🗡️ Dark Fantasy

Cities That Eat Islands (Book 2)

✍️ M E Purfield
Reader Score
4.5
(1 review)
$20.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A psychic artist hunts a killer targeting young black women in 1963 New York.

Carmella Noto works as an artist while supporting her brother Enzo. Her psychic gifts draw the attention of a clandestine group of psychics who need her help to solve murders of young black women. Carmella does not realize the killer is also hunting her personally. The plot involves maneuvering through a working-class life amidst racial tension in New York. The story reveals long-coveted secrets and explores the dangerous desires found within low-level criminals and psychics alike.

Key Themes
psychic murders racial conflict working-class life
Literary Context

The novel is set in 1963 New York, a time of significant racial tension. It reflects the experiences of working-class individuals and the African American community during this specific historical period. The narrative engages with the social dynamics of mid-century urban America.

Difficulty
●●● Challenging
Recommended For Fans Of
Shirley Jackson · Anne Rice · Stephen King · Octavia Butler
🗡️
Dark Fantasy
🏛 Trash Books 📅 2019 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9798201434687

📝 Description: Cities That Eat Islands (Book 2)

M E Purfield writes a dark fantasy set in racially conflicted New York during 1963. The narrative follows Carmella Noto, a psychic artist who balances a working-class existence with caring for her non-verbal autistic brother, Enzo. A killer targets young black women across the city, prompting Carmella to become entangled in a dangerous pursuit. Carmella’s unique abilities attract a secret group of psychics seeking her assistance in solving these difficult murders. This organization aims to catch a degenerate murderer focused on single young black women. However, Carmella remains unaware that the killer specifically targets her as well. The story moves through themes of low-level criminality and the dangerous desires hidden within such individuals. This book suits readers interested in supernatural fiction with social commentary. It draws on mid-twentieth century urban settings and psychic traditions. Those seeking lighthearted romance or purely historical accounts may find this too intense. Purfield qualifies as a writer of mysterious dark fantasy, blending the mundane struggles of working-class life with occult threats. The narrative structure relies on Carmella’s perspective to uncover secrets while managing her family responsibilities.

💎 Our verdict on Cities That Eat Islands (Book 2)

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Purfield delivers a compelling dark fantasy that effectively blends the mundane struggles of working-class life with intense occult threats. The narrative successfully navigates complex themes of racial tension and psychic abilities in 1963 New York, creating a vivid sense of place and period. Carmella’s perspective offers a grounded entry point into a world of clandestine psychics and degenerate murderers, making the supernatural feel immediate and dangerous. The book is best suited for readers who enjoy atmospheric horror with strong social commentary. It avoids lighthearted tropes, offering instead a serious exploration of hidden secrets and family dynamics. Those who appreciate mysterious dark fantasy that challenges conventional genre boundaries will find this work both engaging and thought-provoking.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking a dark fantasy that intertwines supernatural elements with gritty social realism will find this title compelling. It appeals to those interested in the intersection of psychic traditions and mid-century urban life, particularly within racially conflicted settings. The story offers a unique perspective on working-class struggles, family responsibility, and hidden occult threats. Fans of psychological horror who appreciate nuanced character development over simple scares will enjoy Carmella’s journey. This book is ideal for audiences who want to explore the dangerous desires of low-level criminals and psychics alike, providing a tense atmosphere without relying on lighthearted romance or purely historical accounts.

⭐ 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

Purfield delivers a compelling dark fantasy that effectively blends the mundane struggles of working-class life with intense occult threats. The narrative successfully navigates complex themes of racial tension and psychic abilities in 1963 New York, creating a vivid sense of place and period. Carmella’s perspective offers a grounded entry point into a world of clandestine psychics and degenerate murderers, making the supernatural feel immediate and dangerous. The book is best suited for readers who enjoy atmospheric horror with strong social commentary. It avoids lighthearted tropes, offering instead a serious exploration of hidden secrets and family dynamics. Those who appreciate mysterious dark fantasy that challenges conventional genre boundaries will find this work both engaging and thought-provoking.

📖 From the series “Cities That Eat Islands”

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