For a story in which repetition is a crucial element, Enough Time retains a sense of novelty. The basic premise involves the confluence of four characters in an oceanside New England town where a cycle of horrific events continues every 40 years.

Now, is this really a horror book? YES. The page before the dedication offers this disclaimer: "Torrid Waters is the pulp and extreme horror imprint of Crystal Lake. For this book, the author has supplied the following trigger warnings: violence against women, murder, killing of a child, cannibalism, racism." On a superficial level, this book delivers on all of those horrors, and honestly adds a smidgen of scatological shock. In a book exploring some of the worst aspects and actions of humanity, the scat sequence might end up as the most shocking and unexpected part of the story.

It's not that J. Edwin Buja's portrayals of hatred isn't shocking nor is it expected (at least initially), but the narrative's cyclical revisitation of those horrors almost desensitizes the reader so the brutality becomes routine.

While those horrific events are repeated and even expected, it's the refreshing exploration of the characters that keeps this story from sticking in retread territory. While the cast is essentially iterations of four characters in successive generations since the Civil War, Buja juggles these characters well. These four primary characters are thankfully nuanced, so it's not just their names that change with each era, but also subtle variations to their personalities. As briefly as we encounter the minor characters, they are still handled with care and offer more to the story than just Victim #1, #2, etc. Even the villain of the story is given a refreshing depth and self-awareness for a bit, but sadly that inner conflict isn't as well explored as it could have been.

It's the care that Buja takes with each character that makes this story succeed. Relationships are fully fleshed out, even the budding romances. Friendships don't feel surface-level but have a depth. So when a character is met with violence, the reader isn't left with a satisfied feeling by a kill like a slasher movie. We feel the character's plight, that their tragic and futile cycle is painfully persistent.

If this story were adapted into another medium, it would make a pulse-pounding mini-series with some stunning scenery. The Inn on the Cliff would be the dream collaboration of a location scout and a great construction/set crew. With the right perspective, the Inn on the Cliff and the warehouse connector would make for as thrilling a locale as Hill House, Bly Manor, the House of Usher or even Nancy's house on Elm Street. Or more appropriately, like the bell tower of Mission San Juan Bautista in Hitchcock's Vertigo...?

Another interesting aspect of this book are the unanswered questions. Without venturing into spoilers, don't expect specific causation or even subtle hints for the 40-year cycle or these particular characters. Maybe Buja is writing a follow-up: Did something happen in 1785 or 1825? What happens in 2025? There are some interesting tangents that could be explored. Or is he just keeping the mysteries to himself and let us fill in the blanks?

Thankfully and regardless, those unanswered questions don't leave the reader frustrated with Enough Time, but the story is intriguing and leaves us wanting (mostly in a good sense)....