👻 Ghost Stories

Back and Forth and Back

✍️ Alan Dark
Reader Score
4.5
(1 review)
$9.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A psychological horror novel about a man tormented by his mother's demonic spirit.

Dark’s narrative follows James through a harrowing journey where memory and madness intertwine. The text details his confrontation with the malevolent spirit of his mother, highlighting the blurred boundaries between what is real and what is supernatural. This internal battle is relentless, driven by the guilt of his past actions. The story operates within the extreme horror genre, offering a raw look at demonic influence and psychological fragmentation. It targets an adult audience capable of handling intense subject matter without flinching. The work avoids gentle pacing or hopeful resolutions, instead maintaining a consistent tone of dread and confusion. Readers seeking standard ghost stories may find this too aggressive, while those interested in the darker corners of supernatural fiction will find its focus on internal torment compelling. The narrative structure supports this intensity by keeping the reader close to James’s deteriorating mental state.

Key Themes
demonic agenda mother's spirit gruesome actions
Literary Context

Published in early 2026 by M Presents Publishing, this book sits within the contemporary extreme horror tradition. It appeals to adult readers who prefer unfiltered supernatural fiction over gentle gothic tales.

Difficulty
●●● Challenging
Recommended For Fans Of
Thomas Ligotti · Clive Barker · H.P. Lovecraft
👻
Ghost Stories
🏛 M Presents Publishing 📅 2026 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9798295514647

📝 Description: Back and Forth and Back

Alan Dark presents a narrative centered on James, a protagonist haunted by the memories of his own gruesome actions. The story explores the relentless internal conflict within his mind as he struggles to distinguish reality from supernatural intrusion. A central element involves the malevolent spirit of his mother, who appears to pursue a demonic agenda that further complicates James’s mental state. This work falls under the category of extreme horror, demanding attention to its intense and disturbing content. The narrative does not shy away from the psychological toll of such encounters, focusing on the blurring lines between the physical world and the spectral realm. Dark constructs this tale for readers who seek unflinching depictions of supernatural terror and psychological decay. It is explicitly noted as unsuitable for young readers due to its mature and graphic nature. The book serves as a stark example of contemporary extreme horror fiction, prioritizing visceral impact over conventional plot structures. Readers should approach this text with an understanding of its demanding thematic weight and its refusal to offer comfort or resolution in traditional senses. The focus remains tightly on James’s internal battle and the external manifestation of his mother’s spirit.

💎 Our verdict on Back and Forth and Back

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Alan Dark delivers a harrowing exploration of memory and madness, centering on James’s relentless internal battle against his mother’s demonic spirit. The narrative effectively maintains close proximity to the protagonist’s deteriorating mental state, creating an immersive experience of confusion and dread. By avoiding conventional plot structures and comfortable resolutions, the book succeeds in its goal to unsettle. It is best suited for readers who enjoy extreme horror and are prepared for aggressive, psychologically dense storytelling. While potentially too intense for those seeking traditional ghost stories, it offers a stark, uncompromising look at supernatural influence and guilt.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking intense, unflinching depictions of supernatural terror and psychological decay will find this novel compelling. It is designed for an adult audience capable of handling mature and graphic subject matter without flinching. Those interested in the darker corners of supernatural fiction will appreciate its focus on internal torment and the blurring lines between reality and the spectral realm. The narrative offers a raw look at demonic influence, maintaining a consistent tone of dread and confusion rather than providing gentle pacing or hopeful resolutions. It is ideal for those who prioritize visceral impact and are willing to engage with demanding thematic weight.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

Alan Dark delivers a harrowing exploration of memory and madness, centering on James’s relentless internal battle against his mother’s demonic spirit. The narrative effectively maintains close proximity to the protagonist’s deteriorating mental state, creating an immersive experience of confusion and dread. By avoiding conventional plot structures and comfortable resolutions, the book succeeds in its goal to unsettle. It is best suited for readers who enjoy extreme horror and are prepared for aggressive, psychologically dense storytelling. While potentially too intense for those seeking traditional ghost stories, it offers a stark, uncompromising look at supernatural influence and guilt.

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