Crawlers

The Cursed Manuscripts

by Iain Rob Wright

Do you dig Stephen King, Richard Laymon, and James Herbert? Well, then check out this unique and horrifying read from multi-time bestseller, Iain Rob Wright. But be warned, reading it may cause nightmares.

"IAIN ROB WRIGHT SCARES THE HELL OUT OF ME!" - JA Konrath
Something deadly has been born...

When pest controllers Nick Grieves and Samantha Grieves are called to a sleepy dockyard in the dead of night, they are expecting a rat infestation or an unclaimed exotic pet. What they find instead is a nightmare from another a terrifying and unnatural creature with a hunger that can’t be satisfied.

As a terrifying crisis spreads throughout the UK, a small band of survivors must fight not only to stay alive, but to prevent the country from being consumed by an eight-legged apocalypse. Not everyone is going to make it, but being human means refusing to give up—even when you're outnumbered ten-thousand to one.

The food chain is about to change...

If you hunger for tales of creeping dread, where terror weaves an inescapable web, then Iain Rob Wright's "Crawlers" is the novel you've been waiting for. Grab your copy today and discover what readers are screaming about.

THIS BOOK IS A STANDALONE ENTRY IN THE 'CURSED MANUSCRIPTS' SHARED UNIVERSE.

On January 21, 2012, according to the Mayan Calendar, the world was supposed to end. It didn't. But on that day, 113 mysterious manuscripts were discovered around the world, each one written in blood by an unknown author. After several dozen unexplained deaths befell the finders of said manuscripts, a decision was made to lock them up for good in a secret vault beneath the Vatican. It is said that anyone who reads the stories will die, and as such they are now referred to as 'The Cursed Manuscripts.'

In December 2020, new manuscripts started turning up around the world. 'Bad luck' was one of them.

MANUSCRIPT 8/24-08 (BAD LUCK).
Details below.

Manuscript 8.24-08, discovered January 2018 in Bolivia by rural pig farmer, Inti Torres Varguez, who found it half buried in the soil. Somehow the written pages were miraculously okay, but eight days later Inti was found trampled to death by his livestock and half-eaten by swarming insects. The following text was was written in a notebook beneath his bed, which is strange as Inti was unable to read and write.WHAT READERS ARE SAYING★★★★★ "One of Britain’s brightest talents."
★★★★★ "There's no good point to put the book down so you can get some sleep."
★★★★★ "Stephen King fans would enjoy this."
★★★★★ "I loved every minute of it."
★★★★★ "I read it in 2 days, unheard of for me!"
★★★★★ "There is a surprising twist to the end of the book."
★★★★★ "A cosy, ripping yarn."
★★★★★ "Brilliant storyline with the right amount of horror."
★★★★★ "I could not put it down, had to read through the night."
★★★★★ "I loved the story!"
★★★★★ "Everything I've come to expect from Iain Rob Wright."

Genres: Horror, Action, Science Fiction

242 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 21, 2025

About the author

One of Horror's most respected authors, Iain Rob Wright is the writer of more than forty books, many of them bestsellers. A previous Kindle All-Star and a mainstay in the horror charts, he is a prolific producer of unique and original stories. From his apocalyptic saga The Gates to his claustrophobic revenge thriller ASBO, Iain writes across a broad spectrum of sub genres, creating both beloved series and standalone titles.

With work available in several languages and in audio, Iain Rob Wright is one of the fastest rising stars in horror, but when not writing he is a dedicated family man. Father to Jack and Molly, and husband to Sally, he is often seen sharing his family memories with his fans on Facebook.

To get 6 of his books for free (no strings), just visit: www.iainrobwright.com

Reviews

[Rickey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally building the bigger picture.

This was another great entry into the Cursed Manuscripts series. Always love giant insects plaguing mankind and the best creeper is the spider. Looking forward to what Iain is building with these and how it will all tie together. At least we have a villain now.

[Kaisersoze · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad effort at a mutant killer spider read that is clearly part of a wider narrative (hence The Cursed Manuscripts #9), but can be read without having consumed the previous eight entries.

There are a couple of ludicrous suspensions of disbelief that are required, but there are also a couple of truly horrifying scenes that my arachnophobic ass could barely tolerate. Characterisations are fine, even if there is really only one who goes through a discernible arc.

So that all equates to a solid 3-star read.

3 Swarms of Spiders (shudder) for Crawlers.

[J KEEGAN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arachnophobia!

A shipping container arrives at a small North Eastern dock.
It is damaged and leaking a viscous liquid. Strange moans are heard and so the dock workers open it. It was the last thing they would do.
Police find a dead spider inside the container. A huge dead spider. It's impossible.
Iain writes another masterpiece reminiscent of James Herbert's The Rats.
A great read that keeps you hooked.

[Matt Egan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What's that crawling up my leg....

Crawlers, one of the Cursed Manuscripts by Iian Rob Wright, is about genetically modified spiders which, once they escape, wreak havoc and rack up a big body count wherever they go. The writing is of the highest caliber, with flawed and believable characters who sacrifice themselves to save others, realistic dialogue, exactly the kind of expletive laden dialog one would expect during a giant arachnid attack, good plot, fast pacing and very vivid descriptions of the results of said attacks. This is a highly enjoyable read, unless, of course, you're an arachnophobe! 5/5 stars, highly recommended for horror fans!

[§am I Am · Rating 4 out of 5]

what a creepy crawly read. im not a fan of spiders so this book had my skin crawling. a group of experts on spiders try to help on an investigation of how these people died. once they find out that these spiders mean business, how many od them will survive? and will they be able to defeat the spiders?

[Tara Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

nightmares

I should not have read this before bed. It seems like the wait for a new book takes forever, then I get greedy and read the whole thing in one sitting. This one was really good. As are all of them in this series. Now I have to go read something light and fluffy so I can sleep eventually.

[DELIA SHEPPARD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yucky

Yucky but scary of a different kind. Giant spiders not my cup of tea but still read it like a fool now I'll probably have nightmares.

[Devarshi Trivedi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting how he is tying up various parts of this series towards a climax.!

[Ziggy Nixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Any news?"
"Yeah… We’re all fucked."

3 ½ stars (or 28 legs worth). But first, an editorial comment about spiders in general:
Gross. Gross. Gross. Gross. Gross. Gross. Gross. Yuck. Yuck. Yuck. Yuck. Yuck. Yuck. Yuck. Yuck. Yuck. Ew. Ew. Ew. Ew. Ew. Ew. Ew. Ew. Ew. And if said spiders have weird-ass, dystopian names like Brazilian Wandering Spider, just repeat all that again, only this time, with emphasis, like really put your diaphragm into it. And if someone out there is either stupid enough or evil enough to be combining these with - what was it again? - human growth hormone and the DNA from several other animals so that they come out the size and hairiness of the wild pigs we get running around in the back field sometimes, well, fuck that. Borderline too creepy for my tastes.

Spiders.
They’re inside me now. I feel them in my veins.

Needless to say, I am not a fan of spiders. And before you ask: no, I have never seen nor wanted to see "Arachnophobia" and the scene with the spider crawling in Marv's mouth in "Home Alone" still freaks me totally out. I think it all started at Scout Camp where I once hit a large wolf spider that had invaded my tent full on with my Scout manual … with no effect. It just looked at me as if to say "I'll be back you smartass punk…" as it skittered away to another location IN THE SAME FUCKING TENT. Needless to say I didn't get much sleep that night or any night thereafter. To give you a comparison, this is the same week that someone threw live snakes on us while we were showering … and I didn't even flinch. So Iain Rob Wright's "Crawlers" had my skin doing just that in parts particularly when we got to the bits about the damn things jumping at people's faces from rooftops.

Its furry legs snapped shut like a bear trap… Then came the pain. Piercing. White hot. Unreal.

Needless to say (again), "Crawlers" was indeed, quote, "A Creepy Horror Story" that is apparently part of Wright's "The Cursed Manuscripts Horror Collection". Now I didn't really do my due diligence about this series (is it?) or anything that came before or comes after the events in this story, but when I saw that the cover featured a spider roughly the size of an American Bulldog (seriously, look up "lulu and tuktuk" on Instagram), I thought bravely/foolishly "Bring it." And to be fair, even though things felt way too rushed in parts and then way too slow in others, nevertheless the author did in fact bring it. And as advertised, creepily so.

That was why the lungs were so swollen. They were infested.

The events of this tale take place in what I'd personally call a pretty non-descript part of England, namely the grand triangle from Durham (nice Cathedral, saw it on the train to Edinburgh) to Sunderland (more precisely a little south of same, namely in Seaham) down to around Hartlepool. I'm sure the folks in that area are truly lovely but if you are not a fan of rain, well, you'd probably best stay somewhere else for your upcoming summer holidays. But the author does take advantage of the lovely conditions to start us off in a miserable setting on the docks of Seaham where the North Sea slams the area enough to make it a horror story all on its own. But, um, guys: on a night like this, maybe DO NOT open the mysterious container that seems to be leaking all kinds of rotting bodily fluids? At least leave it for the next shift…

I can still see those dead bodies. Chewed up and eaten.

So almost immediately folks are attacked by creepy crawling spiders. That's when our brave and madly in love duo of exterminators step in to save the day. Only they don't - which is really kind of understandable because it would have been a much shorter book if they had - and the proverbial spider shit starts hitting the fan. We even manage to get in an actual arachnologist - he's as charming and genuinely weird as you'd imagine (that is, not at all) - and a couple of reporters that get their jollies by reporting on weird things happening all around us (hey, no matter what you think, I found "Splatt!" to be a cool title for their magazine). Yes, and as you'd expect, there's some real tragedy that occurs, nearly driving another of our main characters mad with grief and a need for revenge, as well as the usual suspicions about what nefarious organization has seen fit to create these beasties. It's not all that surprising but it does bring in some good moments of mayhem.

She stared right into his soul, trying to rip it free so that she could devour it.

The part I was less enamored with was the dialogue of the characters involved which I found to be stilted and more than a little clichéd along the way. Our mentioned Bug Doctor (yeah, he does other stuff vs. just spiders) isn't really what you'd call a skilled conversationalist - living alone as he does in his giant, inherited mansion - and the reporters themselves don't do much other than either worry about everyone's mental state or their own blossoming attraction to each other. And the guy that's losing it while all this comes to a dramatic finale is so full of grief that he can't utter much more than lines similar to "Kill! Kill! Kill!" so there's not much in terms of dialogue from that angle either. I mean, we get it, you don't need to keep yelling about your intentions ("I’m coming for you, Queen. And then it’s off with your ugly fucking head…") or bemoaning your life ("It all felt so pointless. Taking part. Taking a breath. Living."). Sorry, but a bit melodramatic all that. Less monologuing, more splatting next time, please!

There was only the soft whisper of death and the sharp click-clack of spiny legs.

But at the end of the day, it was an exciting and quick read. Yes, there are bad guys out there and, yes, by the end we even get to see him/them… and it's just who we surmised it was. We know who is chasing them down and we also know they may even have nastier surprises in store for the world than just Mini Cooper-sized spiders. Still, the repetition that comes from having "Big Business" try to force a new world order on us all - but naturally there must first be chaos before there can be order! - left me definitely non-plussed. Shame really, because these genuine monsters were truly scary. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go shower with a steel wool scrub pad just to get rid of the feeling that spiders are crawling all over me. I hope…

[Neal Kristopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a sucker for spider-related books, whether it’s horror, or… well, it’s usually horror. I grew up loving spiders - I’d catch and feed them grasshoppers in mason jars in my basement, and these days I invite spiders to come and threaten the other cryptids that live in my house. I’d also read Iain’s previous book, The Spread (Book 1: The Hill), back in 2021 and remember really enjoying it. (It’s memorable, if not especially great, bright green cover helped.) So when I saw Crawlers creep up on Kindle Unlimited, I pounced.

It’s a pulpy, squishy, at times really silly blast. There are thousands of little spiders, a handful of big ones, and a group of hapless heroes that would feel right at home in Arachnophobia (The movie, not the overall fear…). I was surprised when I saw the page count because it felt like a snappier, shorter novella when I was reading it. Like Wright’s previous book, I was reminded not to get attached to anyone in Crawlers - no one is safe from his keyboard.

There are a lot of questions revolving around some of the characters’ logic in this book, from tractors, to dissolving protective gear, to ignoring medical warning signs, to going to a general practitioner when you have a specialist on call, but it all fits the overall B-Movie vibe of the book.

My only real complaint is that when I picked it up on Kindle, it was not designated as part of a series, and it is - it’s book NINE in his Cursed Manuscripts series. This meant there were several characters and references that felt like I should know who they were, or care about their inclusion, and I didn’t. Plus and Minus for me there, as I now have eight other (presumably) deleriously delicious horror/thrillers to read, but it also made this book, which would have stood on its own eight legs just fine, weaker because of it.

Still - it was a lot of fun, and it’s spiders killing people - what’s not to love?

(I need to get my hands on some of the special edition paperbacks Wright sells on his website - they look rad.)

[Pickle Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

Crawlers by Iain Rob Wright makes it clear that the author put real effort into researching spiders and insects. You can feel it in the details. The way he combines different species to create his terrifying arachnids is both fascinating and unsettling, and for such a short book, the amount of research behind it really stands out. I wouldn’t be surprised if he draws on this groundwork again in future stories.

The characters who get caught up in the chaos are only briefly sketched, yet they still manage to feel sympathetic. I think that has a lot to do with the universal squeamishness many of us have around spiders. When you imagine not just a handful, but thousands, maybe even millions of them, it is easy to connect with the fear these characters face. The small group at the center of the story, including a self‑proclaimed pest controller, an arachnologist, and two investigative reporters, quickly realize that the danger reaches far beyond their own survival.

Some readers might hesitate because of the subject matter, but I found the book absolutely worth diving into. It kept me awake longer than I planned, and honestly, that is part of why I recommend it. It delivers exactly the kind of creepy, fast‑paced experience you hope for when you pick up a creature‑feature thriller.

[Sylv Kerslake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I dislike creepy crawlies, particularly spiders. But I saw Crawlers by Iain Rob Wright on Kindle Unlimited and just had to read.

It kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. His explanation of what was happening is very vivid, and you can easily picture this unfolding. So prepare to face your nightmares because a new terror with eight legs has just taken centre stage.

If you're passionate about spine-tingling tales from legends like Stephen King or James Herbert, you absolutely must check out this thrilling book from the talented Iain Rob Wright.

Brace yourself for an unforgettable scream-fest that will make your skin crawl and your heart race like never before.

This isn't just another book; it’s an immersive journey into the dark depths of fear, where each turn of the page unleashes new horrors that will leave you breathless.

So, summon all your courage, turn down the lights, and ensure you have a cosy blanket ready to hide under—this electrifying read is a must. 

[JWo1855 · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are someone who wants to burn your house down upon seeing a single spider, then Crawlers is NOT for you.

Crawlers, the ninth Cursed Manuscripts, tied in characters and stories from the previous eight, but also works as a standalone read.

While the thought of millions of aggressive spiders felt so real that my skin tingled. Thinking about being bitten by them over and over or experiencing the same fate as Sam was enough to chill my blood.

Iain Rob Wright ended in a way that left the door open for several more manuscripts to be written and I’m here for it!!

[David Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read the awful 2389, I swore I'd never read this authors stuff again. But I'm a sucker for a spider story.

For the most part this was actually well written and suitably creepy. There were, however, several mistakes dotted throughout that broke the narrative.

One in particular suggested the spider that bites Sam is male as the second spider is the female. But the boffin mentions the males don't inject venom with spider eggs, which is exactly what Sam's spider did.

Inconsistencies aside, it wasn't bad but it still doesnt make me want to read more of IRW's work.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you don’t like spiders even a teeny bit don’t read this.
Excellent addition to the cursed manuscripts by Iain Rob Wright.
A scary time as a huge spider is transported in illegally and then releases mayhem.
I’m not a fan of these creatures, but I had to read this as I’ve read the rest in the series and they can be linked and cleverly if not sneakily get brought into each other. Not always, but usually, ok often. I love this series though. Quicker reads but nothing less for that.

[Rebecca Parkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping as always

I've read all of the Cursed Manuscripts released so far, and found myself hooked within the first couple of chapters and can't put them down. This one was no exception and I finished it within a couple of days. They can be read as stand alone books but there are nods and Easter eggs from other books worked in, which I love. The only problem is waiting for the next one in the series to come out.

[Joanna Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another masterpiece

Brilliant story which brings back some well loved characters, as well as introducing new, interesting ones. The creatures were scary without being made into the villain, which is quite the feat. I also appreciate the nod to HD, as this is a condition that very few people know about and needs to be discussed more. I was pleasantly surprised to see it mentioned. Another masterpiece by a very talented writer. I look forward to the next one.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know where to begin with this review. The story had some exciting parts and was well written. However, in my mind I was always waiting for something to happen, although I don't know what. People die from these spiders. These bugs are real baddies! I would say, Give it a try - especially if you read and enjoyed any of the others in this series. I don't think I will follow through on them at this time.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn’t enjoy this one quite as much as I did the other cursed manuscripts books. I guess bugs don’t really hold my interest and I didn’t find it particularly scary/horrifying like some of the others. Still enjoyed it though and finished it over 3 days. And will look forward immensely to the next one.

[sasha king · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jus a story.......

I hope anyway lol....certainly made me itch and look around my room but read it in one sitting. It gripped me that much and was so fast paced not one paragraph was wasted by skipping over. Iain at his usual best writing horror for nitemares...he doesn't bring books out fast enough unfortunately and that's my only complaint about this author...🤗

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

my skin is crawling

As always, Iain Rob Wright gives me the heeby Jebbies! This book turned quickly and just kept going. The story gets under your skin fast and it’s a ride to the end. I did feel like the ending was a little underwhelming but still hit the mark in giving me the creeps!

[Kim Lettich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good and creepy

The story kept the suspense going.
Very well written and the characters were well done.
An enjoyable, but creepy read..
I don't like spiders and this didn't ease my dislike

[Michael P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crawlers is a decent creature feature in which a race of genetically modified spiders get loose in Northeast England and begin killing people with their bites. Overall, it's a good if pedestrian horror novel which arguably features its "best" scene way too early in the book.

[amanda bailie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creepy

My God this ranked right up there with 'Rats' , I'm glad this is only a work of fiction ???
Can't wait for the next instalment of the cursed manuscripts
Excellent story, scary isn't the word.
I R Wright does the horror genre proud yet again.

[ed chumley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

Iain Rob Wright is quickly becoming my go to author for horror books. Crawlers was an exceptional read with a great storyline and interesting characters. The ending left the door open for more "Cursed Manuscripts" can't wait!

[Steven Ramos · Rating 4 out of 5]

creepy crawly feeling

Great book! Loved that it did not have a happy ending. I definitely love the way they describe the female spider made it almost like a romantic thing. Definitely I'm gonna be looking in dark corners and tires from now on.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A freebie on Kindle Unlimited.

Set in Newcastle. Dockworkers open a container when they hear moans from inside.

This was creepy crawly fun. I enjoyed the ending. Will definitely be reading more in this series.

[Stephen Motson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well worth a read

Really enjoyed this book, it made my skin crawl. There were many parts when I felt my heart racing and compelling me to keep reading.

[Hilton Alligood · Rating 5 out of 5]

A winner

I always enjoy reading anything by Iain Rob Wright. I have read everything he's written and Ieargerly anticipate his next book. Good job!

[Stephen M Cameron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining. Action ongoing, kept me interested.