The Sundowner’s Dance by Todd Keisling is a cosmic horror novel set in a retirement community. The story is one part a heartbreaking look at aging and fading memories, and the other part a cult-worship horror tale featuring creatures straight out of a living nightmare. Despite the terror, the novel has a surprising amount of heart as it asks an emotional question: how do you move on after losing the love of your life? And should you?

The novel takes an interesting look at dementia. The title The Sundowner’s Dance refers to the phenomenon where dementia symptoms worsen after dark. Keisling uses this idea to highlight the horror of not knowing whether someone is a friend or a foe. At one point the story compares the mind under dementia to being worm food, and since this is a horror novel, it has some fun with that concept. One of the trigger warnings even jokes about “gratuitous wormage.”

The basic plot follows a man who moves into a retirement community after the death of his spouse. He is searching for peace and quiet. Instead, he discovers a moon-worshiping cult.

The creatures in the novel are pure nightmare fuel. Keisling wisely keeps them mostly hidden at first, letting the reader glimpse them piece by piece before the full reveal. The imagery is vivid and textured. You can practically feel and smell the dirt and rot.

The pacing is uneven at times. Jerry, the main character, is a loner who often talks to the ghost of his wife. The scenes where he isolates himself tend to move more slowly. Once the story reaches the second half and Jerry begins uncovering the truth about the cult, the pace becomes much more compelling.

The novel also makes an interesting shift in perspective. For more than half the book we follow Jerry’s point of view alone, then the narrative opens up to include two additional characters. This change helps the pacing and gives the story a broader scope.

The ending works well. I wanted just a little bit more resolution, but the epilogue was chef’s kiss and the perfect way to close the story.

The Sundowner’s Dance was first published on April 22, 2025 by Shortwave Publishing.

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Why did I read The Sundowner’s Dance by Todd Keisling?

I’ve read a few of Todd Keisling’s short stories and really enjoyed them, so I wanted to try one of his novels. He is known for cosmic horror, which isn’t normally my favorite style, but I’ve been trying to branch out and expand my horror reading.

I also picked this book up because I was attending AuthorCon Scares That Care, where Keisling was a guest. I was about a quarter of the way through The Sundowner’s Dance when I met him. He signed my book and even gave me a fake brochure for the retirement community featured in the story.

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Plot Summary:

After his wife dies, Jerry decides his house is too large for someone living alone. His memory has also started slipping, so moving into a retirement community seems like the right decision.

Jerry is naturally a loner but tries to be neighborly. The residents he meets all seem slightly odd, often using strange phrases like “by the moon’s eye.” The Activities Director is overly friendly and constantly encourages Jerry to participate in community events.

Jerry befriends Kat, another widower who suffers from severe dementia. One night she arrives at his door bleeding and speaking nonsense. Jerry calls an ambulance, fearing the worst. While the neighbors seem unconcerned about her injuries, they are very interested in what she might have said.

Meanwhile, Jerry begins hearing strange noises at night. He wonders whether he is still adjusting to his new home… or if something far more disturbing is happening.

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What I Liked:

The novel treats dementia with maturity and compassion. While the horror elements take creative liberties, the condition itself is always handled respectfully.

The relationship between Jerry and Kat is special. Their connection grows naturally, and their shared experiences as widowers add emotional depth.

There are small bits of humor sprinkled throughout the book. One of my favorite moments is when Jerry suspects the neighbors might be vampires and Kat sarcastically plays along with the idea.

I loved the scene where Jerry becomes a detective in the community library, digging through records to uncover the cult’s history.

The title works on multiple levels. It references the dementia phenomenon but also ties into several powerful dance scenes. The final dance sequence blends the themes of memory, love, and horror in a surprisingly moving way.

The ending reminded me of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 3 finale with the Mayor—complete chaos, monsters, and a massive showdown.

The epilogue was heartfelt and gave the characters a beautiful final moment.

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What I Disliked:

Near the end, Jerry attempts a plan that only partially plays out. The villain knows Jerry is up to something but never fully investigates it. It felt slightly forced for the sake of the plot rather than a natural character decision.

I would have liked the additional perspectives to appear earlier than the halfway point.

The novel could have done a better job showing the scale of the retirement community. Most of the action takes place on a block and a half, which makes the setting feel smaller than it likely is.

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Recommendation:

The Sundowner’s Dance is a strong horror novel with an old but still beating heart. Dementia itself becomes part of the horror, yet the story treats it with empathy and care. The book is far more emotional than I expected.

There is a trigger warning for elderly abuse, which is something I’m sensitive to. However, the story didn’t bother me in that regard because the harm comes from supernatural forces rather than human cruelty.

I recommend my followers check out The Sundowner’s Dance.

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Rating:

The Sundowner’s Dance by Todd Keisling
4 out of 5 stars