This novella was included my edition of What the Night Knows, and describes an encounter early in Alton Turner Blackwood's career as a murderer, with a young man who doesn't realize what's about to be unleashed.Howie is a burn victim, marked for life by harm done to him by one meant to protect him. While hiding from the world and its bullies, he meets Alton Turner Blackwood, and believes that he's met a kindred spirit who will protect him from the mean folks in the world. He learns pretty quickly that he's made rather a large mistake, however. It's appropriate to place this as a novella with What the Night Knows, because I don't think it stands up on it's own without the larger story to provide context. Reading it directly after finishing the larger novel was exactly the right way for me to experience it, though other readers' mileage may vary. This short book (I got the CD audiobook from the library; I believe it was first published as an ebook) is both a prequel and sequel to What the Night Knows (see my review). This one tells the story of a meeting between a ten year old boy, Howie Dugley, disfigured from being burned by his father, and, of course, brutally bullied by neighborhood thugs. One day Howie meets up with Alton Turner Blackwell, the villain from What the Night Knows, and they initially form a friendship, it appears, based upon their common brokenness. Weeeellll, some subsequent violence ensues (not to Howie, but there’s some suspense about that later in the story), and a kindness from Howie to Mr. Blackwell has some far-reaching, and nasty, sequelae. It should also be mentioned that there is a section of this story that takes place after the events of What the Night Knows, and a quite satisfying ending from a brave kid now grown to adulthood. Even though I’ve given a warning of spoilers, I still don’t want to give away too much, don’t want to spoil any surprises (may have done so already).This was, I believe, a better work than What the Night Knows, in part because of its shorter length and therefore more concentrated action. The fact that there are only two characters in the story helps that process. I enjoyed this little book, but I believe you would get more out of it if you read the other one first.
What do You think about De Ravenzwarte Veer (2011)?
It was ok, more like a short story or extra chapters around his other book 'What the Night Knows'.
—Kevin
Enjoyed more than "What the Night Knows" as more focused and to the point creepy.
—Gsmowry
Likeable main character Howie, good quick read.
—hamjuice
