Rarely is the werewolf thing done well. I was thinking about why and I guess what it comes down to is the transformation between man and wolf is so out there that it's difficult to maintain the thin bridge of suspension of disbelief while posing the supposition. In other words, it's hella farfetched in most people's minds.I, myself, have only written one werewolf story - to the best of my recollection - and I found myself doubting it even as I was writing it. There's something so... Incredible Hulk-ish about the werewolf phenomenon that it's difficult to keep it authentically scary.
All right, all that said, the first book I've read in '07 is W.D. Gagliani's Wolf's Trap.
The basic synopsis is that Nick Lupo, a Milwaukee homicide detective, is also a werewolf. Through the story, Gagliani gives us the history of Nick, as well as the history of serial killer stalking Wisconsin's largest city. It turns out that the serial killer "knows" Nick, and is taunting him with his targeted murders.
The great thing about this book is that it's not just about werewolves. Gagliani fills the book with enough detective and psychological realism to keep you grounded in the real world - so that when the more fantastical stuff takes off, it seems all the more real.
I love how Gagliani understands his topic. The Incredible Hulk metaphor is actually used in the book when Lupo is desperately trying to get his clothes off before one of his transformations, so as not to look like the Hulk standing in a pair of shredded pants.
A great detective story that's slowly unveiled, layer after layer after layer, I highly recommend Wolf's Trap as a superb Horror Thriller that was a ton of fun.
To check out more about Gagliani and his work, take a look at his site: http://www.williamdgagliani.com/
Rated 4.5 out of 5
(Originally reviewed in "The Daily Cave" on January 8th, 2007)
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