Lee Allen's Blog - Posts Tagged "supernatural-thriller"

The Outsider by Stephen King

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A gripping cocktail of police procedural and supernatural thriller from master of horror, Stephen King.

Detective Ralph Anderson is investigating a shocking child murder. The solution to the case appears clear-cut – forensic evidence and multiple witnesses point unequivocally to local baseball coach, Terry Maitland. Following a public arrest in front of the entire town, Terry swears his innocence, claiming to have been miles away when the crime took place. Of course, Ralph and DA Bill Samuels are unconvinced, given the evidence against him, making preparations for Terry’s arraignment.

Yet inconsistencies are beginning to worry Ralph. Meanwhile, Terry’s attorney enlists his own investigator to confirm Terry’s alibi. Evidence surfaces that appears to confirm the impossible – Terry was in two places at the same time. Deeply troubled, Ralph’s concerns grow as a large crowd gathers at Terry’s arraignment, baying for blood. Becoming increasingly out of control, it erupts with disastrous consequences – leaving Ralph battling with more questions, to which he is determined to find the answers.

So continues an investigation that will lead Ralph to question everything he believes, becoming part of a small group of people determined to uncover what led to the brutal murder of a child and how the impossible becomes possible.

As always with Stephen King’s novels, the reader is taken on a journey, one that develops at breakneck speed, but that pulls you in so deeply that you are immersed in the rich detail of the story and the lives of the multiple characters you meet along the way.

Holly Gibney, co-star of the Bill Hodges trilogy (Mr. Mercedes; Finders Keepers; End of Watch) makes a return, working alongside Ralph and the group of men to uncover the truth of the horror they face, challenging them all to suspend their disbelief to stop a powerful evil from escaping. Holly is a great character, always endearing, diligent, and still a little uncomfortable in her own skin. Painstakingly, she unpicks the mystery, steeped in recent crimes and folklore, getting them closer and closer to the villain that lurks in the shadows. But the evil is always one step ahead and will do all it can to protect itself.

Building to a tense showdown as the group uncover the truth, ‘The Outsider’ is thrilling and intense, a tale of good versus evil in our conflicted modern world.



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The Meadows by London Clarke

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A gothic supernatural chiller to haunt your waking moments.

Scarlett DeHaven plans to start life afresh, focusing on her songwriting and new business venture, leaving her history of addiction behind. Moving to a remote town, she purchases a property with plans to open a bed and breakfast. But Asphodel House has a disturbing history, one that haunts it from every nook and cranny.

The strange atmosphere of the house rapidly unsettles Scarlett and she begins to feel, hear and see anomalies she fears may not be real, while the prospect of them being real is more terrifying still. With its history of brutal murders, reports of paranormal activity, and its use by a cult purporting to be vampires, in the present day the Meadows poses a threat to Scarlett’s sanity.

As she descends back into addiction she hoped to escape, Scarlett desperately searches for answers, finding help from demonologist Hunter Massabrook, who has his own history with the house. But as forces of darkness coagulate around Asphodel House, it becomes clear that whatever malign scheme has played out within its walls has not yet come to its conclusion and no one who has been touched by its shadow is safe.

London Clarke’s first volume of the ‘Legacy of Darkness’ is a gripping, thrilling delight for fans of gothic horror – with its setting of a lonely, secluded property haunted by malign entities that may be demonic or spirits of the dead; the mysterious cult, calling themselves the Colony, which may or may not exist, while its members may or may not be vampires; a group of outsiders, aliens in this secluded spot, meeting an array of locals, some portraying their fair share of eccentricities.

Creative, troubled and aspiring for a new start, Scarlett is a splendid central character – at times endearing and at others difficult to relate to, perfectly capturing the jarring nature of a relationship with an addict, as both an observer and from Scarlett’s own perspective. Her mistrust of her own recollections and emotions heightens the mystery and suspense that envelope every twist and turn of the plot, as it propels towards its conclusion and the secrets of the Meadows are finally unveiled.

With its host of well-drawn characters, gothic imagery and lightning-paced plotting, the novel takes inspiration from the classics to conjure a contemporary tale of unease. By the time I closed the book on the final page, I was already very excited to delve into ‘Whickering Place’, London Clarke's second volume in the ‘Legacy of Darkness’ trilogy.

Gothic and atmospheric, ‘The Meadows’ is a well-crafted and thrilling paranormal horror novel, demonstrating the allure of the supernatural remains as resolutely unshakeable as the walls of Asphodel House itself.



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"I veered between a desperate longing to taste every inch of you and a creeping, cold fear as I saw your eyes glow out of the darkness."

This month's spotlight is on short story "Prisoner", an erotic occult prison thriller.

Behind the Story

Under the working title 'Ménage à Trois', 'Prisoner' was the second of three short stories I originally planned for 'Whispers from the Dead of Night' and the fourth of the seven that I wrote.

Exploring psychological elements alongside supernatural themes, it follows a prison officer who performs a ritual to summon a succubus, subsequently developing an obsessive desire for the new prison governor.

Much like when writing 'Bitten', I was inspired by erotic thrillers while working on this story. It was also important to include a strong female character in a position of power. Despite her being the 'object' of desire, her position served the dual purpose of, firstly, not following cliches of how victims may be portrayed, and, secondly, not demonstrating the manipulators and aggressors as always being powerful men.
With demonic influence lurking in the background, throughout remains the constant question as to which of them is truly the victim in this game of power and seduction.
Including scenes of stalking and explicit sex and violence, this is one of the most graphic stories in the collection. Beneath the surface bubbles the mystery at its heart, culminating in a brutal burst of violence at the point of revelation.

As I often try to do with my stories, there are elements of danger presented by both human and otherworldly agents, with psychological undercurrents that leave you to question what is real and what may be imagined, and what may truly be lurking out there in the dark.

Ensure all your windows and doors are locked, shut out the darkness of the night, and dive into this tale of a sexual obsession, spiralling out of control...
___

A mysterious book holds the key to a world of unexplored pleasure at the hands of a goddess of the night.

From the moment I saw you, I could not get you out of my head. I must experience you, all of you. Yet you terrify me.

I know you will pursue me until the end. Unless I am able to destroy you first.

"There were no questions in your deep blue eyes, in the shadows that played over your face. You knew why I had come."

*Note to Readers: Includes descriptions of an explicit and potentially triggering nature*

Opening Scene

Monday

The book quivered in my hands, light glistening off the snake-skin cover. I stroked the lining, down the spine and around the tight binding. The black page edges were smooth as silk. I splayed my fingers over the skin, pulling open the hardcover, parting the delicate pages, which came apart with a gentle elastic pop where adhesive held them together. I pulled back the first page. There she was, nude, kneeling, legs parted, black pubic hair glistening, alluring. Hands rested on muscular thighs, shoulders back, the curve of her back meeting the bulge of her buttocks. Her breasts were heavy between her upper arms, dark nipples erect. Dark hair flowed down her back, two horns protruding from the top of her head and curling around her skull. Her eyes glowed as red as her mouth; lips parted in knowing seduction. She looked at me, captivating me with that look, with her body.

My fingers traced her face, her breasts, her thighs. I was tense, my breathing shallow. She could hurt me, damage me, but I didn’t care. I lifted the book to my face and breathed in the scent. The adhesive was intoxicating. There was another scent beneath it. Carnal. Woman.

Eagerly, I flicked through the pages, my tired eyes battling with this hunger. The small, neat print floated across my vision, my fingers caressing the hardcover edges, enjoying the friction. I could fight desire no longer, knowing the wait was almost over. I turned back to the front page, tracing the edges and curves of her body with my forefinger.

I tucked the book away in the bottom drawer of the cabinet, turning the key and then pocketing it. I crept into the bedroom, undressing and preparing for bed in the en-suite. Kayleigh was still sleeping when I crawled into bed. She woke when I entered her, letting the tension of the day flow from me.

I dreamt of her that night, a bounty of flesh, dark hair, gleaming eyes. I was the serpent and I fed on her, sweet as fruit.
___

Available as part of the original "Whispers from the Dead of Night" short story collection in ebook and paperback and the deluxe collection in ebook, paperback and hardcover.

Order "Whispers from the Dead of Night"
Order "Whispers from the Dead of Night - The Deluxe Collection"

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My Best Friend's Exorcism by Grady Hendrix

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A tale of demonic horror and the everlasting power of friendship.

As children, Abby and Gretchen become firm friends, experiencing the beginning of their teenage lives joined at the hip, riding the waves of their adolescence together as the years go by, their shared bond one that only childhood best friends can have.

One night, with the freedom of a parent-free zone and a concoction of substances at a friend's lakeside home, carefree skinny-dipping takes a sinister turn when Gretchen is lost deep in the woods until daylight.

Following the incident, she no longer seems quite herself. Battling mysterious and degenerative ailments, she is becoming lost, a repulsive relic of her former self. But Abby refuses to give up on her friend, the stakes becoming ever higher in the ensuing battle for Gretchen's soul.

Packed with 80s nostalgia and lashings of supernatural horror, 'My Best Friend's Exorcism' is a rip-roaring horror novel that clutches hold of you from its opening line, holding you in its grasp throughout each of its tightly-plotted, rollercoaster chapters. At its core, this is a character-driven story, the teenagers and the adults in their orbit impeccably portrayed. The narrative focuses on the friendship between Abby and Gretchen - we are with them throughout the development of their years of friendship, an emotive foundation for the horrors that are to be unleashed, as much a coming-of-age story as it is of horror.

The frothy glitz and sense of fun we've come to associate with the 80s is marinated throughout the prose, each chapter marked by a classic song, the atmosphere dripping in suspense and sudden bursts of violent drama reminiscent of the era's height of slasher movies and supernatural thrillers. This is vivid storytelling, the visual imagery and music as prominent as the angst-ridden undercurrents and terror of the unknowable, combining to create a deep and dizzying spectacle that is as much felt as it is read.

Dark and light in equal measure, the novel blends scenes of revulsion with humour, trauma with heart-warming moments, delving into its themes of love and faith and how they are tested to the limits, bringing with it a fresh perspective to this niche of the genre and building a truly human tale of perseverance in the face of adversity and the battle of overcome relentless evil. Truly absorbing and entertaining, this was a non-stop thrill ride of a book, like a party you just don't want to end, which I devoured in one weekend. This was the first novel by Grady Hendrix that I've read and it certainly won't be the last.

Vivid and visceral, 'My Best Friend's Exorcism' is a gripping horror novel that will delight and disturb in equal measure.



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"As the monastery swallowed the last morsel of daylight, he didn't notice the murder of magpies gathering on the roof and window ledges..."

As the countdown to Hallowe'en begins, this month's spotlight is on short story "Bluebell", a tale of present-day haunting and historical mystery.

Behind the Story

Part of the concept for "Bluebell" first came to me many years ago. I was on my way to a date and thinking of a new crime story, the title and the twist already formed, considering the idea of a date as the hook, a man trying to move on but haunted by the unsolved disappearance of his wife. As I walked, a single magpie flew past and landed ahead of me. Those elements coalesced and remained linked in my mind.

I returned to "Bluebell" several years later when working on my short story collection. I combined the original crime story with gothic horror and a historical mystery to be solved from the present day, with a streak of feminism running through the tale. Probably the most traditionally gothic story in the collection, with the crumbling presence of the monastery ever-looming, it is set on Hallowe'en night and also serves as a love letter to autumn.

"Bluebell" was the final story I wrote of the seven featured in "Whispers from the Dead of Night". I remember writing the final words and the incredible sense of achievement and excitement I felt at that moment. Perhaps due in part to this, if I had to choose my favourite or the story of which I'm most proud among those short stories, it would probably be this one.

Let the chill of autumn pull you into its embrace and get yourself a warm drink, ready to join me for mystery, romance, and an investigation into a haunted monastery...
___

"Now the monastery's secrets were for all to find, if they could decipher the clues left under the weight of years gone by."

An investigation into a haunted monastery...

During a chance meeting, Emily and David arrange their first date. Despite the chill of autumn, the hope of romance is in the air.

But David cannot escape the visions of a wraith haunting his step, while Emily's fascination with a crumbling monastery may lead her into jeopardy.

For it is Hallowe'en night, when the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest, and the past and present collide...
___

Opening Scene

The decaying remnants of a life long ago lived stood at the peak of a gentle slope, descending to a field at the front and woodland at the rear. The church tower and lopsided walls framed the façade, while the ghost of the moon’s glow filtered through the cracked stonework. Stars winked through hollow windows.

The wind strummed the weeds and grass that had grown around the gravestones that lined the inner wall of the garth like soldiers. Percussive against the weathered stone, it drummed its beat along with a whistling accompaniment through the cracks in the crumbling stone.

So it had stood and played its melodies for centuries, more shrivelled year by year, but ever present. Sometimes, it sounded as if nature’s tunes were accompanied by a choir singing, the harmony not of the wind, but voices, once human but no longer. In years past, the locals steered clear of the ruins by night, still wary by day.

As the years fell away, the fear was forgotten, relegated to myth, the choir now a campfire tale. Many sought out the ruins to listen for it. Few could claim honestly to have heard it.

So it was that many a still night lit by the moon would not be greeted by music or the voices of a choir. The wind rocked against the plants, rustling tree branches, leaves floating to the ground. The moonlight shone through the broken roof and walls, lighting the windowless voids from within. In a rear window, a shadow moved, framed in the moonlight. Its shape appeared human, perhaps possessed by something that once was. But there was no one there to see it.

Want to continue reading? "Bluebell" is available as part of the original "Whispers from the Dead of Night" short story collection in ebook and paperback and the deluxe collection in ebook, paperback and hardcover.

Order "Whispers from the Dead of Night"
Order "Whispers from the Dead of Night - The Deluxe Collection"

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Whickering Place by London Clarke

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A traumatised young woman becomes an unwitting legatee of darkness in this gripping paranormal thriller.

Whickering Place presents a new chapter in Avery's life, following unexpectedly inheriting the estate. Having suffered with agoraphobia for years following an attack that killed her boyfriend, Avery struggles to adapt to her new environment.

As she learns more about her deceased father and his home, she begins to experience strange and unsettling incidents, which may be preternatural in origin.

As the darkness surrounding Whickering Place intensifies, Avery discovers its secrets, some of which may prove impossible to escape.

'Whickering Place' is the second volume in London Clarke's 'Legacy of Darkness' trilogy, following 'The Meadows'. Both a standalone supernatural horror thriller following Avery's experiences after inheriting the eponymous property and another chapter in the history of The Colony, the vampire cult with links to murder and corruption, it immediately immerses you in its atmosphere of classic gothic horror through a modern lens, a well-crafted chiller that will keep you hooked late into the night.

Avery is a brilliant gothic heroine - vulnerable, traumatised, struggling with her mental health - her own demons and past experiences haunting her, making for a perfect storm with the supernatural activity in the house she inherits from her father. Gothic and horror fiction surrounding hauntings is at its best when it crosses into psychological horror territory and no one can quite trust what they are experiencing to be true or if their own senses are betraying them.

Along with the house, Avery inherits two tenants, brothers, both of whom she finds herself attracted to - one kind and dependable, the other mysterious and hiding dark secrets. Having been a recluse for so many years, they are the first people with whom she develops emotional connections in a long time, through which she finds herself facing her past and battling her mental health issues, now with more to lose than ever before.

We also delve deeper into the history and practices of vampire cult The Colony, their rituals of murder and sacrifice and the evil at its core, as they gather around Whickering Place and wish to claim it for their own. With flourishes of romance, a creeping, haunting atmosphere, entwined with glimpses of an investigation into a series of brutal murders, London Clarke has combined multiple elements to create an absorbing supernatural thriller, dripping in suspense.

The novel concludes with a tantalising glimpse of how the story will continue, leaving us in anticipation of 'Nocturne House', which concludes the trilogy.



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If It Bleeds by Stephen King

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A spine-tingling compendium of supernatural horrors.

'If It Bleeds' is a collection of four horror novellas by Stephen King, each a compelling tale featuring captivating characters, immersive plotting and richly detailed prose, exploring death and the supernatural, love and loss, good and evil.

“Mr. Harrigan's Phone”
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In a poignant, creeping tale in the tradition of classic horror concepts with a modern twist, Craig befriends his eccentric and reclusive neighbour, Mr Harrigan, who, despite a successful career, wishes to spend his retirement disconnected from human advancements. Craig gifts him a mobile phone, introducing him to the wonders of modern technology...
The relationship that develops between the two characters is touching, the elderly man's death leading to some emotional moments; before the strange and uncanny begins after Craig leaves his gift in Mr. Harrigan's coffin. As anyone who has ever lost someone knows, the desire to reach out and speak to them one last time is overpowering. But when Craig calls the phone, he of course doesn't really expect it to be answered. But it is...
A moving tale, pondering the relentless power of technology juxtaposed with the ancient question of what exists beyond the grave.

“Life of Chuck”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A three-act tragedy told in reverse, of the significance of one man to the fate of the world...
A beautifully told story on the philosophy of life, beginning with an apocalyptic chapter as the world goes dark and Chuck's face appears to everyone as the end draws near. Travelling back in time, through the magic of music and dance, into Chuck's childhood, we get to know Chuck and the key events of his life from the end to the beginning, in a heart-wrenching obituary examining the true magnitude and potential of just one human life, and how significant they are in their everyday ordinary way because they love and are loved.
When someone dies, an entire world dies with them. But despite this horror, how enchanting it was that they - that we - have lived.

“If It Bleeds”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Holly Gibney returns to hunt another ancient, supernatural entity that feeds on the pain and torment of humanity...
A thrilling piece of paranormal detective fiction, a sequel to the 'Bill Hodges Trilogy' and specifically 'The Outsider', building on the mythology of the latter as Holly identifies a similarly parasitic and sadistic Outsider, who is moving from simply feeding on suffering to causing it. Holly's character has steadily developed throughout her previous four appearances and she now takes centre-stage, considering the philosophy of evil while preparing for a final battle with a predator. Gripping and suspenseful, the novella builds to a brilliantly realised conclusion, a perfect companion and sequel to the novel.
In our world of tragedy, war and suffering, this is a particularly striking story - we often witness these horrors through journalism, while none of us avoid exposure to fellow humans who appear to relish in the suffering of others. Despite its supernatural elements, this is a story of everyday human depravity and what can be glimpsed when the mask slips.

“Rat”
⭐⭐⭐⭐
A writer makes a Faustian pact in the hope he can finally finish writing his novel...
King returns to one of his trademark tropes of the tortured writer in isolation slowing losing their mind. Despite his aspirations, Drew has yet to successfully finish the manuscript for a full-length novel. Struck by an idea, he journeys to a remote cabin in the woods, determined to write his book. But the old terrors resurface, until he finds himself faced with an offer that will give him what he most desires - at a price. Toying with themes that have been with us for millennia in our fairy tales and mythology, it concludes the collection with a cautionary note to be careful what you wish for and what sacrifices you are willing to make, how nothing is a replacement for hard work and integrity, and that the cost of one's soul is too high a price to pay.

Overall, 'If It Bleeds' is a thought-provoking and philosophical collection, striking the perfect balance between timely and timeless, exposing the frailty of human life, the shadows of the human mind, the power of the human heart, and the resilience of the human soul. Masterful, sublime storytelling from the King of Horror.



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Ella's Ghost by Sarah Harper

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A captivating supernatural psychological thriller.

Barely surviving a vicious assault by her partner, Ella is left psychologically and physically wounded, feeling lost and alone.

Haunted by the abuse and fearing she truly cannot escape him and this toxicity masquerading as love, Ella attempts suicide.

Saved by the intervention of an entity, Ella is left questioning her own sanity, wondering whether something has truly reached across the veil to save her life.

'Ella's Ghost' is the debut novel by Sarah Harper, a psychological thriller with fusions of the supernatural, exploring the devastating impact of domestic abuse and the healing power of connection. An intense and gripping novel; we are plunged immediately into the visceral violence as a fearful Ella is attacked by her partner, barely left alive. Heartbreaking and superbly written, this is part crime thriller, part supernatural mystery, part survival story, with touches of romance and humour to balance the darkness of themes and events.

Harper delves deep into the insidious nature of abusive relationships, superbly captured in the first few chapters - the subtle pushing of boundaries, the manipulation of perception and empathy; the simplicity of twisting what on the surface mimics something benign, innocent and reasonable, but is truthfully moulding a perception that being controlled is normal and everyday. Through Ella, we experience the dizzying polarisation of aggression and affection, the abuser’s profuse apologies after "mistakes" and claiming the role of the victim for themselves; the obsessiveness and possessiveness; the criticism, planting and weaponising insecurities, wearing a victim down psychologically through gaslighting and the distillation of fear, escalating to violence and sadistic cruelty; and the devastating impact on mental health, physical wellbeing, and safety.

The supernatural twist takes the story in an unexpected direction, one that is enriching and sublime. Throughout her attack and its aftermath, something has been trying to reach out to Ella. Feeling entirely alone, haunted by her trauma and the spectre of her partner, Ella attempts to take her own life. This proximity to death brings into sharp focus the spirit that has been trying to reach her. Ben is himself haunted, his life having been ripped from him suddenly and cruelly. He barely acknowledges his death. Together, they embark on a journey of introspection, self-discovery, and healing.

Harper has developed a stunning, intricately woven narrative, a rich and moving tale of lost souls, both living and dead. The relationship that develops between Ella and Ben is heartwarming and beautiful. Even in death, Ben’s spirit touches Ella in a way she has never known, teaching her how love truly feels – gentle, kind, and protective. Mystery is threaded throughout, as Ben discovers his purpose for why his spirit remains, his unfinished business, and how he and Ella’s fates are inextricably linked. Perhaps they were always destined to meet, in one way or another.

The hauntings, indeed Ella’s ghosts, are both figurative and literal, psychological and spiritual; we explore how one doesn’t have to be dead to be living in Purgatory, how a harrowing of Hell can be psychological as well as spiritual. This is a story about living with abuse, surviving abuse, and healing from abuse; as well as the desire for justice – the power of karma, and striving for retribution and redemption; and the hope for a life after survival. Even when all seems lost, that glimmer of love can save you from despair, healing the lingering scars of abuse, trauma and fear, and, perhaps, even death itself.

Compelling and hard-hitting, ‘Ella’s Ghost’ is an incredible debut novel; a powerful, impactful tale of survival. I will be eagerly awaiting more books by Sarah Harper in the future.



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