Sisters of the Crimson Vine

Barely surviving a brutal car crash, John Ainsworth awakens in the remote Crimoria Convent where he is greeted by a cadre of unconventional nuns and two visiting Church auditors. Confined due to his injuries, John admires the Sisters' cheerful nature and their autonomous way of life thanks to their unnaturally, successful vineyard. The auditors, however, are less impressed and enlist John's help to claim the Church's due. As he investigates, John struggles more and more to reconcile the disturbing nature of his findings with the charming and affable nature of the nuns. With the mention of an impending annual ritual, more questions arise, for is it God that they worship or something else?

In traditional folk horror style, the story is show more from the perspective of the unassuming new arrival. John's character and personality had so many opportunities to go south and it never did. Although he's not a particularly religious man presently, John was raised Catholic and accepts that the rigid auditors have a job to do. He also comes to understand what the convent has suffered through. The significance of their holy Mother Superior making the ultimate sacrifice to save her flock is not lost on John.

It may be unconventional, to put it very lightly, but I love the idea that these nuns protect themselves and not a single man, John or otherwise, is an exception to this rule. This one would've been perfect, except that I felt that certain parts of the story could've been drawn out a little bit more. Specifics of the nuns' former misery and desperation could've added another element of horror to the story and psychological insight. On a positive note, John finds himself attracted to one of the nuns, and she seemingly in return, but thankfully in a genuine way. It's not a rushed seduction, or a predictable male fetishization/"trapped with sexy nuns" kink. Instead, the author turns the trope on its head in a delightfully wicked and sapphic way. The reader will find themselves morally conflicted alongside John as the history of the convent is revealed. Highly recommend! show less

In the beginning, there's such a calm to this book that it feels somewhat out of time, but as McMillan begins building a darker and ever-more-unique path forward, there's simply no turning back. The story takes turns which cannot be predicted while holding the reader in thrall to a dangerous inertia that builds ever forward.

McMillan's work is perfectly paced and gorgeously written, and it will stay in my mind for some time.

Absolutely recommended.