Native author releases horror novel set in Wisconsin cabin

Nick Medina’s fourth novel, 'Savage Lake,' hit shelves on Oct. 27. The book is his latest entry in a genre he has followed for years, placing a family in an isolated setting to explore deep social wounds. Medina, a member of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, told The Oakland Press in an email interview that the cabin-in-the-woods trope is instantly relatable. He noted that this familiarity makes the horror feel more immediate to readers.

The story centers on a mother and son who travel to the Northwoods of Wisconsin to sell their crumbling family cabin. They become trapped on the shore of a body of water known as Savage Lake. Medina described the plot as a mix of murder mystery, slasher, and folklore. The narrative features Sabe, an Indigenous version of the Bigfoot legend, which Medina researched alongside invasive species, fishing, and allotment acts.

Medina said the book goes beyond a simple haunted house story. It tackles racism, mental illness, and the inheritance of trauma. He explained that the story began as an exploration of how traits beyond physical appearance are passed from parents to children. He wanted to show how these inherited burdens can cause lasting harm. The author aims for readers to feel scared and surprised, but also to recognize that the social issues in the book are very real.

The writer, a Chicago native, has built a reputation for combining crime and horror with social issues and folklore. He is part of a growing group of Native American authors using the horror genre to discuss real-life problems. Medina specifically highlighted missing and murdered Indigenous women, the lack of adequate healthcare in Native communities, and the effects of generational trauma. He hopes readers understand that these issues have a devastating impact on many people in the United States every day.

Medina said he did not force the story into the horror genre. He views story development as a puzzle where pieces gradually fall into place. For 'Savage Lake,' the elements pushed the narrative toward horror naturally. The initial idea did not include murder or supernatural elements, but those themes emerged as he wrote. He cited several films as inspirations, including 'Sleepy Hollow,' 'Misery,' 'Halloween,' and 'Scream.'

The author plans to return to the fictional Takoda Reservation for his next project. That series, which includes 'Sisters of the Lost Nation,' 'Indian Burial Ground,' and 'The Whistler,' will feature a Native witch. He also expects to visit Savage Lake again in future works. Medina said he plants Easter eggs in his books that hint at upcoming stories. He enjoys it when readers identify these clues and connect the dots between his novels.