Platoon Lake was located deep within the Powamac Forest of Nova Scotia. It stretched for miles and provided a magnificent and inspirational view of eastern Canada.

But there was a curse upon Platoon Lake according to First Nations folklore. Stories were passed from generation to generation about a hideous creature called the Q’thahkral living at the bottom of the lake. Anybody who got too close to the water’s edge would instantly be snatched by the horrible sea monster with a thousand eyes and tentacles. 

Powamac locals didn’t believe in the centuries-old folk stories. Even though dozens of dead bodies washed ashore every year, Platoon Lake remained a popular camping and fishing site for nearby families.

Unlike his friends and neighbors, Reece Napier believed the old native stories were true. In fact, he didn’t understand how people could believe in Jesus, angels and miracles but not the strange things that lived in their own backyards.  

Reece was convinced Platoon Lake was a paranormal hotspot and he wanted to check it out. Because he was an amateur cryptid investigator, he packed up his camera and electromagnetic field recorder and hit the road. He was determined to catch a glimpse of the elusive Q’thahkral. If he did, perhaps his meager podcast audience would increase. 

As Reece got closer to the lake, strange things started to happen. Not only did he glimpse giant tentacles lurking in the shadows of the forest, but the radio in his truck started playing the sound of people screaming. At some point he was overcome with the feeling that he was being closely watched. 

By the time he arrived at his destination, Reece was ready to turn back and go home. He knew that he had made a big mistake the second he saw the lake begin to churn and bubble. 

The legends were true: the Q’thahkral was real. “It’s large serpentine head rose from the water and blotted out the shine of the moon,” said author Sédrie Danielle. “It’s gargantuan body had dozens of tentacles both small and large, and its head was full of eyes. The monster’s mouth was as wide as the abyss and its demonic wailing was loud enough to wake the dead.”

There were a handful of random characters at Platoon Lake along with Reece to witness the emergence of the Q’thahkral. They weren’t important characters in any way, but they all competed vigorously to be the “final girl” of the story. You’ll never guess who survives. Hint: It ain’t Reece.

Two surprises await readers at the end of the novel. One: the Q’thahkral wasn’t a sea monster at all. It was something else entirely. And two: the author may be working on a soon-to-be-released sequel. If that’s the case, I’d say we’re probably gonna see Reece Napier one more time. 

[ The Tail of the Q’thahkral / By Sédrie Danielle / First Printing: April 2023 / ISBN: 9798390635391 ]