Havoc Town – Episode 1: "Bury the Hatchet"

Podcast: Havoc Town by iHeartPodcasts
Air Date: August 19, 2025

Episode Overview

The debut episode of Havoc Town plunges listeners into the eerie history and modern-day resurgence of supernatural panic in Abbesstown—now known as Havoc, New Hampshire. The town, infamous for its 19th-century "Vampire Panic," is shaken anew when a bloodied man crashes his car into City Hall and attacks bystanders, echoing its haunted past. Through the perspective of Corinne Abbas, descendant of the town’s most notorious zealot, the episode sets up a chilling tale of legacy, suspicion, and a plague that refuses to die. As mysterious scion Jury Havoc returns to town, Corinne’s distrust sets the stage for secrets to unravel.

Key Discussion Points and Episode Breakdown

[00:42] - A Prologue from the Past: 17th Century Vampire Panic

• Father Ivan’s Account
  • Opens with a haunting monologue by Father Ivan, describing a deadly "blood fever" plague ravaging his village, with bodies burned per church mandate.
  • Setting: 1656, Kringa area (links to regional vampire folklore).
  • Quote: “There are nights when you can see the bonfires far up into the hills, smell the flesh burning, the stars in the sky blotted out by the smoke. But it is the quiet nights that bring me true dread.” [01:15]
  • Themes of fear, isolation, and the supernatural as communities struggle for survival.

[02:59] - Introduction to Corinne Abbas and Town Life

• Corinne’s Normalcy and Restlessness

  • Corinne dismisses dreams as mere “backlog of the day,” foreshadowing coming chaos.
  • Daily life: tending the family bar, handling her ailing father's insurance, and feeling the grind of small-town routine.
  • Quote: “Dreams are our way of sifting through our impressions of the day... They don't tell you ahead of time that the world is getting ready to burn down.” [03:05]

• Family Dynamic

  • Corinne’s banter with her father and friend Jury captures the generational ties and weariness.
  • The bar, Dottie’s Hideaway, serves as the anchor for community gossip and history.

[07:12] - Havoc’s History and the Vampire Panic Lore

• Town’s Colorful Past

  • Corinne begrudgingly outlines the infamous "Abbesstown Vampire Panic of 1817" where her ancestor, Reverend Josiah Abbess, dug up supposed vampire victims.
  • The incident is treated with dark humor by the town, but it casts a lingering shadow.
  • “Salem’s got their witch trials. We have the Abbestown vampire panic.” [08:14]
  • Sarah Beth Spalding, tour guide, highlights the town’s commercialized obsession with its macabre history.

• Legacy and Local Identity

  • Corinne is known as the last descendant of the “mad preacher,” setting her apart and fueling public curiosity.
  • The town’s name change from “Abbesstown” to “Havoc” is unveiled as historical penance.

[12:03] - The Return of Jury Havoc

• Rumors and Intrigue

  • News circulates via Sarah Beth and Sylvie that Jury Havoc—scion of the town’s founding family and business empire—is taking up residence again.
  • “Jerry Havoc, the famous recluse billionaire is coming home. Isn't that at least interesting to you as... the last of a bloodline cursed by his great-great-great grandfather?” [12:12] – Sylvie

• Corinne’s Reluctant Curiosity

  • Sylvie teases Corinne about burying the literal and metaphorical “hatchet” between their bloodlines.

[14:11] - A Normal Day Ends—The Attack

• Daily Routine, Interrupted

  • Corinne reflects on her day, underscoring her longing for stability just as the peace is shattered.
  • “And this is the moment it all ended.” [14:16]

• Catastrophe Strikes [15:30–17:59]

  • A green Toyota Corolla barrels down Main Street, nearly hitting Corinne before crashing into the courthouse.
  • The driver emerges blood-soaked, wielding an ax, and attacks bystanders.
  • Jury Havoc heroically pushes Corinne out of danger.
  • Chaos unfolds as townsfolk and police struggle to subdue the attacker, who rants: “Pass the blood to the master. Pass the blood to the master.” [16:46]
  • Jimbo Horne is bitten while intervening; Mr. Shelton is killed.

• Immediate Aftermath

  • Police, unaccustomed to such violence, interview Corinne. Fatigued, she’s finally tended to for her injuries after hours of questioning.

[22:22] - Shock and Fallout

• A Changed Townscape

  • Corinne describes Main Street as “the surface of the moon”—utterly alien in the aftermath of violence.
  • Sylvie comforts her, providing whiskey and support.
  • The TV reveals the attacker’s identity (Raymond Bachman of Bangor, ME) and casualties: “In total, two were killed and seven injured before he was apprehended by local police.” [24:55]

• Community Grief

  • Corinne and Sylvie toast Mr. Shelton:
    “Well, here's to Mr. Shelton. He was a good guy.” [25:35]
    “[He] always tipped well. Never got grabby. He’ll be missed.” [25:42]

[26:00] - New Alliances and Sowing Suspicion

• Jury Havoc Reappears

  • Jury visits Corinne’s bar, returning her lost phone and showing concern for her wellbeing.
  • The trio’s awkward introductions set the stage for an uneasy alliance:
    “This nicely dressed man pushed me out of the way of a moving car and saved my life. I never caught his name.” [26:48]
    “I’m Jury. Jury Havoc.” [27:03]

• Underlying Tension

  • Corinne’s skepticism about the return of the Havoc family and the resurgence of the plague hints at coming conflict.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Historical Dread:
  “We are a small ship in a great storm, and I fear the next wave will extinguish us.”—Father Ivan [01:45]
• Corinne’s Pragmatism:
  “Dreams… don’t tell you ahead of time that the world is getting ready to burn down.” —Corinne [03:05]
• Dark Humor About Legacy:
  “You’re not half the monster they make you out to be.” —Jimbo Horne [09:36]
• Violent Attack:
  “Pass the blood to the master. Pass the blood to the master.” —Raymond Bachman (the attacker) [16:46]
• Small-town Bonds:
  “Well, here's to Mr. Shelton. He was a good guy.” —Corinne [25:35]
• Fateful Introduction:
  “I’m Jury. Jury Havoc.” —Jury Havoc [27:03]

Episode Structure (Selected Timestamps)

• [00:42] Historical prologue, Father Ivan’s chilling account
• [02:59] Corinne discusses her family, routines, and dreams
• [08:11] The Abbestown vampire panic retold
• [12:03] News of Jury Havoc’s return surfaces
• [14:11] Corinne’s normal day, the calm before the storm
• [15:30–17:59] Violent car crash and ax attack shock the town
• [22:22] Aftermath; Corinne and Sylvie process the trauma
• [24:55] News report confirms deaths and assailant’s identity
• [26:00] Jury reconnects with Corinne, setting up their relationship

Tone and Style

The episode weaves gothic dread with sardonic humor, capturing the insularity and generational memory of a haunted New England town. Corinne’s narration is wry and grounded, contrasting with the surreal horror unfolding around her. Dialogue feels lived-in and rich with small-town flavor, while the supernatural threat is introduced through layered, atmospheric detail.

Summary

Bury the Hatchet immerses listeners in a place where history never truly dies and community trauma festers beneath the surface. With an explosive act of violence and hints of a supernatural plague, Havoc Town’s past returns to haunt its present. As Jury Havoc and Corinne Abbas are thrown together by fate, old secrets begin to stir, promising that the calm of Havoc is over—and the real havoc has only just begun.