🩸 Horror Fiction

Circle of Blood

✍️ Thomas M Malafarina
Reader Score
4.5
(1 review)
$22.95
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A couple inherits a farm with a hidden burial site that triggers supernatural consequences.

This novel follows Stephanie Wright as she uncovers dark secrets in her family tree while living on an inherited property. Her husband Jason hides a grave to preserve their happiness, but this act invites retribution. The story explores how genealogical research can reveal traumatic histories. Malafarina uses the concept of ancestral curses to drive the plot forward. The narrative does not rely on jump scares but rather on psychological dread and the weight of history. Readers interested in family sagas with a supernatural twist will engage with the material. The book examines the cost of ignoring one’s past.

Key Themes
family genealogy burial site ancestral curse
Literary Context

This work sits within the American horror tradition, specifically drawing on rural gothic elements found in Schuylkill County. Published by Hellbender Books in 2019, it reflects contemporary interest in family secrets and supernatural retribution in domestic settings.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
Shirley Jackson · Dacre Stoker · Anne Rice
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Hellbender Books 📅 2019 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781620061299

📝 Description: Circle of Blood

Stephanie Wright and her husband Jason relocate to a renovated farmette in rural Schuylkill County after inheriting the property. They anticipate peace and stability, believing their financial worries have ended. Jason discovers an ancient family burial site on the grounds. He removes the headstones and conceals the graves to protect Stephanie from distress. This decision triggers events that challenge their new beginning. Stephanie begins researching her family genealogy to understand her heritage. Her investigation reveals a terrible family tragedy hidden within their lineage. The narrative exposes the unholy origins of the fortune they previously enjoyed. Thomas M Malafarina, identified as a horror master, delivers suspense and supernatural intrigue. His work focuses on gut wrenching terror that appeals to dedicated horror fans. The story examines how past sins haunt present lives through specific family secrets. Readers who enjoy supernatural fiction and gothic atmospheres will find this book suitable. Those seeking lighthearted entertainment or non-fiction historical accounts may not appreciate the content. Malafarina constructs a narrative where the dead pursue their own agenda. The plot relies on the consequences of hiding truth rather than external monsters invading from outside. The tension builds through Stephanie’s discoveries and Jason’s initial deception. The setting of Schuylkill County provides a specific backdrop for these events.

💎 Our verdict on Circle of Blood

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Malafarina constructs a tense narrative where the dead pursue their own agenda, focusing on the consequences of deception rather than visceral gore. The novel excels in building psychological dread through Stephanie’s genealogical discoveries and Jason’s initial concealment of the burial site. This approach creates a chilling atmosphere suitable for fans of gothic horror and supernatural intrigue. The book effectively examines how past sins haunt present lives, offering a nuanced look at family secrets. It is best suited for readers who enjoy suspense driven by character history and ancestral curses. Those seeking lighthearted entertainment should look elsewhere, as the tone remains serious and ominous throughout the unfolding tragedy.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate slow-burn atmospheric horror and gothic fiction will find this novel deeply engaging. It appeals to those interested in the psychological weight of genealogical research and the concept of ancestral curses driving the narrative. The story offers a compelling examination of how ignoring one's past invites supernatural consequences, making it ideal for fans of family sagas with dark twists. Those who prefer tension built through character discovery rather than jump scares will enjoy the gut-wrenching terror and suspense Malafarina delivers. It is suitable for dedicated horror enthusiasts seeking to explore the cost of hiding truth and the haunting nature of inherited trauma without relying on external monsters.

⭐ 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

Malafarina constructs a tense narrative where the dead pursue their own agenda, focusing on the consequences of deception rather than visceral gore. The novel excels in building psychological dread through Stephanie’s genealogical discoveries and Jason’s initial concealment of the burial site. This approach creates a chilling atmosphere suitable for fans of gothic horror and supernatural intrigue. The book effectively examines how past sins haunt present lives, offering a nuanced look at family secrets. It is best suited for readers who enjoy suspense driven by character history and ancestral curses. Those seeking lighthearted entertainment should look elsewhere, as the tone remains serious and ominous throughout the unfolding tragedy.

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