Blood Covenant

Reservoir Dogs meets The Shining in this scattered horror novel from Baxter (Sallow Bend). After a bank heist goes wrong, brothers James and Paul Glenn and their two accomplices hightail it to the wilds of New South Wales and take refuge at the Eagle Hotel, which is closed for the season. When six members of the Moore family, who own the hotel, show up to open shop, the robbers quickly—and violently—take them hostage. Much to their dismay, James and Paul soon discover that their hideout is imbued with a malignant presence that is ravenous for blood and catalyzed by the carnage they have brought to it. After establishing nail-biting suspense at the story’s outset, Baxter lets much of the tension dissipate by focusing on the trussed-up Moores as they descend into dithering self-reflection and scheme for an escape plan that never jells. A subplot involving 13-year-old Reuben Moore, who can converse with the dead through his gift of “the sight,” adds interest but does little to influence the outcome. The result is a promising premise that falters in execution. Agent: Becky LeJeune, Bond Literary. (July)