Nicely atmospheric start to Orangefield cycle. Chilling without being overbearing. ( )

*I read this novella as part of the collection Horrorween.*

The novella Orangefield follows four separate denizens of the town of Orangefield, NY (the pumpkin capitol of the world) through the month of October. They are all (to varying degrees) being influenced by Samhain , the Celtic Lord of the Dead; but to what purpose? Each character's story was intriguing and the characters had enough depth to make me care about them.

I was actually wishing Orangefield was a little longer. It could have easily been expanded into a novel. I would have liked a little more detail on what Samhain's plans were and maybe to spend a little more time expanding the characters.

I liked Mr. Sarrantonio’s writing. He did a very good job of evoking autumn and the feeling of Halloween. The atmosphere he created reminded me a little of something Ray Bradbury would have done but didn't feel in any way like a swipe. ( )