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The Book of Ancient Evil #1
Cults of Death and Madness
A hideous idol. An ancient slumbering evil. A murderous cult.
1878—Doctor Archibald Shaw arrives in India with lofty intentions. He wants to make a difference in the world. As a young doctor and new officer in Her Majesty’s British army, he wants nothing more than to help the local people while distinguishing himself in Queen Victoria’s foreign service. In short order, though, Shaw finds his basic concept of the world turned upside down. It begins with an ugly idol, and an evil from the dawn of time waiting to return to this world. This elder god still sleeps…but fitfully, and a cult long thought destroyed has come back to awaken it. They will kill anyone who gets in their way. Everything Shaw once believed true dissolves around him, and he grasps at straws to keep his own sanity—including the desperate friendship of one young orphan boy. Will it be enough to keep him alive? Shaw begins to realize that the fate of all humanity rests in his hands.
1878—Doctor Archibald Shaw arrives in India with lofty intentions. He wants to make a difference in the world. As a young doctor and new officer in Her Majesty’s British army, he wants nothing more than to help the local people while distinguishing himself in Queen Victoria’s foreign service. In short order, though, Shaw finds his basic concept of the world turned upside down. It begins with an ugly idol, and an evil from the dawn of time waiting to return to this world. This elder god still sleeps…but fitfully, and a cult long thought destroyed has come back to awaken it. They will kill anyone who gets in their way. Everything Shaw once believed true dissolves around him, and he grasps at straws to keep his own sanity—including the desperate friendship of one young orphan boy. Will it be enough to keep him alive? Shaw begins to realize that the fate of all humanity rests in his hands.
- GenresHorror
353 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 13, 2021
7 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 14, 2026
Cults of Death and Madness is a masterfully crafted blend of Victorian adventure and cosmic horror that immediately pulls you into its dark, unsettling world. From the moment Doctor Archibald Shaw arrives in colonial India, the story builds a slow, creeping sense of dread that never lets go.
John Haas excels at atmosphere. The ancient idols, blood-soaked cults, and the ever-present shadow of an Elder God create a haunting backdrop that feels both historically grounded and terrifyingly otherworldly. Shaw’s unraveling sense of reality, and his desperate struggle to hold onto his sanity, adds emotional depth that elevates this far beyond standard horror.
What truly stood out was the character work. Shaw’s internal conflict and his fragile bond with a young orphan boy bring moments of humanity and vulnerability to an otherwise grim tale. The tension builds steadily, with each revelation raising the stakes until the fate of humanity itself feels chillingly close to collapse.
Dark, intelligent, and richly atmospheric, this is an excellent opening to a Lovecraftian trilogy. Fans of cosmic horror, Victorian settings, and slow-burn dread will find this deeply satisfying. I’m already eager for the next installment.
John Haas excels at atmosphere. The ancient idols, blood-soaked cults, and the ever-present shadow of an Elder God create a haunting backdrop that feels both historically grounded and terrifyingly otherworldly. Shaw’s unraveling sense of reality, and his desperate struggle to hold onto his sanity, adds emotional depth that elevates this far beyond standard horror.
What truly stood out was the character work. Shaw’s internal conflict and his fragile bond with a young orphan boy bring moments of humanity and vulnerability to an otherwise grim tale. The tension builds steadily, with each revelation raising the stakes until the fate of humanity itself feels chillingly close to collapse.
Dark, intelligent, and richly atmospheric, this is an excellent opening to a Lovecraftian trilogy. Fans of cosmic horror, Victorian settings, and slow-burn dread will find this deeply satisfying. I’m already eager for the next installment.
January 14, 2026
Cults of Death and Madness is a masterfully crafted blend of Victorian adventure and cosmic horror that immediately pulls you into its dark, unsettling world. From the moment Doctor Archibald Shaw arrives in colonial India, the story builds a slow, creeping sense of dread that never lets go.
John Haas excels at atmosphere. The ancient idols, blood-soaked cults, and the ever-present shadow of an Elder God create a haunting backdrop that feels both historically grounded and terrifyingly otherworldly. Shaw’s unraveling sense of reality, and his desperate struggle to hold onto his sanity, adds emotional depth that elevates this far beyond standard horror.
What truly stood out was the character work. Shaw’s internal conflict and his fragile bond with a young orphan boy bring moments of humanity and vulnerability to an otherwise grim tale. The tension builds steadily, with each revelation raising the stakes until the fate of humanity itself feels chillingly close to collapse.
Dark, intelligent, and richly atmospheric, this is an excellent opening to a Lovecraftian trilogy. Fans of cosmic horror, Victorian settings, and slow-burn dread will find this deeply satisfying. I’m already eager for the next installment.
John Haas excels at atmosphere. The ancient idols, blood-soaked cults, and the ever-present shadow of an Elder God create a haunting backdrop that feels both historically grounded and terrifyingly otherworldly. Shaw’s unraveling sense of reality, and his desperate struggle to hold onto his sanity, adds emotional depth that elevates this far beyond standard horror.
What truly stood out was the character work. Shaw’s internal conflict and his fragile bond with a young orphan boy bring moments of humanity and vulnerability to an otherwise grim tale. The tension builds steadily, with each revelation raising the stakes until the fate of humanity itself feels chillingly close to collapse.
Dark, intelligent, and richly atmospheric, this is an excellent opening to a Lovecraftian trilogy. Fans of cosmic horror, Victorian settings, and slow-burn dread will find this deeply satisfying. I’m already eager for the next installment.
October 7, 2025
From the very first chapter, Cults of Death and Madness completely pulled me in. John Haas has this remarkable way of blending historical fiction with cosmic horror so much so that you actually feel like you’re right there in 1878 India, walking alongside Dr. Archibald Shaw as his world slowly unravels.
The story starts with noble intentions and quickly spirals into something much darker and more fascinating. I loved how Haas captured the sense of isolation, disbelief, and creeping dread as Shaw encounters a cult obsessed with awakening an ancient evil. The pacing was spot on tense but never rushed and I found myself turning the pages late into the night.
What really stood out to me was how human the story felt beneath all the supernatural terror. Shaw’s friendship with the orphan boy added so much emotional depth it’s what made me care about his struggle to hold onto both his sanity and humanity.
I truly admire Haas’s writing style. His attention to detail, his ability to build atmosphere, and his mix of history and horror all come together beautifully. This is the kind of story that stays with you after you finish. I’ll definitely be checking out more of his work.
The story starts with noble intentions and quickly spirals into something much darker and more fascinating. I loved how Haas captured the sense of isolation, disbelief, and creeping dread as Shaw encounters a cult obsessed with awakening an ancient evil. The pacing was spot on tense but never rushed and I found myself turning the pages late into the night.
What really stood out to me was how human the story felt beneath all the supernatural terror. Shaw’s friendship with the orphan boy added so much emotional depth it’s what made me care about his struggle to hold onto both his sanity and humanity.
I truly admire Haas’s writing style. His attention to detail, his ability to build atmosphere, and his mix of history and horror all come together beautifully. This is the kind of story that stays with you after you finish. I’ll definitely be checking out more of his work.
January 20, 2026
John Haas has crafted a dark, atmospheric tale that blends historical fiction with supernatural horror. I appreciated the depth of the world-building and the slow building tension that keeps you on edge. The characters felt real, especially Shaw, whose moral dilemmas and ambition make him fascinating to follow. Some parts felt a bit dense, but it didn’t take away from the overall suspense. Highly recommended for fans of Lovecraftian adventures with a historical twist.
January 20, 2026
“Cults of Death and Madness” completely drew me in! The mix of Victorian era adventure, Lovecraftian horror, and historical intrigue was brilliantly executed. I loved following Dr. Archibald Shaw as he navigated the dangerous mysteries of India while confronting ancient, malevolent forces. The pacing kept me hooked, and the blend of historical detail with cosmic horror made it feel both thrilling and immersive. A gripping start to what promises to be a captivating trilogy!
January 20, 2026
A thrilling mix of mystery, horror, and history! “Cults of Death and Madness” is eerie, suspenseful, and full of unexpected twists. Dr. Shaw’s journey is captivating, and the Lovecraftian elements give it that chilling, otherworldly feel that kept me turning pages late into the night. Definitely a strong start to a new trilogy.
December 2, 2025
What really hooked me was Shaw’s unraveling sanity. By the time the elder god and the cult come into play, you’re already deeply invested in this man who just wanted to help people. The stakes feel massive and personal.
December 3, 2024
It was so hard not to put this book down, I absolutely loved it. I already love this type of lovecraft horror so this was right up my ally.
September 10, 2025
Lovecraftian in ideas but his own unique style which I appreciated. The writing quality was good with a wider vocabulary than I usually see in many modern authors.
November 17, 2025
This was a slow burn, lovecraftian style story that had an excellent balance of historical fact and fiction. It does take some time for things to unfold, but the characters were likable, and the story was interesting enough to keep your attention as the mystery plays out.
If you are looking for a fast-paced adventure, this may not be your cup of tea, but if you are looking for a thoughtful, dark, and mysterious read, then you should check this book out. 4⭐
If you are looking for a fast-paced adventure, this may not be your cup of tea, but if you are looking for a thoughtful, dark, and mysterious read, then you should check this book out. 4⭐
May 25, 2024
This is a good introduction to Lovecraft for those who don’t want to read Lovecraft.
It shows both facets of eldritch horror cults, one worships in a way to keep it contained while the other wants to release it.
A inanimate object that can drive you to insanity from a mere glance.
One of the big things I love about Lovecraftian cosmic horror is the insanity. Straight up these things can make you go insane from just a glance. It doesn’t even have to be a glance AT THEM, just their items of influence.
Which, again, is what makes this a good first book for those who want to start reading cosmic horror. It’s simple and straightforward in its horror and set up. The relationship between Shaw and Singh is perfect. Two culturally different people who wind up teaching each other.
This also includes the short story that inspired the book, elaborating more on Shaw and Singh. I do have the second book in this series, I hope we get more of these two in it.
It shows both facets of eldritch horror cults, one worships in a way to keep it contained while the other wants to release it.
A inanimate object that can drive you to insanity from a mere glance.
One of the big things I love about Lovecraftian cosmic horror is the insanity. Straight up these things can make you go insane from just a glance. It doesn’t even have to be a glance AT THEM, just their items of influence.
Which, again, is what makes this a good first book for those who want to start reading cosmic horror. It’s simple and straightforward in its horror and set up. The relationship between Shaw and Singh is perfect. Two culturally different people who wind up teaching each other.
This also includes the short story that inspired the book, elaborating more on Shaw and Singh. I do have the second book in this series, I hope we get more of these two in it.
September 8, 2024
I recently discovered this author and I will certainly be looking at his other work. Cults of Death and Madness is the kind of book that draws you in from the early chapters and is hard to put down once you start. With its Lovecraft-y feel, the story of Doctor Shaw has it all: action, suspense, emotion and great characters. Looking forward to the sequel!
December 30, 2022
It would be SO awesome if people wishing to WRITE A NOVEL learned to WRITE first, period. This is more like a lame guy's (yeah, an intended comparison) 400 meter run, painfully ungainly and distinctly unpleasant for everybody involved. Yep, Mr. Haas, so you've read your Lovecraft, congratulations, I guess.
January 24, 2023
I recently discovered this author and I will certainly be looking at his other work. Cults of Death and Madness is the kind of book that draws you in from the early chapters and is hard to put down once you start. With its Lovecraft-y feel, the story of Doctor Shaw has it all: action, suspense, emotion and great characters. Looking forward to the sequel!
January 3, 2022
I never read a book ith so strong an energy to move around like I was SuperMan. This is a very intense book and I advocate for only the strongest minds to read it as they are the only ones who can withstand it's powerful attachment and effect.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews