“The Hay Bale”
by
Priscilla Bettis
Wow, I don’t read much horror, so I didn’t know what to expect in the scary department when I picked up “The Hale Bale” by Priscilla Bettis. Set in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, I was immediately engrossed in this novelette about Professor Claire Davenport, a microbiologist who rents an antebellum manor for the summer. After four miscarriages and a rejection from an adoption agency, Claire has fled the city to regroup. She hopes that her sabbatical in the country will bring her peace and mend her broken marriage.
From the beginning, something isn’t right, but maybe it’s Claire’s imagination. After all, none of the townspeople register alarm when she comments, especially about the strange hay bale near the house. In addition, noises in the wall and a child’s cries put her on edge. Is it possible she’s just grieving her lost babies? After a few encounters with these folks, however, Claire knows she must act, but how? Should she correct the wrongs or just get out of there fast? It could be too late to do either.
This expertly-written story combines horror, history, religion, ghosts and science into a twisted story that reminded me of something I might see on The Twilight Zone. I loved the sensation of something being wrong and enjoyed experiencing the thrill of danger from the safety of my comfy chair. I appreciated the many descriptive details that offered hints about the characters and I laughed out loud at Claire’s choice of a book to read to relax! Bettis also ties past to present in a way that gives readers perspective and explains, in a warped way, the characters’ motives.
Bettis rewards her readers with a wild finish that will make you think hard about Claire and the people in this little town.
I’m so glad I read “The Hay Bale” and recommend it to readers who like all kinds of fiction. This one has just the right amount of scariness and weirdness!
Thanks for visiting—come back soon.
Book Club Mom 
A brilliant novella by an amazing author.
I totally agree! Thanks, Paula 🙂
Thank you, Paula.:-)
I totally agree with you—Priscilla is an amazing writer. I truly enjoyed The Hay Bale, even though it gave me chills at times. 😊
Hi Gwen – well not to give anything away to readers but that hay investigation – eeeeeek!
Thank you, Gwen.:-)
Even though the reviews are topnotch and the cover is alluring, I think I’ll pass. Horror is not my thing. But then again–I like Flannery O’Connor and some of her short stories are horror-able!
Oh too bad, Marian – Priscilla is an excellent writer! Thanks for checking it out 🙂
No, horror is not for everyone.:-) I like Flannery O’Connor too, Marian. She was so talented.
I don’t read much horror either (the only horror author I’ve really read is Stephen King but not even him in a long time) but this sounds interesting. Cheers.
Hi Lynette – I thought it was very well written and it didn’t scare me the way I thought it would. Stephen King is too scary for me – once I saw The Shining I was never the same. Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Lynette! My husband says the novelette is more bizarre than scary… then again, he’s my husband, so…:-)
Thank you! Agreed; he might be a bit biased, but that’s a good thing. 🙂
I also read this one, Barbara. I’ll never look at hay bales in the same way again. Awesome review!
Hi Teri – I’ll definitely be looking in the center for something suspicious, but I won’t investigate it the way Claire did! Thanks for reading and commenting 🙂
Thank you for reading The Hay Bale, Teri.:-)
Yes, awesome review! I don’t read much horror either and didn’t know what to expect when I started to read this one. It was well written and pulled me in right away. Mysterious along the way with a scary finish. I may get brave and read more horror. This was a good introduction.
Yes I totally agree – it was so well written that I got pulled in right away. I’m so glad you enjoyed it too! Thanks for reading and commenting 🙂
You made me smile, Coastal Crone, thank you.:-)
You’re a braver lady than me! I really can’t cope with horror at all! I’m so so glad you enjoyed though. X
Hi Books and Bakes! – oh it was more bizarre and unsettling than gory. But I get what you say. Thanks for stopping by!
You’re right, booksandbakes. We each have our own preferences, and horror isn’t for everyone!
Of course. It is what makes the world go around. 😊
Sounds intriguing!
Definitely! Thanks, Paula 🙂
That’s nice of you to say, Paula.:-)
A great review of Priscilla’s story.
Thanks Darlene! I really liked it!
Yes, Barbara made my day, Darlene!
Such an enticing review
I’m tickled pink by Barbara’s review, Derrick!
Thank you, Derrick!
Excellent review, Barb. I read this one just after it came out and also thought it had “just the right amount of scariness and weirdness!” Priscilla is an amazing writer. I’m starting her newest one in a day or two. Happy Reading!
Thank you, Diana.:-)
Hi DIana – you describe the story perfectly. I liked everything about it. Thank you for reading and commenting!
This sounds like a compelling read, but I have never liked horror or weirdness. There are many out there that do though, and your review will get that book readers!
You’re right, Noelle. We each have our own preferences, and horror isn’t for everybody!
; 🙂
Hi Noelle – I understand, as Priscilla has mentioned, horror isn’t for everyone, but I’ve seen that it has become a lot more popular and I have been curious. Thank you for reading and commenting!
I once started reading The Shining on a transatlantic flight, and got so scared I put it down, didn’t sleep, and never finished reading it I did raise the larvae and moths for The Silence of the Lambs, but didn’t see the movie until it was shown at the student union, when the catcalls and jokes from the students put me at ease.
Hi Noelle- I haven’t read or watched The Silence of the Lambs 😬
I’m not sure I’ve ever read a horror book, but if you say “Wow”, I think I might have to. This one sounds like a good one to start with. Thanks!
That’s kind of you to consider reading The Hay Bale, Explorenewness, thank you.
Hi Lenore – yes I think this would be a good one – more shocking/unsettling than gruesome! Thank you for taking a look!
Sounds like a gripping story, Barbara, and you did a fine job of describing it. 🙂
Barbara’s review made my day, T.W.!
I’m glad, Priscilla!
Have a good day, Priscilla. This is on my TBR list now. 🙂
Thank you, Tim. When something grips you, it’s easy to write about it. 🙂
I like horror as long as it isn’t also gruesome. This story sounds very interesting!!
Hi Ann, the hubster says it’s bizarre instead of gruesome or scary, but he’s my husband, so…:-)
I think it had just the right amount of everything. 🙂
Hi Ann – I didn’t think this was too gruesome – but there were definitely some shocking moments!
Good to know! I think I’ll trust his judgement!
Barbara, what a wonderful review and a nice surprise. I had no idea you were going to read-n-review The Hay Bale. Thank you so much! You made my day.:-)
You’re so welcome, Priscilla! I loved your story 😊
Hi Barbara, I am pleased to see you went out of your comfort zone and read this book. It is a very good read which I also thoroughly enjoyed. I must admit that books about paranormal and supernatural events are not nearly as scary for me as books about real tragedies like For Whom the Bell Tolls which we both read.
Thank you for the kind words about The Hay Bale, Robbie.:-)
Hi Robbie – that’s an interesting comment, but I understand. I guess there’s a certain comfort and release in reading and writing paranormal/supernatural/horror because it’s clearly not reality. Thanks for the visit 🙂