Sisters of the Crimson Vine by P.L.McMillan

Book Information


ABOUT SISTERS OF THE CRIMSON VINE


John Ainsworth nearly died in that car crash.

Soon he’ll learn there are worse fates.

After a brutal accident, John awakens in the dilapidated Crimoria Convent under the care of thirteen unconventional nuns. Grievous injuries trap him within the borders of the ruined sanctuary and its strangely successful vineyard. When his body starts healing faster than nature allows, John’s questions quickly pile up.

A pair of Church auditors arrive to look into the convent’s finances. It’s obvious the pair are unwelcome guests, but John has bigger concerns. The order’s annual ritual draws near and John begins to discover things that make him wonder if any of them are truly safe in the hands of the Sisters of the Crimson Vine.

My Review Sisters of the Crimson Vine is one of those stories that immediately draws you in and doesn't let you go until the very end. It's like if H.P. Lovecraft had written and directed Midsommar. The story follows John Ainsworth, a man who crashes his car. When he wakes after the accident, he discovers he's been taken in by a convent of nuns. But the women at the Crimoria Convent aren't your typical nuns. They don't wear shoes. They don't cover their heads. And they seem to drink a lot of wine. But the strange nuns are the least of John's worries. When two church officials arrive to audit the convent, things start to unravel very quickly. John begins to realize that he might not be making it out of the convent alive. This was a fun, quick read. It's perfect for the Halloween season, and if you're a fan of cosmic/eldritch horror, this novella will be right up your alley. I won't lie, I kinda thought the Crimoria Convent was cool. Horrific in a way, sure, but still kinda awesome. Granted, the whole cult-like vibe could be problematic, and the truth behind the convent is extremely problematic, but... Anyway, I digress. I think the only thing I didn't like, per se, was that it felt a bit too short. I would love to see something like this fleshed out (ha!) with more details about how the convent came to be and things of that nature. But other than that, I loved it. If you're in the mood for some short, creepy cosmic horror, give Sisters of the Crimson Vine a go. 4.5 stars!


PRAISE FOR SISTERS OF THE CRIMSON VINE


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Sisters of the Crimson Vine is a beautiful novella that gave me everything I want when reading a book: interesting characters, a memorable setting, creepy scenes that built up to what’s happening behind the curtains, and a shocking, beautiful, and horrifying ending that ties everything we were told before in a way we could have never imagined. The story behind the convent is sad and realistic, and you can’t help but feel bad for the sisters, even when you know something is wrong with them. The antagonist was perfect for this story, showing the reasons the sisters do what they do and why the protagonist has trouble deciding who to trust. It’s a beautiful book that I hope everyone reads at least once in their life. Amazon review


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

SISTERS OF THE CRIMSON VINE is a heady mix of folk and cosmic horror, with notes of Shirley Jackson. This novella is a masterclass in pacing and atmosphere; McMillan creates expertly weaves a pervasive sense of wrongness about every scene and sustains this dread-inducing atmosphere throughout. It’s a chilling and shocking read with prose as smooth as a finely aged wine. And the cover is absolute FIRE! Amazon Review


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

P.L. McMillan writes dark stories and loves cosmic and gothic horror in particular. Her works have been published in Sanitarium, Hinnom Magazine, Fundead Publications, among others.

To her, every shadow is an entry way to a deeper look into the black heart of the world and every night she rides with the mocking and friendly ghouls on the night-wind, bringing back dark stories to share with those brave enough to read them.

“Someone suggested to me that McMillan might be one of the next great cosmic horror writers and if [The Space Between] is a good indication of her talent and imagination, I’d say they could well be correct.” – The Miskatonic Review

Check out her website at www.plmcmillan.com