It’s the summer of 1960 and in the small city of Elm Haven, Illinois, five twelve-year-old guys are forging the powerful bonds a lifetime of change won’t break. From sunset bicycle rides to shaded concealing locations in the woods, the children’ days are marked by every one of the secrets and silences of an idyllic years as a child. But amid the sun-drenched cornfields, their commitment will be pitilessly tested. When a long-silent bell peals in the middle of the night, the townsfolk know it marks the end of their about Summer season of Evening carefree days. From the depths of the Old Central School, a hulking fortress tinged with the mahogany aroma of coffins, an invisible evil is increasing. Unusual and horrifying events begin to overtake everyday routine, dispersing terror through the once-peaceful town. Determined to exorcize this historic plague, Mike, Duane, Dale, Harlen, and Kevin must wage a war of blood-against an arcane abomination who has the night.…“It stands with the best of King and Straub in the traditional modern horror genre.” -Seattle Post-Intelligencer“Impressive…combines beautiful composing and suspense into a book for which Dan Simmons deserves the bestseller status of King and Koontz.” -The Denver Post“One can just wonder what Simmons can do next, now that he’s shown us he can do everything the very best writers in horror and technology fiction can perform.” -The Philadelphia Inquirer