Occult fiction / Paranormal Horror

Book Synopsis''If you''ve missed Laymon, you''ve missed a treat'' Stephen KingWhen Sam''s ex-girlfriend Cat arrives at his door, he can''t believe his eyes. It''s been a long time, but he''s never forgotten her. But before the night is over, Cat will be lying face down on the bed, acting as bait, and Sam will be hiding in the wardrobe with a hammer in one hard and a wooden stake in the other. They won''t have long to wait. The vampire is coming.

Read more less

Book SynopsisTreading the fine line where the supernatural ends and real human monstrosity begins, GAMES FOR DEAD GIRLS is a haunting, dark read, perfect for fans of Jennifer Hillier and Alex North.Hithechurch, a peaceful, out-of-the-way seaside town in Kent.When Charlie was young, she would visit with her family, making friends and playing down by the beach.Their favourite was telling scary stories; silly games of make-believe that would twist and weave old wives' tales. They would laugh and try to shake off the shiver than ran down their backs and made the hair on their necks stand on end.But what if it wasn't all make-believe?Years later Charlie returns to Hithechurch with her niece, researching a book on folklore. As she delves deeper into the history of the area, she finds something disturbing: a decades long history of women going missing. Could the stories be true?Charlie is about to find out some games are deadlier than others.Trade Review Praise for GAMES FOR DEAD GIRLS ‘A brilliantly crafted tale of unexplained disappearances and macabre urban legends … Recommended to fans of Stacy Willingham, Karin Slaughter, and Stephen King.’Booklist,starred review ‘I’ve always been a big fan of Jen’s writing, and loved how she melded folklore, crime and horror into DOG ROSE DIRT. GAMES FOR DEAD GIRLS takes that up to another level!’James Oswald, the SUNDAY TIMES bestselling author of the INSPECTOR MCLEAN series ‘Not only has Jen Williams found the line where ghost stories tip into true crime, where phantoms become flesh and blood, but she crosses it into something far more frightening. Games for Dead Girls is a testament to how truth will always be more terrifying than fiction, and where, at the root of every Bloody Mary, there’s a young women dying to be heard.’Clay McLeod Chapman, author of GHOST EATERS ‘A dark and unsettling story that gets under your skin’Laure Van Rensburg,author of NOBODY BUT US

Read more less

Book SynopsisPeter Carey''s astonishing debut novel is a fast-moving extravaganza, both funny and gripping, about a man who, recovering from death, is convinced that he is in hell.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe finest works of H P Lovecraft, renowned as one of the great horror writers of all time.

Read more less

Book SynopsisOn a hot August morning in 1963, the rural town of Grandville is covered with fliers announcing the coming of something extraordinary - a one-night-only performance of The Travelling Vampire Show, featuring Valeria, the only known vampire in captivity. For three local teenagers, it''s a show they don''t want to miss. The trouble is, the show starts at midnight and they''re supposed to be home by then. And in any case, Janks Field, where the show will take place, has been declared off-limits because of its own sinister history. But they can''t just sit at home and let Valeria do her thing without them, can they?Trade Review'If you are not already well acquainted with Richard Laymon, get to know him now. This is an enticing tale of three youngsters in a small American town' Manchester Evening NewsA wickedly involving story...a horror tale that's not only emotionally true but also scary and, above all, fun * PUBLISHERS WEEKLY *'This gloriously inventive piece is probably Laymon's best book yet: dipping into the poetic vein of Ray Bradbury was clearly a vitalising exercise for him, and this is sheerly enjoyable... The prose here is rich and inventive, the atmosphere and scene-setting handled with real aplomb. Whatever you make of Laymon's earlier books, this is one you should try' News International LineoneIf you are not already well acquainted with Richard Laymon, get to know him now. This is an enticing tale of three youngsters in a small American town * MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS *'Set in a sleepy American town in the summer of 1963, this rites of passage novel recreates the long, stifling days - and nights filled with possibilities - that distinguish the teenage years' Belfast TelegraphThis gloriously inventive piece is probably Laymon's best book yet: dipping into the poetic vein of Ray Bradbury was clearly a vitalising exercise for him, and this is sheerly enjoyable... The prose here is rich and inventive, the atmosphere and scene-setting handled with real aplomb * NEWS INTERNATIONAL *Set in a sleepy American town in the summer of 1963, this rites of passage novel recreates the long, stifling days - and nights filled with possibilities - that distinguish the teenage years * BELFAST TELEGRAPH *Praise for previous books:'A grisly cocktail of horror, murder and mayhem laced with Laymon's distinct blend of black humour. Great stuff.' Yorkshire Evening Press'Richard Laymon doesn't disappoint with his latest offering.' Peterborough Evening Telegraph''So fastpaced you find yourself reading it at the speed of a bullet from a gun...a rollercoaster ride of fear' Peterborough Evening Telegraph'No one writes like Laymon and you're going to have a good time with anything he writes' Dean Koontz'This author knows how to sock it to the reader' The Times, If you've missed Laymon you've missed a treat' Stephen King, 'A brilliant writer' Sunday Express·'AMONG THE MISSING is strikingly different. From the chilling opening...we are plunged into a disturbing world of twisted psychopathology' The Times'There's not a crime novelist around who writes cleaner prose than Laymon - and few who can jack up the tension the way he does...Laymon likes to grasp readers by the neck with expert word-smithery, then haul them into a diabolical situation...once again, Laymon offers unexpected, well-rounded characters blown about in a narrative that moves like the wind.' Publishers Weekly

Read more less

Book SynopsisJordan Peele is an Oscar and Emmy Awardwinning writer, producer, and director. His debut feature, Get Out, was released in 2017 to widespread acclaim, earning four Academy Award nominations, winning Best Original Screenplay for Peele. In 2019, Peele wrote, produced, and directed his second feature, Us, which instantly became a smash hit with audiences and critics alike, posting the largest box-office opening for an original horror movie ever. In the summer of 2022, Peele released his third feature, the sci-fi horror epic Nope, which also opened to number one at the box office. Also in 2022, Peele and Monkeypaw released the Henry Selick directed stop-motion film Wendell & Wild for Netflix, which Peele co-wrote, produced, and provided a voice. Prior to Get Out, Peele was the co-creator of Comedy Central's Key & Peele. Across five seasons, the show's unique take on sketch comedy became a viral sensation online. In 2012, Peele formed his filTrade ReviewNot only likely to be the best anthology of the year, but one for the ages. * The Guardian *These tales are all both gruesomely imaginative and firmly rooted in the realities of anti-Black racism and brutality—and there isn’t a weak one in the bunch. This is essential reading for any horror fan. -- Publisher’s Weekly (starred review)Something special in time for Halloween. * Evening Standard *What could be more cathartic than this thoroughly chilling collection of tales featuring spirits, monsters, sinister technology, foreboding hallucinations and more? Running the gamut from grounded-in-reality shocks to fully supernatural thrills there's something for horror fans of all varieties. * Sight & Sound *Real life (traffic stops) and real history (Freedom Riders, lynch mobs) meet speculative fiction and the supernatural in this bone-chilling collection. * Time *An important work in the history of black horror fiction. * Far Out Magazine *In Out There Screaming, [Peele] curates a roster of established names and breakthrough talent to showcase the abundant variety of macabre Black storytelling. It’s clearly conceived as a landmark collection * Esquire, The Best Horror Books of 2023 Will Scare You Sh*tless *

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHROUGH THE DARK TIMES, THEY WILL HELP YOU FIND THE LIGHT . . .***'Dazzling, chilling, moving and original . . . I loved it' CHRIS WHITAKER'A captivating novel of love and loss and the lengths we will go to start again' SOPHIE WARD'A beautifully crafted mystery that asks if we ever truly get a second chance' CATRIONA SILVEY'Unique and utterly unforgettable' LOUISE BEECH'Full of mystery and tension, with clever twists and reveals, all building to a surprising yet satisfying ending' PHILIPPA EASTWelcome to Atlas. What would you do for a second chance?Summer 1982. Deep in the Adirondack Mountains, over three hundred people live off-grid in a secret community. Atlas is a refuge for broken souls who long for a different life. Founded by the enigmatic Sol, the group now prepares for their final ceremony: the opening of the Golden Door. They believe they will cross to another world, to a new life where their past decisions never ended in tragedy.James Morrow is a rookie New York City reporter intent on making his name with an exposé of the crazy cult in the woods. He secures an invitation to the camp on the condition he tell the world of its wonders, but James is a sceptic. He's sure there must be more to the mysterious leader and his endgame than his followers have signed up for.James soon finds there is a darker side to the cult beyond the prayers and yellow robes. A group of children are treated like gods, there are iron strips embedded in the earth, and nobody talks about what's behind the gates of Sol's private sanctuary. As James learns the stories of the members and how they came to be there, he begins to understand the desperate nature of their beliefs - a desperation he knows all too well.As the final ceremony draws near, James must ask himself: what will it cost them to reach this other life? And is that a price he's willing to pay?WHAT READERS ARE SAYING:'I would give this book ten stars if I could . . . Incredibly clever . . . Heartbreakingly perfect''This was an incredible read . . . I loved it''Beth Lewis never fails to grab my attention and hold it for every single bit of every single page of her books. This one was no different''A really interesting, gripping read'Trade ReviewA cult novel with a difference . . . An intriguing mystery with a wholly unexpected ending, and a moving exploration of loss, trauma, belief and unintended consequences. -- GuardianLewis does an excellent job of ratcheting up the tension: her portrayal of the cult gradually evolves from comic to sinister. -- Daily TelegraphCompelling and chilling -- Pick of the Week * Sun *If you loved Stranger Things, read: Children of the Sun * Stylist *Gripping * Heat *One of the hottest holiday reads for cool seasonal nights * Belfast Telegraph *Dazzling * Crime Monthly *Dazzling, chilling, moving and original. CHILDREN OF THE SUN defies genre in a way that is both fresh, and now to be expected from the brilliant Beth Lewis. I loved it -- Chris WhitakerBeth Lewis excels at turning her characters' best intentions into a destructive force that ultimately threatens their very lives. Vividly painted and laced with Americana, this haunting, unpredictable story leaves the reader racing through the pages to find the truth. A riveting, eerie and impossibly captivating novel -- Inga VesperA captivating depiction of love and loss and the lengths we will go to start again -- Sophie WardA beautifully crafted mystery that asks if we ever truly get a second chance, CHILDREN OF THE SUN plays brilliantly with the reader's assumptions, building in atmosphere and emotion towards an ending that changes everything -- Catriona SilveyChildren of the Sun is that rare thing - an utterly propulsive, heart-pounding, pacy narrative, with the kind of depth and resonance that makes it linger in the mind long after you've finished reading . . . A beautifully wrought and haunting tale. -- Cailean SteedA really original and captivating book, with atmospheric writing that immediately drew me in. Full of mystery and tension, with clever twists and reveals, all building to a surprising yet satisfying ending -- Philippa EastA brilliant, clever and addictive story with characters you really root for. I couldn't put it down. -- Carly ReagonBeautifully written, unique, and utterly unforgettable -- Louise BeechA literary thriller with a speculative twist, complex and finely crafted * Image Magazine *Clever and chilling. Engaging characters and setting. And a scary cult. What more could you ask for? -- Michael J Malone

Read more less

Book SynopsisA breathtaking blend of Mexican horror movies and dark occultism from the bestselling author of Mexican Gothic.Montserrat has always been overlooked. She's a talented sound editor, but she's left out of the boys' club running the film industry in '90s Mexico City. And she's all but invisible to her best friend Tristán, a charming if faded soap opera star, even though she's been in love with him since childhood.'Gripping and unusual' - GuardianThen Tristán discovers his new neighbour is the cult horror director Abel Urueta, and the legendary auteur claims he has a way to change their lives - even if his tales of a Nazi occultist imbuing magic into highly volatile silver nitrate stock sounds like sheer fantasy. The magic film was never finished, which is why, Urueta swears, his career vanished overnight. He is cursed.Now the director wants Montserrat and Tristán to help him shoot the missing scene and lift the curse . . . but Montserrat soon notices a dark presence following her.As they work together to unravel the mystery of the film and the obscure occultist who once roamed their city, Montserrat and Tristán might just find out that sorcerers and magic are not only the stuff of movies . . ."Perfection" - Kiersten White, bestselling author of HideTrade ReviewStylish and edgy * NEW YORK TIMES on MEXICAN GOTHIC *A gothic chiller, set in 1950s Mexico, that will clamp you in its icy embrace and linger like a nightmare * DAILY MAIL on MEXICAN GOTHIC *Moreno-Garcia is a magician able to switch genres with ease . . . a superb noir thriller * THE OBSERVER on VELVET WAS THE NIGHT *Silvia Moreno-Garcia's writing is unforgettable * CHRISTINA HENRY, author of ALICE, on CERTAIN DARK THINGS *Elegant, rich in description and filled with characters that come vividly to life * MUSE’S BOOK JOURNAL on THE BEAUTIFUL ONES *Simultaneously heartbreaking and heart-mending, a wondrous and magical tale * KEVIN HEARNE, New York Times-bestselling author of the Iron Druid Chronicles, on GODS OF JADE & SHADOW *A coming-of-age fairy tale of haunting shadows commingled with vibrant life * THE I on GODS OF JADE & SHADOW *A beautiful work that will draw you in and keep you transfixed and reading far too late * GENEVIEVE COGMAN, bestselling author of the Invisible Library series, on GODS OF JADE & SHADOW *Saturated with references and genuine love for genre cinema, with supernatural and cinematic magic seen as often interchangeable * British Science Fiction Association *In between references every horror film fan will appreciate, Moreno-Garcia blends occultism with romance with rich characters and a pitch-perfect emotionally fraught atmosphere * Observer *Hip as hell, Silver Nitrate delivers a cinematic and exhilarating punch. Silvia Moreno-Garcia does it again with this creepy and unforgettable occultist thriller, teeming with the decadence of old horror movies. It's Mexico City in the nineties, where beepers, cigarettes, and the ghost of an ex-girlfriend come alive as if leaping from the page. I felt cooler just reading it * Kali Fajardo-Anstine, bestselling author of Woman of Light and Sabrina & Corina *Clever, slow-burning horror... Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a master of subtle spooks, and this book packed a punch with its unfolding mystery of hauntings, flammables, and Nazi secret societies. I was afraid to put the book down for fear of leaving the spell unfinished! * Marianne Gordon, author of The Gilded Crown *Gripping and unusual * Guardian *Highly original, insightful, and magical, too, this is one you want on your summer reading list * Glamour *In between references every horror film fan will appreciate, Moreno-Garcia blends occultism with romance with rich characters and a pitch-perfect emotionally fraught atmosphere * Observer *

Read more less

Book SynopsisAgnes has been drifting away from herself. People look through her, her husband doesn’t understand her, and lately, she’s begun losing the sensations in her body. When a tube of shoplifted lipstick awakens her back to life, an impulse for stealing emerges that leads her to a court-ordered service at a camp for grieving children. While initially hoping only that the time there will help her give up stealing, Agnes soon learns that she can use objects to connect grieving children with the spirits of their parents. She must navigate the choice between using her compulsion for her own pleasure and helping the bereaved. Luminaries is about the things we take and about the things that are taken from us. It asks what it means to exist in lives filled with loss, to reach for the things we hope will restore us, and the risks we’re willing to take to ward off yearning—both in our material lives and social lives.Luminaries is the winner of the Omnidawn Fabulist Fiction Novelette/Chapbook Prize, selected by Kellie Wells.Trade Review“A story all the more devastating for its moving luminosity, Luminaries is a darkly tender meditation on the difficulties of being and remaining connected to others, even after death, and the deep ambivalence a person can feel toward their own substance, their own materiality, in a world of loss. Agnes, who works at a camp for grieving children, learns how to tap her own burgeoning emptiness in an effort to connect the substantial with the insubstantial, the grieving with the absent. The story is lovely in its yearning insights, and builds, masterfully, with emotional precision, toward a stunning and resonant conclusion, beautifully evoking the eternal and aching thereness of the no-longer-there. I choose this story because it made me sleepless, as I thought about all the losses that have given my life shape, and the ones yet to come, and the acute sorrows I have never found the language to properly express.” -- Kellie Wells, author of God, the Moon, and Other Megafauna

Read more less

Book SynopsisErin hasn t been able to set a single boundary with her charismatic but reckless college ex-boyfriend, Silas. When he asks her to bail him out of rehab again she knows she needs to cut him off. But days after he gets out, Silas turns up dead of an overdose in their hometown of Richmond, Virginia, and Erin s world falls apart. Then a friend tells her about Ghost, a new drug that allows users to see the dead. Wanna get haunted? he asks. Grieving and desperate for closure with Silas, Erin agrees to a pill-popping seance. But the drug has unfathomable side effects and once you take it, you can never go back.Trade ReviewA Gothic-punk graveyard tale about what haunts history and what haunts the human soul. An addicting read that draws you into its descent from the first page. Chuck Wendig, New York Times best-selling author of The Book of Accidents

Read more less

Book SynopsisA landscape of frozen darkness. The scrape of bone on bone.‘Malfi is a modern-day Algernon Blackwood. I'm gonna be talking about this book for years’ Josh Malerman, author of Bird BoxPaul Gallo saw the report on the news: a mass murderer leading police to his victims’ graves, in remote Dread’s Hand, Alaska.It’s not even a town; more like the bad memory of a town. The same bit of wilderness where his twin brother went missing a year ago. As the bodies are exhumed, Paul travels to Alaska to get closure and put his grief to rest.But the mystery is only beginning. What Paul finds are superstitious locals who talk of the devil stealing souls, and a line of wooden crosses surrounding the woods. Not to honour the dead, but to keep what’s lurks there from escaping…An edge of your seat thrill ride from a true master of modern horror, perfect for fans of Paul Tremblay, Adam Nevill and T. Kingfisher.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisA chilling, haunting ghost story that delves into the dark past of the 16th century Essex witch trials. To find the truth, she’ll risk her life… Sadie Asquith has been fascinated by the Essex Witch Trials for as long as she can remember. And for good reason too: between 1560 and 1680, hundreds of innocent women were tried for witchcraft. She begins researching the subject, but soon starts to experience strange, ghostly visions. Dark shadows haunt her every step, sobbing sounds wake her in the night, and black moths appear from nowhere. It’s as if by digging up history, she has opened an unearthly connection to the women who were tortured and killed centuries before. And when a long-buried secret entwines Sadie’s own past with what she has discovered, she’ll risk everything – even her life – to uncover what really happened all those years ago… A haunting and atmospheric read that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Perfect for fans of The Lost Notebook and The Familiars. Trade Review‘Moore's merging of horror, ghost story, detective fiction and psychogeography is a heady addition to Jeanette Winterson's book about the witches of Pendle and increasingly popular genre mash-ups.’ Guardian ‘Thrilling, chilling … An intriguing read for lovers of history, the supernatural, detective fiction and horror.’ Lancashire Evening Post Praise for The Drowning Pool: ‘A stunning reinvention of the ghost story and an exploration of a 19th-century Essex witch hunt.’ Guardian ‘A goose-pimply old-fashioned ghost story.’ Christopher Fowler, author of the Bryant and May series ‘A must for any intelligent Essex girls out there and a gripping ghosty read for everyone. Hurry up and write the next one please Syd…’ The Women’s Room Blog

Read more less

Book SynopsisMerrily Watkins is the most singular of crime fiction protagonists... As ever [Rickman]'s supremely skillful at teasing out the menace that lies behind English folk customs and legends and weaving them into a compelling contemporary narrative. - Mail on SundayIN THE DARK HEART OF THE COUNTRYSIDE...Aidan Lloyd's cold and sombre funeral suggests he won't be resting in peace. But not even diocesan exorcist Merrily Watkins foresees its unearthly aftermath.As a string of killings shakes the wintry Welsh border and a farming feud intensifies, Merrily - personally threatened by an enemy within - confronts secrets hidden in ancient dances and the walls of an enigmatic medieval church.Trade ReviewMerrily Watkins is the most singular of crime fiction protagonists... As ever [Rickman]'s supremely skillful at teasing out the menace that lies behind English folk customs and legends and weaving them into a compelling contemporary narrative. * Mail on Sunday *Rickman is on top form here, as are all his characters... the plot is probably the most spine-tingling one to date. Delightfully sinister -- CrimeReview.co.ukAncient history, violent deaths, feuds, intrigues and murder. A most original sleuth. * The Times on the Merrily Watkins series *Compassionate, original and sharply contemporary, Rickman's crime series is one of the best around. * Spectator on the Merrily Watkins series *Few writers blend the ancient and supernatural with the modern and criminal better than Rickman. * Guardian on the Merrily Watkins series *First rate crime with demons that go bump in the night. * Daily Mail on the Merrily Watkins series *I have a thing for long series with complex characters, moral ambiguity and evocative writing, and Rickman's Merrily Watkins series is one of the very best. * Diana Gabaldon *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe long-awaited return of the great master of horror. Mister B. Gone is Barker''s shockingly bone-chilling discovery of a never-before-published demonic memoir' penned in the year 1438, when it was printed one copy only and then buried until now by an assistant who worked for the inventor of the printing press, Johannes Gutenberg.This bone-chilling novel, in which a medieval devil speaks directly to his readerhis tone murderous one moment, seductive the nextis a never-before-published memoir allegedly penned in the year 1438.The demon has embedded himself in the very words of this tale of terror, turning the book itself into a dangerous object, laced with menace only too ready to break free and exert its power.A brilliant and truly unsettling tour de force of the supernatural, Mister B. Gone escorts the reader on an intimate and revelatory journey to uncover the shocking truth of the battle between Good and Evil.Trade ReviewPraise for Clive Barker: ‘An invocation of both magic and the imagination… A majestic maze of mythmaking’Washington Times ‘Passionate and ingenious… A ride with remarkable views’Times Literary Supplement ‘A fabulous, engrossing war of the worlds’People Magazine ‘Barker’s fecundity of invention is beyond praise. In a world of hard-bitten horror and originality, Clive Barker dislocates your mind’Mail on Sunday ‘A powerful and fascinating writer with a brilliant imagination… Clive Barker is an outstanding storyteller’J G Ballard

Read more less

Book SynopsisA gripping novel from the master of horror - 'If you've missed Laymon, you've missed a treat' Stephen King

Read more less

Book Synopsis''If you''ve missed Laymon, you''ve missed a treat'' Stephen King The deeper the tourists go into the Beast House, the darker the nightmares become. But the worst part is beneath the haunted structure. Don''t even think about going into the cellar...

Read more less

Book SynopsisNew York Times bestselling author James Lovegrove's continues the story of Sherlock Holmes and The Hound of the Baskervilles, as five years later, another monstrous creature stalks across Dartmoor... 1894. The monstrous Hound of the Baskervilles has been dead for five years, along with its no less monstrous owner, the naturalist Jack Stapleton. Sir Henry Baskerville is living contentedly at Baskerville Hall with his new wife Audrey and their three-year-old son Harry. Until, that is, Audrey's lifeless body is found on the moors, drained of blood. It would appear some fiendish creature is once more at large on Dartmoor and has, like its predecessor, targeted the unfortunate Baskerville family. Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson are summoned to Sir Henry's aid, and our heroes must face a marauding beast that is the very stuff of nightmares. It seems that Stapleton may not have perished in the Great Grimpen Mire after all, as Holmes believed, and is hell-bent on revenge...Trade ReviewThis artful inversion of the structure of Conan Doyle's novel will please Sherlockians -Publishers Weekly The latest pastiche by the author of Sherlock Holmes: The Devil's Dust is a clever follow-up to The Hound of the Baskervilles. The language, characters, and pacing is accurate enough to satisfy even hard-core Holmes fans. -Library Journal James Lovegrove has a nice grasp of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's writing style, and it is easy for readers to fall into this tale and become consumed by it. - BookReporter "A wonderful addition to the Sherlock Holmes canon, extrapolating cleverly from the original oeuvre to present something fresh and absorbing for the modern reader" - Criminal Element "Packed with familiar faces and places but with a fresh twist, this is a novel perfectly suited to classic Holmes fans" - The Crime Review "Lovegrove has crafted a true page-turner... The novel reads as a classic Sherlock Holmes tale yet has a subtle modern flare to it" - Fangirl Nation "Lovegrove has a great voice for Sherlock Holmes" - Girl Who Reads "Entertaining and foreboding" - Reviewing the Evidence "Mystery excellence that should be on everybody's reading list" - RisingShadow

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author James Rollins and award-winning author Rebecca Cantrell comes the final gothic thriller in the BLOOD GOSPEL trilogy - perfect for fans of THE DA VINCI CODE.Trade Review'Irresistible. The DaVinci Code meets vampires' - BOOKLISTCutting-edge science, ancient history, and a solid gothic mystery plot . . . those who lapped up The Da Vinci Code will be clamoring for more in this series - LIBRARY JOURNALPure genius . . . a must read - SUSPENSE MAGAZINE

Read more less

Book SynopsisShe's out there. Waiting for you.A haunting read about witchcraft and superstition from Lisa HallCreepy, atmospheric, unnerving and brilliant' Will DeanA proper nailbiter' Mel McGrathSpooky' Louise BeechI couldn't read it fast enough' Helen Phifer''A chilling triumph'' Fiona CumminsIs her family in danger?When Allie moves to a quaint old cottage with her husband, it's their dream home.Nestled in the village of Pluckley, it seems a perfect haven in which to raise their two children.But Pluckley has a reputation. It's known as England's most haunted village.And not long after the birth of their new son, Allie begins to notice strange thingsWhat's the flash of white she sees moving quickly through the woods to the back of their house? And what's the strange scratching noise coming from the chimney?As Allie discovers more about the history of their new home, she uncovers a story of witchcraft and superstition, which casts a long shadow into the present day. And not everything is as it seemTrade Review Praise for The Woman in the Woods: ‘Just finished The Woman in the Woods by Lisa Hall. I devoured this. Creepy, atmospheric, unnerving and brilliant. Shirley Jackson and Ira Levin vibes. If you’re looking for a Halloween read (legends, antiquities, and a sense of dread), this is it’ Will Dean, author of The Last Thing To Burn ‘The Woman in the Woods pulses with a sinister energy that keeps you reading on. A proper nailbiter’ Mel McGrath, bestselling author of The Guilty Party ‘Such a different one from Lisa Hall and I loved it! Spooky and hook-y … Highly recommend. You’re all in for a treat this autumn’ Louise Beech, author of This is How We Are Human ‘Creepy and tense’ Bella ‘I couldn’t put it down and I couldn’t read it fast enough’ Helen Phifer, author of The Hiding Place ‘Creepy, dark and all the chills! This book will make you question everything and everyone. Hall really knows how to drag the reader into the darkness. Fantastic!’ Lauren North, author of Safe at Home 'Atmospheric, creepy and oh-so-compulsive, The Woman in the Woods is a chilling triumph' Fiona Cummins, author of When I Was Ten ‘Both creepy and dark … [it] will have you jumping at the creak of every floorboard, because if there’s one person that knows how to drag their reader into the darkness it’s Lisa Hall’ Lauren North, Dead Good Books Praise for Lisa Hall: ‘Chillingly believable and utterly compelling with thrills aplenty — I loved this book’ Lucy Foley, No. 1 bestselling author of The Guest List ‘Compelling, addictive … brilliant!’ B A Paris, international bestselling author of The Therapist ‘A classy thriller that’s stylish, twisty and full of suspense’ Sarah Pinborough, No. 1 bestselling author of Behind Her Eyes

Read more less

Book SynopsisCrook has stepped on to the gore-slicked stage with a deliciously gruesome portfolio of twisty tales'DAILY MAIL'Plenty of creepy fun to be had'GUARDIANThere's a new horror behind every door Welcome to Silverweed Road a once quiet suburban street where nothing is quite as it seems. In this macabre collection of twisted tales, were-foxes prowl, a swimming pool turns predatory, a haunted urn plots revenge and a darts player makes a deal with the devil himself.As the residents vanish one by one, a sinister mystery slowly unpeels, lurking in the Woods at the road's dead-end.Creepy, chilling, and witty by turn, Silverweed Road deals in love, loss, isolation, loneliness, obsession, greed,and revenge.Come take a walk through suburban hell. The neighbours will be dying to meet you Trade Review‘A deliciously gruesome portfolio of twisty tales. You’ll find shades of Dahl…But what sets the stories apart is the visceral accuracy of the writing, which can infect a garden swimming pool with dread, or quite believably turn a man into a fox’DAILY MAIL ‘Terrifying’TIMEOUT ‘Clever, knowing, and sly’SAGA ‘This brilliant collection of stories includes murderous magpies, a sinister swimming pool, and brims with a a dark, witty sense of menace’BEST ‘Entertaining, quirky and more than a little hair-raising, this is a collection of stories which revels in atmospheric old-school horror’FANTASY HIVE ‘Short story and speculative fiction fans have a spine-tingling treat in store for them. SILVERWEED ROAD by debut Simon Crook is an intoxicating and chilling cocktail of J.G. Ballard, Roald Dahl, and Clive Barker. Impossible not to down it in one’Emlyn Rees, author of WANTED

Read more less

Book Synopsis''If you''ve missed Laymon, you''ve missed a treat'' Stephen King A dark, warm and continuous rain falls on the town of Bixby, coating the inhabitants. Now a loving wife smashes her husbands head to a pulp. A mob raids the cinema, attacking everyone inside. And a stranger at a gas station grabs a customer, shoves a petrol pump down her throat, and squeezes the trigger ...

Read more less

Book SynopsisPhil Rickman was born in Lancashire and lives on the Welsh border where he writes and presents the book programme Phil the Shelf on BBC Radio Wales. He is the acclaimed author of Dr Dee, The Bones of Avalon, Midwinter Spirit (now a major ITV series), the Merrily Watkins Mysteries and the John Dee papers. Visit his website at: www.philrickman.co.ukTrade ReviewAncient history, violent deaths, feuds, intrigues and murder. A most original sleuth. * The Times *A wonderful, enthralling read. Huge tensions. All too believable. You are there with poor Merrily every step of the way. -- Barbara Erskine * Daily Express *A first rate thriller with supernatural overtones . . . deftly illuminates the intrigues of village life. * Publishers Weekly *Well, Holmes did say that the lowest and vilest alleys of London do not present a more dreadful record of sin than does the smiling and beautiful countryside . . . * Jerusalem Post *

Read more less

Book Synopsis ‘The Rule of Three absolutely blew me away. An incredibly intense and original creepy page-turner that made me keep turning the pages in a desperate need to finish it and find out the answers! Utterly paranoia-inducing and brilliant. I loved it. It came for me and now it will come for you!' SARAH PINBOROUGH 'Ingenious, creepy and compelling. Sam Ripley is an exciting new voice in the field of chilling thrillers' ALEX NORTH The Whisper Man meets The Chalk Man with the paranoia of The Blair Witch Project in this chilling suspense thriller. That’s the one.That’s the girl who’s going to die.   I didn’t believe in the Rule of Three. Not at first. It was just one of those urban myths you hear about all the time. A story my boyfriend told me about a girl cursed by the number th

Read more less

Book SynopsisA fabulous, darkly funny and ultimately devastating novel set between a London film set and a villa in the south of France - a mix of Vertigo and Jonathan Coe.Trade ReviewThis theatrical thriller by actor David Thewlis is darkly comic, beautifully written and full of surprises. -- Sara Lawrence * DAILY MAIL *A riotously good novel, witty and earnest, brimming with sharply drawn characters and creeping suspense. David Thewlis is a fabulous writer. * Anna Bailey, Sunday Times bestselling author of TALL BONES *Really funny. David is a great writer. * Paula Hawkins, Good Housekeeping *A deliciously smart, hilarious human drama with the pace and intrigue of a gripping thriller. One of the year's most memorable novels. * B P Walter, author of the Sunday Times bestseller THE DINNER GUEST *A thriller that Hitchcock fans will love. * SHEERLUXE *PRAISE FOR DAVID THEWLIS'S PREVIOUS NOVEL:'Thewlis has taken the turn-of-the-millennium London art scene and eviscerated it and the resulting gore makes for wonderful entertainment... This is a funny and successful satire of the contemporary art world, but at its core, it is a novel about the over-indulged and fragile artist's ego, about insecurity, about the darker layers of human relationships... Hilarious and horror-filled' Francesca Segal, Observer'Exquisitely written with a warm heart and a wry wit... Stunning' Elle'A fine study in character disintegration and a very funny satire on the contemporary art world' David Baddiel, The Times'A queasily entertaining carnival of art and self-destruction' FT'Thewlis has a driving, spiky prose style and a way with blackly comic scenarios' New Statesman'Thewlis has an eye for grotesque minutiae and, unsurprisingly for an esteemed actor, a real feel for dialogue and wordplay' The List'Thewlis...has successfully transferred his talents to the page, displaying a sharp ear for dialogue and a scabrously satiric prose style' Daily Mail'[Thewlis] great debut novel is a wry account of a spoilt middle-man's collapse' InStyle'This laugh-out-loud, darkly intelligent debut suggests that Thewlis might meet with considerable success should he decide to quit acting and take up the pen full-time... Readers who have mourned the end of Sue Townsend's wonderful, long-running Adrian Mole series will find solace of a sort here, as will anyone who enjoys a thought-provoking skewering of modern art by a knowledgeable writer and an inescapably doomed but appealing hero' Publishers Weekly'This is far more than an actor's vanity project: Thewlis has talent' Kirkus'David Thewlis has written an extraordinarily good novel, which is not only brilliant in its own right, but stands proudly beside his work as an actor, no mean boast' Billy Connolly'I laughed and laughed until I read my own name amongst the carnage of Thewlis's unfortunate characters. This book is a disgrace - it's mean, cruel and refreshingly cynical' Jake Chapman

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn 1897, Bram Stoker published what has now become one of the most revered horror stories of its time. Dracula has inspired the gothic genre for generations, continuing to this day to frighten and delight its readers for anyone brave enough to face the world of blood thirsty vampires in search of their next mortal victim. In a gripping and sensational work of classic Gothic fiction we discover the infamous Count Dracula. When English lawyer Jonathan Harker travels to an obscure town called Transylvania, the goal of his visit was most certainly not to do business with a vampire. As he makes his way through the village square, Harker is overcome with an eerie sensation that the Count is not who he says he is. Strewn with various charms and trinkets thrown at him from the local village people, Harker comes to find that the weird looks, whispers, and pointed fingers directed at him are not done so in jest at him being a tourist. Rather, they are a clear warning that the Count is perhaps more dangerous than he imagined. Brimming with observations on the eventual paradigmatic shifts of society, Stoker’s intent with Dracula extends much further than the plot of quarreling vampires. With references to the sexual politics of women in the Victorian era to the astute observations following the modernization of society, Stoker’s ideas and writings were insightfully ahead of the times. Dracula has continued to play an influential role in the canon of literature, and for a blood-curdling and frighteningly good reason. With an eye-catching new cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this version of Dracula is simply sensational.

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Deliciously chilly' Guardian'Humming with suppressed hysteria and madness' The Times'Wonderfully evocative' Heat Hare House is not its real name, of course. I have, if you will forgive me, kept names to a minimum here, for reasons that will become understandable . . . In the first brisk days of autumn, a woman arrives in Scotland having left her job at an all-girls school in London in mysterious circumstances. Moving into a cottage on the remote estate of Hare House, she begins to explore her new home – a patchwork of hills, moorland and forest. But among the tiny roads, dykes and scattered houses, something more sinister lurks: local tales of witchcraft, clay figures and young men sent mad. Striking up a friendship with her landlord, Grant, and his younger sister, Cass, she begins to suspect that all might not be quite as it seems at Hare House. And as autumn turns to winter, and a heavy snowfall traps the inhabitants of the estate within its walls, tensions rise to fever pitch. Sally Hinchcliffe’s Hare House is a modern-day witch story, perfect for fans of Pine and The Loney.'A beautiful, slow burn of a novel, eerie and shimmering in equal measure' - Mary Paulson-EllisTrade ReviewA beautiful, slow burn of a novel, eerie and shimmering in equal measure. The bewitching prose brilliantly evokes the bleak glories of a remote Scottish landscape, while the subtle shifts of plot and perspective lure the reader towards an unsettling denouement where nothing is quite what it seems. A dark uncanny read and all the more satisfying for that -- Mary Paulson-Ellis, author of The Other Mrs Walker and Emily Noble's DisgraceEerie and subtle . . . This deliciously chilly tale dodges the expected outcome and maintains a delicate balance between psychology and witchcraft right to its disturbing end * Guardian *A tale humming with suppressed hysteria and madness * The Saturday Times *The atmosphere of sickly oddness creeps up with wonderful control. Hinchcliffe has a superb sense for the slightly off detail . . . Hinchcliffe has crafted an exquisitely, horribly unreliable narrator. But if the character is not to be trusted, the author very much is: Hare House is a marvellously nasty piece of distinctly Scottish gothic * The Times *Dark and absorbing . . . A compelling chiller redolent of Zoe Heller's Notes on a Scandal, Hare House treads the treacherous line between the real and the supernatural with dexterity. It is also a beautiful, if sinister, evocation of the Dumfries and Galloway landscape -- Fiona Rintoul * The Herald *Wonderfully evocative * Heat *A deeply unsettling modern-day tale of witchcraft * Woman's Weekly *Hinchcliffe writes atmospherically . . . Fans of the supernatural will find much to enjoy in this eerie tale * Literary Review *Slightly gothic, it is a quietly eerie novel, beautifully written, one that keeps a reader alert * Belfast Telegraph *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Treadwell's book is a magnificent pastiche of 18th-century fiction'The Sunday Times'Tristram Shandy meets Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell in a novel that addresses dark disturbing themes with tremendous wit, charm and elegance'Daily Express'Part historical pastiche, part gothic horror, this is an ambitious and stylistically bold 18th-century adventure with shades of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell'SFX'Treadwell's book entertains and impresses . . . He must be heartily congratulated both for performing an extraordinary feat of literary ventriloquism and also for reminding us what historical fiction does best: create an entirely convincing vanished world while also using that world as a lens through which to view the present day'GuardianWHO IS THOMAS PEACH?Ah, reader! -- if you would have us answer THAT question -- What mysteries you shall compel us to expose!It is the year 1785, and a gentleman of modest means has left London for the countryside, to look after his ailing wife.Among his new neighbours, tongues begin to wag. Why does he keep a locked chest under the stairs? Is it really full of forbidden books? And what exactly is the matter with his wife?For the most part, though, the couple live in peace -- until a letter arrives, threatening to cut off their livelihood and expel them from their home.Faced with the prospect of penury -- and perhaps worse -- the gentleman rides out in search of some means to save himself.But fate has other plans for Thomas Peach.A bizarre request brings an encounter with a mysterious young woman, raised from infancy as a rich man's ward, now condemned to the madhouse. As their paths become disturbingly entangled, Mr Peach begins to suspect that in her past lies a dreadful secret . . .Dreadful indeed! -- Yet however fearful the poor child's history -- can her secret be darker, than HIS OWN?Trade ReviewAn extraordinary novel . . . a tour de force * Andrew Taylor *Treadwell's book is a magnificent pastiche of 18th-century fiction * The Sunday Times *Tristram Shandy meets Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell in a novel that addresses dark disturbing themes with tremendous wit, charm and elegance * Daily Express and Daily Mirror *Part historical pastiche, part gothic horror, this is an ambitious and stylistically bold 18th-century adventure with shades of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell * SFX *This novel is a virtuoso performance . . . he must be heartily congratulated both for performing an extraordinary feat of literary ventriloquism and also for reminding us what historical fiction does best: create an entirely convincing vanished world while also using that world as a lens through which to view the present day * Guardian *A clever, playful mystery * Daily Express, Books of the Year *Entertaining, often amusing and definitely intriguing. I particularly liked the way I became totally immersed in this 18th century world - the author's attention to tone and detail is impressive * Concatenation *

Read more less

Book SynopsisLoyalty, love, and friendships are tested as sorority sisters Scarlett and Vivi face the forces of hell itself in the thrilling conclusion to New York Times bestselling authors Kass Morgan and Danielle Paige's The Ravens duology.These sorority witches rule.After saving their sisterhood by destroying an ancient talisman, the Ravens, aka Kappa Rho Nu, vow to protect their coven at all costs.Newly appointed president Scarlet envisions a unified Kappa, free from the clutches of dark magic. But the presidency holds unforeseen pitfalls, risking Scarlett's own magic. Meanwhile, Vivi, now a proud Kappa member, stumbles upon a deadly form of magic entwined with their sorority's past and a vengeful demon.To safeguard their sisterhood, Scarlett and Vivi must confront the forces of hell itself and thwart a rival sorority set on unleashing chaos.Trade Review** PRAISE FOR THE RAVENS **This solid, enchanting fantasy boasts a palpable atmosphere and moves at a breakneck pace * Kirkus *An intriguing mystery built upon the foundations of sisterhood * School Library Journal *Wonderful worldbuilding, well-executed plotting, and page-turning surprises create the feel of a bingeworthy TV show, keeping readers engaged in Vivi's and Scarlett's alternating narrations * Publishers Weekly *A spectacular read for those looking to find a novel with good representation, humour, magic, and just the right amount of horror during the fall and winter seasons * The Nerd Daily *

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom fan favorite creator Jeremy Haun (The Beauty, The Realm, The Red Mother, The Approach) comes a dread-inducing collection of 28 tales of terror in, Haunthology. This hair-raising tome of short stories and vignettes features an introduction by Shirley Jackson Award winning author Nathan Ballingrud. From creatures of the night…to even more terrifying creatures of the day, readers were first introduced to Haunthology’s nightmarish mindscapes through a successful Kickstarter campaign. Whether exploring a claustrophobic old house full of nefarious entities or exploring the heavy thoughts one has during the end of the world, this very personal project was completely written and drawn during the COVID shutdowns. Trade Review“Haunthology somehow manages to be deeply personal and deeply creepy and cool. Jeremy Haun always delivers and this is no exception. I’m all in!” —Jeff Lemire, Sweet Tooth, Gideon Falls“Each of these tales grabs you somewhere uncomfortable and doesn’t let go till it has to. Knowing Jeremy, it’s easy to see within these pages how personal this project is to him…Most of all I’m just glad I made it out of the final page alive.” —Mitch Gerads, Strange Adventures, Mister Miracle, Batman“Jeremy Haun has crafted something truly unsettling here, and I can’t recommend it enough.” —Alex Grecian, The Yard, Rasputin “I haven’t been this excited and inspired by a horror comic since Emily Carroll’s Through the Woods.” —Nathan Ballingrud, North American Lake Monsters “Jeremy Haun's Haunthology marries a meticulously detailed artistic style to a series of vignettes gruesome, strange, and disturbing. The world ends, and ends, and ends again. People ready themselves to face the unimaginable. Death looms, and so does what lies on the other side of death. Together, these brief narratives form a dark kaleidoscope. Press your eye to the lens, and see what it has to show you.” —John Langan, Children of the Fang and Other Genealogies“Haunthology delivers a sequence of beautifully apocalyptic vignettes. Haun’s vision of creeping doom is what I want from cosmic horror: stark, gritty, sensational.” —Laird Barron, Swift to Chase

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn seventeenth-century England, a female healer enflames the fury of a witchfinder in this propulsive novel about murder, revenge, and the dangerous power of knowledge. Mary Fawcett refines the healing recipes she’s inherited from generations of women before her—an uncanny and moral calling to empathize with the sick. When witchfinder Matthew Hopkins arrives in her small village, stoking the fires of hate, he sees not healing but the devil at work. Mary’s benevolent skills have now cast her and her young brother under suspicion of witchery. Soon, the husband of one of Mary’s patients is found murdered, his body carved with strange symbols. For Hopkins, it’s further evidence of dark arts. When the whispering village turns against her, Mary dares to trust a stranger: an enigmatic alchemist, scarred body and soul, who knows the dead man’s secrets. As Hopkins’s fervor escalates, Mary must outsmart the devil himself to save her life and the lives of those she loves. Unfolding the true potential of her gifts could make Mary a more empowered adversary than a witchfinder ever feared.Trade Review“This historical-fiction novel set in 1640s England showcases the hysteria that can grip a small village, causing people to turn on their own neighbors and friends. It's an emotional story, full of flawed characters who are just trying to survive in a world full of suspicion and betrayal.” —Booklist “The multiple plot threads keep tensions high, the plot twists will keep readers guessing, and the characters (both good and ill-intentioned) are nuanced and well-written. All this, along with its immersive historical details and a sprinkle of fantasy, have conjured up an entrancing read.” —Historical Novels Review “A stunning achievement in historical fiction. The Village Healer’s Book of Cures is by turns a work of luminous beauty and a harrowingly dark exploration of the perilous role cunning women played in a society rife with suspicion. Mary Fawcett is an unforgettable heroine, and Roberts’s nimble prose enchants with its honesty. An exquisite, wise, and ambitious debut.” —Paulette Kennedy, author of The Witch of Tin Mountain “A firecracker of a debut, packed with well-researched historical details, a tense mystery, and a few twists I never saw coming. Mary—a strong, independent woman trapped in a gender-centric panic—is the perfect character to take the reader on a perilous journey…one that could almost happen today.” —Olivia Hawker, bestselling author of The Fire and the Ore “In this exciting debut, I discovered a character who is now one of my favorite heroines…a suspenseful read with characters to root for, an intriguing mystery to solve, and well rendered historical atmosphere to savor.” —Nancy Bilyeau, author of The Orchid Hour

Read more less

Book SynopsisIt’s been a year and a half since the Anomaly, when They tried to force Their way into the world from the shapeless void.Nick Prasad is piecing his life together, and has joined the secretive Ssarati Society to help monitor threats to humanity – including his former friend Johnny.Right on cue, the unveiling of Johnny’s latest experiment sees a fresh incursion of Them, leaving her protesting her innocence even as the two of them are thrown together to fight the darkness once more…Trade Review"With a strong sense of adventure and an engaging prose style, A Broken Darkness is a worthy, enjoyable entry to the sprawling genre of cosmic fiction." * Aurealis *

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn Echo Hill, Ohio, the dead begin to reappear, manifesting in various forms, from classic ghosts and poltergeists, to physical undead and bizarre apparitions for which there is no name. These malign spirits attack the living, tormenting and ultimately killing them in order to add more recruits to their spectral ranks. A group of survivors come together after the initial attack, all plagued by different ghostly apparitions of their own. Can they make it out of Echo Hill alive? And if so, will they still be sane? Or will they die and join the ranks of the vengeful dead? FLAME TREE PRESS is the imprint of long-standing independent Flame Tree Publishing, dedicated to full-length original fiction in the horror and suspense, science fiction & fantasy, and crime / mystery / thriller categories. The list brings together fantastic new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices. Learn more about Flame Tree Press at www.flametreepress.com and connect on social media @FlameTreePressTrade Review"Overall, this is an excellent read and one that many will enjoy from the horror and thriller and ask questions of those that die, how restful are they really? I highly recommend this book for its originality, characters and a plot that is unstoppable and not able to be put down. A real page turner. Excellent." -- Literary Lisence Podcast

Read more less

Book SynopsisA sinister being called Night and her panther-like Harriers stalk their quarry, a man known only as Arron. Arron seeks refuge within an office building, a place Night cannot go, for it’s part of the civilized world, and she’s a creature of the Wild. To flush Arron out, she creates Blight, a reality-warping field that slowly transforms the building and its occupants in horrible and deadly ways. But unknown to Night, while she waits for the Blight to do its work, a group of survivors from a previous attempt to capture Arron are coming for her. The hunter is now the hunted. FLAME TREE PRESS is the imprint of long-standing independent Flame Tree Publishing, dedicated to full-length original fiction in the horror and suspense, science fiction & fantasy, and crime / mystery / thriller categories. The list brings together fantastic new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices. Learn more about Flame Tree Press at www.flametreepress.com and connect on social media @FlameTreePress

Read more less

Book SynopsisA classic ghost story illustrated by acclaimed cartoonist, Seth.A man is unexpectedly appointed as doctor at the local prison. But when a terrified inmate begs to be moved, the young doctor begins to question his good fortune: the cell adjacent to the frightened man has been boarded up for years – and no one will let the doctor inside.

Read more less

Book SynopsisQueen of French Noir, Johana Gustawsson returns with a spell-binding, dazzlingly dark gothic thriller that swings from Belle Époque France to 21st-century Quebec, with an extraordinary mystery at its heart … FIRST in a bewitching new series **Shortlisted for the CWA Crime in Translation Dagger** `A wonderfully dark, intricately woven historical thriller spanning three generations … it will have you hooked from the very first page' B A Paris `A gripping story of murder and black magic …Gustawsson slowly weaves together three seemingly disparate strands of her narrative with a skill that shows why she is such an admired crime writer in her native France´ The Times BOOK OF THE MONTH `Intriguingly dark and vivid, and so cleverly told through three different time frames´ Essie Fox ________________ Three women Three eras One extraordinary mystery…1899, Belle Époque Paris. Lucienne’s two daughters are believed dead when her mansion burns to the ground, but she is certain that her girls are still alive and embarks on a journey into the depths of the spiritualist community to find them. 1949, Post-War Québec. Teenager Lina’s father has died in the French Resistance, and as she struggles to fit in at school, her mother introduces her to an elderly woman at the asylum where she works, changing Lina’s life in the darkest way imaginable. 2002, Quebec. A former schoolteacher is accused of brutally stabbing her husband – a famous university professor – to death. Detective Maxine Grant, who has recently lost her own husband and is parenting a teenager and a new baby single-handedly, takes on the investigation. Under enormous personal pressure, Maxine makes a series of macabre discoveries that link directly to historical cases involving black magic and murder, secret societies and spiritism … and women at breaking point, who will stop at nothing to protect the ones they love… _________________ `This novel is a whirlpool that draws you irresistibly into levels of darkness so much deeper than you can possibly be ready for´ Ambrose Parry `I found myself racing through the book, always wanting one more page, one more chapter. A wonderfully creepy, unsettling read, with a superb twist in its tail´ James Oswald `Gustawsson’s writing is so vivid, it’s electrifying. Utterly compelling´ Peter James `I was hooked from the first page – a stunning and beautifully written gothic thriller full of atmosphere, intrigue and delight´ Alexandra Benedict `Brilliant … the last chapters knocked me sideways, and it’s a long time since that’s happened´ Lisa Hall `A dark world of elegance and grotesque … mesmeric´ Matt Wesolowski `Harrowing, compelling, haunting, vivid, twisty and shocking! ´ Noelle Holten `A powerful page-turner´ Livres Hebdo ***NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER IN FRANCE*** FOR FANS OF Laura Purcell, Stacey Halls, Bridget Collins, Anna Mazzola, Essie Fox, Ambrose Parry and Laura Shepherd-Robinson Praise for Johana Gustawsson `A satisfying, full-fat mystery´ The Times `Assured telling of a complex story´ Sunday Times `A real page-turner, I loved it´ Martina Cole `A bold and intelligent read´ Guardian `Utterly compelling´ Woman’s Own `Cleverly plotted, simply excellent´ Ragnar Jónasson `A must-read´ Daily Express `Gritty, bone-chilling, and harrowing – it’s not for the faint of heart, and not to be missed´ Crime by the Book `A relentless heart-stopping masterpiece´ New York Journal of Book

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA gripping tale of witchcraft and romance, past and present, from the Sunday Times bestselling authorThe parish of Manningtree and Mistley has a dark history. In 1644, Cromwell''s Witchfinder General tortured scores of women there, including Liza the herbalist, whose cottage still stands. Some say the spirits of his victims still haunt the old shop on the High StreetEmma Dickson gave up her high-flying career to live in Liza's cottage, but as Halloween approaches, visions of a terrible past are driving her to madness. In despair, Emma turns to the local rector for help, but he, too, is in the grip of something inexplicably dangerousPerfect for fans of Christina Courtenay, Nicola Cornick and Elizabeth Chadwick!Readers LOVE Barbara Erskine:Atmospheric' ?????Enthralling' ?????Spellbinding' ?????Another fabulous read from the mistress of the genre' ?????Immensely and deeply immersive fiction' ?????I loved every minute' ?????An exceptional writer of great books' ?????You can rely on this auTrade ReviewPraise for Barbara Erskine The Warrior’s Princess: ‘An engrossing race against time’ Woman and Home ‘This is one of the most gripping page-turners I’ve read’ Sun Barbara’s many bestsellers: ‘Her forte is mood, atmosphere and the toe-curling frisson’ Elizabeth Buchan, Sunday Times

Read more less

Book SynopsisOnly Harry Keogh, prisoner of the metaphysical Mobius Continuum, can stop the vampire Yulian Bodescu. Harry Keogh is a necroscope he knows the thoughts of corpses in their graves. Unfortunately for Harry, his talent works both ways.Death is not the end of life, Harry Keogh discovered and not the end of his battle against the terrible evil of vampires.In a secluded English village, Yulian Bodescu plots his takeover of the world. Imbued with a vampire''s powers before his birth, Bodescu rules men''s minds and bodies with supernatural ease. He is secretly creating an army of vampiric monsters, things that once were men but were now walking masses of destructive hunger!Harry Keogh, Necroscope, thought that the war with the vampires had ended with the destruction of Boris Dragosani and of Harry''s body! But the man who talks to the dead lives on, more powerful than ever, able to transport himself instantly to any spot on the globe and to speak mind-to-mind with both the living and the deTrade Review‘Since reading Lumley’s Necroscope series, I know that vampires really do exist.’ H.R. Giger ‘Like the vampires it so full-bloodedly portrays, Brian Lumley's Necroscope series just gets stronger. His lively mix of action and monstrosity transmutes the base cliché of the vampire and turns it into a wonderfully contemporary bane.’ Fear Magazine

Read more less

Book SynopsisSeventy-seven tales of the supernatural, intended to frighten and excite and bring to heel their medieval audience, gathered from medieval chronicles, sagas, heroic poetry and romances. Strongly recommended. M R JAMES NEWSLETTER Stories of restless spirits returning from the afterlife are as old as storytelling. In medieval Europe ghosts, nightstalkers and unearthly visitors from parallel worlds had beenin circulation since before the coming of Christianity. Here is a collection of ghostly encounters from medieval romances, monastic chronicles, sagas and heroic poetry. These tales bore a peculiar freight of spooks and spirituality which can still make the hair stand on end. Look at the story of Richard Rowntree's stillborn child, glimpsed by his father tangled in swaddling clothes on the road to Santiago, or the sly habits of water sprites restingas golden rings on the surface of the river, just out of reach. The writer and broadcaster Andrew Joynes brings together a vivid selection of these tales, with a thoughtful commentary that puts them in context and lays bare the layers of meaning in them.Trade Review(Reviewd together with 'Medieval Comic Tales') Both make a delightful contribution to our understanding and mapping of those mental landscapes. They also allowed me to see the physical medieval landscape differently, reminding me that in the medieval period it had supernatural and metaphorical dimensions. In these tales a wide range of medieval people come to life. * FINDS RESEARCH GROUP NEWSLETTER *A collection of stories that have stood the test of time. * HISTORY MAGAZINE (US) *[An] excellent compendium of medieval folklore. * FORTEAN TIMES *Truly ... a landmark work. This impeccably researched and very readable book should appeal to a wide audience. * MEDIEVAL REVIEW *Every reader is sure to find something new and many readers may find something to treasure in this sprightly anthology. * ARTHURIANA *Strongly recommended. A convenient compendium indeed! * MR JAMES NEWSLETTER *Assembles dozens of ghostly tales from an impressive array of original sources ranging from Iceland to Florence. * BBC HISTORY *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA writer is offered a devil’s bargain: will he give up reading books in exchange for total world domination?Trade Review"Aira's works are like slim cabinets of wonder, full of unlikely juxtapositions. His unpredictability is masterful." -- Rivka Galchen - Harpers"Aira’s cubist eye sees from every angle." -- Patti Smith - New York Times Book Review"César Aira is writing a gigantic, headlong, acrobatic fresco of modern life entirely made up of novelettes, novellas, novelitas. In other words, he is a great literary trickster, and also one of the most charming." -- Adam Thirlwell"A writer’s future hangs in the balance when he is tempted by an “unexpected Mephistopheles” in Aira’s playful, self-reflexive latest...the story’s driving question of choosing a meaningful course for one’s life is timeless." -- Publishers Weekly"Aira’s short books are the literary equivalent of a Périgord black truffle — small, rich delicacies worth savoring and contemplating." -- Polygon"Aira, the Argentine master of a certain strain of unabashedly self-reflexive novella that frequently marries the ingratiating confidence of fabulism with postmodern panache, has offered his audience a wicked little piece of literary wish-fulfillment gone happily awry." -- Roberto Ontiveros - Texas Observer"The Famous Magician by Cesar Aira, translated by Chris Andrews, is my favourite of the new books. Aira is the ludicrously prolific Argentinian author of over a hundred short books that invariably come apart while somehow keeping their shape. Rules are established before being merrily violated, ho-hum personal accounts become far-fetched zombie stories, serious literary rumination gives way to comic book pastiche. The method appears to have been working: the results have been books that don’t read like the ones you encounter in life but the kind you might pick up in dreams." -- J.W. McCormack - The New Left Review

Read more less

Book SynopsisA famous photographer lying in a coma holds the key to the salvation of the world. But first he must travel back into the traumatic events of his childhood.Will Rabjohns has everything. He's handsome, he's rich, and he's revered as the world's greatest wildlife photographer. He's also a haunted man, driven to risk his life for his art to capture the raw tragedy of the wild, the beauty of nature's violence.After a near fatal encounter with a polar bear, he lies in a coma. There he must relive a central childhood memory: a meeting with ancient and terrible forces which revealed to him the mystery at the heart of nature. And he realizes that if he awakes, he must confront the darkness of his past and wage a war, not only for his own soul, but for the soul of the planet and every animal that breathes upon it.Trade Review‘A gripping book that weaves a compulsive spell… vintage Barker’The Times ‘Barker’s unique brand of eco-mysticism weaves as potent a spell as ever’Maxim ‘The premier metaphysicist of contemporary fiction. Breathtaking.’Locus

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade Review"I can't emphasize enough how funny BITE ME is." -- Bookreporter.com "[H]ilarious, educational, and original... [I]t is difficult to put the book down, for there are astonishing new developments on every page." -- BookPage "A page-turner... Your 'Lear' can be rusty or completely unread to appreciate this new perspective on the Shakespearean tragedy. That is if you enjoy a whole lot of silly behind the scenes of your tragedies." -- Valdosta Times (Georgia) on FOOL "If there's a funnier writer out there, step forward." -- Playboy "[W]all-to-wall, farcical fornicating and fighting...a jolly good time can be had." -- Booklist on FOOL "A laugh-a-page novel that's raunchy and irreverent." -- USA Today "A raunchy slapstick comedy of young vampires in love ... Moore is in top form, and this reviewer laughed all the way through this page-turner. Enthusiastically recommended." -- Library Journal "A vampire comedy that's witty, bright and funny." -- People "An instant classic ... terrific, funny and poignant. -- Rocky Mountain News "Funny, literate, smart and sexy, all at once!" -- Jeff Lindsay, author of the Dexter series, on FOOL "In transforming "King Lear" into a potty-mouthed jape, Moore is up to more than thumbing his nose at a masterpiece. His version of Shakespeare's Fool, who accompanies Lear on his slide from paternal arrogance to spiritual desolation in the original text, simultaneously honors and imaginatively enriches the character." -- San Francisco Chronicle on FOOL "It's hard to resist so gleeful a tale of murder, witchcraft, treason, maiming, and spanking... Moore's deft ear for dialogue keeps the pages turning ... Fool is a wickedly good time." -- Christian Science Monitor on FOOL "Less may be more, but it isn't Moore. Wretched excess doth have power to charm, and there are great reeking oodles of it strewn throughout these irreverent pages." -- Kirkus Reviews on FOOL "Moore has produced eight books that deftly blend surreal, occult and even science-fiction doings with laugh-out-loud satire of contemporary culture. Powered by engines of the abnormal and unlikely, his tales feature eccentric lowlifes who find their desperate existences hilariously remade by intrusions from other spheres." -- Washington Post Book World "Moore is a very clever boy when it comes to words. There are good chuckles to be had in this tale. ...Whether you need to read the original King Lear before you read Moore's Fool is debatable. Seems a fool's errand to us. Just enjoy." -- USA Today on FOOL "Moore turns things on their head with an edgy 21st-century perspective that makes the story line as sharp, surly and slick as a game of Grand Theft Auto... It's a manic, masterly mix-winning, wild and something today's groundlings will applaud." -- Publishers Weekly on FOOL "Often funny, sometimes hilarious, always inventive, this is a book for all, especially uptight English teachers, bardolaters and ministerial students of the kind who come to our doorstep on Saturday mornings." -- Dallas Morning News on FOOL "Mingling comedy and mystery, Moore crafts an intricate story that teases the reader with numerous twists and bawdy humor...[T]his is an imaginative and amusing look at the Impressionist era, and Moore's prose is fresh and engaging." -- Booklist on SACRE BLEU "Art history is playfully--and perilously--rewrtitten in this ambitious novel...fans of Moore's mix of wit and slapstick will be pleased." -- Publishers Weekly on SACRE BLEU "Moore's humor is, as ever, sweetly juvenile, but his arty comedy also captures the courage and rebellion of the Impressionists with an exultant joie de vivre." -- Kirkus Reviews on SACRE BLEU "[A]surprisingly complex novel full of love, death, art, and mystery...Don't let Moore's quirky characters and bawdy language fool you. His writing has depth, and his peculiar take on the impressionists will reel you in...this is a worthy read. " -- Library Journal (starred review) on SACRE BLEU "[A] marvelous, tongue-in-cheek, mythical explanation of the artistic urge... brought vividly to life." -- The Oregonian (Portland) on SACRE BLEU "Can Moore find the funny in gloomy Van Gogh? If anybody can-can, count on Moore." -- USA Today on SACRE BLEU "Sacre Bleu is a consistently compelling blend of love story, mystery, and 'what if?' art history lesson." -- Entertainment Weekly on SACRE BLEU "Captivating ... Those familiar with Moore's work will love this rich story, which is full of gleefully anachronistic behavior and language--often pun-based--coming from artists we ordinarily revere." -- Houston Chronicle on SACRE BLEU "[A] delightfully ribald romp." -- Washington Post Book World on Sacre Bleu "The true joy in Sacre Bleu stems from Moore's writing...His writing contains the rare combination of poetry and humor; where one moment you find yourself rereading a passage for its sublime imagery, and the next, you are grinning over a well-placed wisecrack...an excellent novel." -- Dallas News on Sacre Bleu "[A]nother exceedingly bizarre, often raucous, and consistently delightful journey into the sweetly demented mind of novelist Christopher Moore." -- Philadelphia Inquirer on SACRE BLEU "Sacre Bleu is big fun." -- St. Paul Pioneer Press on SACRE BLEU "Christopher Moore's new novel blends diligently researched art history smoothly with his fevered, fiendish imagination." -- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on SACRE BLEU

Read more less