Thunder Road    by Tamara Thorne Order:  USA  Can Pinnacle, 2004 (2004) Paperback     Reviewed by Martina Bexte Anyone who's ever lived in a small town knows that they harbor their share of secrets, and the desert town of Madelyn is no exception. It has modern day cowboys, two serial killers, a religious cult, and the assortment of odd characters who work at the Madland amusement park. Then there are the 'Friends of UFO's' and sinister army types who fly around at night in black choppers and who insist that no space aliens have ever landed on Olive Mesa. And that's just the beginning of the odd goings-on in this picturesque California town. Earthly rumblings, strange lights in the night sky and other unexplainable sightings have been the norm around Madelyn for as long as anyone can remember. Some think that the eerie lights at the end of Thunder Road are UFO's, others believe they're weather phenomena, while still others are convinced they're 'haunts'. The 'Prophet's Apostles' believe only one thing - that the end of the world is at hand and that the Four Horsemen will ride come the next full moon. So certain are they of the Apocalypse that they've set in motion a final cleansing where only those who are 'worthy' shall survive and be resurrected. Tamara Thorne presents a varied and well-rounded cast of characters, none of whom take center stage, but who all play an integral part in moving the story to the 'final day of reckoning'. She keeps the pace alternately laconic and creepy, slowly picking up speed and finally barreling to a breakneck and satisfying conclusion. Thorne also presents fascinating speculation about the UFO myth, science, religion and the nature of God, but injects just enough of the supernatural to leave you wondering what's really going on in the night sky at the end of Thunder Road. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Fantasy books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews