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The Shadow Fabric

(The Shadow Fabric)

Mark Cassell (Goodreads Author)

3.82 · Rating details · 82 ratings · 28 reviews

Leo remembers little of his past. Desperate for a new life, he snatches up the first job to come along. On his second day he witnesses a murder, and the Shadow Fabric – a malevolent force that controls the darkness – takes the body and vanishes with it. Uncovering secrets long hidden from humankind, Leo’s memory unravels. Not only haunted by the past, a sinister presence w ...more

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Kindle Edition, 340 pages

Published October 31st 2014 by Herbs House (first published October 18th 2014)

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· 82 ratings · 28 reviews

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May 02, 2016 Nev Murray rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 300-400-read, confessions-comp, 2016

"One thing is for sure. I will definitely be reading more of Mark Cassell. His writing is extremely good. The way his words flow should put many other authors to shame and to be honest, there are a few who should read this book to see exactly how intelligent writing is done. I think they will pick up some valuable tips."

See here for the full review:

The Shadow Fabric

...more

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Aug 12, 2016 Phillip Stephens rated it really liked it

Shelves: diversion

Every monster in an old fashioned Saturday matinee

Mark Cassell pulls out every stop in his horror thriller The Shadow Fabric, throwing every monster you'd hope to see if you sat down to binge watch a day of horror features. Except vampires. And werewolves. On the other hand, eight million paranormal romances with female leads brooding over vampire v. lycan love turned vampires and werewolves into cuddly plush dolls.

Cassell delivers sorcerers, witches, mad scientists, frankenstein's monsters, rea Every monster in an old fashioned Saturday matinee

Mark Cassell pulls out every stop in his horror thriller The Shadow Fabric, throwing every monster you'd hope to see if you sat down to binge watch a day of horror features. Except vampires. And werewolves. On the other hand, eight million paranormal romances with female leads brooding over vampire v. lycan love turned vampires and werewolves into cuddly plush dolls.

Cassell delivers sorcerers, witches, mad scientists, frankenstein's monsters, reanimated corpses, shapeshifters, flesh-eating zombies, creatures that dwell in the shadows and—best of all—ancient gods looking to rule the world. Deliver that package in 70,000 words, combine it with betrayal, double cross and triple-cross and you have a tightly twisted thriller that will keep readers awake through the night, unable to close the book's covers.

Cassell wraps the entire package in a mystery surrounding his narrator, a man with no memory prior to four years before, a tabula rasa upon which the machinations of the shadow fabric turn. The shadow fabric, it seems, steals the darkness in people's souls to weave a fabric of evil that will pave the way for the a horror that will devour all of humanity. The narrator, Leo's employer Victor, wishes to find the fabric to prevent his return.

Victor and his brother Stanley collect rare antiques in partnership with Leo's patron Goodwin. They consider the shadow fabric one of their finest prizes. Unfortunately, when a vagrant surrenders the Fabric to Victor, the Fabric compels Victor to murder his brother, launching a string of catastrophic events that unleashes the forces of darkness and the undead.

Everyone except Leo has been keeping secrets. Leo might be, he just doesn't remember what his are. He partners with Victor and Isidore, a first class thief, to recover the fabric before its power grows too large to contain.

Cassell understands pulp—fat, juicy and hurled against a wall to drip in all its gory delight. No literary pretense, this is slash an burn with visceral terror from page one when Victor slams his knife into his brother Stanley's chest until the last page when all's well that should end well. Only it doesn't.

Will Cassell deliver a sequel? Probably. He offers fans a collection of related short stories, Sinister Stitches. Plop your dime down now. The Shadow Fabric is worth the read.

Rating system:
5 = Delicious dialogue, crisp prose, clever characters & compelling plot
4 = Great read, won't want to stop (Some reviewers rate this 5 stars)
3 = Worth buying (but…)
2 = I will tell you what audience will like this, but other readers might want to look elsewhere
1 = If I review a book this bad I felt seriously compelled to warn you
Phillip T. Stephens is the author of Cigerets, Guns & Beer, Raising Hell and the new release Seeing Jesus. You can follow him @stephens_pt. ...more

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Dec 10, 2014 Chromis rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Mark Cassell's THE SHADOW FABRIC is an outstanding debut. A well-researched and emotionally involved piece, the novel's exciting characters lead us on a terrifying journey of dark discovery.

The story follows the experiences of our baffled and terrified protagonist Leo as his world and the laws that govern it unravel and break apart. Chunks of Leo's memory are missing and, as they return, gradually reconstruct a puzzle that the author disassembled to create his work. Leo's antagonist is a primal ...more

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Mar 28, 2017 Dawn rated it it was amazing

Amazing

Loved this book! Can't wait for the sequel. Vivid characters, a great story and lots of action. Highly recommended by me. ...more

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Apr 18, 2017 Charlotte Munro rated it it was amazing

The Shadow Fabric is a thrilling, fast-paced page turner. An exquisite dark story woven with the brilliant supernatural twist, it leaves no room for error. A mixture of characters that leap off the page with their realistic flaws and personalities.

Mark Cassell has a remarkable way with words and is a riveting story teller and weaver of dark tales. The horror elements were both unnerving and raw, leaving me wanting to find out more yet dare to tread deeper and find the secrets of the Fabric.

Set i ...more

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Feb 08, 2017 Morgan Scorpion rated it it was ok

It just didn't work for me.
I got about one third of the way into it and just wandered off.
Life's too short. ...more

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Oct 15, 2017 Mark M J Green rated it it was amazing

It was an interesting journey that led me to purchasing this book and it all started on twitter when something that I had been mentioned in was re-tweeted by a chap named Mark Cassell. As I often do, I decided to look him up and find out who he was and I soon discovered that he was an author and that he had written a novel that was titled The Shadow Fabric and that it seemed to be garnering some rather good reviews on amazon.

Intrigued, I decided to by myself a copy but before I did, I found out It was an interesting journey that led me to purchasing this book and it all started on twitter when something that I had been mentioned in was re-tweeted by a chap named Mark Cassell. As I often do, I decided to look him up and find out who he was and I soon discovered that he was an author and that he had written a novel that was titled The Shadow Fabric and that it seemed to be garnering some rather good reviews on amazon.

Intrigued, I decided to by myself a copy but before I did, I found out that Mark would be appearing at a horror convention that I was going to be attending and that he would be signing copies of the book.

Obviously I did what anyone else would have done and bought a copy from Mark himself at the convention and got it signed too.

But was the book going to be any good? I used to read a book in around a week or two but I’m a very slow reader at the moment just down to the fact that I don’t get enough spare time to actually just sit and read and more often than not it will take me around 6 months to a year to finish a book.

I read this in 3 months which for me currently, is very good indeed.

It’s intriguing and well written with the characters being nicely fleshed out without the narrative getting bogged down by being overly descriptive. It does exactly the right amount for you to know what’s going on and to understand the characters, or at least; to think you understand the characters because a lot of them are keeping secrets that as a reader, you are either eagerly awaiting their revelation, or shocked when someone reveals a facet of themselves that you just didn’t see coming.

Although the story is about an encroaching darkness, reading it is like slowly clawing away at the darkness to reveal more of what is hidden within the shadows as you get deeper into the story and more and more gets revealed.

There were a few things that I didn’t quite fully comprehend, but that was more down to me rather than any problems with the narrative and to be honest, I really don’t mind having those few things that my brain couldn’t quite make sense of as it just means that I going to be reading it again in the not too distant future.

And that’s something that I’m looking forward to doing; along with whatever else he’s got in store for us, whether it’s part of The Shadow Fabric mythos (I really want to know about what happened between Victor & Lucas), or something completely new.

I won’t go into the plot in any way, after all that is explained in the item description and I don’t want to repeat what’s written there; instead I just need to tell you one very simple thing:

If you enjoy horror stories; then you need to buy this as it is very, very good. ...more

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Jun 13, 2017 Morgan Tanner rated it it was amazing

Wow! Now this here's a book that will make you scared of the dark. Is that a shadow in the corner of the room or a black, venomous tentacle of a shadowy beast that's waiting to impale me and spill my chunky viscera all over my bedsheets? OK, it was actually just a shadow that time!

The story follows Leo, a man who has been involved in a car accident (or so he thinks) that has left him with amnesia. His is helped by a man named Goodwin, a friend of Leo's family who he doesn't remember (or so he th ...more

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Aug 17, 2017 Pamela Morris rated it really liked it · review of another edition

On the second day of his new job, Leo is witness to a murder. His boss, Victor, stabs his own brother, Stanley, with a mysterious dagger known as the Witchblade. But Stanley suffers from no normal stab wound. Instead he is drawn into what appears to be a black piece of fabric and is consumed. No body is left behind and Leo can’t rid himself of the final, terrifying image of Stanley before he completely vanishes. What madness has Leo gotten himself into by taking a simple job as a chauffeur? The ...more

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May 26, 2017 Bau Johnson rated it it was amazing

Shelves: kindle-read

The evil contained in this book is relentless. Seriously, just when you think that something good has happened, it snatches it away. With fury too. This read takes you through a journey through a somewhat-unreliable narrator, and the all-too-mysterious Shadow Fabric and the revolving world within. I'm pretty sure that there are mysteries that are still left unsolved, even with everything that get explained.

All the characters are distinct, and though each one of them have their own motivation (wh ...more

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Jul 25, 2017 Lisa Lee rated it it was amazing

The Shadow Fabric is a brilliantly dark and fantastic tale that lays open the mysteries of ancient lore in a subtly Lovecraftian way. Mark Cassell uses steady pacing and slow reveal to carry you ever onward into the mythos he has created. I found myself not only sympathetic towards Leo, but also a bit afraid for and with him. His amnesia lends him an almost naïve countenance that only adds to the chaos of the horrific and mysterious events he finds himself drawn into.

This twisted tale is expertl ...more

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Mar 02, 2016 Miranda Kate rated it it was amazing

After being pulled into it's darkness, The Shadow Fabric slowly enfolded me into its depths, and held me there! It's for those that aren't afraid of the dark and want to try and work out a puzzle. It keeps going, each time you think you have reached the crescendo, there is still more to come. A good read, good exceptional writing! Mark is not only a master of expressing a lot in short, succinct sentences, this was one of the 'cleanest' books I have ever read in terms of grammar & typos! Get in e ...more

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Mar 18, 2017 Donna Colquhoun rated it it was amazing

As soon as I started read The Shadow Fabric I was hooked and couldn't put my book down!
I have read many horror/ supernatural stories but this one just grabbed me and kept me wanting to read more!
Reading about Leo and Victor and being pulled into the darkness of the story kept me gripped till the end.
I highly recommend this book you definitely will not be disappointed. ...more

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Oct 08, 2017 Claire-Louise Armstrong-Brealey rated it it was amazing

Stonking good read

I was a virgin to this author but I am so glad I popped my cherry on this story. Very well written and...not to give the game away...there may be more. You are left dangling at the end with a soreness to get the next book straight away. There are not that many authors that do this. Top banana

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Jan 15, 2018 Mark rated it really liked it

Shelves: horror

Entertaining -- and dare I say it -- old school supernatural horror. If you like, say, James Herbert's work then you'll certainly find this a worthy addition to your shelves. Inventive, dark and highly readable. ...more

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Jun 20, 2017 Jason rated it it was amazing

Superbly written

I bought this book long ago, I finally read it and can say it was outstanding! Part supernatural mystery part cosmic horror, this book is creepy! I recommend this book to all fans of modern horror!

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Sep 04, 2017 D.E. McCluskey rated it really liked it

Great fast paced book... gripped me from the start... got a little bit confusing in the middle as there were a few too many characters introduced for my little brain to comprehend... but in all... I will be reading more into Marks fabric universe

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Feb 07, 2015 Keeley rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2015-finished

3.5/5

I was really enjoying this however I feel like the last 20% of the book sort of dragged on. The last two or three chapters were perfect, but there were a few before them that the story could do without and would be much stronger.

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Apr 09, 2016 Josh added it

review forthcoming

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Jun 07, 2020 Rebecca rated it it was amazing

I’ve owned this book without actually reading it for a long time, I actually bought it at my first Horror Con. Unfortunately, what with most requests for review coming in on Kindle, it’s easy to forget to read the real, physical books on your shelf. The other thing of course, is that when you’ve been asked to read something you seriously neglect yourself in terms of reading what you want to read.

Nevertheless, I have actually read this now, after reading the authors more recent release of Stitche I’ve owned this book without actually reading it for a long time, I actually bought it at my first Horror Con. Unfortunately, what with most requests for review coming in on Kindle, it’s easy to forget to read the real, physical books on your shelf. The other thing of course, is that when you’ve been asked to read something you seriously neglect yourself in terms of reading what you want to read.

Nevertheless, I have actually read this now, after reading the authors more recent release of Stitches and Threads. (Reviewed in February)

This book lays out the mythos of the Shadow Fabric brilliantly, something I’ve always liked about Cassell is his ability to weave words into imagery and make us feel like we’re watching events take place. Undoubtedly a skill which you couldn’t go without if you want to be successful in the writing world. The characters are nicely developed also, and as with most books the action picks up around the half way point, although in this one it isn’t completely absent from the first portion.

Refreshingly, nothing in this book feels like a repeat, whilst it’s true Cassell may have drawn inspiration from other writers or film makers in order to create his mythos, it feels new and fresh whilst being in no way modern. The artefacts and the events which take place feel like a very old evil, from before any semblance of the world as we know it.

As the book progresses, you’ll find yourself more tied to finding out what Cassell has in store for his audience, you’ll be drawn further into the mythos and become more like a fly on the wall.

For me, there were some parts that maybe felt a little long and drawn out, but having reached the end of the book, it really wouldn’t have been the same without those bits so if you think it’s started to feel like that then honestly just push on. Like when you get a slow bit in a film, it’ll be going somewhere. You also might not think that when you read it, so don’t be expecting it but if you do feel that way just know that it’s worth getting through the bit you might not like so much because you’ll find that it’s needed later.

I’ve read a few different bits by Cassell now and each story offers up it’s own bit of life, it’s own spark. When you read Cassell you know you’re reading something that was made with love because it shows in the quality of the writing and the story.

Definitely recommend this one, check out my review of Stitches and Threads which is also tied into this mythos, and definitely, if you see his name on a book of short stories – buy it. ...more

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Oct 06, 2019 Cee Cee rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

The Shadow Fabric by Mark Cassell is an enthralling and chilling tale that holds the same curiosity for me as novelists like Stephen King. From beginning to end my attention was undivided, I have been gripped. Once you delve into the unravelling reality of Leo, accompanying him on his journey of self discovery and witness with him a series of supernatural misadventures, you must seek out answers, too. I was impressed with the tangible, horror-soaked detail, which gave life (or should that be dea ...more

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Dec 01, 2020 Fran Comesanas rated it it was amazing

The Shadow Fabric by Mark Cassell, is a chaotic runaway train that is absolutely thrilling to ride. This is exactly the kind of dark and haunting horror that forces my imagination to make the shadows move at night. No one stitches like we who have dwelled in darkness. Well done good sir. A fantastic read. 5 Stars.

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Nov 03, 2017 Jim Kratzok rated it it was ok

Shelves: 2017, fantasy-magic, horror, paranormal, science-fiction, supernatural

Nope....

Didn't much care for this one. Although well written, I don't care for all the good vs. evil that this story is based on especially when the evil is such a nebulous thing. Just doesn't work for me. But if you like stories that will have you avoiding shadows from now on and watching them closely to make certain they don't move on their own, you might enjoy this book. ...more

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Oct 27, 2017 John Morris rated it liked it

Not sure about this one!

This story started off at a fast pace and had me enthralled for about the first third of the book. After that I thought the story became drawn out and repetitive. At that stage my attention started to wander and I lost interest in the story. I made it through to the end but didn't enjoy the book. ...more

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Apr 24, 2018 Catriona rated it it was amazing

Shelves: reviewed

A well-written, horrifying tale

I enjoyed this book immensely. I was reminded of what I liked best about books by King, Koontz, Straub, Barker and others, but the story is quite original. I look forward to reading more by this author.

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Oct 05, 2018 Erth rated it really liked it

now i am hooked. This was such a great, easy and creative book. i was hooked after the first page.

The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.

i would highly recommend this author and this book.

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Aug 07, 2014 Darryl Foster rated it liked it · review of another edition

HORROR HAS A RISING TALENT: Book Review of Mark Cassell’s, The Shadow Fabric

ABOUT THE SHADOW FABRIC: Leo remembers little of his past. Desperate for a new life, he snatches up the first job to come along. On his second day, he witnesses a murder and the Shadow Fabric – a malevolent force that controls the darkness – takes the body and vanishes with it. Uncovering secrets long hidden from humankind, Leo’s memory unravels. Not only haunted by the past, a sinister presence within the darkness threa HORROR HAS A RISING TALENT: Book Review of Mark Cassell’s, The Shadow Fabric

ABOUT THE SHADOW FABRIC: Leo remembers little of his past. Desperate for a new life, he snatches up the first job to come along. On his second day, he witnesses a murder and the Shadow Fabric – a malevolent force that controls the darkness – takes the body and vanishes with it. Uncovering secrets long hidden from humankind, Leo’s memory unravels. Not only haunted by the past, a sinister presence within the darkness threatens his existence and he soon doubts everything and everyone…including himself. Now Leo must confront the truth about his past before he can embrace his future. But the future may not exist. THE SHADOW FABRIC is a story revealing the unknown history of witchcraft and the true cause of the Great Fire of London. A supernatural horror novel of sins, shadows, and the reanimated dead.The Shadow Fabric

MY REVIEW: Mark Cassell’s debut novel The Shadow Fabric is an action packed tale of supernatural horror. The book follows the journey of Cassell’s main character Leo. A car accident in Leo’s past had wiped out his memory. In his new life, post-accident, he struggles to recall the memories of his former life. Now, Leo finds himself working for a mysterious man named Victor Jacobs. Victor has secrets, ages old, and Leo quickly finds himself propelled into the secret and deadly world of the twisted Shadow Fabric.

Cassell has written a fast moving novel with a fascinating evil. He navigates us through a mysterious plot, and introduces us to a number of characters, ancient artifacts and legends that are all entwined with the Shadow Fabric. Cassell has effectively created a world at the edge of darkness, and he slaps us consistently with thrills and chills that will make you feel like you’re reading a movie.

Cassell’s marketing and author platform is outstanding, and his imagination is immense, as revealed by the unfolding of the Shadow Fabric mythos in the novel. He is an author with an online presence that clearly demonstrates a dedication to his craft.

I enjoyed reading and discovering the horrors of the Shadow Fabric and all its macabre wonders. If you’re a fan of classic paranormal horror then take the time to read Mark Cassell’s The Shadow Fabric. He has undoubtedly weaved a world by which legends of horror are born. I expect more great works will bleed from this author.

“Praise for Mark Cassell, a rising talent in horror.” ~ Darryl Foster ...more

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Jan 30, 2015 J.C. Stockli rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I was intrigued by this read from day one. I love when a writer has the ability to weave history and lore into a new tale. I feel as though Cassell took extra time in doing just that. I very much enjoyed the tale of the fabric and its accouterments as seen through the amnesiac eyes of Leo. His journey is filled with suspense and detailed action. There were several passages within this book that are very well written.

That said, it did take me almost halfway through the book to appreciate Leo’s p ...more

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Mar 03, 2016

Scott Swanson rated it really liked it
Mar 22, 2016

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About Mark Cassell

Mark Cassell

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Mark Cassell lives on the south-east coast of England with his wife and a number of animals, including Arnie the bearded dragon. Mark's jobs have included baker, lab technician, driving instructor, actor, and was once a spotlight operator for an Elvis impersonator. Best known for supernatural horror, he has seen almost 50 stories feature in magazines and anthologies by, among others, Crystal Lake ...more

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Quotes from The Shadow Fabric

“Heaven and Hell. White and black. Good and evil. This was a face-off between light and dark, as stark and true as any war since time immemorial. The” — 0 likes

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