🕯️ Supernatural

Crown Of Thorns

✍️ Trevor Kennedy
Reader Score
4.4
(1 review)
$7.00
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A Belfast boy confronts historical witchcraft trials and a sinister entity in this 1980s supernatural tale.

Kennedy weaves a narrative where personal trauma intersects with collective historical memory. The protagonist’s encounter with Mr. Needlesticks serves as a catalyst for uncovering secrets buried beneath the surface of Belfast society. The text examines how violence against women in the past continues to haunt the present, creating a cycle that the young hero must face. By juxtaposing the innocence of youth with the weight of centuries-old accusations, the author creates a sense of dread that feels both personal and ancestral.

Key Themes
witchcraft trials supernatural entity Belfast history
Literary Context

Set in Belfast during the late 1980s, the book reflects the social tensions of that period. It uses the backdrop of a city marked by conflict to explore themes of persecution and fear. The setting is crucial, grounding the supernatural elements in a real-world context of violence and mystery.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
Ramsey Campbell · Shirley Jackson · M.R. James · John Ajvide Lindqvist
🕯️
Supernatural
🏛 Independently Published 📅 2020 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9798632536073

📝 Description: Crown Of Thorns

Trevor Kennedy’s Crown Of Thorns transports readers to the outskirts of Belfast during the late 1980s. The narrative centers on a thirteen-year-old boy whose existence shifts permanently after he encounters a mystery linked to a young woman’s violent death. This event pulls him into a web involving centuries-old witchcraft trials and an unsettling figure known as Mr. Needlesticks. The story integrates elements of supernatural fiction with the gritty atmosphere of its specific time period. Kennedy constructs a plot where the mundane meets the terrifying, using the presence of a sinister ice-cream van to bridge the gap between childhood innocence and dark folklore. The work draws on gothic traditions by exploring the lingering effects of historical persecution through the lens of contemporary horror. This book suits readers who enjoy atmospheric supernatural tales rooted in specific regional histories. It appeals to those interested in how past tragedies echo into the present. Readers seeking fast-paced action or light-hearted entertainment may find the tone too heavy. The narrative focuses on psychological unease and the intrusion of the otherworldly into everyday life, offering a distinct perspective on horror fiction from that era.

💎 Our verdict on Crown Of Thorns

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Kennedy constructs a plot where the mundane meets the terrifying, using the presence of a sinister ice-cream van to bridge childhood innocence and dark folklore. The work draws on gothic traditions by exploring the lingering effects of historical persecution through the lens of contemporary horror. This book suits readers who enjoy atmospheric supernatural tales rooted in specific regional histories. It appeals to those interested in how past tragedies echo into the present. Readers seeking fast-paced action or light-hearted entertainment may find the tone too heavy. The narrative focuses on psychological unease and the intrusion of the otherworldly into everyday life, offering a distinct perspective on horror fiction from that era.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers drawn to atmospheric supernatural tales rooted in specific regional histories will find this narrative compelling. It appeals to those interested in how past tragedies echo into the present, offering a unique perspective on horror fiction from that era. The book suits individuals seeking psychological unease rather than fast-paced action or light-hearted entertainment. Those fascinated by the intrusion of the otherworldly into everyday life will appreciate the juxtaposition of childhood innocence with centuries-old accusations. It is ideal for audiences who enjoy exploring the lingering effects of historical persecution through a contemporary lens, providing a sense of dread that feels both personal and ancestral without relying on conventional jump scares or simple resolutions.

⭐ 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

Kennedy constructs a plot where the mundane meets the terrifying, using the presence of a sinister ice-cream van to bridge childhood innocence and dark folklore. The work draws on gothic traditions by exploring the lingering effects of historical persecution through the lens of contemporary horror. This book suits readers who enjoy atmospheric supernatural tales rooted in specific regional histories. It appeals to those interested in how past tragedies echo into the present. Readers seeking fast-paced action or light-hearted entertainment may find the tone too heavy. The narrative focuses on psychological unease and the intrusion of the otherworldly into everyday life, offering a distinct perspective on horror fiction from that era.

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