Humboldt Cut

If you follow me, you may already know when I was a baby hippie horror writer, age 13 or so, I wrote a story about a daisy that was reincarnated as a bulldozer to seek revenge on everyone who was involved in the destruction of her home to build a parking lot. Clearly I was influenced by both Joni Mitchell ("Big Yellow Taxi") and Stephen King ("Trucks"). So it's no surprise that I'm a big fan of eco-horror, and this one is added to my list of favorites.
Humboldt Cut by Allison Mick is a beautifully written horror book that combines elements of eco-horror with some body and folk horror.  "A million-million imperceivable eyes barely registered the goldenshine pollen dancing through the forest air." This is how the main character - the forest - of Humboldt Cut is introduced. The prologue had me hooked - and I wasn't surprised to learn that Mick has worked as a screenwriter; this scene felt very much like a shocking cold open; I can see it fading to black after the slaughter and the title "Humboldt Cut". Can we make that happen?
Estranged siblings Jasmin and James are reunited for their godmother's funeral  - along with James' wife (and Jasmin's childhood best friend), Tilly, and Jasmin's maybe-boyfriend Henry.  As strange events unfold and Jasmin relives her childhood while researching her family history, a saga of atrocities committed by man against nature (and other people) and generational trauma unfolds.
One thing I liked - though it may not be for everyone - is an element of snarky humor throughout, in spite of the horror. As the Barenaked Ladies say, "I'm the kind of guy who laughs at a funeral," and, if you can't laugh when you're running from a monster, when can you?
I read the ebook and listened to the audiobook. The production quality was perfect, and Jasmin Walker was a joy to listen to. Thank you to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing, and RBMedia for the advance copies for my unbiased review.