End of 'Salem's Lot

I just finished reading Stephen King's 'Salem's Lot. My Lit X paper focuses on fear and I figured starting with a horror novel would be the best, easiest place to start. Throughout the book, fear is a feeling that builds. It is often referred to as a growing feeling, an overwhelming sensation, or an undefinable nervousness and aprehension toward the unknown.
What I found to be most interesting in terms of plot progression was that fear was mentioned so much around the middle of the book where the plot was still growing, but very little at the end when the climax actually occured. I think this has something to do with the fact that King has to be descriptive while the story is being explained, but when fear is felt in extreme circumstances, like in the end, it almost disappears and is sidelined by adrenaline.