THE GOD TIDE
SOMETIMES, IT'S ABOUT THE JOURNEY
Lance Aukland has lost a bird of prey and is at risk of losing his job as a small-time reporter. He’s usually not so careless, but tracking the hawk to a backwater town that even the gators swim clear of turns out to be about as smart a move as buying that old candy house in the woods that Grandma always liked. Still, this town’s got history, and it just so happens that Lance isn’t too clear on his.
Encountering toad-licking locals and nose-picking yokels, Lance finds himself embroiled in the echoes of an old murder that happened back when the King Tide rolled in, becoming convinced that the perpetrators never rolled out.
As the mystery unravels and Lance puts his investigative skills to work, he discovers an outcast tribe of swamp-dwellers who just ain’t right in the head; learns about pirates whose legacy is all too potent; and finds himself stalked by twisted creatures harbouring their own plans for lucky old Lance.
But history has a way of repeating itself, and as Lance learns the truth of his family history and the legendary God Tide comes a-rollin’ in, it may be that some sins just won’t wash clean.
Yes, folks, Nick Carlson takes us back to Hell’s Gulf – probably hogtied in the bed of a rusty pickup – and explores further the background of its residents and resentments. But we’ve been here before, and forewarned is forearmed, right?
Right?
Official Trailer
Return to Hell's Gulf and the hilarious darkness of Carlson's vibrant imagination
Lance finds himself in Hell's Gulf, where the locals like animals a little too much...
Movement caught his eye and he jumped at the sight of a huge brown toad sitting on the opposite side of the countertop. Nearly the size of Lance’s splayed hand, it was motionless apart from the rapid pulse of its throat. Lance cocked his head. There was something strangely familiar about that particular toad…something he had read on a nature forum a while back…
“-in’…comin’...”
Lance looked around. He dug a finger in his ear. Perhaps the wind had carried an oysterman’s voice from the bay.
“Comin’...I’m…comin’!”
Lance saw to his left a gangly youth tripping over himself and rushing towards the booth. He climbed over the countertop, jostling past Lance, who backed up in surprise. The fat toad remained still.
“Sorry, mister,” the youth gasped, clutching his side. “Sorry…I ain’t heard that bell in ages. Not too many folks fixin’ to come by this time of year…”
“No worries,” Lance said with overt politeness. “I was wondering if you could tell me where –”
The youth interrupted him by picking up the toad and running his tongue across its back. Lance froze, mouth still open in mid-speech, watching the boy smack his lips before setting the toad back down, who still looked completely unconcerned.
“Ah, much better,” the youth commented, his pupils dilated. “The sunlight’s a whole buncha different colors now. Now you have my attention. What’s on your mind, whaddaya want?”
Meet The Monsters
Strychnine appreciates nature. He loves the smells, the taste, the meat and innards. He doesn't waste a bit.
Bending light and twisting your mind, Prism is not the sort of thing you want to meet in a dark alley. Or is he...?
Echidna loves all her children. She'd probably love yours too, so you might be best to keep them away from her.
Strychnine appreciates nature. He loves the smells, the taste, the meat and innards. He doesn't waste a bit.