The Curse of the Reaper is a well-known legend in the small town of Brianmfauley. According to local folklore, the curse dates back several centuries to a time when the town was plagued by a series of mysterious deaths. The townspeople believed that these deaths were the work of a malevolent presence, known as the Reaper. Legend has it that the Reaper was once a respected member of the community, but his lust for power and wealth drove him to strike a deal with dark forces. In exchange for immortality and unlimited power, the Reaper agreed to carry out their bidding by claiming the souls of the innocent. From that moment on, the town of Brianmfauley was cursed.
“Brian McAuley takes Method acting to maniacal meta-horror heights in his Poe-infused slasher Curse of the Reaper, which reads like a pitch-perfect riff off of Peter Bogdanovich’s Targets, a Los Angeles-cast Cask of Amontillado, and a Jerry Stahl-penned tug-of-war between Boris Karloff and Kane Hodder. Read it.” — Clay McLeod Chapman, author of The Remaking and Ghost Eaters
Brian McAuley takes Method acting to maniacal meta-horror heights in his Poe-infused slasher Curse of the Reaper, which reads like a pitch-perfect riff off of Peter Bogdanovich s Targets, a Los Angeles-cast Cask of Amontillado, and a Jerry Stahl-penned tug-of-war between Boris Karloff and Kane Hodder. The writers always have to come up with some fresh way to explain why the slasher is coming back from the dead and incorporating different elements, you know, whether it s like a telekinetic teenager or a new location like Manhattan.
From that moment on, the town of Brianmfauley was cursed. The Reaper roamed the streets at night, picking his victims at random and leaving a trail of death and despair in his wake. No one was safe from his clutches, and the fear of the Reaper permeated every corner of the town.
Curse of the Reaper: A Novel (Hardcover)
Scream meets The Shining in this page-turning horror tale about an aging actor haunted by the slasher movie villain he brought to life.
Decades after playing the titular killer in the 80s horror franchise Night of the Reaper , Howard Browning has been reduced to signing autographs for his dwindling fanbase at genre conventions. When the studio announces a series reboot, the aging thespian is crushed to learn he’s being replaced in the iconic role by heartthrob Trevor Mane, a former sitcom child-star who’s fresh out of rehab. Trevor is determined to stay sober and revamp his image while Howard refuses to let go of the character he created, setting the stage for a cross-generational clash over the soul of a monster. But as Howard fights to reclaim his legacy, the sinister alter ego consumes his unraveling mind, pushing him to the brink of violence. Is the method actor succumbing to madness or has the devilish Reaper taken on a life of its own?
In his razor-sharp debut novel, film and television writer Brian McAuley melds wicked suspense with dark humor and heart. Curse of the Reaper is a tightly plotted thriller that walks the tightrope between the psychological and the supernatural, while characters struggling with addiction and identity bring to light the harrowing cost of Hollywood fame.
About the Author
Brian McAuley is a WGA screenwriter who has worked on everything from family sitcoms to horror films. He received his MFA in Screenwriting from Columbia University and he teaches at Mount Saint Mary’s University in Los Angeles, where he currently resides. Curse of the Reaper is his first novel.
Praise For…
In Praise of CURSE OF THE REAPER
"McAuley excels at balancing the psychological against the supernatural, but he’s even better at satirizing the Hollywood machine. The author puts his experience of the screenwriting game to good use in a biting commentary on horror fandom, franchise culture, and thespian hubris. You’re never sure whether to root for Howard as a bastion of standards in a degraded creative industry or to pity him as a man whose self-regard is at odds with his body of work. Curse of the Reaper is a very funny book with some of the best “bad scriptwriting” ever committed to page. But when McAuley turns to horror in earnest, he goes hard." Esquire (Best Horror Novels of 2022)
"At times deliriously fun and delightfully gory. Its blood-filled heart, however, is its main characters and their personal struggles. Both actors, in their own ways, strain under the unrelenting pressure of others’ expectations. To give the Reaper life, McAuley shares snippets of fictional movie screenplays that show the Reaper is just as deadly and entertaining as Jason or Freddy. This book is a must for fans of the slasher genre, but it also offers a sickle-sharp critique of the expendability of actors fed into the Hollywood machine." — Library Journal
“Curse of the Reaper is the best kind of horror—one that’s equal parts psychological nightmare and bone-crunching bloodshed. McAuley’s novel is a grim amalgam, retelling the inner-struggle of a modern day Jekyll and Hyde and blending it (on high!) with every great 80’s slasher movie ever made. Reaper tackles madness, addiction, the costs of stardom, and the innate servitude of every artist whose soul is chained to the growling, hungry beast within. A wonderful, terrifying, thrilling novel not to be missed.”—Philip Fracassi, author of A Child Alone With Strangers
“In Curse of the Reaper, Brian McAuley carves a grinning specter from our cultural addictions to fandom and nostalgia, gleefully ripping through the boundaries between method and madness, pure scares and pitch-perfect schlock. With vividly wounded characters and a true fan’s eye for the horror show, Curse of the Reaper is an unmissable glimpse behind the screen.”—Gordon B. White, author of Rookfield and As Summer’s Mask Slips and Other Disruptions
“The purpose of horror is to access the unconscious fears of the reader and exploit them. Brian McAuley does just that in Curse of the Reaper. An homage to the horror films of the 80's, he delivers horror in a way that will have you clutching the edge of your seat while whipping through the book until the very end. And I enjoyed every single page of it.”—Tracy Cross, author of Rootwork
“Brian McAuley takes Method acting to maniacal meta-horror heights in his Poe-infused slasher Curse of the Reaper, which reads like a pitch-perfect riff off of Peter Bogdanovich’s Targets, a Los Angeles-cast Cask of Amontillado, and a Jerry Stahl-penned tug-of-war between Boris Karloff and Kane Hodder. Read it.” — Clay McLeod Chapman, author of The Remaking and Ghost Eaters
“A love letter to slashers, and a nod to our addictions. To drugs, to fame. To the memories of who we once were.” —Jamie Flanagan, co-writer of Netflix’s Midnight Mas s and The Haunting of Bly Mano r
“McAuley's Curse of the Reaper is a clever and creepy romp through the slasher genre, reveling in how it haunts and delights us, and how the real horror never, really ever ends.” — Kate Maruyama, author of Harrowgate and Family Solstice
- Fiction / Horror
- Fiction / Thrillers / Supernatural
- Fiction / Noir
- Fiction / Psychological
In his razor-sharp debut novel, film and television writer Brian McAuley melds wicked suspense with dark humor and heart. Curse of the Reaper is a tightly plotted thriller that walks the tightrope between the psychological and the supernatural, while characters struggling with addiction and identity bring to light the harrowing cost of Hollywood fame.
As the years went by, the townspeople became desperate to rid themselves of the curse. Countless attempts were made to defeat the Reaper and break the spell, but all efforts were in vain. The Reaper seemed invincible, and the curse continued to haunt Brianmfauley, claiming lives generation after generation. The legend of the Curse of the Reaper has been passed down through the ages, serving as a cautionary tale for those who dare to seek power and wealth at any cost. It serves as a reminder that there are consequences for our actions and that no one is immune to the forces of darkness. Today, the town of Brianmfauley is still said to be under the curse of the Reaper. Some claim to have seen his figure lurking in the shadows, while others report strange occurrences and unexplained deaths. The curse remains a dark cloud over the town, a constant reminder of the price paid for one man's greed. Despite the fear and despair instilled by the curse, the people of Brianmfauley have not given up hope. They continue to tell the tale of the Curse of the Reaper, hoping that one day a hero will arise who can finally break the spell and free the town from its grim fate. Until then, the curse of the Reaper remains an ominous presence in the town of Brianmfauley, a chilling reminder of the consequences of making a deal with the devil..
Reviews for "Seeking Redemption: Brian McAuley's Battle to Overcome the Curse of the Reaper"
1. Karen - 1/5 stars - I found "Curse of the Reaper" to be extremely disappointing. The plot was incredibly predictable, and the characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth. I also found the writing style to be lacking, with overly simplistic language and dialogue that felt forced. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a thrilling and engaging read.
2. John - 2/5 stars - "Curse of the Reaper" had an interesting premise, but unfortunately, it failed to deliver on its potential. The pace of the story was sluggish, and I found myself losing interest midway through the book. Additionally, the author's attempts at creating suspense fell flat, as the twists and turns were clichéd and predictable. I had high hopes for this novel, but ultimately, it fell short of my expectations.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - Despite its intriguing title, I was disappointed with "Curse of the Reaper." The characters were underdeveloped, and their actions felt unrealistic and forced. The dialogue also felt stilted and unnatural, making it difficult for me to connect with the story. Furthermore, the ending left many loose ends and unanswered questions, which left me feeling unsatisfied. Overall, this book lacked the depth and quality storytelling I look for in a novel.
4. Michael - 1/5 stars - The plotline of "Curse of the Reaper" was far-fetched and illogical. The events within the story seemed forced and contrived, and I couldn't suspend my disbelief. The writing style was also flat and lacked creativity, making it difficult to stay engaged in the story. I had high expectations for this book, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to them. I would not recommend it to others.
5. Sarah - 2/5 stars - "Curse of the Reaper" had potential, but it felt rushed and poorly executed. The pacing was uneven, with slow moments dragging on for too long and exciting scenes being glossed over. The characterization was also lacking, as the characters felt like mere caricatures rather than fully fleshed-out individuals. Overall, this book fell short of its promise and failed to deliver a captivating reading experience.