ID this horror novel while I still have hair!

Cafe Society
1

I’ve been idly searching off-and-on for this book for years. I don’t knows its title, or the author’s name. I do know I read it in 1986, so it can’t have been published later than that. I believe it was a new paperback (for that time), if that helps, and not likely to have been a reprint of an older novel.

The details, however sketchy, that I remember (and not in any particular order): a guy, now possessed by a or the devil, follows his girlfriend (after they fought?) up to some resort, calls her out onto the terrace of the restaurant there, and bashes her head repeatedly (with a tire iron?) in front of the restaurant’s patrons. A weird Satanic cult is secretly operating in (the town). Someone investigates their house and is nearly run over by a deer (or a similar animal, and in the house). There’s some kind of preacher or evangelist, and his wife has lots of energy (described as tireless, I believe). I believe these two may even get around the country in a large truck or RV. A strange female member of the cult seduces a policeman, he keeps his gunbelt on during the act (so she can fondle his gun), and he later is sucked painfully into the toilet. A 12-year-old girl is possessed, and passes the demon into the tire-iron guy (or is it the other way around?) through a ritual involving sex with the girl. The devil in question (residing in tire-iron guy, and after the murder of his girlfriend) wants, IIRC, his day in court in order to prove that Satan is real to the world-at-large.

Not remembering the title or the author, or even what the cover looks like, I have come up empty time and time again. Someone please reassure me that it wasn’t some fever dream born of some weird pizza combination! :eek:

2

Three people on the Shocklines board say it’s Son of the Endless Night by John Farris.

I’ve read it, but all I remember is a scene with a horse. Do you remember a horse?

3

Wow.

I’ve seen other folks get answers like this in short order, but I’ve been frustrated in my search for so long that I couldn’t really believe I would ever find this book again.

John Farris, Son of the Endless Night. Yep, that’s the book. First Google hit confirmed it for me. Thanks, AuntiePam, to you and the folks over at Shocklines.

I can’t remember the exact animal in question, but your memory of a horse might well be the animal that charged the culthouse snoopers. I am in the process of ordering the book from a dealer; I’ll let you know for sure.

4

You’re welcome. We hit it lucky this time, because that book is a favorite of the moderator.

It’s a good horror board, by the way – you’re welcome to join. Some writers post regularly – Brian Keene, Doug Clegg, Rick Hautala, F. Paul Wilson, Ray Garton, Elizabeth Massie, Sephera Giron, Kealon Patrick Burke, Tom Picirrilli, Ellen Datlow.