Small Town Monsters by Diana Rodriguez Wallach is the first horror novel by the author. After writing about female spies and Latinx contemporary, Rodriguez Wallach took a stab at horror. The novel is an incredibly fast read that keeps you on the edge of your seat — a perfect mix for a scary story. For me, the cherry on top was the characters and events that are reminiscent of Ed and Lorraine Warren, the paranormal investigators that inspired The Conjuring cinematic series.
The book follows Vera Martinez and Maxwell Oliver in the coastal town of Roaring Creek. Vera is the town outcast simply for the fact that her parents are demonologists. Maxwell, or Max, is part of the popular crowd who finds himself in need of Vera’s help when his mother begins acting strange (or, one might say, demonic). Roaring Creek is reeling from an accident that rocked the whole town. In times of loss and grief, the town turns to the Sunshine Crew, a self-help group created after the accident. As they try to save his mother, the duo quickly realizes the sinister nature of the Sunshine Crew.
Vera’s life with demonologist parents isn’t as glamorous as you think. They constantly travel to perform exorcisms, she isn’t clairvoyant like her mother, and let’s not forget the room in their house filled with cursed objects. Although, she isn’t ashamed of her parents no matter how much Roaring Creek ostracizes her because of them. She doesn’t treat her fellow citizens as they treat her, in fact, she is often the bigger person. Vera stands tall against the dark force that inhabits her town, despite the fact that they have labeled her as an “Other.” That is what drew me to her character. Vera wants to be clairvoyant like her mother, she wants to perform exorcisms like her father. The town’s mistreatment of her doesn’t make her hateful or resentful — even if she had every single right to be. To a small extent, I know of the loneliness she felt being labeled as an “Other.” The loneliness of people looking at you differently or treating you a certain way. The constant thoughts of, “I can’t wait to leave this place.” I can understand some of what she feels and this type of feeling is not uncommon.
On the outside, Max is a popular, athletic student and is well-known by the town. With his family-owned restaurant and overall positive reputation, it seems he has it all. However, you never know what goes on behind closed doors. Raised in a single-parent household, Max wears the badge of a second parent to his little sister, Chloe. We see him struggle to make her food, make a dash to the grocery store, and even struggle to brush her hair. We are witnessing a teenager take on adult responsibilities and rely on another teenager for help. I feel a kinship with Max. There’s a tale as old as time in Latin American families that the oldest daughter (or child) is another parent to her siblings, even while a child herself. My older sister cared for my brother and me, and I followed suit. In middle school, I took care of my younger brother while a teenager myself. When my second brother was born, he had me as his second mother. Now, my mother may not have become possessed by a supernatural force, but I know what it’s like to take care of your siblings while watching your parents go through tough times. Especially when you’re still only a child.
Diana Rodriguez Wallach explores multiple themes in this book such as religion and faith, death, and a scarier take on coming of age. Her inspiration from real-life cults, the Warrens, and the overall exciting plotline with equally interesting characters make for an incredibly addicting read within young adult fiction and horror fiction.
Book content warnings: death, cults, implied mass suicide, demonic worship, and possession.
Melissa Gonzalez (she/her) is a UCLA graduate with a major in American Literature & Culture and a minor in Chicana/o & Central American Studies. She loves boba, horror movies, and reading. You can spot her in the fiction, horror/mystery/thriller, and young adult sections of bookstores. Though she is short, she feels as tall as her TBR pile. You can find Melissa on her book Instagram @floralchapters
