A Haunting in the Arctic

Name: A Haunting in the Arctic
Price: 18.00 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780593550205

✍️ C J Cooke

Reader Score

4.5

(1 review)

$18.00

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A dual-timeline horror novel about a cursed whaling shipwreck in Iceland.

Cooke constructs a chilling tale that bridges 1901 and the modern era. Nicky's ordeal on the Ormen sets the stage for Dominique's investigation over a hundred years later. The explorer faces uncanny threats as she documents the doomed vessel. The narrative highlights themes of debt, revenge, and isolation. Cooke draws on whaling history and Icelandic geography to create a claustrophobic atmosphere. The story does not rely on jump scares but rather on a creeping sense of dread. Readers interested in gothic fiction will find the slow burn effective. Those preferring clear resolutions might find the ending ambiguous.

Key Themes

whaling shipwreck revenge from beyond isolation

Literary Context

The story is set in 1901 and present day Iceland. It draws on whaling traditions and the remote, forbidding coast of Iceland. The publisher is Berkley Books, released in February 2024.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Shirley Jackson · Ramsey Campbell · Stephen Graham Jones · Gothic Whaling Fiction

👻

Ghost Stories

🏛 Berkley Books 📅 2024 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780593550205

📚 This Book in Collections

🏚️ Haunted House Novels 🧙 Witches in Fiction

📝 Description: A Haunting in the Arctic

C J Cooke, known for The Lighthouse Witches, presents a dual-timeline horror narrative. The story begins in 1901 with Nicky, who awakens aboard the whaling ship Ormen after an attack. She finds herself trapped with a crew that demands repayment for past debts. The plot then shifts to the present day, where explorer Dominique investigates the wreck of the Ormen off Iceland's forbidding coast. Authorities plan to destroy the vessel, but Dominique feels compelled to document its final days despite warnings from those who have previously ventured onto the boat. Dominique uncovers a history filled with lies and cruelty. She realizes she is not alone on the ship. Something has walked the floors for nearly a century and seeks revenge. The narrative weaves together the past suffering of the crew and Dominique's present danger. Cooke uses the setting of a remote, freezing ocean to build tension. The book appeals to readers who enjoy atmospheric horror and historical fiction elements. It may not suit those seeking fast-paced action or lighthearted supernatural tales. The structure relies on shifting perspectives to reveal the dark secrets hidden within the wreck.

💎 Our verdict on A Haunting in the Arctic

“

🩸

Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Cooke constructs a chilling dual-timeline narrative that bridges 1901 and the present day with precision. The novel excels in building a claustrophobic atmosphere through its focus on a cursed whaling shipwreck off Iceland’s forbidding coast. By weaving together Nicky’s trapped ordeal and Dominique’s modern investigation, Cooke highlights themes of debt and revenge effectively. The story relies on a creeping sense of dread rather than cheap scares, appealing strongly to gothic fiction enthusiasts. While the ambiguous ending may frustrate some, the slow burn is effective for those valuing mood. The use of Icelandic geography enhances the isolation. Readers seeking atmospheric horror with historical elements will find this structure rewarding and deeply unsettling.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate atmospheric horror and slow-burn dread will find this novel deeply rewarding. It appeals to those interested in the intersection of historical fiction and supernatural terror, offering a claustrophobic experience rooted in real whaling history. Fans of dual-timeline narratives enjoy the tension between past suffering and present investigation. The book is ideal for audiences who prefer creeping unease over jump scares, valuing thematic depth regarding debt and revenge. It suits those who tolerate ambiguous endings in favor of mood. Those drawn to isolation themes and the psychological weight of guilt will find the shifting perspectives compelling. It is a strong choice for readers seeking a chilling, immersive tale that prioritizes emotional resonance and historical texture over fast-paced action.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Cooke constructs a chilling dual-timeline narrative that bridges 1901 and the present day with precision. The novel excels in building a claustrophobic atmosphere through its focus on a cursed whaling shipwreck off Iceland’s forbidding coast. By weaving together Nicky’s trapped ordeal and Dominique’s modern investigation, Cooke highlights themes of debt and revenge effectively. The story relies on a creeping sense of dread rather than cheap scares, appealing strongly to gothic fiction enthusiasts. While the ambiguous ending may frustrate some, the slow burn is effective for those valuing mood. The use of Icelandic geography enhances the isolation. Readers seeking atmospheric horror with historical elements will find this structure rewarding and deeply unsettling.