Being dubbed the “Stephen King of Sweden” is slightly dubious praise – are we talking the spine-tingling King of the ‘70s and ‘80s or the often-off-the-mark King of later years? Having anxiously read John Lindqvist’s debut novel Let the Right One In before its hardcover release last year, I can assure that this book hearkens back to King at his best.

Originally released in English translation under the title “Let Me In,” the book has since been redubbed to coincide with the Swedish film currently showing in major metropolitan theaters to very good reviews. The story is an eerie exploration of the burgeoning friendship between a neophyte psychopath who dreams of becoming a murderer and the strange kid who moves into his apartment complex — and who only seems to emerge at night. Fans of Twilight should give a REAL vampire story a chance. They’ll never know what hit ‘em.