Ralph Roberts, a book publisher and local celebrity on URTV (a public broadcasting station here in Asheville) first turned me on to Wellman. I have since been collecting him in a varied number of genres. I was very much pleased with this novel which plays out in the Appalachian Mountains--my home. The setting was quite real to me, and yes, even a bit disturbing, as I personally have come across sacrificial sites in these woods. Silver John--who takes his name and aspect from John the Baptist--carries a silver strung guitar into his adventures in the isolated mountainous regions of the Eastern United States. I would describe Wellman's novel as a sort of Clark Ashton Smith, Robert E. Howard approach to sorceress adventure, all within the tones of mountain culture--it's a trip to hear Silver John repeatedly use such Southern words as "air", "naught" and "reckon". Wellman's knowledge of the Occult comes from quite classical references--it's obvious he was very well read. You may find yourself looking a few books up. I too, like Silver John, have been witness to the Esoteric keeper's face--you should know what I'm talking about from the cover. Take notice that Witches' Sabbats include nude persons. ( )