Flash Review | “The Lot”

‘Salem’s Lot by Stephen King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Author’s Journal | (uPDATED) Pen Date 2.13.22 | TW: Violence, Death, Language

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Have you read ‘Salem’s Lot? What’d you think? What’s your favorite book by King? Let me know in the comments below!

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So far, this remains my favorite Stephen King novel, and was nearly my favorite read in 2021!

It starts off as a bit of a slow burn through the first act, but by the time you reach act two it becomes clear that this book is not what it seems (the same could be said for the little Maine town of Jerusalem’s Lot).

The second act was absolutely riveting and produced so many great characters, but the third act. . . I couldn’t put it down. It was absolutely thrilling, suspenseful, and devastating.

|Flash SYNOPSIS|

Ben Mears has just returned to his home town of Jerusalem’s Lot, Maine. There he’s hoping to find some inspiration for his next novel, and quickly falls for local co-ed, Susan.

Except, not everything is as it seems in the Lot. Ben was hoping to write about the abandoned Marsten House that sits on the hill overlooking the town. Only to find out that someone has already purchased it and is currently living there.

Thankfully he has Susan and his new friend Matt Burke to help keep him busy. But, when children start going missing and a devastating illness starts taking lives, it’s up to Ben and his mismatched band of detectives to figure out what is going on in ‘Salem’s Lot.

|SPOILER DISCUSSION|

I’m going to spoil things IMMEDIATELY

You’ve been warned.

VAMPIRES?!?! I truly did not see them coming, and although this was written long before the vampire craze of the early 2000s, I love how original it was, while staying true to the mythos of the monsters. I was absolutely heart broken by some of the characters deaths and loved how King tied Ben and Mark together in the end.

I would have read more of their adventure, honestly.

Susan’s death though! Devastating. Jimmy’s death and the way it was written, heart wrenching. And so many others . . . You knew after Susan’s death, no one was safe, there would be no happy endings, and I couldn’t put it down for the last 200-ish pages.

I’ve only read a handful of King’s novels and despite only ever being his second novel in production, it’s by far one of my favorite books I’ve ever read. 100/10 would recommend.

View all my Goodreads reviews

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