Night of the Book Man

Book One in the Surf Mystic Series

By: Peyton Douglas

Narrated by: Leigh Fryling

Think Lovecraft Country meets Gidget.

Something evil stalks Laguna Beach - and only a young surfer girl named Frannie can stop it.

In 1958 Laguna Beach, California, a girl escapes tragedy by learning to surf with a close-knit group of misfits while spending her nights working at the shady tiki bar Cafe Monstro. But when a powerful demon in disguise targets the cafe in search of the mysterious, future-revealing empty books called Blanks, she must learn her uncle's Jewish mystical secrets to destroy the demon and free her friends. A 1950s thriller of surfing, water ghosts, dybbuk boxes, Yiddish curses, and supernatural romance.

Night of the Book Man is a debut coming of age horror novel and a love letter to California surf culture and the books, art, and music of the mid-century, from "Frankie & Annette" and Gidget to Dragnet and Stephen King's IT

©2020 Jason Henderson (P)2020 Jason Henderson

Critic reviews

"Blends surfing, soapy small-town politics, and destructive demons in a page-turning alchemy that will transform your summer days. Come on in - the waves are epic!" (David Bowles, Pura Belpre Winner)

What can I say about Night of the Book Man? It's a delicious retro treat wrapped into a perfectly crafted horror novel! I wasn't sure what to expect when I started the book. Horror? Coming of age? Romance? A nod to the '60s? A creepy demon made of origami cranes? A terrifying witch? Yes to all of that and more. Peyton Douglas has knocked it out of the park in this story. From the first word until the more than satisfying end, I savored the book. If you are looking for a multilayered book that will keep you up late into the night turning pages, Surf Mystic is what you need in your life! (P.J. Hoover, award-winning Lone Star List author of Homer's Excellent Adventure)

10/5 so amazing it deserves improper fractions.

The Night Of the Bookman is one of the best books you will ever read.

    The author lovingly describes it (paraphrased) “Jewish Gidget fights monsters on the beach!” and while this is true the book is so much more than that. 

    As the book moves through the story it explores the themes of post korean war individual PTSD through the character of Hookie and Post WWII generational PTSD through Frannie’s (our Gidget) German Jewish Immigrant Parents. It also touches on racism through one of the major subplots. All that wrapped up with Surfing, Coming of age, and Jewish Kabbalah. Tied into a neat package by Grotesque and inventive horror.

    The story itself is a little bit of a slow burn but due to the pure amount of world building and exploring this isn't a bad thing.

    The author also perfectly blends the Juxtaposed bits of the story into a seamless form. One moment Frannie is out on the Surf using the  waves to calm her teenage mind. The next she is being attacked by one of the terrors this book has in store. 

The Narrator of this audio book also adds a unique Calmness to the whole situation that somehow sets apart from but serves to deepen the tension in the story itself. It is this tension that will keep you on the edge of your seat as you yearn to know what happens next.

I want to send a thank you to Author Peyton Douglas and Narrator Leigh Fryling.

This is a wonderful emursive piece of art. I'm glad I had the opportunity to share it and I can't wait for the sequel. 


P.S. I've only listened to the audio book so idk if it's Frannie or Franny and I apologize if I guessed wrong.

Definitely not a WipeOut!

I have to say thank you to Author Peyton Douglas, and Narrator Leigh Fryling for taking me on this journey of Frannie's self-discovery and for teaching me more about Jewish and 50's surf culture. I was hooked by the end of the first chapter and enjoyed experiencing our heroine finding herself and her needed strength in her heritage. Mr. Douglas does a commendable job of connecting the reader/listener to the characters. I am impressed with Ms. Fryling's ability to create personality in each character with the different voices and accents required to do so. She did an excellent job with the Yiddish as well. Frannie and her rag-tag group become unlikely 'crime' fighters in the supernatural. I am very much looking forward to the next in this series and hope to eventually learn more about Trulie's back story.

Fresh ideas borne well

First the story: This isn’t a book I probably would have chosen normally, as I tend to gravitate towards either contemporary or, like, 19th century. But I am so glad I gave this book a shot. No spoilers, but mid-century California surf setting, Jewish mysticism, demons, family dynamics, and a kick ass teen girl heroine. I learned some interesting history, too.

The plot, like any sci-fi or fantasy, requires willing suspension of disbelief, but it’s easy to do so. The characters are believable and Frannie shows growth throughout her journey. I’m hoping there’s more to come.

Narration: Fryling does an incredible job with the various accents required, as well as foreign words. She manages to convey each character’s emotion (or lack thereof when necessary), and has a natural gift for pacing, tone, and volume that drew me into the story. My only criticism I f the audiobook is that the transition between chapters was sometimes fraught with static — an issue for sound editing, not with Fryling’s narration.

Highly recommend this book — even to those who don’t usually like fantasy. It’s a fresh idea in a fun setting. M looking forward to the next in the series!

Origami Demons - Don't Miss This Book!

Taking place in 1958 set in Laguna Beach, California the main characters are connected to a dubious tiki bar called Café Monstro. The young woman, Frannie is the niece of the owner and works at the Café while surfing with a group of young men. The Café has a mysterious air about it and it's not long before Frannie discovers the truth about the café or her uncle! Her uncle holds Blanks which are empty books that tell the future of each person who dares to open them. For some, they are encouraging but for others, their futures would have been better left unknown! A hungry demon who thrives on the Blanks has come to town with the deadly purpose of obtaining them no matter who gets in his way! Frannie must learn Yiddish curses, the purpose of dybbuk boxes, create a golem, and more to fulfill her destiny and defeat the demon. The description of the demon is perfect! I loved the origami birds and paper cuts analogies!
This book started out as “Gidget Learns to Surf” or “Beach Blanket Bingo” type book that quickly moves into a mystery with a supernatural twist to it. The author, Peyton Douglas, captured everything about surfers, 1958, and relationships and relayed it perfectly. The dialog was smooth and flowed evenly, the character development was detailed, and the storyline was well-designed executing each twist intentionally.
The narrator, Leigh Fryling, performed this audiobook with charm and clarity. Her pace was even, and she assumed the role of Frannie easily allowing me to see Frannie.
The production and quality of this audiobook are ok. There is some noisy dead air between chapters which is distracting. Other than this it is well done.
Disclaimer: This Audiobook was provided free of charge by the author, narrator, and/or publisher in exchange for a non-bias, honest review.