Creepers is the slang term for urban explorers: history and architecture enthusiasts who share a keen fascination with exploring abandoned buildings and tunnels. Often times this act is illegal so there is naturally a certain level of secrecy to it. Those who go on these excursions often adopt the affectations of Spec-Op’s, using much of the same equipment and calling what they do “infiltrations”. They are not scavengers though, their intent is to witness the living history and document the event for posterity’s sake. They adopt the motto of the Sierra Club, “Take nothing but photographs and leave nothing but footprints”.
The goal of any thriller worth its weight in peanut buttercups is to effectively ratchet up the tension all the while creating suspense. Then by having generously spaced WTF moments that relieve the tension and pressure just below the boiling over point and also knock the bottom out of the reading experience leaving you breathless. Creepers has more of these moments then most other thrillers combined. The decaying hotel within provides a necessarily dangerous setting that causes everyone to be on their toes, us included. The abandoned nature of the hotel makes us feel like we are trespassing on private lives as the hotel is still full of items and personal effects from as far back as 100 years ago. The raging thunderstorm outside provide a wonderfully atmospheric if not downright gothic setting for the story to unfold.
It could be said that Morrell wanted to tell a Haunted House story without invoking the supernatural, spirits, apparitions or ghosts that one would normally find in such a tale. In that, it is a success. It stands as an interesting counterpoint to other haunted house tales and in the process it creates a new type of terror, fear and suspense that are firmly grounded in reality and make the entire experience that much more frightening.
I’m going to keep the review on the short side though because it is the type of story that needs its plot points to remain intact and its spoilers left untold. The experience of coming across them for yourself shouldn’t be tainted.
I loved CREEPERS!! It’s a fantastic, dark thriller.