<b> An appreciation of Jonathan Janz's Exorcist Falls (with Exorcist Road) </b>

Exorcist-themed material was on the rise after the release of Exorcist: The Beginning (2004) and The
Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005). Suddenly, every millennial (well, the film neophytes anyway) knew of the
subgenre's staples: levitation, spinning heads, demonic voices (with cursing), and, of course, pea-soup
vomiting. After the requisite knock-offs, the genre soon died an ignoble death; it was eventually
bastardized and fused with the equally-popular "found footage" subgenre.

So color me unimpressed when I found Janz's book on Kindle. After being severely disappointed in the
much-touted <b> A Head Full of Ghosts </b>, I was not in the mood for another deconstruction of the
genre. But having read a free give away from him before (Witching Hour Theatre), I was a wee bit
curious about what he might do with this one. After reading the initial chapter, I didn't want to stop; I
was-pardon the word usage- possessed.

So what makes this book work? What makes it so compelling, thrilling, and scary?

1. Janz fuses the breakneck pace of a Richard Laymon novel (one Janz's influences) with the best
parts of the exorcism/possession subgenre. As a result, there is mystery and danger in every
chapter. And while the exorcism is going on, the human factor proves to be as dangerous as the
demonic entity. You get Laymon and William Peter Blatty in a single dish, with Janz being the
executive chef.

2. Janz plays the entire thing straight. The subgenre is not deconstructed but presented as-is. Even
the addition of the serial killer into the narrative doesn't twist it into something unnatural but
enhances it instead. Oh, and the abruptness of the ritual is believable considering the
circumstances. (A real exorcism ritual requires more than just the priests; trained professionals
from other fields have to be present)

3. Janz's work is hard-edged and doesn't skimp on the graphic descriptions. Although gore and
sexuality are not what I am looking for in an exorcism novel, it doesn't hurt when they are
around. If anything, they serve as a reminder of the stakes in the struggle; if you lose, you get
your physical and spiritual body corrupted.

There are other novels in a similar vein over the years, all ranging from quiet to deranged. But is there
an exorcism novel out there as thrilling, exhausting, and engaging as this? It's not as iconic as Blatty's or
Ray Russell's*, but it doesn't matter when all you want is a great read worth your time.

*The Case Against Satan