It Could Happen Here CZM Book Club: "The Devil Lives Here," by Margaret Killjoy
Oct 4, 2026
A haunted gorge, missing teenagers, and a cave hiding an impossible altar set the stage for a deeply eerie tale. As reality starts slipping and adults dismiss what the girls remember, they return to the darkness seeking answers. The story unfolds into queer horror filled with crystal chambers, mysterious maidens, ritual, desire, and a strange path through fear and transformation.
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Mountain Springs’ Dangerous Folklore
- At fourteen, Margaret introduced Penny to Mountain Springs’ dangerous folklore, including the Devil’s Shack and rope bridges where outsiders sometimes died.
- The town repeatedly removed the ropes after accidents, yet mysterious devil’s knots always returned.
A Crush Leads Into The Devil’s Gorge
- Margaret’s infatuation with Penny made her resent Penny’s younger brother Chris and ignore the danger of the Devil’s Shack.
- When Chris climbed the ruined ladder into Gossett’s Gorge, Margaret followed mainly to impress Penny.
The Cave Altar And The Fanged Ancestor
- Margaret and Penny crawled through a cave after hearing Chris scream and found an altar surrounded by disturbing ritual objects.
- A painting of blood-covered figures included a fanged woman who resembled Margaret’s distant grandmother.
