Cravings possess the citizens of Salem, Virginia. Salacious secrets and unholy connections link ten stories that intersect with an abandoned chapel edging a dark forest, a city-center kugel fountain, and the deceptively serene Crucible Church. Supernatural visions shapeshift within the autumn air. Men on the hunt for intimacy find themselves pursued by predators lurking in bookstore aisles and church sanctuaries. Women encounter brutes that emerge in corporate offices. Some face off with an old painting of a fisherman and syren that mirrors their reality. These Salem citizens engage with the derelict chapel, palm the kugel fountain, and attend Crucible, where their wicked affairs culminate around Peter Merritt, a youth pastor with the goal to become an Air Force chaplain. In the end, Peter must confront heart-wrenching decisions that will decide his fate. The choices and actions of Peter and the others from Salem point toward the inevitable signs of the fall.
Signs of The Fall is an unflinching examination of moral corruption in a town on the edge of Appalachia.
“A fantastic addition to Appalachian literature that centers aching desire.” – Kirkus starred review
“Price is an inventive writer who combines realism, supernatural fiction, and narrative experimentation to create a vivid portrait of a town and its people.” – Booklife review
“These stories are full of mystery, morality, and even some supernatural touches that will immediately capture readers’ attention.” – Reader Reviews
“If you are captivated by complex character studies of flawed spiritual leaders, and how their hidden lives ripple through an entire community, Price’s portrayal … will keep you spellbound until the final, cosmic resolution.” – Printed Word Reviews
“Signs of The Fall is perfect for readers looking for an innovative horror experience, a different side to Appalachian horror, or unabashed self-examination of one’s flaws. It’s also an original and unadulterated piece of fiction that sets Sean Price on the radar of authors whose trajectory is worth following.” – The Chrysalis BREW Project