BLACK FIRE

In his highly readable horror debut, Kidman employs several narrative tactics (including flashbacks, dreams and journal entries) to tell the moving story of Eddie Farris, a 20-something writer with an overactive imagination who killed his father, Michael, seven years earlier in self defense and is still suffering severe psychological consequences. Making matters worse is the fact that Eddie still lives in tiny Black Hills, Pa., where the town residents treat him like a freak. When Eddie's high school sweetheart returns, claiming to be stalked by a resurrected Michael, Eddie's life spirals even further out of control. The brutal murder act, referred to as "The Showdown" by Eddie, isn't actually depicted until the book's end. Instead, Kidman refers to the incident throughout, slowly foreshadowing and building tension as the reader becomes emotionally invested in the characters. Readers journey with Eddie through an adolescence made miserable by his abusive father, and they share in his blossoming romance and brutal breakup with his former girlfriend. Unfortunately, a contrived conclusion cheapens the plot and may leave readers feeling duped. (May)

FYI : Cemetery Dance will release a limited-edition hardcover of Black Fire in May ($40 1-58767-106-9).