? The ending could lead to another beginning!

I absolutely loved this story! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. It's a very quick read, and it left me wanting more! I highly recommend this story to anyone who likes some mystery and tension!

It doesn’t get any better than a haunted lighthouse. Chizmar & son have created a wonderful scare fest that made me look over my shoulder more than once while reading. Take an evening for yourself and turn down the lights, crank up the fire, and immerse yourself in a piece of old school horror. You’ll be glad you did.

Read this little gem during New England’s Boom Apolcolips Nor’easter as the waves were crashing against the ocean waves crashed against the east coast shores. This well written ghost haunt of a book kept me turning the pages until I finished. I was also amused to find out in the first few pages that one of the characters may be a relative of mine, sharing the name Collins.

The haunted house will forever be a common piece of Americana and Widow's Point is told from a place that makes you uneasy. Two words - "We're Here," written where they shouldn't be. It makes for a very uncomfortable tale. It's a fast read, made faster by how the storytale resonates with your own ghost stories from childhood. Well done Chizmar's

A wonderfully haunting Lovecraftian story where atmosphere and barely glimpsed horrors slowly pull the reader into this lonely world. The hardcover volume is a beautiful and finely-made book with gorgeous cover art and lovely interior illustrations on substantial paper. A pleasure to read and hold in my hand.

Thought this was an excellent short and sweet story. Was able to read in one setting which allowed the story to build with no interruptions. Managed the litery equivalent of found footage extremely well and to great effect. Highly rewcommended.

Amazing story. Very gripping and captivating story. It gets you from the very first time the lighthouse door opens till the very last page. It is a beautifully written history of hauntings you will not be able to put down. This is a book you could easily read in one sitting.

The story was very creepy and reminiscent of these haunted house movies like Grave Encounters. I finished the book in one day.

The illustrations were nicely done and depicted relevant scenes.

The only problem with the book was that it ended too quickly

Widow’s Point is a gripping, intense story told in an intriguing point-of-view that flawlessly entrenches you in the character’s mind and haunting surroundings. A quick read, it’s one not to miss!