Nerds That Geek Book Review: ‘Pay the Piper’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Key Art for ‘Pay the Piper’ Courtesy of Union Square & Co.

For the most part, when an artist leaves this world, that’s it regarding their work. For they completed what they completed, and all we can do is celebrate the art they created and miss them, of course. Because they were a special person to us. But you’ll note there was no mention that this happens all of the time, and there is good reason for that. Because now and again, an artist that leaves us… leaves a bevy of work behind. Some of it complete, some of it not, but when that happens… the fans are quite blessed. For then they can enjoy new creations from their favorite artist and one particular creative that this applies to is the late George A. Romero.

Because George was toying with a bevy of ideas near the end of his incredible life, the kind that went unfinished, sadly, when he passed in 2017. But thanks to his window, Suzanne Descrocher-Romero, the George A. Romero archive, and a talented writer named Daniel Kraus, those ideas are being realized and completed. After all, no one knew that he left behind a completed horror feature about ageism and aging, but Suzanne made sure that The Amusement Park received a release, and no one knew that George had another couple of Dead stories in mind. But now The Living Dead is on shelves and Twilight of the Dead is working toward production and release, and yet… there was still more that he left behind to be completed. Such as his second novel, one co-written by Daniel Kraus, Pay the Piper.

Which is a story that plunges us into the heart of the Bayou. Alligator Point, Louisiana, to be exact. A tiny town with an equally as tiny population that no one in the regular world would pay any mind to, and quite frankly, the same goes for the locals. For it is just a fine place to live, until a strange tragedy strikes. For one fine night, a young boy disappears, a move that few give little mind to because bad things happen in life. But soon, more children go missing and it becomes clear something ancient, and evil, has been awakened in this town, and it will be up to a fresh young mind named Renée Pontiac to unravel the mystery and enlist the help of the town to stop this being… before it is too late.

Which truly is a story that is new territory for the Godfather of the Dead. Since he leaves the world of the dead and its many shopping malls behind to explore a new yet forgotten corner of America. For communities such as these, Cajun ones no less, are really paid no mind. But they exist and this one serves as the perfect playground for Romero, through Kraus… to explore the wonder of folk horror and voodoo elements. Which gives rise to a refreshing new story that immediately piques your curiosity. Because there is a wonder and a bit of awe present within Daniel and George’s words as they explore this new world, this new mythos and this new monster. One that is fascinating and chilling and speaking of chilling, that’s where this story truly shines.

Because once we get to know this being and its backstory and what it wants… and of course… bear witness its actions, are we treated to some classic Romero elements. That trademark tension, those sudden scares that you truly don’t see coming and moments that are chilling and poignant and stay with you long after they’ve come to an end. Courtesy of what is… a truly scary novel. But above all, this story also features the trademark commentary that Romero stories are known for. Since it digs deep into the nature of small-town secrets, and how humanity’s sometimes sordid past always comes back to haunt since we try to move past it rather than resolve it. All of which makes this as much an intelligent read as it is a terrifying one, and truly, Daniel Kraus deserves a hearty round of applause for his work here.

Because as was the case with The Living Dead, it is damn near impossible to tell where Romero’s work ends, and Daniel’s begins. For they are indeed synonymous on the page, and Daniel so well understands George’s style and mind that you get lost in this book as easily as you did the last one. For this book is simply captivating and utterly disturbing. Making it a perfect Romero story, and a fine reminder of how the man could find fear in just about any topic. Because we don’t usually see small towns be places that engender this kind of terror. But Romero’s concepts and Kraus’ sheer skill as a writer, make Alligator Point a terrifying place, one that you should experience as soon as you possibly can. For this is simply a top-tier, bone chilling, horror story. One that taps into some primal fears of the unknown and our ongoing worry, that some legends might be true.

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