Eight Reasons: The Curse of the Manitou

 Some spirits are best left alone. . .

About The Curse of the Manitou. Bob Harford thinks it’s his lucky day when he discovers his estranged Grandfather has left him a luxury cabin on the banks of Lake Manitou. Miriam, Bob’s wife, doesn’t agree. She believes if it’s any kind of luck, it must be bad because inherited wealth always comes at a cost.

Bob discovers his grandfather died in mysterious circumstances, as his previous ancestors have, going back to Colonel Ramsay Harford of the 7th Cavalry who led a massacre against a Shawnee village, murdering the women and children. The sole survivor invoked a spirit known as The Manitou of the Lake, thereby cursing the Harford family and all future generations.

Bob convinces Miriam to visit the lake house, and with their two children, they head toward a confrontation with The Manitou, who will not rest until the last of the Harfords are dead.

 Our Review: One of the tenets of great fiction writing is the concept of ‘show don’t tell’. In this story, author King has excelled. In an early scene where, immediately after arriving at the lake house, Bob’s wife announces her plans to get rid of the wealth of dream catchers—and all hell breaks loose. King then goes on to build the suspense—another of his skills—in relating the many ways the Manitou has wreaked its vengeance on Colonel Harford’s descendants, and the manner in which Bob and his family fight back. This one’s a beauty.

 Based on a scale of 1-5, The Curse of the Manitou merits an 8.

 Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews