Known for his chilling Blackwater series, author Michael McDowell left behind the unfinished manuscript for Candles Burning upon his death in 1999. I'm happy to debate the subject with you.An extraordinary southern saga begun by Michael McDowell and finished after his death by Tabitha King. His style, his descriptions, his observations-those are the things that make McDowell one of the greatest horror writers of his time, and even in this time. He's written screenplays for popular movies, (Beetlejuice, The Nightmare Before Christmas), and those movies were great, but for me it's his novels that speak the loudest. It's easy to see why he was so popular among horror lovers in his day and I think it's easy for new fans like me to fall in love with his work now. I have come to adore this author over the last year or so. I found these observations even more entertaining than the supernatural stuff that McDowell did so well. His observations are always spot on-sometimes cutting, sometimes humorous, but always witty and true. In fact, I think this book shines as yet another example of McDowell's understanding of human nature. I thought I would miss that supernatural element, but I didn't. There's nothing supernatural going on in this book, as there is in so many other McDowell stories.

McDowell's descriptions of the poverty and living conditions in the Black Triangle were harsh and unflinching. When the Stallworth family members each receive an engraved invitation to their own funeral, the diabolical plans of Black Lena are slowly unveiled and woe to anyone that gets in her way. From that point on, Black Lena is set on seeking revenge.

Black Lena Shanks runs her small empire in the Triangle until Judge Stallworth sentences 3 members of her 'family' to death. (Said effort being mostly a publicity stunt designed to better the Stallworth family's standing in the community.)Īt the heart of it, this is a tale of revenge. That is until the The Tribune decides to run a series of articles about the Triangle in a supposed effort to clean up the district. Abortions, prostitution and gambling are just a few of the dark deeds that are common here.īlack Lena Shanks and family run their all female criminal empire here without interference from police or anyone else. This book was SO MUCH fun! Set in the early 1880's in the city of New York in a district called The Black Triangle,(where crime runs rampant and poverty reigns), McDowell brings the city and this district vividly to life.

Gilded needles by michael mcdowell