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House of Hunger: the shiver-inducing, skin-prickling, mouth-watering feast of a Gothic novel
by Alexis HendersonNOMINATED FOR BEST HORROR NOVEL in the GOODREADS READERS CHOICE AWARDS...'A lurid, luscious debauch of a book.' Guardian'An unforgettable feast of decadence and depravity, House of Hunger cements Henderson's place as one of the great gothic writers of our generation.' S T GIBSON, author of A Dowry of BloodA young woman is drawn into the upper echelons of a society where blood is power in this dark and enthralling Gothic novel from the author of The Year of the Witching.WANTED: A bloodmaid of exceptional taste. Must have a keen proclivity for life's finer pleasures. Girls of weak will need not apply.Marion Shaw has been raised in the slums, where want and deprivation are all she knows. Despite longing to leave the city and its miseries, she has no real hope of escape until the day she spots a strange advertisement in the newspaper, seeking a 'bloodmaid'.Though she knows little about the far north - where wealthy nobles live in luxury and drink the blood of those in their service - Marion applies to the position. In a matter of days, she finds herself at the notorious House of Hunger. There, Marion is swept into a world of dark debauchery - and there, at the centre of it all is her.Her name is Countess Lisavet. Loved and feared in equal measure, she presides over this hedonistic court. And she takes a special interest in Marion. Lisavet is magnetic, charismatic, seductive - and Marion is eager to please her new mistress. But when her fellow bloodmaids begin to go missing in the night, Marion is thrust into a vicious game of cat and mouse. She'll need to learn the rules of her new home - and fast - or its halls will soon become her grave.
The Vanishing of Joni Blackwood: A brilliantly chilling and thrilling mystery debut novel
by Lisa Rookes'This is an absolute page-turner, I'm actually on pins waiting for the story to unfold and my anxiety is through the roof. And what a jaw-swinging, heart-palpitating ending this book has, too! This was an easy 5 star for me.' Reader Review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐The debris from the party the night before is scattered underneath the village tree and across the cobbles. Red wine stains the ground like blood. And Joni has vanished.My mother used to say our village was built on the roots of The Gallows Tree, that they're underneath the ground, under all of our houses. It used to scare me as a kid. Thick, snaking roots squirming under me. No matter how far you ran, they could tunnel after you. And when the bones of a small child are unearthed in the church graveyard, I have to wonder how many secrets are running through our village, like the roots of the tree.And I wonder if Joni can really outrun hers.And I wonder if I can really outrun mine.The Vanishing of Joni Blackwood is an utterly compelling mystery with a twist you won't see coming. Perfect for fans of C J Tudor, Caroline Mitchell and Erin Kelly.Read what everyone is saying about Joni Blackwood:'I meannnnn I am currently jaw to the floor. I was not expecting that very end twist!!! This was such a wild ride and I honestly don't feel a review can do the twists and turns justice, you just need to go and read it... Small town... drama... it's got it all.' Reader Review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐'Creepy, dark, and twisted!' Sharon Bolton, author of The Craftsman'A brilliantly chilling mystery novel. Super creepy! Lisa's got a really great voice... Strange in the best way. Loved it.' Reader Review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'This one is for all the gothic thriller fans... A gripping, pacy read with bold characters, gasp-out-loud twists, and an ending you'll never see coming.' Carly Reagon, author of The Toll House'The plot drew me in instantly and I knew I couldn't put it down until I knew the truth of Joni Blackwood, a very tense and suspenseful read.' Reader Review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Shadow Key: The brilliant new novel from the Sunday Times No.1 bestselling author of Pandora
by Susan Stokes-ChapmanThere's something mysterious about the village of Penhelyg. Will unlocking its truth bring light or darkness?Meirionydd, 1783. Dr Henry Talbot has been dismissed from his post in London. The only job he can find is in Wales where he can't speak the language, belief in myth and magic is rife, and the villagers treat him with suspicion. When Henry discovers his predecessor died under mysterious circumstances, he is determined to find answers.Linette Tresilian has always suspected something is not quite right in the village, but it is through Henry's investigations that a truth comes to light that will bind hers and Henry's destinies together in ways neither thought possible.PRAISE FOR THE SHADOW KEY'An alluring, immersive Gothic mystery from an impressively talented writer. Susan Stokes-Chapman conjures the beauty and darkness of eighteenth-century Wales in this simmering, splendid novel' Jennifer Saint'A haunting, transporting mystery…kept me completely enthralled' Elodie Harper‘I was gripped… the story was so dark and clever’ Stacey Thomas‘Wonderful. . . an intricate plot, beautiful writing, and a clever exploration of evil. If you like my books, then you’ll love [this]’ Laura Sheperd-Robinson'A gripping, beautifully executed historical thriller, full of arcane magic and Welsh mythology' Rosie Andrews'A tale of chilling suspense, occult secrets and cunning folklore that delicately captures that entanglement of the Welsh landscape and the myths that inhabit it' Cari Williams
Spitting Gold: An irresistible gothic novel about sisterhood, seances and sapphic love
by Carmella Lowkis'A compelling and atmospheric story of sisterhood and female agency, Spitting Gold is an evocative gothic tale where nothing is quite what it seems' Susan Stokes-Chapman, author of Pandora'A clever, atmospheric and sparkling Gothic debut... reminded me of Sarah Waters' Anna Mazzola, author of The Clockwork GirlParis, 1866. When Baroness Sylvie Devereux receives a house-call from Charlotte Mothe, the sister she disowned, she fears her shady past as a spirit medium has caught up with her. But with their father ill and Charlotte unable to pay his bills, Sylvie is persuaded into one last con.Their marks are the de Jacquinots: dysfunctional aristocrats who believe they are haunted by their great aunt, brutally murdered during the French Revolution.Sylvie and Charlotte will need to deploy every trick to terrify the family out of their gold – until they experience inexplicable horrors themselves.The sisters start to question if they really are at the mercy of a vengeful spirit. And what other deep, dark secrets threaten to come to light...?Spitting Gold is a darkly atmospheric and propulsive historical debut that twists and turns, blending gothic mystery with a captivating sapphic romance
Extinction: a blockbuster thriller about the dangers of genetic engineering perfect for fans of Jurassic Park
by Douglas PrestonAn epic thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Douglas Preston, perfect for fans of Michael Crichton. Extinction explores the very real effort to resurrect the woolly mammoth and other extinct megafauna from the Pleistocene Age.Erebus Resort, occupying a magnificent hundred-thousand acre valley deep in the Colorado Rockies, offers guests the experience of viewing woolly mammoths, Irish Elk, and giant ground sloths in their native habitat, brought back from extinction through the magic of genetic manipulation. When a billionaire's son and his new wife are kidnapped and murdered in the Erebus back country by what is assumed to be a gang of eco-terrorists, Colorado Bureau of Investigation Agent Frances Cash partners with county sheriff James Colcord to track down the perpetrators.As killings mount and the valley is evacuated, Cash and Colcord must confront an ancient, intelligent, and malevolent presence at Erebus, bent not on resurrection... but extinction.Reviews for Extinction'A creepy and creative variation on Jurassic Park... as smart and spine-chilling as the best of Michael Crichton.' Publishers WeeklyA thriller as breathlessly riveting as you would expect from a genre master like Douglas Preston, but much more too: it's meaty and thought-provoking, and tells us a lot about our distant past - and our immediate future. Spectacular!' Lee Child'One of the most heart-stopping, terrifying climaxes of any novel I've read in recent years. Preston ingeniously combines real-life science and technology into his novels, and Extinction brings it all together in a thriller that's truly thrilling!' Tess Gerritsen'Preston is a master storyteller. I'm still thinking about Extinction which is both entertaining and frightening, every page like a tasty treat. You have to read this!' Steve Berry
Fox Bites
by Lloyd Markham'a new original voice' – Joanne Harris 'A unique voice... in Markham those who feel that they are voiceless or trapped have found a distinct champion.' – Wales Arts Review When Taban wishes for the world to end something out there . . . hears him. Soon the young boy is being stalked by a fox whose salivating jaws drag him into strange dreams. Dreams where he is a revolutionary with ancient psychic powers fighting against a tyrannical regime. He awakes with glowing scars that only he can see and the lingering embers of telekinetic abilities. Honing this flicker of power over years he plots revenge on the bullies who've abused him. In exchange he will become the conduit for the world's end. But what if he changes his mind? Surely we can all come back from the edge? Can we? Set in Zimbabwe during the early 2000s, amidst a backdrop of political turmoil, Fox Bites is a dark coming-of-age horror fantasy about pain, loneliness, and stepping back from the abyss.
Emblaze: Violet Eden Chapters: Book Three (Violet Eden Chapters)
by Jessica ShirvingtonOnce again violet eden faces an impossible choice ... and the consequences are unimaginable.'With the power he held over me, with our lives connected so inexorably, he knew no one would risk hurting him if it could be avoided. No one but me, that is.'Violet Eden has come to terms with the fact that being part angel, part human, means her life will never be as it was.Now Violet has something Phoenix, the exiled angel who betrayed her, will do anything for and she has no intention of letting it fall into his hands. The only problem ... he has something she needs too.With the help of surprising new allies, ancient prophecies are deciphered, a destination set and, after a shattering confrontation with her father, Violet leaves for the islands of Greece without knowing if she will have a home to return to.While a brutal battle looms, Lincoln and Violet fight to ignore their soul-crushing need to be together. But as the craving reaches new heights, Violet begins to fear how long it will be until the pull becomes unbearable.Not afraid to raise the stakes, Phoenix seemingly holds all the power, always one step ahead. And when he puts the final pieces of the potent prophecy together, it doesn’t take him long to realise exactly who he needs in order to open the gates of Hell.The Violet Eden ChaptersBook One: EmbraceBook Two: EnticeBook Three: EmblazeBook Four: EndlessBook Five: Empower
Entice: The Violet Eden Chapters, Book Two (Violet Eden Chapters)
by Jessica ShirvingtonViolet Eden thought she knew all the secrets ... she was wrong.‘I now had little doubt. I felt the intensity in that one burst of emotion from him, felt his desperate need to eliminate me. Any small glimmer of hope that might’ve been there - that somehow Phoenix would change, would be that guy I first got to know – was gone.’On her seventeenth birthday Violet Eden’s whole life changed. One minute she was a normal teenager obsessed with her art ... and Lincoln. The next she has to get her head around the knowledge that angels do exist, both light and dark and she’s not altogether human either. Violet is Grigori – part angel and part human. Oh, and Lincoln knew it all along.Coming to terms with her destiny is tough, but Violet thought she knew all the secrets. She was wrong. The ancient battle between exiled angels and humanity is far from over. And now Violet has to learn to live with her feelings for Lincoln while working with him to stay alive and stop the exiles discovering the key to destroy all Grigori. It isn’t easy. Especially when the electricity between her and Phoenix ignites and she discovers his hold over her has become more dangerous than ever. Searching for the answers she needs will take Violet halfway across the world to the sacred mountains of Jordan, where ancient stories come to life and her warrior spirit will be called upon to make things right ... but even then her choices have consequences she never saw coming.A captivating combination of mythology, romance and a kick-arse heroine make this book impossible to put down. Lose yourself in the Violet Eden Chapters latest book, Entice.The Violet Eden ChaptersBook One: EmbraceBook Two: EnticeBook Three: EmblazeBook Four: EndlessBook Five: Empower
Embrace: Violet Eden Chapters: Book One (Violet Eden Chapters)
by Jessica ShirvingtonI slowly opened my eyes. The sun speared its first bright rays of golden orange into the sky and I leapt from the cliff, with the sorrowful knowledge that no matter what the outcome, at least part of me would die that day…'Violet Eden is dreading her seventeenth birthday dinner. After all, it's hard to get too excited about the day that marks the anniversary of your mother's death. The one bright spot is that Lincoln will be there. Sexy, mature and aloof, he is Violet's idea of perfection. But why does he seem so reluctant to be anything more than a friend?After he gives her the world's most incredible kiss – and then abandons her on her front doorstep – Violet is determined to get some answers. But nothing could have prepared her for Lincoln's explanation.Without warning, Violet's world is turned upside down. She never believed in God, let alone angels...As Violet gets caught up in an ancient battle between dark and light, she must choose her path. The wrong choice could cost not only her life, but her eternity...'Beautifully written . . . sophisticated and exciting' - Goodreads.com'A captivating story of destiny, love and dark forces that you won't be able to put down' - Kate Waterhouse'. . . smart, edgy and addictive . . . A must-read for paranormal fans young and old' - Kirkus ReviewsThe Violet Eden ChaptersBook One: EmbraceBook Two: EnticeBook Three: EmblazeBook Four: EndlessBook Five: Empower
Love is a Curse: A mystery lying buried. A love story for the ages
by Keith Stuart'A modern Gothic novel unlike any other, about love and loss echoing through the ages. Sad, sweet, funny and hopeful' --- Emilia Hart (author of Weyward)From acclaimed author Keith Stuart, author of A Boy Made of Blocks and The Frequency of Us, comes a daring and unique story of heartbreak and hope.A single sentence was all it took to define Cammy's life. They came as her beloved artist aunt was dying, a teenage Cammy standing by her bedside: 'Did your mother ever tell you about the curse?'Cammy is warned that the women in her family are destined always to lose the one they love. She thinks nothing of it - until the day when, in her late twenties, her new boyfriend is hit by a car. Convinced she is to blame, Cammy begins to investigate the one-hundred-and-fifty-year story of a family that is both ordinary and remarkable, tragic and beautiful.But is the curse real, or is there an answer lurking in the letters, diaries and paintings of generations of women whose hearts were broken?'An original yet entirely universal story - sweeping in its scale, yet sweet-tempered, moving, and just the right amount of spooky. I loved it' --- Samuel Burr (author of The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers)'Love Is a Curse uses Gothic so cleverly. I binged the ending in one sitting and was absolutely gripped (and may have had a tear or two in my eye!)' --- Sarah Brooks (author of The Cautious Traveller's Guide to the Wasteland)READERS ARE IN LOVE WITH LOVE IS A CURSE'One minute I'm on the edge of my seat and the next I'm reaching for tissues. Love, love, LOVED IT!'READER REVIEW⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'Full of twists and drama and all you need from a good book, a fantastic novel once again bravo!!!'READER REVIEW⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'This has to be my favourite of Keith Stuart's novels so far. It is an absolute celebration of the pursuit of love through adversity'READER REVIEW⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'This whole book is an entire feeling. It's raw, gothic, suspenseful, thought provoking and an emotional read. Loved it'READER REVIEW⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'Stuart has a gift for storytelling. Not a word is wasted and it reads beautifully.'READER REVIEW⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'I loved this book. It had everything, suspense, horror, love. You name it this book had it!'READER REVIEW⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'What a fantastic read, everything you'd expect from Keith Stuart and more'READER REVIEW⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'Very well written, with great characters, in whom you become fully invested'READER REVIEW⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Graveyard Gothic
by Eric Parisot, David McAllister and Xavier Aldana ReyesGraveyard Gothic is the first sustained consideration of the graveyard as a key Gothic locale. This volume examines various iterations of the Gothic graveyard (and other burial sites) from the eighteenth century to the twenty-first, as expressed in numerous forms of culture and media including poetry, fiction, TV, film and video games. The volume also extends its geographic scope beyond British traditions to accommodate multiple cultural perspectives, including those from the US, Mexico, Japan, Australia, India and Eastern Europe. The seventeen chapters from key international Gothic scholars engage a range of theoretical frameworks, including the historical, material, colonial, political and religious. With a critical introduction offering a platform for further scholarship and a coda mapping potential future critical and cultural developments, Graveyard Gothic is a landmark volume defining a new area of Gothic studies.
Graveyard Gothic
by Eric Parisot David McAllister Xavier Aldana ReyesGraveyard Gothic is the first sustained consideration of the graveyard as a key Gothic locale. This volume examines various iterations of the Gothic graveyard (and other burial sites) from the eighteenth century to the twenty-first, as expressed in numerous forms of culture and media including poetry, fiction, TV, film and video games. The volume also extends its geographic scope beyond British traditions to accommodate multiple cultural perspectives, including those from the US, Mexico, Japan, Australia, India and Eastern Europe. The seventeen chapters from key international Gothic scholars engage a range of theoretical frameworks, including the historical, material, colonial, political and religious. With a critical introduction offering a platform for further scholarship and a coda mapping potential future critical and cultural developments, Graveyard Gothic is a landmark volume defining a new area of Gothic studies.
The City of Brass: A Novel (The Daevabad Trilogy #1)
by null Shannon ChakrabortyDiscover this spellbinding debut from Sunday Times bestseller S.A. Chakraborty. ‘An extravagant feast of a book – spicy and bloody, dizzyingly magical, and still, somehow, utterly believable’ Laini Taylor, Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author Among the bustling markets of eighteenth century Cairo, the city’s outcasts eke out a living swindling rich Ottoman nobles and foreign invaders alike. But alongside this new world the old stories linger. Tales of djinn and spirits. Of cities hidden among the swirling sands of the desert, full of enchantment, desire and riches. Where magic pours down every street, hanging in the air like dust. Many wish their lives could be filled with such wonder, but not Nahri. She knows the trades she uses to get by are just tricks and sleights of hand: there’s nothing magical about them. She only wishes to one day leave Cairo, but as the saying goes… Be careful what you wish for.
Mister Magic: A dark nostalgic supernatural thriller from the New York Times bestselling author of Hide
by Kiersten WhiteWho is Mister Magic? Former child stars reunite to uncover the tragedy that ended their show - and discover the secret of its enigmatic host - in this dark supernatural thriller from the No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of Hide. Thirty years after a tragic accident shut down production of the classic children's program Mister Magic, the five surviving cast members have done their best to move on. But just as generations of cultishly devoted fans still cling to the lessons they learned from the show, the cast, known as the Circle of Friends, have spent their lives searching for the happiness they felt while they were on it. The friendship. The feeling of belonging. And the protection of Mister Magic.But with no surviving video of the show, no evidence of who directed or produced it, and no records of who - or what - the beloved host actually was, memories are all the former circle of friends have.Then a twist of fate brings the castmates back together at the remote desert filming compound that feels like it's been waiting for them all this time. Even though they haven't seen each other for years, they somehow understand one another better than anyone has since.After all, they're the only ones who hold the secret of that circle, the mystery of the magic man in his infinitely black cape, and, maybe, the answers to what really happened on that deadly last day. But as the Circle of Friends reclaim parts of their past, they begin to wonder: Are they here by choice, or have they been lured into a trap?Because magic never forgets the taste of your friendship. . . .
The Nightingale's Castle: A thrillingly evocative and page-turning gothic historical novel for fans of Stacey Halls and Susan Stokes-Chapman
by Sonia Velton'I was blown away by this dark, enchanting story of witchcraft, power and injustice. ..nothing short of brilliant' Mary ChamberlainErzsébet Báthory, whose infamous place in history characterises her as the 'Blood Countess', was accused of the murder of over 600 peasant girls in Hungary, 1610. The Nightingale's Castle tells the story of a woman fighting for her survival and the complicated, often cruel, household over which she presides.Praise for The Nightingale's Castle'Moving, fascinating and haunting.. A mesmerising combination of gothic horror and elegant restraint' Francesca De Tores, author of Saltblood'Gripping... a fascinating exploration of women's struggle to have their truth heard' Louise O'NeillIn 1573, Countess Erzsébet Báthory gave birth to an illegitimate child. The infant, a girl, was swiftly bundled up and handed to a local peasant family to be brought up in one of the hamlets surrounding the Castle. Many years later, 15-year-old Boróka reluctantly leaves the safety of the only home she has ever known in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. Trusted members of the countess's household have been sent out to gather new serving girls, and the kindly old man who has taken care of Boróka for almost all her life knows that it is dangerous to turn them away.Boróka struggles to find her place at Cachtice Castle: she is frightened of the countess's reputation as an alleged murderer of young girls, and the women who run the castle are terrifyingly cruel. When plague comes into the heart of the castle, a tentative bond begins to form between Boróka and the Countess Báthory. But powerful forces are moving against a woman whose wealth poses such a threat to the king: can the countess really trust the women who are so close to her? And when the show trial begins against the infamous 'Blood Countess' where will Boróka's loyalties lie?
Woodworm
by Layla Martinez‘Tense, chilling’ Mariana Enriquez, author of Our Share of Night'Lays bare intergenerational horror, feminine rage and the taking back of power' StylistThe house breathes.The house contains bodies and secrets.The house is visited by ghosts, by angels that line the roof like insects, and by saints that burn the bedsheets with their haloes. It was built by a small-time hustler as a means of controlling his wife, and even after so many years, their daughter and her granddaughter can’t leave.They may be witches or they may just be angry, but when the mysterious disappearance of a young boy draws unwanted attention, the two isolated women, already subjects of public scorn, combine forces with the spirits that haunt them in pursuit of something that resembles justice.Layla Martínez’s eerie debut novel Woodworm is class-conscious horror that drags generations of monsters into the sun.Translated by Sophie Hughes and Annie McDermott
A Promise of Peridot: An addictive enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance (The Sacred Stones, Book 2) (Sacred Stones)
by Kate GoldenFrom Kate Golden, author of the instant bestseller and viral phenomenon A Dawn of Onyx, comes the next seductive, sweeping, action-packed installment in her addictive Sacred Stones trilogy.A prophecy of death. A weapon of hope. A sacrifice of love.Arwen Valondale is sailing for the mysterious Kingdom of Citrine after the battle of Siren's Bay. Reeling from shocking revelations and her newfound powers, Arwen directs all of her pain and rage toward the man who betrayed her: King Kane Ravenwood.Kane's presence is unavoidable as he travels with Arwen and her friends to seek the Blade of the Sun, a legendary weapon inextricably tied to her fate and the future of the realm. Even an uneasy truce proves difficult as Arwen fights against her unresolved feelings for Kane, who is willing to become darkness itself to protect her.As Arwen faces creatures, foes, and magic beyond her wildest imaginings, she must discover the secrets of her past to defeat the monstrous Fae king Lazarus. But finding the light within might mean the death of her and everyone she loves.
The Sword Unbound: Book two in the Lands of the Firstborn trilogy (Lands of the Firstborn)
by Gareth HanrahanHe thought he was saving the world. That was his first mistake.Twenty years ago, Alf and his companions defeated the Dark Lord and claimed his city. Now, those few of the Nine that remain find themselves unwilling rebels, defying the authority of both the mortal lords they once served and the immortal king of the elves - the secret architect of everything they've ever known. Once lauded as a mighty hero, Alf is now labelled a traitor and hunted by the very gods he fights to bring down. As desperate rebellion blazes across the land, Alf seeks the right path through a maze of conspiracy, wielding a weapon of evil. The black sword Spellbreaker, ever hungry for slaughter, has found its purpose in these dark days. But can Aelfric remain a hero, or is his legend tarnished forever?The Sword Unbound continues Gareth Hanrahan's acclaimed epic fantasy series of dark myth, daring warriors and bloodthirsty vengeance.Praise for The Sword Defiant:'The front runner for my book of the year . . . Fans of Gemmell and Abercrombie need this on their shelves' Ed McDonald, author of Blackwing'With a richly detailed narrative, well-drawn characters, epic battles, and political and religious intrigues, Hanrahan's outstanding first outing in the Lands of the Firstborn series will thrill fantasy readers - who will anxiously await the next book'Booklist'Both a love letter and evolution of the epic fantasy novel . . . The Sword Defiant is an epic tale of how no world stands still forever . . . Highly recommended!Run Along the Shelves'Hanrahan is one of the best in the business at creating fantasy worlds that feel alive . . . I'll read any book that Gareth Hanrahan writes'The Fantasy Inn
The Burnings
by Naomi Kelsey‘I was mesmerised’ LAURA SHEPPERSON, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Heroines
Pretty Monsters
by Kelly LinkWeird, wicked, spooky and delicious, PRETTY MONSTERS is a book of tall tales to keep you up all night. Blending fairytale, fantasy, horror, myth and mischief in a delicious cocktail, Kelly Link creates a world like no other, where ghosts of girlfriends past rub up against Scrabble-loving grandmothers with terrifying magic handbags, wizards sit alongside morbid babysitters, and we encounter a people-eating monster who claims to have a sense of humour. Combining the imaginative brilliance of Borges with the madcap escapades of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and more than a pinch of macabre humour, this is writing to come back from the dead for.
The Cutting Room (Canons)
by Louise Welsh'Unputdownable' Sunday Times 'I was hooked from page one' Guardian When Rilke, a dissolute auctioneer, comes upon a hidden collection of violent and highly disturbing photographs, he feels compelled to discover more about the deceased owner who coveted them. Soon he finds himself sucked into an underworld of crime, depravity and secret desire, fighting for his life.
The Good Daughter: The chilling Southern gothic thriller you won’t be able to put down
by Laure Van RensburgDISCOVER THE TRUTH ABOUT THE GOOD DAUGHTER IN THIS UNPUTDOWNABLE THRILLER . . .'A stark, stunning and deeply affecting thriller. The Good Daughter takes a tender, chilling look at family and fear, the illusion of safety and the power of inner-resolve. I loved it'CHRIS WHITAKER'A powerful Southern Gothic thriller about the dangers of blind faith, the strength of women, and the deceptive nature of memory' ANNA BAILEY'Laure Van Rensurg has established herself as a master of the literary thriller. An eerie, chilling, gorgeously written novel that is unafraid to challenge and question its subject matter' LAURIE ELIZABETH FLYNNAbigail is a proud member of the New America Baptist Church. Living miles away from the nearest town in South Carolina, she is safe from the depraved modern world.She is a good daughter. A valued member of the community.So when she is the sole survivor of a fire that burns her family's home to the ground, it seems like a tragic accident.Until a surprising discovery is made: before the fire, Abigail let a stranger in.Who was the stranger? What started the fire? And was the outside world always the threat - or did danger lurk within the community's walls?PRAISE FOR LAURE VAN RENSBURG'Reads like a glossy 90s thriller . . . OBSESSED' JUNO DAWSON'Not to be missed' EVENING STANDARD'Fresh & sharp. It grips like a vice' WILL DEAN'Brutal, tense, utterly compelling, Laure Van Rensburg is an electrifying new voice' LOUISE O'NEILL
Dracula (Oxford World's Classics)
by Bram Stoker'it was butcher work...the horrid screeching as the stake drove home; the plunging of writhing form, and lips of bloody foam' Bram Stoker's 1897 Gothic shocker introduced Count Dracula to the world, an ancient creature bent on bringing his contagion to London, the very heart of the British Empire. Only a handful of men and women stand between Dracula and his long-cherished goal, but they are vulnerable and weak against the cunning and supernatural powers of the Count and his legions. As the horrifying story unfolds in the diaries and letters of young Jonathan Harker, Lucy, Mina, and Dr Seward, Dracula will be victorious unless his nemesis Professor Van Helsing can persuade them that monsters still lurk in the era of electric light. The most famous of all vampire stories, Dracula is a mirror of its age, its underlying themes of race, religion, science, superstition, and sexuality never far from the surface. A compelling read, rattling along at break-neck speed, it is a modern classic. This new edition includes Stoker's companion piece, 'Dracula's Guest'. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
The Silence Factory
by null Bridget CollinsThe whole world disappears when you enter THE SILENCE FACTORY 'I loved it. A delicately woven novel with an utterly original premise, it ensnared me from the very first page' EMILIA HART GLOWING READER REVIEWS ‘Dark, compelling, fantastical and absorbing, Bridget Collins has done it again. Highly recommended' ‘Wholly original and unexpected… you are in the hands of a story telling master' ‘A splendid work of imagination, almost magical in places, but darkly realistic in others, and a great read' Henry dreams of silence. A world without the clattering of carriages through cobbled streets, the distant cries of drunken brawls, the relentless ticking of the clock. Then he meets a fascinating, mysterious gentleman who sells just that. Precious silk that can drown out the clamour of the world – and everything Henry is so desperate to escape. Summoned to Sir Edward’s secluded factory to try to cure his young daughter’s deafness, Henry is soon drawn deeper and deeper into the origins of this otherworldly gift: a gift that has travelled from ancient Mediterranean glades to English libraries. Ignoring repeated warnings from the girl's secretive governess, he allows himself to fall under the spell of Sir Edward and his silk… but when he learns its true cost, will it be too late to turn back? From the #1 bestselling author of THE BINDING, this is an enthralling story about complicity, desire and corruption – a novel to lose yourself in.
The Ghosts of Hawkthorn
by Stephanie CotelaHawkthorn's underground tunnels are heaving with secrets but that's not all they're hiding. Twelve-year-old eco-activist turned detective Ava Frylander doesn't remember falling over the cliffs into the raging waterfall at Laureleaf Park. All she knows is, Tony is dead and it wasn't an accident. She braves Hawkthorn's grungy underground tunnels, where, according to local legend, souls of the recently departed roam - hoping to conjure her best friend's ghost and identify his killer. There she spies spectral thugs dressed in old-timey clothes before being chased out by a groaning black shadow. When she's chased off by a groaning black shadow, Ava manages to escape, but she's not the only one who emerges from the tunnels.