Black Flame
A repressed archivist restores a lost film that unleashes occult horrors upon her life.
Ellen Kramer works as an archivist in New York during the mid-1980s. She is deeply closeted and pathologically repressed. Her routine breaks when she finds The Baroness, a hedonistic exploitation film thought destroyed by Nazi fire. Restoring the movie triggers visions and voices that consume her. She believes the events are real and happening to her. This conviction leads her to unleash occult horrors on the world. Her life spirals out of control until it fades to black. The story examines how repressed desires can manifest as external threats.
The narrative is set in New York in the mid-1980s. It engages with the legacy of Nazi fire destroying cultural artifacts like The Baroness. The story reflects on the era's social climate regarding closeted identities and the hidden histories of exploitation cinema.
📝 Description: Black Flame
💎 Our verdict on Black Flame
📖 Why choose it
Why this book is worth reading
Readers seeking psychological horror grounded in specific historical contexts will find this title compelling. It appeals to those who enjoy character-driven dread over fast-paced action or clear resolutions. The narrative offers a haunting exploration of how repressed desires can manifest as external threats, making it suitable for fans of gothic fiction and true crime enthusiasts interested in the darker aspects of human psychology. The lingering conclusion ensures the story stays with the reader long after finishing.
⭐ Reader reviews
Reader rating
Gretchen Felker-Martin crafts a chilling narrative centered on Ellen Kramer, a lonely archivist whose life shifts upon discovering a lost exploitation film. As she restores 'The Baroness', her repressed desires surface through dark visions, blurring the line between cinematic fiction and supernatural reality. This title suits readers who appreciate psychological horror grounded in specific historical contexts and character-driven dread. It may not appeal to those seeking fast-paced action or clear resolutions, but offers a haunting question that lingers long after the final page.
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✍️ More books by this author Gretchen Felker-Martin
🏛 Books from this publisher Tor Nightfire
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