Search Results for: there will come a darkness

Oh I Do Like to Be Beside the Seaside – Christopher Fowler
Christopher Fowler explains “‘. . . Seaside’ came about firstly because I was commissioned to write a story for the World Horror Convention souvenir book and, as the event was to take place in Brighton, it seemed logical to set a tale on the South coast of England.
“I had written a fantasy novel, Calabash, some years earlier, hinting at the dark madness of such seaside towns, which are the antithesis of their Mediterranean counterparts. I thought of the depressing Morrissey song “Every Day is Like Sunday”, which captures the awfulness of English resorts.
“Coincidentally, Kim Newman and I were discussing the inherent creepiness of pantomime dames, and I decided it was time to give vent to my horror of these coastal pleasure domes. I wish I’d thought to include screaming gangs of hen-nighters as well. And I thought it was a nice touch to have everyone in the story telling the hero to ‘fuck off’ until he finally does.”

Featherweight – Robert Shearman
“I don’t like writing at home much,” admits the author. “Home is a place for sleeping and eating and watching afternoon game shows on TV. There are too many distractions. So, years ago, I decided I’d only write first drafts in art galleries.
“And the best of them all is the National Gallery, in London, a pigeon’s throw from Nelson’s Column. I can walk around there with my notebook, thinking up stories – and if I get bored, there are lots of expensive pictures to look at. Perfect.
“A lot of those paintings, however, have angels in them. They’re all over the place, wings raised, halos gleaming – perching on clouds, blowing trumpets, hovering around the Virgin Mary as if they’re her strange naked childlike bodyguards. And I began to notice. That, whenever the writing is going well, the angels seemed happy, and would smile at me. And whenever the words weren’t coming out right, when I felt sluggish, when I thought I’d rather take off and get myself a beer, they’d start to glare.
“I wrote this story in the National Gallery. Accompanied by a lot of glaring angels. Enjoy.”

Lesser Demons – Norman Partridge
“I was surprised to receive an invitation for S.T. Joshi’s Black Wings,” reveals Partridge, “an anthology of Lovecraftian fiction. Although I knew S.T. admired my work, I’ve never quite seen myself as a Mythos writer.
“While I respect H.P. Lovecraft and his contribution to horror, I’ve never felt that his worldview (or maybe I should say universeview) meshed with mine.
“In the end, that’s what made the story work . . . at least for me. I concentrated on my differences with Lovecraft, and approached the material from a place where Jim Thompson would be more comfortable than HPL. And I’m delighted that so many people have enjoyed the tale – it was a lot of fun to write.”

For more than 80 years H. P. Lovecraft has inspired writers of horror and supernatural fiction with his dark vision of humankind’s insignificant place in a vast, uncaring cosmos. At the time of his death in 1937, Lovecraft was virtually unknown, but from early cult status his readership expanded exponentially; his nightmarish visions laying down roots in the collective imagination of his readers. Now this master of the macabre is accepted as part of the literary mainstream, as an American author of note, and the impact of his work on modern popular culture – in literature, film, television, music, the graphic arts, gaming and theatre – has been profound. As Stephen King wrote in Danse Macabre, the shadow of H. P. Lovecraft ‘underlies almost all of the important horror fiction that has come since.’

Today, Lovecraft’s themes of cosmic indifference, the utter insignificance of humankind, minds invaded by the alien, and the horrors of history remain not only viable motifs for modern speculative fiction, but are more relevant than ever as we explore the mysteries of a universe in which our planet is infinitesimal.

This outstanding anthology of original stories – from both established award-winning authors and exciting new voices – collects tales of cosmic horror inspired by Lovecraft from authors who do not merely imitate, but reimagine, re-energize, and renew the best of his concepts in ways relevant to today’s readers, to create fresh new fiction that explores our modern fears and nightmares. From the depths of R’lyeh to the heights of the Mountains of Madness, some of today’s best weird fiction writers traverse terrain created by Lovecraft and create new eldritch geographies to explore . . .

With stories by: Laird Barron, Nadia Bulkin, Amanda Downum, Ruthanna Emrys, Richard Gavin, Lois H. Gresh, Lisa L. Hannett, Brian Hodge, Caitlín R. Kiernan, John Langan, Yoon Ha Lee, Usman T. Malik, Helen Marshall, Silvia Moreno, Norman Partridge, W. H. Pugmire, Veronica Schanoes, Michael Shea, John Shirley, Simon Strantzas, Sandra McDonald, Damien Angelica Walters, Don Webb, Michael Wehunt and A.C. Wise


Praise for the editor:
‘For fans of Lovecraftian fiction and well-wrought horror’ – Library Journal

‘Guran smartly selects stories that evoke the spirit of Lovecraft’s work without mimicking its style.’ – Publishers Weekly

‘It’s a pretty impressive line-up, with nary a clunker to be found. . . . You don’t have to be a Lovecraft fan to enjoy this anthology… You’ll find alienation, inhumanity, desperation, cruelty, insanity, hopelessness and despair, all set against the backdrop of a vast, unknowable universe filled with vile, indifferent monstrosities. You’ll also find beauty, hope, redemption, and the struggle for survival. What more can you ask for?’ – Tor.com

‘I highly recommend this collection… If you have even the slightest interest in contemporary horror fiction, you’ll want to try this one on for size!’ – BookGuide

THE MOST TALKED ABOUT BOOK OF THE YEAR

‘As filthy as it is funny, you won’t be able to put it down’ Dolly Alderton

‘Extremely funny, touching and wonderfully refreshing on women and sexual desire’ Marian Keyes

‘You will be intoxicated by this witty and honest exploration of female desire’ Elle

‘Insatiable is a story about loneliness and trying to fit in, about our desire to be loved and included, how it’s easy to confuse being wanted with being used. It’ll draw people in with the shagging, but people will stay because they’re rooting for Violet.’ Evening Standard

Stuck in a dead-end job, broken-hearted, broke and estranged from her best friend: Violet’s life is nothing like she thought it would be. She wants more – better friends, better sex, a better job – and she wants it now.

So, when Lottie – who looks like the woman Violet wants to be when she grows up – offers Violet the chance to join her exciting start-up, she bites. Only it soon becomes clear that Lottie and her husband Simon are not only inviting Violet into their company, they are also inviting her into their lives.

Seduced by their townhouse, their expensive candles and their Friday-night sex parties, Violet cannot tear herself away from Lottie, Simon or their friends. But is this really the more Violet yearns for? Will it grant her the satisfaction she is so desperately seeking?

Insatiable is about women and desire – lust, longing and the need to be loved. It is a story about being unable to tell whether you are running towards your future or simply running away from your past. The result is at once tender and sad, funny and hopeful.


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‘This novel shines with dark humour, sharp intelligence, sizzling sex scenes, and a piercing portrayal of loneliness. Not even the most insatiable reader could ask for more.’ Katherine Heiny

‘Filthy, funny, and raw, Insatiable is utterly addictive’ Louise O’Neill

‘Come for the absolute filth and stay for the empathetic and sensitive way that Daisy Buchanan writes about all the chaos and conflict of being a young woman in a hard-edged, hard-faced world.’ Red

‘A piercing insight into the unreal demands modern women place on themselves and told with real humour and energy, we love this book so much’ Stylist

‘A raucous unravelling of female desire and bodily pleasures, in all their maddening complexity’ Emma Jane Unsworth

‘Few books out in the early half of the year are as flat-out entertaining as Buchanan’s fizzy, filthy story of a young woman’s sexual awakening.’ i paper

‘I’d call Insatiable Jilly Cooper for the Instagram generation, but that wouldn’t do this book justice’ Lauren Bravo

‘Daisy brings characters to life like no other writer, pumping them full of humour, vulnerability and sexy sexy sex’ Lucy Vine

‘Gloriously rude and brave about the nature of women’s desire’ Sophia Money-Coutts

‘I raced through this funny, filthy and utterly compelling debut about female sexuality, ambition and vulnerability… I’m still thinking about it long after turning the final page.’ Daily Mail

‘I can’t believe this is a fiction debut – she writes stories like she’s been doing it for fifty years’ Laura Jane Williams

‘Insatiable is an unashamedly filthy and yet deeply sensitive exploration of female desire, aspiration and vulnerability, and Daisy is an exciting new voice in contemporary fiction.’ Hannah Beckerman

‘It reminded me of Bridget Jones’s Diary – if Bridget were bisexual and Daniel Cleaver were a couple who were into group sex.’ Julie Cohen

‘Erica Jong for the Instagram age.’ Keith Stuart

‘Intelligent, observant prose that gives a snap-shot of life experienced by millennial women.’ Kate Sawyer

‘Like going for a drink with your wisest and smuttiest friend’ Jessica Moor

‘Funny, filthy … Buchanan offers astute social observation, while the development of Violet as an ardent yet vulnerable heroine to root for makes her a millennial counterpart to Jilly Cooper’s Bella or Octavia.’ The Sunday Times

‘The Dictionary of Crime is now the first book I reach for when beginning a new novel. An essential resource, it’s packed with explanations, insider information, contemporary and historical slang, as well as some downright bizarre laws and practices. It’s funny, fascinating and a damn good read’
M. W CRAVEN, winner of the 2019 Crime Writers Association Gold Dagger for best crime novel of the year for The Puppet Show

‘A really good idea . . . executed neatly to come up with the perfect gift for crime lovers’
MAT COWARD, Morning Star

‘I found myself rolling around in it for hours, like a gangster’s moll on a bed full of money. Sheer delight!’
CATRIONA McPHERSON

‘Where was this book when I started writing? From Aconite to the Zodiac Killer is the essential companion for any serious reader or writer of crime’
LEYE ADENLE, author of When Trouble Sleeps

‘A fascinating compendium of crime facts which should be on the shelves of every crime writer ­­- and every crime reader’
SIMON BRETT

‘This is a dangerous book in so many ways, chock full of ways of killing people, from undetectable poisons to various types of guns. It contains riveting accounts of notorious murderers, is crammed with fascinating details of slang, and precise particulars of police procedures. The perfect gift for any true crime enthusiast and an indispensable guide for all crime fiction writers.’
S. W. WILLIAMS, author of Small Deaths and How to Write Crime Fiction

‘A remarkable achievement. At once elucidating and compelling, indispensable and unputdownable. It reads like a page-turning thriller. Whether a crime writer who needs to distinguish a blood agent from a bum beef or a reader with an interest in queer coal makers, this lexicon will keep you hooked, and leave you sublimely informed.’
GARY DONNELLY, author of Killing in Your Name and Blood Will Be Born

‘Fascinating, insightful and taking up permanent residency on my desk. Amanda Lees’ Dictionary of Crime is my new bible!’
CHRIS WHITTAKER, award-winning author of Tall Oaks, All The Wicked Girls and We Begin at the End

‘What a little gem this is ­- such a great idea and a valuable resource for writers. I found myself dipping into it at intervals and marvelling at the extent of the research that’s gone into it, as well as chuckling over some of the more unusual entries. My personal favourites? BINGO seat, nicker, moll buzzer and lully-prigger. Wouldn’t have had a clue what they meant . . . but I’m determined to work them in somewhere in a future novel!’
G. J. MINETTT, author of The Syndicate


‘A fascinating journey through the dark side of the human psyche. Highly recommended for anyone interested in criminals and crime’
PATRICK REDMOND, bestselling author of The Wishing Game

An essential popular A-Z reference guide for fans of crime fiction and true crime, in books, TV and film, helping to make sense of everything from asphyxiation to VX nerve agent.

This is an indispensable guide for fans of true crime and crime fiction, whether in books, film or on TV, who want to look behind the crime, to understand the mechanics of an investigation, to walk in their favourite detectives’ shoes and, most importantly, to solve the clues.

To do that, one needs to be fluent in the language of the world of crime. We need to know what that world-weary DI is talking about when she refers to another MISPER. We have to immediately grasp the significance of the presence of paraquat, and precisely why it is still a poison of choice.

If you want to know how many murders it takes for a killer to be defined as a serial killer, what Philip Marlowe means when he talks about being ‘on a confidential lay’ and why the ‘fruit of a poisonous tree’ is a legal term rather than something you should avoid on a country walk, this is the reference book you’ve been waiting for.

It covers police and procedural terms and jargon of many different countries; acronyms; murder methods; criminal definitions, including different types of killers; infamous killers and famous detectives; notorious cases often referred to in crime fiction and true crime; gangster slang, including that of the Eastern European mafia; definitions of illegal drugs; weapons; forensic terminology; types of poisons; words and phrases used in major crime genres, including detective fiction, legal thrillers, courtroom dramas, hardboiled crime, Scandi and Tartan Noir, cosy crime and psychological thrillers; criminology terms; and the language of the courts and the legal systems of British, American, French, Nordic and other countries.

From Aconite to the Zodiac Killer is an essential, go-to resource for readers and even for writers of crime fiction. More than simply a glossary, this is a guide that provides a doorway into a supergenre, and one that is not just for readers, but also for the many fans of film and TV dramas, of podcasts, and crime blogs. It is also an indispensable resource for writers or would-be writers of crime fiction.