🩸 Horror Fiction

Cold Black Hearts

✍️ Jeffrey J Mariotte
Reader Score
4.5
(1 review)
$17.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

An empathic detective faces ancient demons in isolation.

This novel centers on Annie O'Brien, a former police officer with psychic abilities. She travels to a remote area where her presence acts as a catalyst for demonic activity. The plot unfolds through her solitary struggle against these forces. Mariotte uses the character's professional background to inform her reaction to the supernatural events. The narrative structure emphasizes her vulnerability and the scarcity of resources available to her. This approach highlights the terror of being alone against overwhelming evil. The story does not rely on complex plots but rather on the intensity of the immediate threat. It offers a focused look at how an individual copes with the unknown when all normal safeguards fail.

Key Themes
empathic detective ancient demonic forces remote isolation
Literary Context

Published by Wordfire Press in 2019, this work sits within the contemporary supernatural thriller genre. It appeals to American readers interested in gothic horror and psychic fiction traditions.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
Shirley Jackson · Stephen King's stand-alone horror novels · Peter Straub
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Wordfire Press 📅 2019 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781680570045

📝 Description: Cold Black Hearts

Jeffrey J Mariotte writes a supernatural thriller featuring Annie O'Brien, an empathic former police detective. Her arrival in a remote location triggers the awakening of ancient demonic forces. The narrative focuses on her isolation and the lack of external support as she confronts evil that defies rational explanation. The story draws upon traditions of psychic sensitivity and gothic horror. Mariotte qualifies his work by exploring the intersection of law enforcement background and supernatural ability. This combination creates a unique perspective on the genre. The book suits readers who enjoy character-driven horror with a focus on psychological tension and isolated settings. It may not appeal to those seeking fast-paced action or extensive world-building lore. Annie O'Brien must rely on her own senses and past experience to survive. The text does not offer easy resolutions or heroic reinforcements. Instead, it presents a steady progression of dread as the protagonist faces threats beyond reckoning. The atmosphere remains heavy and oppressive throughout. Readers interested in the specific dynamics of empathic characters in dire situations will find this narrative compelling. The focus stays tightly on Annie's internal and external struggles against the summoned entities.

💎 Our verdict on Cold Black Hearts

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Mariotte delivers a tightly focused supernatural thriller that prioritizes psychological tension over plot complexity. The narrative excels in establishing a heavy, oppressive atmosphere as Annie O'Brien confronts ancient demonic forces in total isolation. By leveraging her police background, the author creates a unique perspective on handling the unknown, highlighting vulnerability rather than power. This approach suits readers who favor character-driven horror and atmospheric dread. While it lacks fast-paced action or extensive lore, its strength lies in the immediate threat and the protagonist's solitary struggle. It is a compelling choice for those who enjoy intense, isolated encounters with evil without easy resolutions.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate character-driven horror narratives will find this book compelling, particularly those interested in the intersection of professional discipline and supernatural vulnerability. It appeals to fans of atmospheric dread over action, offering a focused exploration of how an empathic individual copes with overwhelming evil when all normal safeguards fail. The narrative provides a steady progression of tension for those who enjoy psychological intensity and isolated settings. It is ideal for audiences seeking a story that emphasizes internal struggle and the terror of being alone against forces beyond reckoning, rather than complex world-building or heroic reinforcements.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 1 reviews
5
0
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
H
Horror Reads editorial team

Mariotte delivers a tightly focused supernatural thriller that prioritizes psychological tension over plot complexity. The narrative excels in establishing a heavy, oppressive atmosphere as Annie O'Brien confronts ancient demonic forces in total isolation. By leveraging her police background, the author creates a unique perspective on handling the unknown, highlighting vulnerability rather than power. This approach suits readers who favor character-driven horror and atmospheric dread. While it lacks fast-paced action or extensive lore, its strength lies in the immediate threat and the protagonist's solitary struggle. It is a compelling choice for those who enjoy intense, isolated encounters with evil without easy resolutions.

✍️ More books by this author Jeffrey J Mariotte

Byrd's Luck & Other Western Stories
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Jeffrey J Mariotte
Byrd's Luck & Other Western Stories
$12.99
78
Read →
The Slab
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Jeffrey J Mariotte
The Slab
$34.99
78
Read →
Cold Black Hearts
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Jeffrey J Mariotte
Cold Black Hearts
$30.99
78
Read →
Missing White Girl
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Jeffrey J Mariotte
Missing White Girl
$31.99
78
Read →
Season of the Wolf
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.3
Jeffrey J Mariotte
Season of the Wolf
$14.99
69
Read →
Season of the Wolf
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.3
Jeffrey J Mariotte
Season of the Wolf
$28.99
69
Read →

🏛 Books from this publisher Wordfire Press

Stiffs and Stones
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Kevin J Anderson
Stiffs and Stones
$14.99
78
Read →
Horn Dogs
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Kevin J Anderson
Horn Dogs
$15.99
78
Read →
Book of Death and Madness
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
John Haas
Book of Death and Madness
$31.99
78
Read →
Passing Through Veils
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
John Harrison
Passing Through Veils
$28.99
81
Read →
The Serial Killer's Son Takes a Wife
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Michael Libling
The Serial Killer's Son Takes a Wife
$31.99
78
Read →
Merciless Mermaids: Tails from the Deep
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Kevin J Anderson
Merciless Mermaids: Tails from the Deep
$31.99
81
Read →

You might also like

See more →
River Runs Red
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
1
Jeffrey J Mariotte
River Runs Red
$17.99
81
Read →
Missing White Girl
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.4
1
Jeffrey J Mariotte
Missing White Girl
$18.99
78
Read →
Weird Tales: Best of the Early Years 1926-27
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
H P Lovecraft
Weird Tales: Best of the Early Years 1926-27
$17.99
86
Read →
Weird Tales: Best of the Early Years 1923-25
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Jonathan Maberry
Weird Tales: Best of the Early Years 1923-25
$17.99
86
Read →
Horror and Dark Fantasy Stories Volume 1
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Kevin J Anderson
Horror and Dark Fantasy Stories Volume 1
$17.99
86
Read →
Midnight Lullabies: Unquiet Stories and Poems
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Jonathan Maberry
Midnight Lullabies: Unquiet Stories and Poems
$17.99
86
Read →

Have a question about this item?

Ask about the edition, condition, delivery or anything else — we reply by email or phone, usually within a day.

Home Genres
Cart
Wishlist