Coup de Grace: A Liminal Space Psychological Horror

Sofia Ajram, a Bram Stoker Award winner, presents Coup de Grace, an experimental psychological horror novel. The story follows Vickers, a young man suffering from depression who attempts suicide by jumping into the Saint Lawrence River in Montreal. Instead of death, he finds himself trapped in an infinite subway station. This setting functions as a labyrinth of despair where time and space loop endlessly. Vickers explores claustrophobic hallways and vast cathedral-like rooms, searching for an exit that never appears. The narrative shifts from physical confinement to a mental prison as he realizes he is likely not alone in the shadows. This book suits readers who enjoy mind-bending narratives similar to those by Mark Z. Danielewski or Susanna Clarke. It draws on the gothic tradition of architectural horror and the supernatural theme of purgatorial spaces. The text avoids traditional plot progression, focusing instead on the visceral experience of isolation. Readers seeking straightforward resolution or conventional character arcs may find this work unsatisfying. The story does not offer comfort but rather a harrowing exploration of the self. Ajram uses concrete imagery to build tension without relying on supernatural monsters. The horror stems from the endless repetition and the psychological weight of the environment. The novel stands as proof of the expanding labyrinth of despair, as noted by Paul Tremblay. It remains a terrifying nightmare for those willing to endure its bleak atmosphere.