The Anomaly by Michael Rutger

Nothing compares to curling up on the couch with a soft blanket, a spiced beverage, and a scary book on a gloomy autumn afternoon. You get to feel cozy and safe in your home while your mind travels to a gothic castle filled with vampires, or a secluded cabin in some haunted woods. This season is, of course, packed with horror movies and new thriller books, but it’s also about family and friends spending quality time together. So for our fall Booktails pick, I wanted to bring back an old favorite that’s sure to keep every member of the family, regardless of gender or generation (although I don’t recommend this book for children under 13), off of their respective devices and engaged in a family buddy read. 

The Anomaly by Michael Rutger isn’t an anticipated new release of 2024. It is, however, a hidden treasure from the summer of 2018 that, in my opinion, didn’t get nearly as much attention as it should have. 

I first read The Anomaly when it was a Book of the Month selection the year of its release.

The moment I finished, I shoved it into my husband’s hands and forced him to read it as well. Jerry, who would not consider himself a reader, flew through the book, and we began passing it around to friends. Each and every one of those friends was obsessed, and we would talk endlessly about which scenes we found the creepiest. 

Eventually, my copy got lost, and I somewhat forgot about this rare masterpiece that brought so many of my friends together. Years later, while rewatching The Descent, it all came back to me, and I immediately ordered a new copy and devoured it with as much, if not more, pleasure as the first time around. 

Quietly terrifying, The Anomaly is a mystery thriller that perfectly melds the adventurous feel of Indiana Jones with the eerie and somewhat comedic supernatural horror of the X-Files.

The book follows Nolan Moore, a rogue archaeologist who hosts a documentary series much beloved by conspiracy theorists (think Ghost Adventures meets Alien Encounters). In an attempt to liven up and hopefully add legitimacy to his show, Nolan sets out to retrace the steps of an explorer from 1909 who claimed to have discovered a mysterious cavern high up in the ancient rock of the Grand Canyon. This time, the conspiracy is all too real. The trip turns nasty as the cave turns against this little crew, releasing something so strange and otherworldly it will give you nightmares ‘til the New Year.

The Anomaly is one of the most satisfying and crowd-pleasing horror books I’ve ever encountered, rivaled only by hits such as The Shining and I Am Legend. I’d specifically recommend this one to fans of Dan Brown and the Alien franchise, but ultimately I think anyone open to reading something spooky will enjoy it.

For those who finish The Anomaly and immediately want more, there is a sequel, The Possession.

It is far more paranormal and not quite as spectacular, but it’s still entertaining and worth the read. 

Grab your family or some friends and head down to Bookshop Benicia to order yourself copies of The Anomaly by Michael Rutger. I recommend you light some candles, bake some treats, turn your living room into one big blanket fort, and participate in a 24-hour read-a-thon to celebrate the season together. When Hollywood finally gets its act together and makes a movie adaptation of this horror hit, you’ll get to say you liked it before it was cool.

Blood Red Sangria

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup whole black grapes
  • 2 oranges, sliced into rounds
  • 1 lemon, sliced into rounds
  • 1 lime, sliced into rounds
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • ¼ cup brandy 
  • 1 bottle fruity red wine
  • 1 can ginger ale

Preparation:

  1. Freeze the black grapes at least 2 hours before you plan to serve.
  2. In a large pitcher, combine half of the orange slices and all of the lime and lemon slices. Add the brandy and cinnamon stick and stir gently to combine. 
  3. Slowly pour in the wine.
  4. Refrigerate sangria for at least 2 hours or as long as overnight.
  5. When ready to serve, add the ginger ale to the pitcher and stir gently with a spoon. 
  6. Fill glasses with frozen grapes and remaining orange slices, then slowly pour in the sangria.