The A-Z Blog Challenge, Letter H

Letter H of My Favourite Books by title

Two authors - same genre

The first, Hell Cat of the Holt, is a horror novella by indie author Mark Cassell. Here's the blurb:


Shy accountant Anne returns to the village of Mabley Holt to piece together her life after a family tragedy. When her cat vanishes, and a neighbour claims to speak with his dead wife, she soon learns there’s more to the village than any resident dares admit. In search of her beloved pet, she discovers not only family secrets but also revelations of a local legend.

As she treads an unsteady path between folklore and fact, her confidence in where she grew up begins to crumble ... Into hell.

Set in the bestselling Shadow Fabric mythos, Hell Cat of the Holt is not just a ghost story, and is much more than a black cat sighting.  

This novella is actually part of a much bigger 'mythos' - the Shadow Fabric mythos which Mark Cassell has created. The initial and main novel in this series of books and short stories is The Shadow Fabric, and I have to say it was an excellent read and I loved it. It has the perfect combination of horror and darkness.

I've read everything from Mark, but I particularly enjoyed this novella. It works as a standalone and as part of the great story. It's a good introduction to those new to the stories, and more for those already immersed. This one instills an atmosphere from the very beginning and you are kept in it until the closing which raised the hairs on my skin.

Mark's writing is dark and creepy and he is able to spin a darkness a lot like James Herbert. I was completely drawn in and immersed. Mark has also written sci-fi and steampunk - also exceptionally well. If you are looking for a new author, don't hesitate to check out his work.

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The second we are returning to James Herbert, this time for Haunted. Here's the blurb.


Three nights of terror at the house called Edbrook. Three nights in which David Ash, there to investigate a haunting, will be victim of horrifying and maleficent games. Three nights in which he will face the blood-chilling enigma of his own past. Three hideous nights before Edbrook's dreadful secret will be revealed... and the true nightmare will begin.


This is the first novel where the character of David Ash appears - I started the A-Z Challenge with the last one, Ash. His character is established and his mettle is tested as a paranormal investigated in this brilliantly plotted novel. It has a unique storyline, and one you can't say too much about otherwise you will give it all way! It's a truly chilling ghost story - and clearly so good they even made a movie out of it!

Here's another titbit about James Herbert: In 2010, he was honored with the Grand Master Award of the World Horror Convention, which was presented to him by the popular author, Stephen King. And in the same year, he was also awarded with the OBE. It was presented to him by Prince Charles at the Birthday Honors in 2010.