🩸 Horror Fiction

Black Hearts and Silhouettes- Book 1: The Storm

✍️ Richard Jones
Reader Score
4.4
(1 review)
$14.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A couple confronts an ancient artefact amid UK political unrest in this supernatural thriller.

The narrative follows David and Bethan as they navigate a divided United Kingdom where revolution seems imminent. Their personal struggles mirror the broader societal tension between capitalists and activists. An ancient artefact becomes the catalyst for mysterious events that blur the line between dream and reality. The story relies on atmospheric tension rather than explicit horror elements. Jones structures the plot around the couple’s gradual discovery of the threat. This approach allows for a slow burn that emphasizes psychological dread over physical danger.

Key Themes
ancient artefacts political unrest supernatural folklore
Literary Context

The book is set in a divided United Kingdom where political tensions between capitalists and activists create a backdrop of revolution. It draws on ancient folklore from AD 43, linking historical suffering to modern anxiety. The work sits within the tradition of supernatural fiction that uses historical settings to explore contemporary fears.

Difficulty
●●● Challenging
Recommended For Fans Of
M.R. James · Shirley Jackson · Angela Carter
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Createspace Independent Publishing Platform 📅 2014 📖 364 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781500599683

📝 Description: Black Hearts and Silhouettes- Book 1: The Storm

Richard Jones presents a narrative rooted in the year AD 43, where a dark force was laid to rest. Centuries later, political unrest divides the United Kingdom between capitalists and activists. David and Bethan notice an ominous shift in the atmosphere as their personal lives intersect with ancient folklore. When David’s nightmares manifest as mysterious real-life events, the couple confronts a threat resurfacing through an ancient artefact. The story combines old-world prose with a compelling setting to portray anxiety and greed. It draws on traditions of supernatural fiction and gothic horror, grounding its modern conflict in historical suffering. The narrative structure follows the couple’s realization that a much darker threat abounds. This first book in a three-part series examines how past events influence contemporary political divisions. Jones uses the artefact as a focal point for exploring these tensions without relying on overt action sequences. This work suits readers interested in supernatural fiction that blends historical references with modern political unrest. It may not appeal to those seeking fast-paced thrillers or purely romantic plots. The text focuses on atmosphere and character interaction rather than extensive world-building details. Readers will find a chilling portrayal of how ancient fears persist in new forms.

💎 Our verdict on Black Hearts and Silhouettes- Book 1: The Storm

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Jones structures this debut around a slow-burn psychological dread, effectively mirroring personal struggles against broader political unrest in the UK. By focusing on atmospheric tension rather than physical danger, the work creates a compelling sense of unease as dream and reality blur. The reliance on old-world prose grounds the supernatural elements in historical suffering, offering a thoughtful exploration of greed and anxiety. While it lacks overt action, the gradual discovery of the threat provides a unique charm for patient readers. This first installment in a trilogy examines how past events shape present conflicts, appealing to those who value character depth and societal critique over immediate thrills.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

This book suits readers interested in supernatural fiction that blends historical references with modern political unrest. It appeals to those who prefer atmospheric tension and psychological dread over explicit horror elements or fast-paced action sequences. The narrative structure emphasizes a slow burn, focusing on character interaction and the gradual realization of a darker threat. Readers seeking a chilling portrayal of how ancient artifacts influence contemporary divisions will find value here. It is ideal for audiences comfortable with old-world prose and societal anxiety rather than those seeking purely romantic plots or extensive world-building details.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

Jones structures this debut around a slow-burn psychological dread, effectively mirroring personal struggles against broader political unrest in the UK. By focusing on atmospheric tension rather than physical danger, the work creates a compelling sense of unease as dream and reality blur. The reliance on old-world prose grounds the supernatural elements in historical suffering, offering a thoughtful exploration of greed and anxiety. While it lacks overt action, the gradual discovery of the threat provides a unique charm for patient readers. This first installment in a trilogy examines how past events shape present conflicts, appealing to those who value character depth and societal critique over immediate thrills.

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