The Five

Starred review from March 14, 2011
McCammon (Mister Slaughter) delivers a complex, mind-blowing story of a rock band's last days. The Fiveârage-filled frontman Nomad, lesbian drummer Berke, retro-inspired keyboardist Terry, self-possessed bassist Mike, and mellow vocalist/guitarist Arielâare winding down a tour in the Southwest. Both Terry and their manager want out, so this looks to be their last tour. Inspired by a chance meeting with a mysterious woman, they decide to write one final song as a team. What they don't know is that an unstable ex-Marine is stalking them, driven to assassinate them all. After he kills a band member, the remaining four of the Five dodge from gig to gig, pawns in a supernatural struggle far beyond their comprehension. Steeped in rock history, infused with power and passion, and laced with psychological horror and razor-sharp tension, this is not an easy read, but a memorable one.