One of my favorite elements in any horror story is the setting. The way an author or filmmaker crafts the backdrop can transform a simple tale into a truly chilling experience. From Stephen King’s Maine to Jennifer McMahon’s New England, some locations just lend themselves to horror. As a Michigan native, I enjoy exploring a variety of horror settings in my own books, drawing inspiration from familiar places and those I’ve come to love.
Demons in Detroit: Grit and Darkness
One of my favorite horror settings is Detroit, MI. Having lived there for many decades, I appreciate the city’s gritty character, which provides a perfect backdrop for dark tales. The shadowy alleys and abandoned buildings evoke a sense of urban decay, ideal for horror stories. In my book The Book of Lost Souls, demon hunters Kia and Lev navigate the city’s seedy backstreets, facing off against demonic priests. Despite Detroit’s reputation, I know it’s a vibrant city with plenty of beautiful places to visit, like the lively Eastern Market. But when I think of Detroit as a horror setting, it’s the sinister mystery of its forgotten corners that captivates me.
Ghosts in Charlottesville: The Charm of the South
In my latest horror book, The Veil of Shadows, I explore a completely different horror setting: Charlottesville, VA. This Southern city, nestled in a picturesque mountainous region, struck me as the perfect location for a horror story. Its charming historical architecture and steep, winding roads create an atmosphere that balances beauty with a sense of foreboding. When I first visited Charlottesville, the hilly terrain was a challenge for a flatlander like me, and I used that experience in the book. The fictional Bookman Manor, with its antique charm, embodies the eerie elegance I felt during my visits.
Old Gods on the Shores of Lake Michigan
My current work-in-progress takes place along the shores of Lake Michigan, another of my favorite horror settings. The late fall atmosphere, with its empty beaches and icy winds, provides an ideal backdrop for a haunting story. This new book, set against the haunting beauty of the Great Lakes, explores the return of ancient gods who have lain dormant for centuries. I find that Lake Michigan’s vast, seemingly endless horizon lends itself to tales of cosmic horror and mystery, where the unknown feels just out of sight beyond the waves.
Do you have a favorite setting for horror books or films? Whether it’s a shadowy forest, an abandoned asylum, or a bustling city with hidden secrets, I’d love to hear about it! Let me know in the comments which horror settings get your imagination running wild.
The Veil of Shadows is available on Kindle. Get your copy today!
