This Thing Between Us
"This Thing Between Us" by Gus Moreno is a haunting debut novel that blends grief, horror, and existential dread into a gripping narrative. Published in 2021, it follows Thiago Alvarez, a man grappling with the sudden and tragic death of his wife, Vera. The story unfolds as a deeply personal account, written in a first-person narrative where Thiago addresses Vera directly, as if recounting the events to her posthumously. This stylistic choice amplifies the emotional weight of the novel, pulling readers into Thiago’s spiraling despair and fractured mind.
The novel begins with Thiago and Vera living in a Chicago condo, where strange occurrences—cold spots, scratching in the walls, and the erratic behavior of their smart speaker, Itza—hint at something sinister. Vera’s decision to purchase Itza, billed as “the world’s most advanced smart speaker,” initially seems like a quirky addition to their lives, but it soon becomes a conduit for unease, autonomously ordering bizarre items like industrial lye and a book on communicating with the dead. These early disturbances set the stage for a slow-building tension that blends technological paranoia with supernatural dread.
Vera’s death, caused by a freak accident when a young undocumented man accidentally pushes her down stairs, marks a turning point. Her passing becomes a media circus, exploited by pundits and politicians, leaving Thiago drowning in grief, guilt, and rage. Unable to cope, he flees Chicago with Vera’s life insurance money, retreating to a secluded cabin in Colorado. But the isolation only intensifies his torment. The malevolent presence that haunted their condo follows him, feeding on his sorrow and blurring the lines between reality and nightmare. What starts as subtle unease escalates into visceral horror—apparitions, a resurrected dog, and surreal, cosmic terrors that defy comprehension.
Moreno’s novel is more than a traditional horror story; it’s a raw exploration of loss and identity. Thiago, a Mexican American who never fully connected with his heritage, wrestles with cultural alienation alongside his personal devastation. This adds a layer of depth, making the book as much a meditation on belonging as it is a descent into madness. The horror elements draw inspiration from masters like H.P. Lovecraft and Stephen King, but Moreno carves his own path with a voice that’s both intimate and unsettling.
The ending is deliberately ambiguous, leaving readers to question whether Thiago’s experiences are supernatural or a manifestation of his fractured psyche. This open-endedness has sparked much discussion among readers, with some praising its emotional resonance and others craving more closure. Regardless, the novel’s power lies in its ability to linger, its vivid imagery and Thiago’s anguished voice haunting long after the final page.
"This Thing Between Us" is a bold, original work that marks Gus Moreno as a compelling new voice in horror. It’s a story that doesn’t just scare—it wounds, offering a poignant reminder of how grief can distort reality and invite darkness in. For fans of atmospheric, character-driven horror with a touch of cosmic dread, it’s a must-read.
You can buy This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno with my Amazon Affiliate link: https://amzn.to/4hVrS3q
The novel begins with Thiago and Vera living in a Chicago condo, where strange occurrences—cold spots, scratching in the walls, and the erratic behavior of their smart speaker, Itza—hint at something sinister. Vera’s decision to purchase Itza, billed as “the world’s most advanced smart speaker,” initially seems like a quirky addition to their lives, but it soon becomes a conduit for unease, autonomously ordering bizarre items like industrial lye and a book on communicating with the dead. These early disturbances set the stage for a slow-building tension that blends technological paranoia with supernatural dread.
Vera’s death, caused by a freak accident when a young undocumented man accidentally pushes her down stairs, marks a turning point. Her passing becomes a media circus, exploited by pundits and politicians, leaving Thiago drowning in grief, guilt, and rage. Unable to cope, he flees Chicago with Vera’s life insurance money, retreating to a secluded cabin in Colorado. But the isolation only intensifies his torment. The malevolent presence that haunted their condo follows him, feeding on his sorrow and blurring the lines between reality and nightmare. What starts as subtle unease escalates into visceral horror—apparitions, a resurrected dog, and surreal, cosmic terrors that defy comprehension.
Moreno’s novel is more than a traditional horror story; it’s a raw exploration of loss and identity. Thiago, a Mexican American who never fully connected with his heritage, wrestles with cultural alienation alongside his personal devastation. This adds a layer of depth, making the book as much a meditation on belonging as it is a descent into madness. The horror elements draw inspiration from masters like H.P. Lovecraft and Stephen King, but Moreno carves his own path with a voice that’s both intimate and unsettling.
The ending is deliberately ambiguous, leaving readers to question whether Thiago’s experiences are supernatural or a manifestation of his fractured psyche. This open-endedness has sparked much discussion among readers, with some praising its emotional resonance and others craving more closure. Regardless, the novel’s power lies in its ability to linger, its vivid imagery and Thiago’s anguished voice haunting long after the final page.
"This Thing Between Us" is a bold, original work that marks Gus Moreno as a compelling new voice in horror. It’s a story that doesn’t just scare—it wounds, offering a poignant reminder of how grief can distort reality and invite darkness in. For fans of atmospheric, character-driven horror with a touch of cosmic dread, it’s a must-read.
You can buy This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno with my Amazon Affiliate link: https://amzn.to/4hVrS3q
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