All That Black

Name: All That Black
Price: 40.00 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9798899760730

✍️ Cristiana Astori

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$40.00

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A thriller about finding a cursed film starring Soledad Miranda in 2010 Turin.

The plot centers on Susanna Marino’s quest for a rare movie print. She moves through various locations including Lisbon and Portugal to find the item. The story connects the life of Soledad Miranda with events from four decades prior. Susanna realizes that her colleagues and acquaintances have dangerous intentions toward her. The narrative structure mirrors the visual style of giallo cinema. It combines elements of mystery with supernatural undertones. The translation by Patrick Moroney brings this 2011 Italian work to English readers for the first time. An afterword by Carlos Aguilar provides additional context for the genre.

Key Themes

cursed film Soledad Miranda film archive

Literary Context

First published in Italy in 2011 as part of Il Giallo Mondadori, this novel draws on the legacy of Jess Franco and Soledad Miranda. It reflects the influence of directors Lucio Fulci, Dario Argento, and Sergio Martino while evoking writers Alain Robbe-Grillet, JG Ballard, and Trent Dalton.

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

Dario Argento · Alain Robbe-Grillet · JG Ballard · Lucio Fulci

🧠

Psychological Horror

🏛 Sticking Place Books 📅 2026 🌐 English 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9798899760730

📝 Description: All That Black

Cristiana Astori’s All That Black follows Susanna Marino, a college dropout in Turin during 2010. She accepts a job from an unknown company to locate a print of Un día en Lisboa, a short film starring Soledad Miranda. The project offers significant money but carries a reputation for being cursed. Her search takes her from the Blue Velvet nightclub to the Portuguese coast and into the collection of an obsessed archivist. The narrative weaves together the history of director Jess Franco and his muse with Susanna’s own past. As she investigates, she discovers that many people want the film or her. Some of these individuals are willing to kill to get what they want. The story reflects the style of Italian horror directors like Lucio Fulci and Dario Argento while echoing the literary approaches of Alain Robbe-Grillet and JG Ballard. This novel suits readers who enjoy cine-literate thrillers and gothic mystery. It appeals to those interested in the intersection of film history and supernatural fiction. The book does not suit readers seeking straightforward horror without complex narrative layers or those uninterested in the specific context of 1970s European cinema. Astori, an Italian author first published in 2011, delivers a story that is both adventurous and cinematic.

💎 Our verdict on All That Black

“

🩸

Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Astori delivers a meticulously crafted narrative that mirrors the aesthetic of giallo cinema while weaving in dangerous supernatural intrigue. The protagonist’s quest for a cursed film print drives a plot filled with mystery and psychological tension, supported by a translation that brings this 2011 Italian work to English readers effectively. The inclusion of an afterword adds valuable context for genre enthusiasts. This novel excels in its atmospheric depth and literary echoes of Ballard and Robbe-Grillet. It is best suited for readers who enjoy cine-literate thrillers and gothic mysteries, offering a sophisticated blend of adventure and horror that avoids simplistic tropes in favor of complex, visually inspired storytelling.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate complex narrative layers and cine-literate thrillers will find much to admire in this novel. It offers a unique intersection of film history and supernatural mystery, appealing specifically to those interested in the legacy of Soledad Miranda and Jess Franco. The book suits audiences seeking a gothic investigation that mirrors the visual style of giallo cinema rather than straightforward horror. Those uninterested in 1970s European cinema context may find it less engaging, but for fans of atmospheric, adventurous storytelling with supernatural undertones, this translation provides a rich, cinematic experience that rewards patience and genre knowledge.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Astori delivers a meticulously crafted narrative that mirrors the aesthetic of giallo cinema while weaving in dangerous supernatural intrigue. The protagonist’s quest for a cursed film print drives a plot filled with mystery and psychological tension, supported by a translation that brings this 2011 Italian work to English readers effectively. The inclusion of an afterword adds valuable context for genre enthusiasts. This novel excels in its atmospheric depth and literary echoes of Ballard and Robbe-Grillet. It is best suited for readers who enjoy cine-literate thrillers and gothic mysteries, offering a sophisticated blend of adventure and horror that avoids simplistic tropes in favor of complex, visually inspired storytelling.