After wandering out to the river near their homes, five teens decide to build a fire and exchange horror stories. Chad begins by telling the group about an unfortunate fisher who encountered a cluster of small, malevolent creatures while navigating the river in his canoe. Attempting to defend himself, Carl lashed out with an oar… and his world changed forever. One by one, the teens try to outdo each other, and the evening evolves into an impromptu storytelling competition.

On certain nights, if you walk along Loon River and peer under the bridge, you might spot a fire. You might hear a laugh. You might hear a scream. If you edge closer — and the conditions are just right — your view of the river will melt away, into the inky black beyond the firelight. Not to worry — the echoes of rushing water will help you find your way back. Or will they?

Inspired by Cree folklore and modern Cree life, Bad Medicine will transport readers to terrifying new worlds that only exist at the edges of human imagination. (From Emanata)

Bad Medicine was on the longlist for Canada Reads 2024.

Christopher Twin is from the Swan River First Nations reservation in northern Alberta. Currently based in Edmonton, he does comic work and illustrations as a freelancer.