ŷ������

Jake meets Mariko at the Osaka airport when they both happen to miss their flights. Mariko suggests they grab dinner and drinks together. After imbibing several cocktails Mariko informs Jake about the loss of her twin brother. Jake can't believe what he's hearing because he, too, lost his best friend under the same circumstances.

The story goes like this: They met a woman that photographs them only to lose their mind and life soon after. What's even odder is that during their autopsy it's discovered that their internal organs have all been reversed.

This sends Jake on a worldwide journey to track down this mystery woman and confront her. Along the way he meets others who have also encountered her and the path of destruction she always seems to leave in her wake.

"That she was unnatural. That she could manipulate her face to any affect. That her entire being was a perfidious mask of surging life, behind which lurked something not-living and predatory."

Wow, this book was absolutely phenomenal. The most intelligently written horror novel I have read in quite some time. Susan Barker has spun a tale that is both spine chilling and wildly original in concept. Enthralling in the best way possible. A book that will consume you ever so slowly until you turn the final page. A perfect example of the horror genre done right. ALL. THE. STARS.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Publishing Group for my complimentary copy.