I'd never read anything by Weston Ochse before, only knowing him by reputation. Wow. I was totally blown away. It's a very American style of horror. REDEMPTION ROADSHOW is a magnificent piece. I only wish it was full-length novel. His writing style is really creative and solid. It grabs you and won't let go.

The story is set in the southwest (as are most of his stories I'm told), and revolves around a highway patrol man. He encounters a traveling spiritualist group led by a strange man who is covered head to toe in burn scars. Among the odd troupe is a woman in a coma who is a sort of psychomagnet. They cart around the comatose woman because she can channel the spirits of those who died a violent death, such as highway accidents (the spirits speak through her). The story is extremely emotionally powerful and philosophical. After his encounter with the traveling group, the protagonist, officer Gibbs, is forced to reevaluate his long-held core beliefs. It's really powerful stuff. After reading this story I'll never look at roadside crosses the same again. I definitely plan to pick up more works by Ochse, starting with his novel with the evocative title, SCARECROW GODS. Highly recommended. ( )