Scarenthood

A newcomer to their small Irish town, Cormac meets Jen, Sinead, and Flynno while waiting to pick up their toddlers from preschool. Flynno, a conspiracy-minded tough guy, recounts the story of his long-ago disappeared brother, setting the group on the trail of a mystery that winds through the local church hall, into the forest, and against an ancient and insidious evil. What begins as a rompish quest for this parent-age Scooby gang takes a rather disturbing turn as Cormac tumbles down an emotional rabbit hole, calling the safety of his daughter and his very sanity into question. Book one of this ongoing series makes for a satisfying read, featuring crisp images saturated in eerily glowing, atmospheric colors, and a slow build enhanced by cinematic scares that lead up to a ghastly, heart-tugging climax. It plays engagingly with elements of Irish folklore and culture, but it gives real weight to adult relationships, the effects of grief, and the pressing question of what we have faith in and how it shapes us as people and parents.