The Sentinel, Jeffrey Konvitz, 1974
My favorite quote: “My dear Miss Parker, aside from the old priest, and now you, no one has lived in that building for three years!”
Notable characters: Alison Parker, the new tenant; Michael, her boyfriend; Charles Chazen, her strangle little neighbor; Gatz, the detective; Miss Logan, the realtor; Father Halliran, the mysterious priest
Most memorable scene: The surprise masturbation scene. Followed closely by the cat’s birthday party, of course. But first, the surprise masturbation scene …
Greatest strengths: The spook factor. Hands down
Standout achievements: Published at a time when horror fiction was rising to unprecedented heights, this book manages to stand out from the crowd, earning a rightful place next to unforgettable classics like Rosemary’s Baby and The Exorcist
Fun Facts: My collaborator, Tamara Thorne, and I met Jeffrey Konvitz a few years ago and were able to talk to him about this book and it’s follow-up, the Guardian. Truly fascinating stuff. He remains one of the most interesting writers I’ve have the joy of knowing
Other media: The 1977 film of the same name starring Cristina Raines, Ava Gardner, Chris Sarandon, and Burgess Meredith
What it taught me: So much — but most notably, the power of building intrigue
How it inspired me: Because this is one of the books I teethed on, it felt appropriate that I pay it some kind of homage in my own work. I did, in my murder mystery, Sleep Savannah Sleep, when I named a school teacher Mr. Chazen, after Alison Parker’s strange little neighbor in the Sentinel. The similarities end at the name, but I enjoyed tipping my hat this creepy little classic
Additional thoughts: Though strange, dated, and perhaps relying a bit too heavily on shock value, this book has that “cozy vintage horror” vibe that always makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. For that reason, I overlook a lot of its flaws
My rating: 4 of 5
Haunt me: alistaircross.com
