The Unfinished BY Cheryl Isaacs

In Cheryl Isaacs' gripping debut novel, The Black Water, readers are plunged into a chilling story of supernatural horror and cultural rediscovery. Avery, a small-town athlete in Crook’s Falls, stumbles upon a sinister pond during her morning run. This pond, long-forgotten by the townspeople, harbors a malevolent force known as the black water—a dark, insatiable entity that preys on souls to sustain itself.

As Avery begins to perceive the black water's omnipresent influence, it manifests in increasingly terrifying forms. Her growing paranoia is compounded by the mysterious disappearances of townsfolk, including Key, her best friend and longtime crush. Struggling to make sense of these events, Avery's journey leads her to her Kanien’kéha
(Mohawk) roots. Though she has distanced herself from her Indigenous heritage, Avery must now confront the Elders and the ancient stories they guard. The choice before her is agonizing: adhere to the wisdom of her ancestors to potentially save the town or follow her heart and risk losing Key forever.

Isaacs deftly combines elements of horror, mystery, and personal growth in a tale that resonates with fans of Trang Thanh Tran’s She Is a Haunting and Claire Legrand’s Sawkill Girls. With its atmospheric tension and a compelling exploration of cultural identity and sacrifice, The Black Water offers a hauntingly memorable reading experience.