The summer of 1987 would be a summer like no other for Mark Prewitt. The long hazy days, the warmer weather, the hours spent doing a whole lot of nothing with friends, the of learning the dark arts with his witch-like girlfriend - seems kinda normal in a way, well, except for that last part...
George Farrow, one of the infamous Farrow girls is Wednesday Adams sans supernatural spooks. Her mystic lies in the veil of smoke and mirrors which clouds the townsfolk's perception of the family. They're weird outcasts, witches, recluses who stay behind closed doors, closed off to the town at large. When Mark tries to break normal in an attempt to cross over to their world, he gets more than he bargained for - a love interest and a glimpse at redemption for his own wicked ways.
WASPS IN THE ICE CREAM by Tim McGregor is a coming of age story first and foremost with horror themes at the peripheral. The story is one made of heart and heartache with lead character Mark, embarking on a journey to right some of his wrongs. School yard bullying, growing up, and finding oneself are key cogs in the story - all of which made me love/hate/love the characters.
The wasps (yes there's actually wasps in the ice cream 'parlor' Mark works at (one of his summer jobs)) play a pivotal role in proceedings. Their presence, at first somewhat comedic and light-hearted makes a whole lot more sense as the story progresses, with the fierce, ice cream craving creatures acting as a barometer.
WASPS IN THE ICE CREAM is one of those novels you don't want to end. The characters read so 'real' that each of their trials and tribulations is felt long after the last page is turned.
Many thanks to Raw Dog Screaming Press for providing a review copy of this book! This did not influence my review in any way.
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